౨ৎ 𝑺𝑰𝑳𝑬𝑵𝑻 𝑺𝑷𝑨𝑹𝑲𝑺 | 𝑴𝑰𝑾𝑨 𝑿 𝑴𝑬𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑴𝑨𝑹𝑼

𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑬

౨ৎ

Between Distance and Desire

The rain gently drummed against the window of Mechamaru's hiding place as he stared outside, lost in thought. Every drop seemed to symbolize the gap between him and Miwa, a barrier of distance and uncertainty that he could not penetrate. Since the retreat of Mahito and Geto, he has been in constant motion – mentally and physically.

He should have recovered. Every movement in his new, complete body reminded him how much he had lost to achieve this goal. And yet, although he had achieved his goal, he felt empty, as if an important part of him was still missing. Miwa It was she who gave him hope in the quiet moments of his existence. She was the reason why he had endured this ordeal.

"I have to see her..." he murmured, his hands clenched into fists.

His heart was beating faster as he decided to get close to her again. The mere idea of hearing her voice, seeing her – it was overwhelming.

But what should is say?

Should I even say something?

Would she recognize me?

These thoughts tormented him, but the desire to get closer to her was stronger than any uncertainty.

Time skip

The next day, with a new plan in mind, Mechamaru ventured out again. He avoided the main streets and the Jujutsu school, kept himself in secret, as he had done so often. But today it was different. Today he was not the mechanical Kokichi who had to hide in a doll's body. Today he was able to face her as a man.

He saw Miwa in the distance. She was just on her way to complete some tasks, perhaps for one of her mission missions. She seemed focused but relaxed. It was this expression on her face that captivated him again and again - her lightness, her positive energy, which for him was like a lighthouse in a stormy sea.

Mechamaru stopped near a large tree and watched it from a distance for a while. His heart was beating faster, his thoughts swirling around. He could have just gone to her. But then what?

Would she even recognize me or understand what I've been through?

He wanted to postpone the moment, he wanted to enjoy every second of silence in which he could watch her. But then, as if pulled by an invisible ribbon, Miwa suddenly turned around. Her eyes wandered around the area as if she was feeling something. Mechamaru froze as their eyes met for a tiny moment.

It was like lightning running through his body.

She saw me...

he thought, and his heart stopped for a moment. He could have escaped, but something held him back. He had to take the step now.

With a deep breath, Mechamaru finally stepped out of the shadows. "Miwa..."

She turned around, her eyes widening in surprise. "Mechamaru?" she asked incredulously. It had been so long since she had seen him. She looked at him as if trying to understand what was in front of her. "You look... different."

Mechamaru nodded, an uncertain smile on his lips. "It's a long story..."

Miwa stepped a step closer, her eyes shimmering with curiosity and perhaps also with something else - something that Mechamaru could not interpret. "What happened?"

His thoughts were racing, but he didn't want to reveal the whole truth - not now. "I found a way... to heal myself. But it cost a high price." He spoke cautiously to circumvent the details that could put them in danger.

"Heal?" Miwa repeated and stepped even closer. "That's incredible, Mechamaru. I'm so happy for you!" An honest smile brightened her face, and at that moment Mechamaru felt a warmth that he had missed for so long.

"Thank you, Miwa..." he replied quietly. Her name on his lips felt like a sweet temptation, a promise he absolutely wanted to fulfill.

Although Kokichi was happy to be so close to Miwa, he fought inwardly. He had lived through these moments so many times in his dreams. Dreams in which he touched her, in which he held her hand, in which he told her what he really felt. But now that he was actually facing her, it was more difficult than he had expected. The words got stuck in his throat, and he could only think of how unreachable she still seemed to him.

His hand twitched slightly, as if she wanted to move in her direction, but he held back.
She's here...he thought.

But what if I miss it? What if she never feels the same way about me?

Miwa seemed to feel his restlessness. "Everything okay?" she asked quietly, a hint of worry in her voice.

Mechamaru forced himself to smile. "Yeah, I... I'm just not used to being so... normal." It was a half-truth, but she seemed to accept it.

"I can imagine that," Miwa said softly. "But I'm glad you made it."

Her words were like balm for his soul, but at the same time they exacerbated the longing in him. He wanted more than just her gratitude. He wanted closeness, wanted affection. But could he ever demand that of her?

౨ৎ