Fragments of Us (Megumi Fushiguro)

CHAPTER 30

A gentle breeze swept through the classroom as Y/N sat by the window, gazing out at the sprawling school grounds. The sunbathed everything in a soft glow, but all she could think of was how lucky she was to be here, alive, with the people she loved.

Suddenly, warm arms wrapped around her shoulders from behind, and she felt a kiss pressed to her cheek. "Hey, what's got you staring off into space like that?" Megumi's voice was soft, laced with a warmth he reserved only for her.

Y/N turned to face him, her heart swelling as she took his hand, tracing the lines of his fingers. "Oh, nothing," she replied, a shy smile playing on her lips. "Just... feeling really happy."

Megumi's heart did a flip at the sight of her smile, and he couldn't help himself. Bending down, he captured her lips in a soft, sweet kiss, then pulled back slightly, only to kiss her again, and again. She giggled between kisses, the sound filling the room like music.

"Megumi!" she laughed, her cheeks flushed with a mix of surprise and happiness. "What's gotten into you?"

"Just making sure you're as happy as you look," he murmured, his gaze soft as he brushed a strand of hair from her face. "I've fallen more in love with you every day this past year. You're not getting away that easily."

Before Y/N could respond, a loud, exaggerated groan came from the doorway.

"Ugh, are you two at it again?" Nobara's voice cut through the moment, her hands on her hips as she feigned exasperation. Yuji stood beside her, snickering as he crossed his arms. "Megumi, seriously, do you have to be that possessive?"

Megumi glanced over his shoulder, smirking. "Jealous, Nobara?"

Nobara rolled her eyes. "Jealous? Please. But Y/N isn't just your personal treasure, you know. We're going to lunch, and we're not waiting around while you play prince charming."

Y/N laughed, glancing from Megumi to her friends. She gently nudged him, slipping out of his grasp as she dashed over to Nobara, who immediately threw her arms around her. "Finally! Let's go, princess!"

Yuji grinned, giving Megumi a look of mock disapproval. "You know, you could try to let her breathe, Megumi."

Megumi just chuckled, his gaze following Y/N as she chatted animatedly with Nobara and Yuji, her laugh filling the hallway as they walked. She looked back at him, her eyes bright and warm, and the way she smiled at him made his heart race all over again.

As they made their way to the cafeteria, Megumi strolled beside Y/N, his fingers occasionally brushing hers, the small gestures making his stomach flutter. When they found a table, they sat across from each other, with Yuji and Nobara chatting away, filling the table with their usual energy.

"Hey, Y/N," Yuji began with a teasing grin, "so if Megumi's being this possessive now, what was he like at the beginning?"

Y/N laughed, her eyes flicking over to Megumi, who looked only mildly embarrassed. "Oh, he was quiet but persistent," she said, a sparkle of mischief in her eyes. "I had to pretend I didn't notice when he was looking at me all the time."

Megumi shot her a playful glare, though he couldn't hide his own grin. "You knew?"

"Of course I knew," she teased, reaching over to squeeze his hand under the table. "You're not as sneaky as you think."

Nobara and Yuji burst out laughing, and Megumi tried to keep a straight face, but Y/N's warm hand in his made him feel braver. He lifted their hands, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles.

"You're worth staring at," he said, his voice so soft that only she could hear. Her heart leapt, and she squeezed his hand back, her cheeks flushed as butterflies filled her stomach.

Nobara pretended to gag at the sight, laughing as she threw a french fry at them. "Okay, lovebirds, save some of that sweetness for later, will you?"

The group spent the rest of lunch talking and laughing, and though Megumi kept his hand entwined with Y/N's under the table, she didn't mind one bit. Every look, every touch, every moment felt like a reminder of how much they'd both been through, and how lucky they were to be here together.

As they stood up to leave, Megumi caught her hand again, pulling her close for one last quiet moment. "Y/N," he murmured, gazing into her eyes. "Thank you. For staying."

She squeezed his hand, her eyes sparkling. "Megumi, I couldn't imagine being anywhere else." And with that, they left together hand in hand, knowing that as long as they had each other, they could face anything.