Takes And Heartaches | Sukuna x Reader |

Chapter 22

The morning light poured through the large windows of Y/N's penthouse, casting long shadows across the floor. Y/N's reflection in the mirror was a stark contrast to her usual poised self. Her face was pale, her eyes heavy with dark circles, and her hair fell messily around her shoulders. Sleep had evaded her, leaving her a restless mess of anxiety and exhaustion.

She stumbled through her morning routine, each movement mechanical and devoid of the usual grace. The events of the previous night replayed in her mind, the conversation with Satoru, his charm, and the unsettling way he spoke about wanting to get to know her better. She had lain awake, torn between the allure of a fresh start and the remnants of a past that refused to fade.

When she finally arrived on set, she was late. The bustling activity of the crew and cast contrasted sharply with her subdued state. Her colleagues, used to her punctuality and professionalism, exchanged worried glances. Y/N's attempt to mask her fatigue with a forced smile fell flat.

The director called for her to start her scenes, but it quickly became apparent that something was off. Her lines came out jumbled, her emotions flat. The scenes she usually navigated with ease were now a struggle, each moment dragging longer than the last.

After several takes that failed to meet expectations, Y/N's frustration reached its peak. "Can I have a break?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. The request was unprecedented; she had never asked for a break before, always pushing through even when she was under the weather.

The crew exchanged surprised looks, but the director, noticing her distressed state, nodded. "Take five, Y/N. We'll regroup in a bit."

As Y/N sank into a nearby chair, her gaze lost in the ground, she barely noticed Sukuna approaching. He held a coffee cup from her favourite shop, the one with the distinctive green logo she had always loved.

"Here," Sukuna said, his voice soft but carrying an edge of concern. He handed her the cup, his eyes searching her face.

Y/N took the coffee, her fingers grazing his as she accepted it. She looked at the cup, the familiar branding bringing a wave of comfort. "You still remember," she murmured, her voice cracking slightly. The small gesture felt both sweet and devastating in its familiarity.

Sukuna sat down beside her, the usual bravado in his demeanour replaced by a genuine, uncharacteristic worry. "What's wrong? You don't look well."

Y/N hesitated, her mind a tangled mess of emotions. She wanted to say everything was fine, to keep her troubles to herself, but Sukuna's steady gaze made it difficult to lie. Finally, she sighed. "I didn't sleep well last night. I had a lot on my mind... Satoru asked me out, and I... I don't know how to handle it."

Sukuna's jaw tightened. His eyes darkened with an emotion he was trying hard to suppress. "Satoru, huh? He's a great guy, but... you should go out with him if you want. He's charming, and he's obviously interested."

The words stung more than Y/N anticipated. They felt like a knife twisting in her heart. Sukuna's casual encouragement felt like a final nail in the coffin of any lingering hope she had for them. Her voice was barely a whisper. "You really think I should? Just move on with someone else?"

Sukuna looked away, his expression betraying a flash of regret. "That's not what I meant. I just... I want you to be happy, even if it's not with me."

Y/N's heart ached at his words. The idea that Sukuna was encouraging her to pursue another relationship, especially one with someone like Satoru, was a crushing blow. She had hoped for some indication that he might want to work things out between them, but his words seemed to confirm her fears.

As they returned to filming, Y/N's mind was clouded with her emotional turmoil. Each scene felt like a monumental task, her acting suffering as a result of her inner chaos. Sukuna's presence, though supportive, did little to alleviate her distress.

Finally, the day's shoot concluded, and the crew began to pack up. Y/N noticed Sukuna being called aside by Saki Fujimoto, the producer. Saki's demeanour was unusual—her body language tight and her expression serious. Y/N's curiosity was piqued, and despite her exhaustion, she felt an unsettling urge to find out what was happening.

As the crew bustled around, Y/N discreetly followed Saki and Sukuna at a distance, her heart pounding in her chest. They moved to a secluded corner of the set, hidden from the rest of the crew. Y/N positioned herself behind a large piece of equipment, her breath shallow as she strained to hear their conversation.

Saki's voice was low, but the tension in it was palpable. "We need to talk about the future of this project. There are some things that need to be addressed."

Sukuna's response was muffled, but Y/N could see his posture tense as he listened. Saki stepped closer to Sukuna, her hand reaching out to touch his arm. Y/N's heart skipped a beat, her anxiety spiking as she witnessed the interaction.

Before she could fully grasp what was happening, Saki leaned in, her lips meeting Sukuna's in a sudden and unexpected kiss. Y/N's eyes widened in shock, her heart sinking as she processed the sight before her.

The world around her seemed to blur as the image of Sukuna and Saki's kiss imprinted itself into her mind. The realisation hit her with a wave of pain and betrayal. Sukuna, who she had hoped might have lingering feelings for her, was involved with someone else. The depth of her emotions, from the confusion of her recent interactions with Satoru to the pain of seeing Sukuna with Saki, was overwhelming.

As the kiss ended, Saki pulled away, her expression a mix of satisfaction and resolve. Sukuna looked away, his face a mask of conflicted emotions. Y/N felt her heart shatter, the fragments of her hope scattering like broken glass.

Feeling the sting of betrayal, Y/N quietly retreated, her footsteps light and hurried as she made her way back to her dressing room. The weight of what she had witnessed pressed heavily on her chest, each breath a struggle against the flood of emotions.

In her private space, Y/N sat on the edge of a chair, the pain, and confusion swirling inside her. The coffee cup Sukuna had given her sat untouched on a nearby table, a bitter reminder of the shattered hope she had been holding onto.

The day's events had brought her to a breaking point. Her heart was a tangled mess of emotions, from the unresolved feelings for Sukuna to the tentative promise of something new with Satoru. The sight of Sukuna with Saki had been the final blow, leaving her to confront the harsh reality of her situation.

Without knowing what to do, she absent-mindedly pulled out her phone and typed a message.

Satoru? Can we meet? I have decided on my answer.