𝐓𝐨𝐣𝐢 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫: 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐲

Haunted by Shadows and Decisions

Time skip: about 1 month

A month had passed since the day Y/N had almost killed Toji. Yet, the memory of that moment lingered like a shadow, following her into her dreams. Night after night, she saw his face, felt the intensity of their battle, and relived the decision that had changed everything.

Tonight was no different. Y/N tossed and turned, caught in the throes of another nightmare.

She stood in the same clearing where she had fought Toji. The blood manipulation curse was ready to consume him. His eyes, usually so defiant, were filled with an unfamiliar vulnerability as he whispered, "Megumi."

But in this dream, she didn't stop. She unleashed the blood, watching as it engulfed him and pierced right through him multiple times, making him die instantly. And then she saw Megumi, standing in the ruins, tears streaming down his face.

"Why did you kill my father?" he asked, his voice broken.

Y/N woke with a start, sweat pouring down her face, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. She sat up, pressing a hand to her forehead, trying to steady her breathing. The nightmare felt so real, so vivid. She could still hear Megumi's voice, see the pain in his eyes.

For a moment, she simply sat there, letting the remnants of the dream fade. Then she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, moving to the window. The cool night air helped to calm her, but the weight in her chest remained.

Y/N had told the authorities and Principal Yaga that she wouldn't continue with the mission to assassinate Toji. When they had asked why, she had lied, claiming she had underestimated him and couldn't kill him easily. The truth was far more complicated. Something inside her had changed that day. Despite everything Toji had done, she couldn't bring herself to kill him.

And she hated herself for it.

During the day, she tried to focus on her training and other missions, pushing thoughts of Toji to the back of her mind. But at night, when the world was quiet and she was alone with her thoughts, he invaded her dreams.

Y/N remembered the meeting with the authorities clearly. She had stood in front of them, her posture straight, her expression firm.

"I can't carry on with the mission to assassinate Toji Fushiguro," she had said, her voice steady.

Principal Yaga had frowned, leaning forward. "Why not, Y/N? You're one of our best sorcerers. If anyone can do it, it's you."

"I underestimated him," she had replied, avoiding their eyes. "He's stronger than I thought. I need more time to prepare."

Gojo had watched her closely, his eyes narrowing. "You're hiding something, Y/N."

She had met his gaze, her heart pounding. "I'm not. I just need more time."

In truth, she knew she couldn't kill Toji. The image of Megumi, the little boy she had met in the supermarket, haunted her. She couldn't take away his father, no matter how dangerous he was.

Days turned into weeks, and Y/N continued to struggle with her feelings. She tried to forget Toji, but he was always there, lurking in the shadows, the edges of her mind. She spent more time training, hoping to exhaust herself enough so she could distract herself. She didn't want to dream og a man, that had humiliated her threw away her dignity in just a few seconds. But it didn't work. Every night, she saw his face.

One day, she decided to visit the supermarket where she had met Megumi. She told herself it was just to pick up a few things, but deep down, she knew she was hoping to see the little boy again. She walked through the aisles, her eyes scanning the faces of the shoppers. But Megumi wasn't there.