Cursed Legacy: Sayuri Gojo

第二十章

Sayuri slowly opened her eyes, the sterile smell of the infirmary filling her senses. She groaned as she sat up, feeling every bruise and break in her body. Utahime was sitting by her bed, arms crossed and looking anything but pleased.

"I heard everything from Mai. She's okay now," Utahime said, her voice tight with restrained anger.

"How long was I out?" Sayuri asked, wincing as she tried to stretch.

"A while now," Utahime replied curtly.

Sayuri could sense the fury bubbling beneath her calm exterior. "You sound mad," she observed, raising an eyebrow. "What's got your knickers in a twist?"

Utahime's eyes narrowed. "You used your power so recklessly, you nearly got yourself sent to a mental hospital."

Sayuri rolled her eyes. "Woman, we would have died anyways," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Sorry for saving everyone's skin."

Utahime's expression hardened. "Oh, right. Because fainting dramatically and coughing up blood is just a fun little side effect. Ever thought of the consequences?"

Sayuri shrugged, wincing again. "Consequences? You mean like the alternative where we all end up as curse food? Sounds like a real picnic."

"Very funny," Utahime snapped. "But your little stunt almost cost you your sanity. Do you know how hard it is to pull someone back from that?"

"Not as hard as fighting off a bunch of grade ones with just my fists," Sayuri shot back. "But hey, next time I'll let them rip us apart and see if that helps with your sanity."

Utahime's frustration was palpable. "You think this is a joke? You could have died or worse!"

Sayuri leaned back against her pillows, her expression softening slightly. "Look, I get it. But in that moment, it was either go all out or watch my friends get torn to shreds. I chose the option where we all get to complain about it later."

Utahime sighed, some of her anger dissipating. "Just... be more careful, okay? You're not invincible, no matter how much you like to pretend."

Sayuri smirked. "I don't pretend to be invincible. I just happen to have a really bad habit of surviving."

Utahime shook her head, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "You're impossible."

"And yet, here I am," Sayuri said with a cheeky grin. "Now, can we talk about something less depressing? Like, where's my victory ice cream?"

Utahime sighed dramatically. "You're unbelievable."

Sayuri winked. "And don't you forget it."

Sayuri's grin faded as she thought about her friends. "How's Kamo?" she asked, her voice quieter.

Utahime sighed, rubbing her temples. "How well is someone supposed to be with holes in his body?"

Sayuri winced, the guilt gnawing at her. "Is he going to be okay?"

Utahime nodded, though her expression remained serious. "He's tough. He'll recover, but it's going to take time."

Sayuri sighed in relief. "Thank God. I was worried I'd have to fight those curses and deal with losing a friend."

Utahime shot her a look. "You joke about everything, don't you?"

"It's my coping mechanism," Sayuri replied with a shrug. "That and punching things."

"Try to find healthier ways," Utahime suggested. "Like not putting yourself in the hospital."

Sayuri rolled her eyes. "I'll add that to my to-do list. Right under 'save the world' and 'stop getting kidnapped.'"