Fragments of Us (Megumi Fushiguro)

CHAPTER 28

The room was quiet, softened by the gentle glow of candles that flickered against the walls, casting a warm light on Y/N's still figure. Shoko and the others had dressed her in a simple white dress, her face delicately made up, making her look as if she were only sleeping. As Megumi approached, he couldn't help but marvel at her beauty, even in death. But his heart felt unbearably heavy, each step closer tightening the ache inside him.

Once alone, he allowed himself to break down again, his usually composed face streaked with fresh tears. He gently brushed his fingers along her cheek, his voice trembling as he whispered, "You... you were the best thing that ever happened to me, Y/N. Maybe we can't be together in this life, but... in the next, I'll find you. I swear."

He swallowed hard, his heart clenching as he took one last lingering look at her. He turned, forcing himself to walk towards the door, but then—

"...Megumi...?"

A faint, familiar voice echoed in the room, soft but unmistakable. He froze, breath caught in his chest, disbelieving. He turned back slowly, his eyes widening as he took in the sight before him.

Y/N's cheeks had a faint color, the pale pallor of her skin vanishing. Her lips, once so still, trembled with the softest of breaths. And then, slowly, her eyelids fluttered open, her red eyes catching the candlelight, glowing softly.

"Y/N!" he gasped, rushing to her side, his heart racing with hope and disbelief. "Is this... are you...?"

Y/N blinked up at him, still adjusting to her surroundings as if she were waking from a long sleep. She sat up, moving slowly, and before she could speak, Megumi enveloped her in his arms, holding her so tightly he could feel the warmth of her skin. It was real—she was real, alive, and warm.

"You're alive," he murmured over and over, burying his face in her shoulder as tears of relief streamed down his face. "I thought I'd lost you. I thought... you'd left me."

She hugged him back, her hands trembling as she tried to soothe him. "Megumi... I'm here. I... I don't know how, but... I'm here."

He pulled back just enough to look at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of awe and relief. "I never want to let you go again. Do you understand? I'm never letting you out of my sight."

Y/N managed a soft, teasing smile despite everything. "I guess you're going to be my shadow now?"

He laughed, a breathy, half-sobbing sound, and nodded. "Absolutely. I don't care if you get annoyed. You're stuck with me." He paused, his voice softening. "Do you have any idea how much you mean to me?"

Her fingers gently brushed away a stray tear from his cheek. "I think... I'm starting to understand."

They stayed like that for a long time, simply holding each other, each heartbeat reaffirming her presence, her life. Finally, he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, then her cheek, and hesitantly, he brought his lips to hers, a kiss full of quiet devotion and relief.

When they broke apart, he gave her a small, hopeful smile. "So... we're together in this life, after all."

Y/N's eyes sparkled with a warmth that had been missing for so long. "Yes, we are. And I wouldn't have it any other way."

Megumi held her close, feeling as if his heart had finally found its home.