Fragility (Jujutsu Kaisen)

~ Chapter 32 ~

Sachiko spit out multiple words trying to form a sentence before she went quiet, she closed her eyes briefly. She didn't know what to say, it felt like she was in a strange dream she couldn't wake up from. "Suguru... What have you done?" she finally managed to whisper as she brought her hand to her forehead placing pressure against her temples. 

It was not the news she expected to hear from Satoru upon her return from her mission, it was something she never in her life had dreamed of hearing. Satoru was more likely in her mind to go off the rails but Suguru was always so level-headed and passionate. Was. 

"He has been acting differently since Riko's death, that whole time was a disaster for all of us but this..." She said as she turned to the window, her arms wrapping around herself. Satoru hadn't said a word as he faced the door, standing still with his hands in his pockets. Her eyes drifted to him, and she let her arms fall to her side. 

Without another word, she slowly walked towards him her footsteps on the wooden floor echoing in the room. Sachiko wrapped her arms around him from behind and rested her head on his back. He went stiff for a moment, and she felt him lift his head up before a whimper came from his mouth. 

She followed him down as he crumbled to the floor, sobs and tears flowing freely, "Oh Satoru, I'm so sorry." She held him tightly as his hands gripped his forearms, she felt the wet patch build on the sleeve of her cardigan. Sachiko moved so she leaned against the wall and pulled him into her as she allowed him to just let his emotions out no matter how hard he fought to keep them concealed he didn't win this battle with himself. 

She couldn't believe it after everything that had happened in the past year, Riko, her family, Yu and now Suguru had betrayed them. It somehow cut deeper than death, at least death offers closure, this offers nothing except a new battle. 

Sachiko sat next to Nanami as they ate their dinner quietly, the blonde was covered in dirt and was very tired. He had attended his semi-grade one mission over the last two days and was successful but came home to the news of Suguru's betrayal. At the start of their second year, it was the three of them attempting to get as far ahead as each other, yet only two sat there with their wishes fulfilled while the other lost their life all because of a simple mistake. 

"In a way, I'm glad Yu isn't here to see this. He really looked up to him." Sachiko muttered as she pushed her food around her plate but it was followed by a long sigh which made Nanami's attention fall on her. "I don't mean that, I do but I still want him here." 

"I know, he'd be sitting across from us cracking jokes trying to cheer us up," Nanami said with a rare smile creeping onto his face. Sachiko eyed him before her own came to her face, she stared across at the empty place as she tried to imagine their best friend staring at them with a permanent smile. "It's his week to get drinks, I was saving so much money." 

"I forget how much you love money," She said teasing him as she pushed her plate away and crossed her arms on the table. He let out a breath through his nose, she laughed and leaned her head on his shoulder. "After everything that's happened, I'm surprised we just didn't run away together and join a circus." 

"You know how many curses follow circuses? Clowns are terrifying." Nanami said as he grabbed both their plates and stood up. Sachiko followed him with an amused gaze as she swung her leg half over the bench, "I would rather, we ran away and worked in a business firm." 

"I forgot how much a party animal you are Kento." She said as she stood up and joined him as they walked out of the dining hall. She heard a small scoff from him for using his first name. As they made their way outside, Gojo stood there waiting quietly.