Work Text:
They say when you die, you don't see the reaper right away.
Yuuji doesn't really know how he got here. The last thing he remembers is going on a mission to eliminate a Special Grade spirit in an old abandoned temple. It was a routine assignment—ever since the Culling Games, special grades were showing up all over the country. It was almost like there was some sort of mass awakening. There weren't many sorcerers equipped to deal with them, so it fell on the first- and second-year students of Jujutsu High to handle most of it.
This particular assignment had been assigned to Yuuji and Megumi. It had gone relatively smoothly—they'd entered the temple, found the spirit, and managed to trap it without much incident. But the thing is, they didn't actually eliminate it. That's where things start getting fuzzy. Yuuji remembers a burst of red light, and then...nothing.
He looks down at his hands. They're clean and unbloodied. He looks up. The sky is the same clear blue that it always is, dotted with fluffy white clouds. In front of him stands the familiar temple. Its paint is chipping, and its doors are creaking open on rusted hinges. There's a gentle breeze blowing, rustling the grass around him. He can hear birds chirping in the trees. The world around him is still alive.
So why does he feel like he's not?
The temple door opens further, as if beckoning him inside. Yuuji takes a deep breath and steps through the doorway.
The interior of the temple is dark and musty. The floorboards are covered in a thick layer of dust, and the air is heavy with the scent of incense. The only light comes from the small window in the back wall, which casts a faint glow across the floor. The rest of the room is cloaked in shadow. Yuuji makes his way towards the back, careful not to disturb the silence.
As he approaches the window, he spots a familiar figure standing in the corner. "Fushiguro?" he calls out.
The figure turns around. Sure enough, it's Megumi. He's dressed in his usual black uniform, his hair messy as ever. His green eyes are wide and questioning. "Itadori? What are you doing here?"
Yuuji lets out a sigh of relief. He's not sure why, but he's glad that he's not alone. "I'm not really sure. The last thing I remember was fighting against the special grade. I can't feel its presence, though. I guess we defeated it?"
Megumi furrows his brow. "I don't know," he says slowly. "I can't remember either. We must have done it, though, right?"
Yuuji shrugs. "I guess so."
They stand there in silence for a moment. Yuuji can't shake the feeling that something is off. Why are they here? What are they doing? Something doesn't feel right. He can't quite put his finger on it, but he knows there's something strange about the situation.
The temple is silent except for the occasional creak of the floorboards. There's a chill in the air, and Yuuji shivers slightly. The window is cracked open, letting in a slight breeze.
"What are we waiting for?" Megumi asks.
Yuuji shrugs again. "I don't know."
They wait in silence for a few more moments. Yuuji can't shake the uneasy feeling growing in the pit of his stomach. Something doesn't feel right. Maybe there was some residual energy left behind after they defeated the special grade. He hopes that's all it is.
"Let's call Nitta-san and ask her to come pick us up," Yuuji says.
Megumi nods and pulls out his phone. He dials Nitta's number, but the call doesn't go through. The phone's screen stays blank. He tries again, but there's still no response.
"Is there no reception?" Yuuji asks.
"We're in Tokyo," Megumi says, trying not to sound too irritated. "There's always reception. Maybe she's busy, or her phone died. I'll just call Ijichi-san."
But even Ijichi's number doesn't work. No matter how many times Megumi tries, the call doesn't connect. He lets out a sigh and puts his phone back in his pocket. "Whatever. Let's take the train."
They head out of the temple and down the hill towards the nearest station. It's a short walk, and soon enough, they're at the ticket machines. But when Yuuji swipes his card, it doesn't work. He swipes again, but the machine just beeps and flashes a red error message.
"What's going on?" Yuuji asks, his voice rising in panic.
Megumi shakes his head. "I don't know. Try again."
Yuuji swipes his card over and over, but each time, the machine just beeps and shows the same red error message. The ticket machine next to him is flashing a red error message too. And the one next to that. And the one after that. They all seem to be malfunctioning.
Yuuji looks around at the other people in the station. No one seems to be paying attention. The crowd flows past, oblivious to the problem. But the train is supposed to be here in five minutes. What are they going to do?
"Excuse me," Megumi says to a woman in a uniform standing nearby. "Our cards aren't working. Could you let us through?"
The woman doesn't even look at him. She just walks past without a word.
"Hey!" Yuuji calls after her. "Can you help us?"
The woman doesn't respond. She just keeps walking, her head down, her gaze fixed on the ground in front of her.
Yuuji sighs. "Great. So now what?"
Megumi runs his fingers through his hair. "We'll take Nue. I can get him to fly us back to Jujutsu High. It's getting dark, anyway, so it won't look weird."
Nue isn't exactly inconspicuous, but it's the best option they've got.
"Can Nue even carry both of us? It's now like we can climb on its back," Yuuji asks.
"The weight won't be a problem. I'll just hold you," Megumi says. "Come on, let's go."
They exit the station and head for the closest park. When they reach a secluded area, Megumi summons Nue and instructs it to take them home. Yuuji isn't sure how this is going to work, but he doesn't have a better idea.
Nue's clawed feet are wrap around Megumi's arms, and he's holding Yuuji by the waist. Yuuji is not exactly comfortable. He's acutely aware of the feeling of Megumi's hands on him, the warmth of his body pressed against his own. He isn't used to being this close to someone. It's making him nervous.
Nue soars into the air and begins flying toward Jujutsu High. The wind rushes past them, ruffling their hair and clothes. The sky is darkening, and the lights of the city are beginning to come on, painting the landscape in streaks of neon. The city looks beautiful from above, like a tapestry of stars.
The flight is surprisingly smooth. Nue is able to fly steadily, even with the two extra passengers. Megumi holds Yuuji tightly, his fingers digging into his sides. Yuuji tries not to focus on the feeling. It's strange and foreign, but not altogether unpleasant. It's just the sparks of something unfamiliar.
After what feels like an eternity, Nue finally lands in the courtyard of Jujutsu High. He lets them down gently, then vanishes. Megumi releases his grip on Yuuji's waist and takes a step back.
"Are you okay?" he asks.
Yuuji nods. "I'm fine. That was pretty cool."
Megumi smiles. "Yeah, I guess it was."
They make their way toward the dorms. It's late, and the campus is quiet. The moon is full tonight, casting its silvery light across the grounds. The crickets are chirping, and the trees sway gently in the breeze.
They walk towards the dorms. As they get closer, they see a familiar figure sitting on the steps. It's Inumaki, playing a game on his phone.
"Inumaki-senpai!" Yuuji calls.
He doesn't react.
Yuuji exchanges a worried look with Megumi. They approach him cautiously. Inumaki doesn't move, doesn't even acknowledge their presence.
"Hey, Inumaki-senpai. What's going on?" Yuuji asks tentatively.
He doesn't respond. He doesn't even look up. He just sits there, his gaze fixed on his phone screen.
"Inumaki-senpai!" Megumi tries.
There's still no reaction.
Yuuji reaches out to grab his shoulder, but his fingers pass right through him. He can't feel him. His hand is just met with empty air. He jumps back, startled.
"What the hell is going on?!" Yuuji demands.
Megumi frowns. "I don't know."
This time, Megumi is the one to reach out, his fingers brushing against Inumaki's arm. They're met with the same result.
"This is so strange. Why can't we touch him?" Yuuji wonders.
Megumi shakes his head. "I don't know."
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approaching cuts through the silence. They both turn around to see Maki walking towards them. Her steps are slow and deliberate, and her expression is somber.
"Maki-san!" Yuuji calls out. "Thank goodness! Inumaki-senpai is-"
"Hey Toge, did you finish your assignment yet? We have training in the morning, so don't stay up too late," she says, ignoring him completely.
Inumaki looks up, and a small smile spreads across his face. "Tuna mayo."
She rolls her eyes. "I know, I know. Just make sure you get enough sleep. We've got a lot to cover tomorrow."
Inumaki nods. "Salmon."
She gives him a playful shove before heading inside. Yuuji and Megumi can only watch, dumbfounded.
"Did she not see us?" Yuuji asks.
"Seems like it," Megumi replies.
"Why can't anyone see us?"
"I don't know."
A horrible thought occurs to Yuuji.
"You don't think...we're..." he trails off, not wanting to say the word.
"Dead?" Megumi finishes.
The realization hits them both at the same time. It would explain everything. The strange sensation they're feeling, the inability to touch anyone, the unresponsiveness of those around them. It's the only logical explanation.
But they don't feel dead. They still have a pulse, and they can breathe, and their bodies feel solid. They can see each other, and they can touch each other. It's like nothing has changed. And yet, everything has.
Yuuji doesn't know how long they sit there in silence, processing this new development.
"If we're dead," Megumi finally speaks. "Shouldn't we be... elsewhere?"
"You mean heaven?" Yuuji asks.
"I doubt I'm going anywhere near there," Megumi says dryly. "Though I can't imagine you not going there, so maybe we're just waiting to be sent to our respective afterlives."
The thought of being separated is strangely painful, even though they've known each other for less than a year. They've been through a lot together, and they've developed a close bond. Yuuji doesn't want to think about saying goodbye to Megumi, not now and not ever.
"I think you'd go to heaven," Yuuji says. "But if not, we can just hang out in hell together."
Megumi's eyes widen in surprise. He stares at Yuuji for a moment, then smiles softly. "Idiot. You'd choose hell over heaven just to be with me?"
Yuuji grins. "Of course. I'm not going anywhere without you, Fushiguro."
"Idiot," Megumi mutters, looking away.
Yuuji looks up at him. "Yeah, well. I doubt anyone else would put up with me."
"Probably not."
They both laugh.
The conversation falls into a lull. They sit in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company. The crickets are still chirping, and the moonlight is still casting its ethereal glow over the grounds. Everything seems peaceful, despite the circumstances.
"So, what do we do now?" Yuuji asks eventually.
"We should get some sleep. Tomorrow we could go back to the temple, see if we can find any clues about what happened."
"Good idea."
They stand up and head inside. The dorms are dark and quiet, and they creep through the halls as silently as possible. They make it to their rooms without incident and bid each other goodnight.
As Yuuji lays in his bed, he can't stop thinking about the events of the day. How did he and Megumi end up here? Why can't anyone see or hear them? He has so many questions, and no answers.
But as he climbs into bed, he can't help but think that as long as he has Megumi by his side, they can handle anything.
-
Yuuji can't sleep.
It's not the kind of restlessness that comes from an overactive mind, or a full bladder. It's not the kind of tiredness that settles into his bones, weighing him down, dragging him under.
He just can't sleep.
No matter how hard he tries, he can't drift off. His eyes stay wide open, staring into the darkness. He tosses and turns, but no position feels comfortable. His thoughts race, refusing to slow down.
Is this what death is like?
The question hangs heavy in the air. He's afraid to ask it out loud, afraid of the answer. Is this his eternal damnation? Stuck in a half-awake state, unable to find peace?
He wants to cry, but the tears won't come. His chest aches with the effort, but his eyes remain dry. It's like his body can't even comprehend the grief he feels.
Maybe it's better this way. Maybe it's better to not feel anything at all.
But there is something he feels, isn't there? Something he's been trying to ignore. A pull, deep in his gut. A longing.
He gets up. He knows he won't find sleep tonight. But there's another person he can find, and maybe that will be enough.
He slips out of his room, closing the door quietly behind him. The hallway is dark and silent, but he doesn't have to go far. He remembers Gojo's sensei's cheerful voice, telling a grumbling Megumi that their rooms would be right next to each other.
Yuuji is almost grateful for it now.
If only the memory of his teacher's voice didn't feel like a stab in the chest. If only it didn't remind him of the fact that he'll never hear it again.
He knocks on Megumi's door, not expecting a response. He's pleasantly surprised when he hears shuffling inside. A moment later, the door opens, and Megumi's face peeks out.
"Come in," he says, his voice low.
Yuuji steps inside.
Megumi's room is a mirror image of his own, with the same desk and chair, the same wardrobe and bed. But somehow, it already feels like a different place. Maybe it's the way Megumi's scent fills the space, or the way his presence makes the room feel warmer.
Whatever it is, Yuuji feels more at home here than he does in his own room.
"I can't sleep," Yuuji whispers, the words spilling out.
Megumi nods, understanding.
"Me neither."
They stand there for a moment, just looking at each other. There's an unspoken question in the air, one they're both too afraid to ask.
Is this it?
Is this all there is, forever?
Yuuji is the first to break the silence.
"Can I...can I stay with you tonight?"
It's a bold request, and he knows it. But he can't bring himself to care. He needs the comfort of Megumi's presence, the reassurance that he's not alone.
Megumi's eyes widen slightly, and a hint of color rises to his cheeks. He looks away, but he doesn't object.
"Okay. What are we going to do?"
Yuuji pauses, considering.
"Maybe we can just lay here and talk?" he suggests. "We haven't really- well. Not since..."
Megumi nods, his expression softening.
"That sounds good."
He crawls back into bed and pats the space beside him. Yuuji's heart skips a beat. He climbs into bed next to Megumi, leaving a respectable distance between them.
They lay in silence for a moment, their breaths filling the air.
"When do you think they'll notice?" Yuuji whispers.
Megumi sighs.
"Eventually. Probably tomorrow."
Yuuji thinks about Nobara. Her fiery spirit. Her fierce loyalty. He wonders how she'll react. Will she grieve, or will she be angry? Maybe both.
He thinks about his friends and classmates, the people he's grown close to. The thought of them hurting is unbearable.
"They'll be okay," Megumi murmurs, as if reading his mind. "They'll have each other."
"This is so messed up," Yuuji breathes. "It's not that dying was something I didn't expect. But I thought, once it happened, I'd just...be gone."
"So did I," Megumi admits.
They fall into silence again, their thoughts turning inward.
"How do you think we died?" Yuuji asks after a while.
Megumi is quiet for a moment.
"I'm not sure," he finally replies. "Maybe we were just too reckless. Maybe the special grade was stronger than we thought. Or maybe it was something else. An accident. A mistake."
Yuuji swallows, a lump forming in his throat.
"It's not fair," he whispers, the words thick with emotion.
"No, it's not," Megumi agrees.
There are so many things Yuuji wants to say, so many feelings he can't articulate. But he knows that Megumi understands. They've always understood each other.
Yuuji's heart is pounding in his chest. He wants to reach out and hold Megumi, but he doesn't dare. It feels like the most natural thing in the world, and yet it also feels completely foreign.
But, they are both dead, aren't they? So maybe they can afford a little recklessness.
He reaches out and takes Megumi's hand, intertwining their fingers.
"What are you doing?" Megumi asks.
"I don't know," Yuuji replies honestly.
Megumi doesn't pull away. He grips Yuuji's hand tighter, his fingers warm and strong.
"It's comforting, isn't it?" Yuuji whispers.
"Yeah."
They stay like that for a while, holding hands in the dark, letting the warmth of each other's skin chase away the chill of death.
Yuuji wants to memorize every detail of this moment. The feeling of Megumi's hand in his, the sound of their breaths mingling in the still air, the smell of Megumi's hair and the faintest hint of his shampoo.
It's strange. He's not even sure how he could have a sense of smell when he's dead. And yet, it's there, the familiar scent filling his nose.
It's a small comfort, but he'll take it.
By now they both realized that sleep isn't coming. They spend the rest of the night talking, whispering, trying to make sense of the senselessness of their fate.
When the sun starts to rise, painting the sky with streaks of pink and gold, they watch the colors slowly creep across the horizon. They've been holding hands the whole time, and neither of them wants to let go.
But the day has come. There are no more excuses, no more distractions. They have to face the reality of their situation.
"So, do we go back to the temple?" Yuuji asks.
"Seems like the best place to start," Megumi replies.
Yuuji's stomach is churning. He's not sure if he can handle seeing their bodies, the evidence of their death. But he knows it's the only way.
"Okay. Let's go."
They let go of each other's hands and stand up. They leave the dorms and walk toward the entrance of the school. The campus is still and silent, the early morning light casting long shadows across the ground.
The train ride to the temple is uneventful. They take the train - no need for tickets or money now - and walk to the temple. Their steps are heavy and reluctant, but they force themselves to keep moving.
The temple is empty, the doors unlocked.
"Let's go to the basement. That's where we fought the cursed spirit, right?" Yuuji asks, his voice hushed.
Megumi nods, and they walk through the main hall, down the steps, and into the basement.
The space is dark and musty, the air thick with the smell of dust and decay. It's silent, except for the faint sounds of water dripping somewhere.
Yuuji's breath catches in his throat. It's a mess.
There's debris everywhere, and the floor is covered in blood. Yuuji can't bring himself to look at the center of the room. But Megumi does.
"What the hell..."
Megumi is frozen, his eyes wide. Yuuji approaches, not wanting to know, and yet needing to see.
The sight before them is like something out of a horror movie. There are two bodies lying on the ground, surrounded by pools of blood. They're covered in cuts and bruises, and one of them has a gaping hole in their chest.
"Is that..."
Yuuji can't finish the question. The answer is obvious. It's them. Their lifeless, bloody corpses, lying there in the ruins of the temple.
"Fuck," Megumi mutters.
Yuuji's knees give out, and he falls to the ground. He can't look away, can't tear his eyes from the scene. It's surreal, and yet it's painfully real.
"What are we supposed to do now?" Yuuji whispers.
"I don't know," Megumi admits.
"Is this our punishment?"
"For what?"
"Being jujutsu sorcerers."
Megumi doesn't respond.
They sit there for a while, letting the reality sink in. It's not fair. They shouldn't have died like this. Not so young, not so violently.
They stay there until they hear voices. Footsteps approaching. Yuuji recognizes them instantly.
Nobara and Maki.
They must have come looking for them.
Dread washes over him. He's not ready for this. He can't stay, he can't watch them find their bodies. He can't bear the thought of seeing their grief, their pain.
He scrambles to his feet, grabbing Megumi's hand and pulling him away. They run out of the temple, just as the girls enter.
The bone-chilling scream that follows will haunt them for the rest of their days.
-
They don't talk about it.
It's not something they can discuss. It's too painful, too raw.
They spend the day wandering the city, watching the living go about their lives. It's both fascinating and depressing. The sights and sounds of the city are all around them, and yet they feel disconnected from it all.
The sun is setting, the sky streaked with pinks and purples. The streets are filled with people heading home after a long day at work. It's a peaceful scene, and yet Yuuji can't shake the feeling of sadness that hangs over him.
He and Megumi are sitting on a bench, watching the sunset. There's a comfortable silence between them, but it's not one born out of contentment. They're both lost in their own thoughts, trying to make sense of the senselessness of their existence.
"I wish there was some way to let them know we're okay," Yuuji says suddenly.
Megumi looks at him, a sad smile on his lips.
"I wish there was, too."
They sit there, watching the sunset, the sky growing darker with each passing minute. The streetlights flicker on, bathing the city in a soft glow.
"I'm glad I'm not alone," Yuuji murmurs. "I know it's selfish, but I'm glad you're here with me, Fushiguro."
"It's not selfish. I'm glad I'm not alone, either."
A comfortable silence falls between them. The sounds of the city surround them, the steady hum of traffic, the chatter of people on the street, the occasional shout or laugh.
"Do you think there's anything after this?" Yuuji asks, his voice barely above a whisper.
Megumi shakes his head.
"I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not."
"I hope there is. I hope there's some kind of peace, some kind of resolution. I don't want this to be it."
"Me neither."
"Fushiguro, can I ask you something?"
"Yeah."
"Do you ever regret it? Being a jujutsu sorcerer?"
Megumi thinks for a moment, then sighs.
"I used to. I used to wish I could have had a normal life, a normal family. I used to be angry at the world, for being born with this cursed fate. But now..."
He trails off, his gaze distant.
"Now what?" Yuuji asks softly.
Megumi looks at him, his expression serious.
"I wouldn't change it, Itadori. I have my regrets, sure. But I don't regret meeting you, or the others. I don't regret fighting alongside you, or trying to save the world. Because even if I did die, I died doing the thing I believed in. That's all I ever wanted from life."
Yuuji can't help it. He throws his arms around Megumi, burying his face in his shoulder. He's not sure why he's crying, but he can't stop the tears from flowing.
"You're such an idiot, Fushiguro," he mumbles, his voice muffled by Megumi's shirt.
"I know," Megumi replies, returning the hug.
They stay like that for a while, clinging to each other. It's not much, but it's enough. They have each other, and they have their memories. That's all they need.
The night sky is darkening, the stars beginning to appear. The city lights are bright and inviting, but they have no interest in joining the living. Not tonight.
Instead, they stay on that bench, wrapped in each other's arms, watching the world move on without them. It's not the life they wanted, but it's the one they have, and they're going to make the most of it.
After all, what else can they do?
-
Returning to Jujutsu Tech is strange.
The buildings are familiar, the grounds are the same. And yet, everything is different.
There's a palpable sense of sadness and grief in the air. It's like the very atmosphere has been altered, changed forever.
And it's all because of them.
As they walk through the gates, the weight of what they've done hits them full force. This place was their home, and now it's a mausoleum. A reminder of their deaths.
They make their way to the dorms, where the silence is almost suffocating. There's an emptiness here, a hollowness. It's as if the building itself is mourning their loss.
The first floor is quiet, but as they climb the stairs to the second, they hear voices. Voices that they know.
Maki, Nobara, Yuuta, Panda, Inumaki.
They're gathered in the common area, and the moment Yuuji gets a look at their faces, he wishes he could turn and run.
Nobara's eyes are red-rimmed and puffy, her cheeks tear-stained. Maki's expression is tight, her lips set in a grim line. Yuuta's head is bowed, his shoulders slumped. Panda is sitting next to Inumaki, and they both look uncharacteristically somber.
Yuuji has never felt more like an intruder.
He and Megumi hover in the doorway, not wanting to get any closer. They know they can't be seen, but it feels wrong to witness such a private moment.
The others are talking about them. About their deaths. It's a strange experience, to hear people discussing your fate.
Yuuji learns some things he didn't know, and some things he didn't want to.
He didn't realize how much Nobara loved him. How she had seen him as her little brother, someone she wanted to protect. He's honored, and he feels the guilt of not being able to be there for her more acutely than ever.
He watches Megumi's face as the others talk about him. He can tell Megumi is surprised by the affection in their words, the respect and admiration. It's clear he didn't expect to be mourned so deeply, or for people to care about him so much.
It's heartbreaking, and Yuuji can't take it anymore.
"Let's go," he whispers, tugging on Megumi's sleeve.
Megumi nods, his eyes wide and sad.
They slip out of the dorms, leaving the others behind.
The sky is a deep blue, the moon hanging low and full. It's a beautiful night, but Yuuji can't enjoy it. The weight in his chest feels like a physical thing, pressing down on him, suffocating him.
They make their way to the edge of the school grounds, to the place where the trees grow thick and tall, the shadows deep and dark. It's the perfect place for their grief.
They stand there, under the canopy of the trees, letting the cool night air wash over them. The wind rustles the leaves, and the moon peeks out from behind the clouds, bathing the world in a silver glow.
It's peaceful. It's sad.
It's the kind of place they would have liked to grow old in.
Yuuji sits down, leaning against the trunk of a tree. Megumi sits beside him, close enough for their shoulders to brush.
"I wonder," Megumi starts, his gaze distant. "I wonder if she was stuck, too."
Yuuji doesn't need to ask who Megumi is talking about. He knows.
"She was a good person, you know?" Megumi continues. "She didn't deserve what happened to her. She didn't deserve to die like that. I just hope she's not alone, lost in this world, just like we are."
Yuuji nods, understanding. He feels the same way.
The silence stretches between them, heavy with memories and regrets.
"Hey," Yuuji whispers. "Can I tell you a secret?"
"Yeah," Megumi replies, his voice just as soft.
"When I was a kid, I was afraid of the dark. But I wasn't scared because of what might be in the darkness. I was scared of the silence."
"The silence?"
"Yeah. The stillness. I felt like if the darkness was too deep, I wouldn't be able to hear anything, not even my own breathing. And the idea of that, the idea of being completely cut off from the world, from everyone...it terrified me."
"But it's not silent now," Megumi points out.
"No, it's not," Yuuji agrees. "Because I'm not alone. And as long as you're here with me, the silence isn't so scary anymore."
Megumi gives him a small, sad smile.
"I'm glad."
The wind picks up, rustling the leaves, making the branches sway. The sound is comforting, and Yuuji lets his eyes close. He lets himself pretend, just for a moment, that things are okay. That he and Megumi are still alive, and they're just taking a walk together on a peaceful night.
It's a nice dream, even if it's not real.
"Itadori," Megumi murmurs, breaking the silence.
"Hmm?"
"What are we going to do now? I mean, how long are we going to stay here, wandering the halls of our old school, watching our friends grieve?"
Yuuji opens his eyes and looks at Megumi. He can see the sadness, the desperation, in his face. He knows Megumi wants an answer, but he doesn't have one.
"I don't know, Fushiguro," he admits.
"I wonder if we're here for a reason. If we're supposed to find some sort of closure, or maybe a way to move on. But what is there, really, when we're dead? How can we move on from a place like this?"
Megumi's words weigh heavy on Yuuji's mind. They're both trapped, caught between two worlds. They're not living, and yet they're not truly dead, either.
"Maybe..."
Yuuji hesitates, unsure.
"Maybe we should confront our past, our mistakes," he suggests. "Maybe we should try to find a way to make peace with it. To let go of the things that have been haunting us."
Megumi looks at him, a curious expression on his face.
"How do we do that?"
Yuuji pauses, thinking. Then, a faint smile appears on his lips.
"Maybe we could start by saying sorry."
Megumi's brow furrows, confusion clear on his face.
"To whom?"
Yuuji shrugs.
"To each other. To ourselves."
Megumi is quiet, and Yuuji can tell he's considering the idea.
"Okay," Megumi finally says. "Let's do it."
The air is cool and the sky is dark, the stars twinkling above. The leaves rustle in the wind, and the shadows seem to grow deeper. It's a perfect night for a walk, for a stroll under the stars.
But it's not a night for two boys. Not anymore.
Megumi takes a deep breath and begins.
"I'm sorry, Itadori. For dragging you into this mess. For making you fight a battle that wasn't yours. For being too weak to defeat the curse alone back in Sendai. For needing to be saved. For making you eat Sukuna's finger."
His voice cracks at the end, the guilt and regret evident.
Yuuji's heart aches. He knows Megumi carries a lot of blame, but he also knows Megumi did the best he could. He didn't ask for this, none of them did.
"I'm sorry, too, Fushiguro," Yuuji says softly. "I'm sorry for all the pain and suffering I've caused. I'm sorry for putting everyone in danger. I'm sorry for the binding vow that caused you to suffer so much. I'm sorry your body and soul have been tainted by Sukuna's evil. I'm sorry that you've lost so many people, that you've suffered so much. But I'm the most sorry for taking away your future. I wish I could have given you a happier ending."
The words are difficult to say, but they're words that need to be spoken. They've both made mistakes, they've both paid a high price, and there's no undoing it. But at least they can acknowledge it, and try to make peace with it.
"I forgive you," Megumi says quietly.
"And I forgive you," Yuuji responds.
They sit there, in the dark, their shoulders pressed together, their hands resting on the grass. It's not much, but it's something. And for now, it's enough.
They've both said their apologies, and they've both been accepted. They've acknowledged their mistakes and their regrets, and they've tried to make amends. It's a small thing, but it's a start.
It's a step toward forgiveness, and maybe someday, toward peace.
They stay there for a while, under the cover of the trees, letting the night wash over them. The moon is bright and the stars are shining, and the darkness isn't so frightening after all.
As the night stretches on, the air grows cooler, and the shadows deeper. They know they can't stay here forever, but for now, this moment is theirs.
"Itadori," Megumi murmurs, his voice a low whisper.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being my friend. For never giving up on me, even when I gave up on myself. For showing me that there's still good in the world, that there are still things worth fighting for. For reminding me that there's always hope, even when all seems lost. For giving me a choice in the end, even if it meant being lonely and losing your best friend. Thank you for showing me what it's like to be unconditionally loved."
Tears fill Yuuji's eyes. He doesn't deserve this, he doesn't deserve the heartfelt thanks. Not when he couldn't even save the person who mattered most.
"You were the one who showed me, Fushiguro," Yuuji manages through his tears. "I didn't have anything to give before I met you. I was just a stupid kid who didn't know any better. But you, you showed me what it's like to have friends, to have a family. You showed me that there's more to life than just existing. You showed me that I have worth, and value, and that I can make a difference in the world. So thank you, for everything."
Megumi smiles, his eyes bright and his cheeks flushed. Yuuji has never seen him look so happy, and it makes his heart ache with regret.
"Hey, Itadori," Megumi says softly.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think we could have been something more? In another life, in another time?"
The question catches Yuuji off-guard. He hasn't let himself think about it, hasn't dared to hope for something more than friendship. But now, faced with the possibility, he can't deny that there's a part of him that yearns for it.
"You wanted that?" Yuuji asks.
"Yes," Megumi answers, his voice sure and steady. "I did."
The weight of those words, the depth of emotion behind them, hits Yuuji hard. He's never known someone who has wanted him so deeply, so wholly. It's humbling and overwhelming, and he doesn't know how to respond.
"I did, too," he says quietly.
Megumi's eyes widen, and Yuuji can see the surprise, the hope, in them.
"You did?"
Yuuji nods, swallowing the lump in his throat.
"I did."
They stare at each other, their hearts beating wildly, their minds racing. It's as if time has stopped, and the world has fallen away, and there's nothing else but the two of them, their souls laid bare.
The air is thick with anticipation, with longing, and Yuuji finds himself leaning in, drawn to Megumi like a moth to a flame.
And then, their lips meet.
It's a soft kiss, a gentle press of lips. It's hesitant and unsure, as if they're both afraid of shattering the moment, of destroying the fragile thread that's connecting them.
But as the kiss deepens, as their hands find each other, the uncertainty fades. It's replaced with something deeper, something stronger, something more powerful than anything Yuuji has ever felt.
It's love.
It's love and it's acceptance and it's forgiveness, all wrapped up in one. It's everything they've been searching for, everything they've been missing, and Yuuji can feel his heart swelling with the enormity of it all.
As the kiss continues, Yuuji's hand slides into Megumi's hair, his fingers curling around the soft strands. Megumi's lips part, his tongue brushing against Yuuji's, sending a shiver down his spine.
Yuuji pulls Megumi closer, wanting to feel him, wanting to know him, wanting to be connected to him in every possible way. Megumi yields, his body melting against Yuuji's, as if they were always meant to be like this.
And maybe they were.
As their lips move together, their hearts beat as one, and Yuuji feels a peace wash over him. A sense of rightness, of belonging. This is where he's supposed to be, this is who he's supposed to be with.
They were meant for each other, and nothing will ever change that.
They break apart, their breaths coming in ragged gasps, their eyes locked on each other. There's a newfound understanding between them, a deeper connection. It's something they'll never lose, something that will bind them together, even beyond death.
"Yuuji."
Megumi whispers his name like a prayer, like a benediction.
It's the first time he's used it.
"Megumi," Yuuji whispers back, and it's a promise, an affirmation.
Megumi smiles, and it's the most beautiful thing Yuuji has ever seen. He'll never get tired of seeing it, never get tired of being the one who put it there.
"I think I know how we can move on," Megumi says, his voice soft.
Yuuji nods. He knows, too.
They've made their peace, they've forgiven each other, and now they can finally let go.
"Where do you think we'll end up?" Yuuji asks, his fingers intertwining with Megumi's.
"I don't know. I just hope it's somewhere together."
"Me, too."
The stars are bright overhead, and the night is quiet, the world holding its breath. It's as if everything is waiting for them, waiting for their decision.
"Are you ready?" Megumi asks.
Yuuji nods. He is.
They rise to their feet, their hands still clasped together. The air around them is charged, electric, as if something is about to happen.
"Let's go," Megumi says, and there's no fear in his voice, no hesitation.
Yuuji smiles, his heart full of love and joy.
"Lead the way."
Together, they walk into the darkness, and the world welcomes them.
They've come home.