Fragments of Us (Megumi Fushiguro)

CHAPTER 18

Y/N sat quietly in her hospital bed, wrapped in a faint aura of solitude. Though her friends had been allowed to visit, a protective barrier still separated her, keeping her from the comfort of physical closeness. Yet, she was grateful to see them, especially as Megumi, Yuji, and Nobara entered with an assortment of snacks piled up in their arms.

"Y/N! Look what we brought you!" Yuji said, holding up a bag full of her favorite treats with a bright smile.

Nobara laughed. "Yep, enough to last you for days! It's a shame you can't be in class with us, but we're not letting you miss out on anything."

Y/N's eyes lit up. "Thank you guys, really. I don't know what I'd do without you." She smiled, her gaze lingering on Megumi, who was already settled in the chair closest to her bed, leaning forward as if nothing could pull him away.

Yuji and Nobara dove into storytelling, sharing the day's happenings in class, along with the funny mishaps that seemed to follow Panda. "Oh, and Panda nearly knocked over the entire shelf of books in the library," Yuji laughed, recounting the incident. "You should've seen the librarian's face!"

"And he kept asking about you," Nobara added, raising her eyebrows playfully. "Honestly, you're kind of a big deal, Y/N."

Y/N chuckled softly, warmth filling her as she listened to their stories. But even amidst the laughter, she couldn't ignore the way Megumi's silent presence steadied her, his unwavering gaze making her feel safe.

As the evening wore on, Yuji and Nobara stood to leave, nudging Megumi. "Come on, Fushiguro, let's go. She needs her rest."

"I'm staying," Megumi replied, his tone firm, leaving no room for argument.

Y/N tried to reassure him with a small smile. "It's okay, Megumi. Gojo-sensei is around, and I'll be alright. I don't want you missing out on anything because of me."

Megumi shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere." He turned to Yuji and Nobara. "You two go on ahead. I'll stay with her."

Yuji and Nobara shared a look but eventually relented. "Fine, fine. Just don't overstay your welcome," Nobara said, shooting Y/N a wink before they both waved their goodbyes.

Once they left, the room grew quiet, leaving only the soft hum of the hospital equipment. Megumi glanced at the barrier encircling Y/N's bed, a flicker of frustration crossing his face.

"You shouldn't be stuck in here like this," he muttered, almost to himself. "You look like... you're in a cage."

Y/N smiled softly, meeting his troubled gaze. "I don't mind," she whispered. "I've got everything I need right here. Besides, I know I'll be out of here soon."

But Megumi's frown deepened. He let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I just—wish I could be closer to you. I hate seeing you like this."

His quiet confession sent a flutter through her heart, and she reached a hand toward him, though it couldn't breach the barrier. "Megumi, it's okay. You being here means the world to me. I promise, I'm not scared."

They fell into a comfortable silence, each feeling the unspoken words hanging between them, until the door creaked open. Gojo stepped in, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he took in the scene.

"Well, well, isn't this cozy?" he said, his teasing tone breaking the silence. "Megumi, you've been here all day, huh?"

Megumi looked away, clearly unfazed by Gojo's teasing. "I'm just looking out for her."

Gojo raised an eyebrow, his grin widening. "Ah, and I suppose the barrier and my presence aren't enough to reassure you?"

"Gojo-sensei," Y/N cut in, laughing lightly. "Don't tease him."

"Oh, so now you're both against me," Gojo said dramatically, clutching his chest as though deeply offended. He shot a wink in Y/N's direction. "Lucky for you, Y/N, you've got Megumi's attention all to yourself. Must be nice, huh?"

Y/N felt her cheeks warm, but she nodded with a smile. "Yeah, it is."

Megumi cleared his throat, his gaze turning back to her. "You'll be back to class before you know it," he assured her, his voice softer than usual.

Gojo watched the two of them, and despite his usual lightheartedness, his expression softened. "Well, I'll leave you both alone," he said finally. "But Megumi, don't stay too late."

After Gojo left, Megumi moved closer, resting his hand on the edge of the barrier. His gaze was gentle, yet determined, as he looked at Y/N. "When you're out of here, I'll make sure you catch up on everything you missed," he said quietly. "You won't go through this alone."

Y/N's heart raced at the promise in his voice. She placed her hand against the barrier, mirroring his. "Thank you, Megumi. For everything."

He held her gaze, his own expression unreadable. "I'll always be here. Just... get better, alright?"

With a nod, she settled back, feeling a sense of peace as she drifted off to sleep, her hand still pressed against his on the barrier. Megumi stayed with her, his steady presence a quiet reminder that she was never truly alone.