Takes And Heartaches | Sukuna x Reader |

Chapter 24

The city streets buzzed with the usual late afternoon energy as Y/N and Satoru strolled hand-in-hand. The sun cast a golden glow over the city, making the evening feel like a scene straight out of a romantic film. Y/N was laughing at one of Satoru's jokes, her eyes sparkling with a happiness that seemed almost too perfect. The couple was oblivious to the flashing cameras and flashing lights of the paparazzi surrounding them.

The paparazzi, having caught wind of their new relationship, were relentless. Their questions were rapid-fire, blending into a cacophony of excitement and speculation. They wanted to know how long Y/N and Satoru had been seeing each other, whether they were officially dating, and what had sparked their newfound romance.

Satoru, ever the charmer, handled the media with his usual flair. He smiled widely, wrapped his arm around Y/N, and answered with a confident ease. "Yes, we're officially dating. We've really enjoyed spending time together and getting to know each other better."

Y/N, though smiling brightly, felt a mix of emotions swirling inside her. The public display of their relationship felt surreal, and the incessant questions from the paparazzi only amplified her internal struggle. She glanced around, hoping to catch a glimpse of Sukuna among the crowd, but the sea of flashing cameras and reporters made it impossible.

Unbeknownst to her, Sukuna stood at a distance, hidden in the shadow of a nearby building. He watched the scene unfold with a heart heavy with regret and longing. His usually confident demeanour was replaced by an expression of sorrow and frustration. Seeing Y/N so content with Satoru only deepened the ache he felt within.

The guilt of his earlier advice to Y/N—telling her that Satoru was a good guy—gnawed at him. He had wanted her to move on, to find happiness with someone else, but seeing her with Satoru now felt like a cruel twist of fate. He remembered how he had encouraged Y/N to give Satoru a chance, thinking it would be for the best. Now, the reality of their separation hit him with a painful clarity.

As he watched Y/N and Satoru's public display of affection, Sukuna's thoughts turned inward. He couldn't help but regret the decisions he had made. The pang of seeing Y/N smile so genuinely with someone else struck him harder than he had anticipated. He wished he had been more courageous, had fought harder for her, instead of stepping aside.

A twinge of jealousy and sorrow coiled tightly in his chest. He replayed the moments of their past in his mind—the arguments, the misunderstandings, and the eventual breakup. Sukuna had convinced himself that stepping away was the right thing to do, but now, seeing Y/N happy with someone else, he was confronted with the painful reality of his own decisions.

He knew Y/N deserved better than to be with someone like him, who had caused her so much pain. The realization that he had given up on her, even when he still cared deeply, weighed heavily on his shoulders. He wanted nothing more than for Y/N to be happy, even if it meant accepting that she had found that happiness with someone else.

Meanwhile, Y/N tried to maintain her cheerful facade, but the facade was fragile. The inner turmoil she felt was hidden beneath her bright smiles and laughter. Her heart was conflicted, torn between the genuine feelings she was beginning to develop for Satoru and the lingering wish that Sukuna would come forward and claim her once more.

The happiness she portrayed was partly genuine but also a performance. Deep down, Y/N wished Sukuna would see her with Satoru, feel the sting of jealousy, and come to her with a declaration of his own feelings. She wanted him to fight for her, to show that he still cared. But she was also painfully aware of her own shortcomings and the reasons that had led to their breakup. She questioned whether she deserved the kind of love Sukuna could offer—or if she even deserved to have Sukuna fight for her.

As they continued their walk, Y/N found herself occasionally glancing back, hoping to catch a glimpse of Sukuna. She imagined the scenario in which he would confront her, declare his feelings, and admit that he was the one who truly belonged in her life. But she also grappled with the knowledge that Sukuna's flaws and mistakes had been a significant part of their separation.

The media frenzy around them began to wind down as the evening progressed, but the damage to Sukuna's heart was already done. As he walked away from the scene, his thoughts were clouded with regret. The part of him that had once been so certain of his decisions now felt uncertain and fraught with a deep sense of loss. He had hoped to find solace in his decision, but seeing Y/N so happy with someone else only left him feeling more isolated and forlorn.

Y/N and Satoru returned to Y/N's penthouse later that evening. The flat was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaos of the day. As they entered, Y/N tried to focus on the positive aspects of her evening. Satoru's attentiveness and his efforts to make her feel special were heart-warming, and for a moment, they made her forget her worries.

But as she prepared for bed, the thoughts of Sukuna, the pain of their breakup, and the lingering hopes she had for him tugged at her heart. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with memories of Sukuna and the current reality with Satoru.

Despite her efforts to embrace the new beginning with Satoru, the shadow of Sukuna loomed large. Y/N was caught in a complex web of emotions—guilt over the past, confusion over the present, and an uncertain future. As she closed her eyes, she wished for clarity, for a resolution to the conflicting feelings that had become a constant presence in her life.

In the quiet of her flat, Y/N's heart remained restless. She had made a choice, but the echoes of her past and the complexity of her emotions made it difficult to fully embrace the new chapter. As she drifted into sleep, the unresolved feelings of love, regret, and longing continued to weave through her dreams, leaving her to confront the uncertainty of what lay ahead.