Fragments of Us (Megumi Fushiguro)

CHAPTER 13

As Y/N's fever gradually subsided, Megumi watched her closely, his gaze softening. Her breathing was finally steady, her cheeks no longer flushed with the fever. Her white hair framed her face, and her red eyes, even closed, held a power and beauty that was almost mesmerizing. In her sleep, she was still clutching one of his fingers tightly, as if even in dreams, she didn't want to let go. He sighed softly, feeling his heart skip.

Just then, the door burst open, and Nobara and Yuji stumbled in, arms laden with a mountain of snacks.

"We brought stuff for Y/N!" Yuji grinned, clearly oblivious to Megumi's attempts at maintaining the quiet.

Megumi turned and hissed, "Can you be any louder? She's still resting!"

But the damage was already done. Y/N blinked awake, her gaze hazy and her grip on his hand loosening. She looked up at Megumi, then at Nobara and Yuji, who were already piling snacks on the small table beside her.

"Y/N! You're finally awake!" Nobara squealed, practically throwing herself on top of her in a hug. "I missed you!"

Y/N smiled, leaning into Nobara's embrace, the warm scent of her skin making everyone around her feel drawn in. Even Yuji, standing nearby, seemed captivated. It was like Y/N's presence had a magnetic pull, something that went beyond her looks alone.

Yuji, munching on a snack, grinned. "Good to see you up and running, Y/N! Thought you'd be asleep for days!"

Y/N laughed softly, glancing at Megumi, who seemed a bit more reserved but visibly relieved. "Thanks, everyone. Really... I feel better already," she said, her voice soft and a little sleepy still. She held out her hand, her fingers brushing over a bag of chips that Yuji handed her.

"Hey, don't hog all the snacks! We brought these for her," Nobara smirked, snatching a bag from Yuji's grasp.

"Aw, come on!" Yuji protested, then turned to Y/N with a grin. "So, what do you want first?"

Megumi couldn't help but chuckle at the chaos, his shoulders relaxing as he watched his friends animatedly chat around Y/N. She looked over at him, smiling as if to thank him, her gaze warm.

"Megumi," she said, barely above a whisper, but he heard it all the same.

"Yeah?" he replied, holding her gaze.

"Thank you. For everything." She reached for his hand again, her fingers lightly brushing his. He squeezed her hand gently, his voice barely above a murmur.

"Anytime," he replied, his face softening into the faintest smile.

Yuji and Nobara exchanged glances, watching the scene with knowing smirks.

"Aw, look at that," Nobara whispered to Yuji. "Looks like somebody has a soft spot."

"Think we're gonna have to start calling him Mr. Romantic?" Yuji grinned, just loud enough for Megumi to hear.

Megumi shot them both a glare, but his fingers still curled around Y/N's hand.