12 Roses

38 | The Grieving Soul

Shoko opened the door to the lab, flickering the light to get your attention.

You placed your hearing aids in and began replacing your gloves. "What's up?"

"Fushiguro is here to see you."

"Is he alright?"

"Not quite."

Your brows furrowed as she opened the door a bit more and let Megumi into the lab.

"What happened to your face?" You rushed up to him, grabbing him by the chin and turning his head a few times. "I thought it was a simple mission!"

"It was... You remember the guy that ate Sukuna's finger?"

"Yeah. Haven't met him yet. Why?"

"He's dead."

Your lips parted and you took hold of his shoulders. "Are you alright?"

"'Course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"You just made 'of course' into a contraction."

He sighed, brushing off your hands. "I don't know."

You frowned as he staggered towards the bed in the middle of the room. That must be why Shoko had me treat him — she's handling the body. "Is the one on your face the only physical wound?"

He nodded.

You walked over to him, pulling off your hearing aids and placing your hand on his face, making the wound slowly close up.

When you put them back in, you heard him ask, "Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Take your hearing aids off when you do everything."

"Only when I need to use my cursed energy. It affects my output when I keep my hearing aids in." You sat on the lab table. "Did you like this boy, Megs?"

"Don't say it like that..."

"But did you?"

He sighed in defeat, knowing that you would never drop the topic. "I guess. He was nicer than most people are."

You smiled and placed your hand on his shoulder. "It's nice that you found a guy you like, Megs."

"Yeah..."

The door opened again and Gojo poked his head in. "Hey Y/N! Oh, hey Megumi!"

"Does he always barge in like that?" Megumi questioned through gritted teeth.

"Yeah, but it's nice. Won't go crazy over the isolation, you know?" You ruffled Megumi's hair before standing up and walking over to Gojo. "What do you need?"

"Flowers."

Your brows raised along with Megumi's. You glanced at each other, a silent way to communicate 'are you hearing what I'm hearing?' "For... what?"

"A friend of mine."

You blinked. "Did you go on a date?"

"No, no! Geez, do florists normally ask this many questions?"

"Yes, actually."

Megumi stood, a heavy sigh making his shoulders drop. "I'm heading off. I'm tired."

"I left onigiri on your nightstand."

"Thanks."

The door shut behind Megumi and you turned back to Gojo. "So, if not a date, then why are you giving—"