𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐔𝐃𝐄 [JJK x OC]

20: Blossoms, Adrift in the Wind ②

Those moments we shared, that blue spring we spent together, I cherish in my heart. I thought in this world, vast and full of countless flavors, that this feeling would be abundant. Yet I can only find it in those fleeting memories from a yesterday with no meaning.

In silent nights, lost in memories all alone, I awaken. I know the truth. As we, intertwined in fate, walk away, those peaceful days shall fade, never to return, just as sure as the seasons shift in the winds of time.

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Ayako POV

A strange silence had settled over the school in the past few days. There was a sudden weight that bore down on everyone after Haibara died. I couldn't really describe it, but somehow in these halls I've walked a thousand times, the lights seemed dimmer, the laughter that echoed faded faster than before, and the flavor in our meals grew bland. Honestly, that kid was utterly pathetic. His determination brought him this far, but he was utterly lacking in any sort of talent for Jujutsu. It's no wonder that he died; it was only a matter of time. It's his just deserts for posturing as if he were strong, "I'm doing this to protect others." He'd often say things like that. He was truly a fool. How is it possible to protect others when you can't defend yourself? In the end, all he ended up accomplishing with his life was dying a pathetic death.

From the beginning, his life shouldn't have mattered. If one were to weep over the misfortunes of the foolish and feeble, then those repugnant tears would flow forever. That's why such things don't matter to me at all. Not a single bit. 'I want to stay with everyone a bit longer...' Not even for a moment. After all these eyes that watched my parents' death, and the countless futures where everyone around me perished without ever once faltering, are unable to shed tears.

They must be...

The sounds of ice cubes clattering rang out softly as milk was poured into a large glass of iced coffee. The drink, black as night, slowly changed as the two blended together, Mei Mei stirring them with a silver spoon. I sat beside her, staring at my untouched drink, in a silent cafe that we had emptied out. Even the servers exited after giving us what we wanted. The only other person besides the two of us was Nanami, who sat on the opposite side of the table.

He hadn't ordered anything today, nor had he eaten much in the past few days. Dark circles weighed across his eyes, his cheeks, and his figure was more gaunt than usual. He was slumped over the table, eyes unfocused as he stared blankly at the wooden table, not moving an inch. "Why did you ask me to come here? You have something you want to say to me. I doubt you called me here for a snack." He glowered.

"You could use one." Mei curtly replied before taking a sip of her drink. Nanami clicked his tongue, biting back whatever rebuttal he had. Not once did he raise his gaze to us. The sight of him as he was did nothing but revolt me.

"Nanami..." I spoke his name firmly, demanding that he meet my gaze, and though he lifted his head, he averted his eyes. "Look at yourself." I scoffed, "Pathetic, is this all it takes for you to lose yourself. Nanami quit. Stop this all, and when you're done with school, retire. You're simply unsuitable to be a Jujutsu Sorcerer."

"Huh... what...?" He muttered in a daze, hands tightening into loose fists. Mei watched us both from the corner of her eye. I felt her gaze was a silent admonishment. 'Too far,' that's what her look said aloud, but I didn't heed it. There's no point in coddling him.

"You knew from the start, we told you so there wouldn't be any illusions, what it meant to be a Sorcerer. The cost and risk of it all, I made it clear when you arrived here. You knew and so did he, to be a Sorcerer is to accept the possibility of a meaningless death, and persist nonetheless. I've deemed you incapable of that, so walk away while you still can. If you continue down this path, you'll meet the same fate as he." My words rang out in the empty room, met with silence such that you could hear the whistle of the wind. Mei didn't say a thing, and Nanami stared at me, meeting my gaze at last, eyes burning with rage.