Fragments of Us (Megumi Fushiguro)

CHAPTER 27

The journey back was silent, the weight of the tragedy sitting heavy on everyone. The air inside the car felt cold, like a cloud of grief had settled over them, making it hard to breathe. Megumi sat in the back seat, Y/N's lifeless body cradled in his arms, her face peaceful but devoid of the warmth he'd loved so much. He refused to look away from her, memorizing every delicate line of her features as if his gaze could somehow bring her back.

Yuji and Nobara sat silently, glancing back at Megumi now and then, their expressions filled with grief and helplessness. They could feel the overwhelming pain radiating from him, his sorrow a palpable force. Finally, Megumi hugged Y/N's body closer, his shoulders trembling as he let out a quiet, broken sob.

"You... you said you wouldn't leave," he whispered, his voice catching as he pressed his forehead to hers. "How am I supposed to keep going without you?"

A heavy silence filled the car, thickened by the weight of his words. Gojo, driving in the front, finally spoke, his voice low, subdued. "Megumi... we'll make sure she gets the honor she deserves. Shoko will handle everything."

But Megumi shook his head, his grip on Y/N tightening as he whispered, "No... I'll do it. I want to take care of her."

They finally arrived at Jujutsu High, and as the car came to a stop, Shoko was waiting. Her expression was one of shock, her usually calm demeanor faltering as she took in the sight of Y/N's still body in Megumi's arms. Behind her, Maki, Panda, and Inumaki stood frozen, their faces a mixture of grief and disbelief.

Megumi stepped out, still holding Y/N as if she were fragile, as if releasing her would break the last connection he had with her. Shoko approached him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, her gaze soft. "Megumi... let me take her. I'll make sure everything is taken care of."

But Megumi simply shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "Please... just give me a little more time."

They understood, stepping aside to let him pass, allowing him the space to say goodbye in his own way. With Yuji and Nobara at his side, he made his way to the room where he could be alone with her one last time. The dim light cast a soft glow over her face, and Megumi sank to his knees beside her, still cradling her close.

He leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to her cold lips, his tears finally falling freely, dripping down onto her skin as he whispered, "I love you, Y/N. I always did... I just wish I had told you sooner."

He brushed a strand of hair from her face, his fingers trembling. Yuji placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze, while Nobara knelt beside him, wiping her own tears as she watched him struggle to hold himself together.

"She was so lucky to have you, Megumi," Nobara said softly. "You gave her so much... so much love."

Megumi nodded, swallowing hard as he leaned down, resting his head against hers. He could barely stand to let go, his heart aching with the knowledge that she would never wake up, that he'd never hear her laugh or see her smile again. Finally, he pressed one last kiss to her forehead, his voice breaking as he whispered, "Thank you for loving me... even for just a little while."

When he pulled away, his friends were there, steadying him as he let go, supporting him as they helped him take that first painful step forward. They stayed with him through every part of the grieving process, and though he knew he'd never truly move on, he also knew that she'd never truly leave him.