-New beginnings- BOOK 1: THE ORIGIN OF DARKNESS

-CHAPTER 10: ECHOES OF DOUBT-

The room was alive with laughter and the off-key strains of Nobara and Itadori belting out yet another 90s pop hit. Fushiguro leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, watching them with a quiet smile. Despite the chaos around him, for once, he felt a rare lightness, a momentary peace. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen Nobara and Itadori so carefree, and part of him almost believed they could all stay this way.

The song ended in a riot of laughter, Nobara tossing her hair back dramatically while Itadori threw an arm around her shoulders, both of them laughing and a little out of breath. Fushiguro chuckled, shaking his head.

"Come on, Fushiguro!" Nobara teased, pointing the microphone at him. "Get up here! You've got at least one song in you."

"Pass," he replied, holding his hands up defensively. But the smile in his eyes softened his refusal. "I'll stick to the audience role, thanks."

As Nobara and Itadori launched into another song, Fushiguro's phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket, the screen flashing with an unknown number. Frowning, he stood, gesturing to his friends that he'd be back in a minute. They barely noticed, lost in the chorus.

He stepped into the hallway outside, pressing the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

A voice spoke on the other end, smooth and unhurried, but there was something in its tone that sent a chill down Fushiguro's spine. "Good evening, Fushiguro."

The line crackled slightly, and Fushiguro strained to identify the voice, but it was one he didn't recognize. "Who is this?"

"Just someone who's taken an interest in you, and the choices you're making," the voice replied. "Tell me, Megumi... do you know what you're risking with this attachment to Itadori?"

Fushiguro's jaw clenched. Whoever this was, they knew him. "If you're trying to threaten me, you're wasting your time."

"I'm only concerned," the voice continued, calm but laced with a subtle malice. "You're a talented sorcerer. One of the best of your generation. And yet, you're throwing it all away for the sake of Itadori... a liability. You've seen what he becomes. Or has Sukuna already charmed you too?"

Fushiguro's grip on the phone tightened. "I don't know who you think you are, but my loyalty is my own business. And Itadori isn't just some 'liability.' He's my friend."

The voice let out a soft, mocking chuckle. "Is he, though? Or has he become your weakness? Think about it. Sukuna is only biding his time, waiting to strike. And when he does... do you think you'll be able to protect anyone, least of all yourself?"

Fushiguro's heart pounded. He wanted to dismiss the words, but there was a part of him that couldn't shake the doubt they stirred up. He'd seen Sukuna's power up close, the destruction he could unleash without restraint. But he pushed back, steeling himself. "I don't know who you are, but I'm not listening to any of Sukuna's mind games."

"Believe what you like," the voice replied, unaffected. "But remember this, Megumi. If you continue down this path, it won't be Itadori who suffers. It'll be you. And by then... it'll be far too late to change anything."

The line clicked, the caller hanging up before Fushiguro could get another word in. He pulled the phone away, staring at the dark screen in a mix of anger and unease. Sukuna... it had to be. Who else would taunt him like this, make him doubt the people he trusted?

For a moment, he stood there in the quiet hallway, the distant sounds of karaoke fading behind the echo of the stranger's words. It didn't matter, he told himself. He had made his choice to stand by Itadori. Whatever games Sukuna was playing, he wouldn't give him the satisfaction of fear.

Straightening, he returned to the room, masking his unease. Nobara looked up as he entered. "Hey! Thought you ditched us for a second."

"No chance of that," Fushiguro replied, managing a small smile. He took his seat again, letting their laughter wash over him as he forced himself to stay focused. Whoever had called him was wrong, he told himself. His loyalty wasn't a weakness—it was his strength.