That Time When I Fell Down the Stairs and Became a Jujutsu Sorcerer

Chapter 26 - It'll Be Okay

As I opened my eyes, the world seemed to blur into focus, my mind slowly emerging from the chaos of the mental storm. The warmth of the small bed enveloped me, and I felt the steady beat of my heart slowing down. I felt arms around me, holding me tight to his chest and I knew it was Satoru.

I heard a small sharp inhale from him and he sat up quickly. His eyes met mine, filled with worry, looking all over my face. When I sat up as well, he pulled me into his embrace again with his hand on the back of my head.

“What happened?” He whispered, his voice smooth and calm.

“Satoru…” I choked out, feeling that dread coming back, “I messed up. It… it's gone.”

“What's gone? Tell me.” He asked, holding me still.

I explained everything, slowly as he asked his own questions. From his dream memories, he understood some of the situation but clearly not all of it. When it clicked for him, his eyebrows dropped as he tried to figure something out.

“So you… when you were talking about leaving you meant back to that checkpoint so you could save everyone?” He repeated.

I nodded, rubbing my eyes, “That man somehow knew. I've been hit in the head before, sure, but he purposely used cursed energy to strike me. He knew how to reset my starting point.”

“Well first of all you need to set a new one.” Satoru said, already in his planning stage, “No matter what, we need to keep at least this far.”

“I can do it in the morning-”

“No, do it now.” He said, turning to me with his deadly serious eyes, “Don't mess around with this.”

I nodded, but when I reached down I'd forgotten I didn't have the dagger. I sighed then looked at him, “I don't have it. I left it in your apartment so I can't do it.”

He hesitated, “It just has to be cursed energy on your head, right?”

I nodded, “Why? Are you gonna do it?”

Turning to me he lifted his hand and pointed his index and middle fingers at my temple. A blinding flash later and I blinked, looking over at him. He said nothing after, but I could see the look in his eyes. Disgust and horror.

“Alright.” He said after a pause, “We know where we'll come back to now.”

I looked at him, “You… you didn't have to do that…”

He smiled a little, “It had to be done. I'm not going to lose you again. No matter what, every loop I want you to start with me.”

“You didn't know how to set my checkpoint, right? At least not until I reminded you?” I asked.

“Kind of. It's a bit vague.” He said, leaning forward with his fingers steepled, “It wasn't me that told that guy, if that's what you're worried about.”

“No, no I know you wouldn't.” I said quickly, “I just… there is only one other ‘person’ who knows.”

“That fucking knife.” He said, sitting up straight, “I knew that bastard was working against you!”

I held up my hand, “We don't know that for sure. He did try to warn me and he has been honest with me so far. He said something about us needing to get to this point though and I don't understand why.”

Satoru put his hand to his chin in thought, “There must be something that happens in this loop that's important to him. Enough that'd he'd want to make sure you are here and not going to leave it.”