Child of Thorns || Nobara Kugisaki x KNY (english)

🥀First Thorn🥀

In the chilling corridor, the ominous touch of Mahito, the Special Grade curse, sent shivers down Nobara's spine, signaling the inevitable end of her struggle. A surreal silence enveloped the scene, broken only by the distant echoes of impending fate.

Itadori, his usually animated face now a canvas of shock, stood across from her. His mouth hesitated, caught between the weight of unspoken words and the harsh reality unraveling before them.

The unspoken understanding lingered in the air – the battle was lost for the Jujutsu Sorcerer, and Itadori found himself thrust into the unsettling responsibility of confronting the malevolent curse that now loomed over them. The corridor, once a passageway of hope, transformed into a battleground of despair, where silence spoke volumes, and the burden of destiny rested heavily on their shoulders.

"Isn't it wearisome to witness your friends perish, Itadori?" echoed his inner voice – or perhaps Sukuna, entwining his thoughts. Yuji could vividly picture Sukuna delighting in his anguish, the haunting resonance of Sukuna's malevolent laughter already echoing in his mind.

As Nobara witnessed her memories flicker before her eyes, an encounter drawing her nearer to death, she found herself unable to fathom, let alone ponder, the prospect of confronting her own demise. Yet, she mused with a grimace, perhaps such reluctance was merely a manifestation of her own arrogance.

In a moment of reflection, her thoughts drifted, and the image of her childhood friend Fumi surfaced. "Apologies, Fumi. It appears I can't uphold our promise," she murmured, a trace of regret coloring her words.

It appeared almost ironic that a Jujutsu Sorcerer would meet their end without remorse. However, irrespective of one's affiliation with Jujutsu or not, everyone harbors regrets in life. That's undeniably human. Yet, the pivotal question lingers – Was it worth it?

In the end, a rueful smile graced Nobara's face. Gazing into the pink-haired teenager's eyes, she uttered with her dwindling strength, "Itadori, tell everyone... it wasn't that bad."

The world around her dimmed as the light in her eyes waned, and the transmutation of her soul unfolded. A fleeting pain, succeeded by absolute emptiness – just her and her solitary thoughts.

"Is this what death feels like?" she mused.

"You could never resist protecting the weak and helpless, could you? But look where it got you," the voice in her head laughed maliciously. "Is the voice in my head mocking me?" she wondered.

Nobara closed her eyes and shook her head. A melancholic smile appeared on her face as she recalled the first meeting with Fumi. The girl with the blue backpack was being bullied, and Nobara, full of pity, decided to swap their backpacks.

At the end of the day, however, she chose to swap the backpack back. Nobara didn't understand Fumi's motives back then and might never understand. It's not like she would ever see Fumi again.

Nobara had always carried a toughness that defied traditional expectations for a girl. She wielded it fiercely, especially when it came to protecting Fumi. Unconventional methods became her shield, ensuring that other kids steered clear of Fumi. In the end, Fumi emerged as her sole confidante, becoming Nobara's dearest friend. The shared joy of playing Smash Bros with Fumi's dad added a special layer to their unique bond.

"I would do it again without hesitation," Nobara said. After all, it was Fumi...

Nobara's firm declaration echoed in the recesses of her thoughts. The loyalty and dedication she harbored for Fumi transcended any doubts. If given the chance, she would willingly tread the same path again – Fumi was worth it, without a shred of hesitation.