Inspired by the song Saccharine, by Jazmin Bean
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The ride back to Jujutsu Tech is quiet aside from Gojo is prattling on about how he'll take you to see Masamichi first thing in the morning to inform him of your "reverse transfiguration," as he was already calling it. Nearly everyone is worn out from the evening, save your sensei who avoided any real work. Yuji had eaten the most out of all of you, and is slumped over with his head on your shoulder. Every now and then, the smallest sound of a snore buzzes in your ear. He also talks in his dreams.
"..Mmmm...More pork loin, please," He begs sweetly.
There's a lump in your throat you just can't swallow. The lingering weight of what Mahito said to you is keeping your mind busy. Reaching into your pocket, careful not to jostle your slumbering friend, you retrieve your phone. You punch in a text message to Megumi, not wanting to risk being overheard by Gojo or Ijichi in the front seat.
Hey, can we talk later, please?
You hit send, trying to look as if you're casually scrolling through a webpage instead. From your peripheral you can see him pull his phone out, and type a reply. It pops up on your screen,
Sure
You sneak a peek over at Megumi. He has the same lingering smile that's been plastered on his face for the last few hours. It's weird to see him happy. He's normally so solemn and quiet, the withdrawn one of any group he was in. But he's been practically glowing ever since he heard you sing.
Well, it was Ryomen singing actually. You're nothing more than an instrument for his abilities afterall. Whatever. At least your cursed techniques are becoming more useful for your missions anyway. No one had anything negative to say about your decisions this time either. You had done your best. You still wish it could have been better though.
Mahito... you wonder where he could possibly be hiding.
You arrive back at campus at half past eleven. Megumi volunteers to help get Itadori back to his room, and you take the opportunity to assist him, placing a matching arm around your teammate's shoulder along with him. Itadori, though barely lucid, allows you both to practically carry him to his room. You stumble through the hallway together slowly, an odd trio.
From up ahead, the sound of a doorknob twisting causes you to freeze.
"Shh, we woke someone," Megumi warns in a whisper. The three of you come to an abrupt halt.
"How? We didn't make-," you start back, but the silhouette of someone walking through the shadows of the dorm hall makes you cut yourself short. Is that... Kugisaki?
You hold as still as statues as she knocks softly on someone else's door, then disappears inside. There isn't a click from the doorknob, she must be untwisting it by hand.
"Uhh... who's room is that?"
"My cousin... Maki," There's obvious embarrassment when he responds.
"Oooooooh!" You squeal in a whisper.
"Spicy!"
"Can we please pretend we didn't see? There's alot about this I'm not ready to unpack."
"Pft! Says you! Some of us saw this coming for a while," You giggle, and even Ryomen has to join in.
He opens the door to Yuji's room, careful not to let the door latch click too loudly after you. As you help your nearly comatose friend onto his bed, Fushiguro removes his shoes and outer jacket. He seems comfortable removing Itadori's clothes. Maybe Yuji does this sort of thing alot? Eating too much until he can't stay awake.
"Or..." Ryomen pointedly lets his single utterance hang unfinished.
You roll your eyes, speaking only to him, "Oh, come on. You assume everyone is fucking now."
"Well... that's because they probably are. Remember what this one said?" He directs your eyes to the slumbering pink haired boy.
"What did you need to talk about?" Megumi asks, pulling the blanket up to his friend's shoulders.
"Umm. Not here please." There's no way you can talk about this so close to Itadori.
"My room? Just next door." He agrees and follows you out, entering your room silently behind you.
You're a little surprised that he's not so apprehensive around you anymore. Surprised and relieved. You need him as your ally here. Apparently there aren't many people you can trust here. You're too nervous to sit down now, so you stand awkwardly in the middle of your room, arms clutching your elbows.
"Should... I turn the light on?" Megumi offers, but he sounds unsure. The dark seems better for what you're about to say anyway.
"Mahito told me something... and I need to know if it's true. It's about Itadori."
You can't see his expression in the dark, but the sigh he heaves forces you to pause. You try again.
"Is... is it true that he's..." It's too difficult to say. Your question lingers unfinished. The tremble in your voice, and the fact you wouldn't speak of this in the other room is enough for Megumi to know what you're asking.
"It's true. I'm sorry you had to find out this way." His reply is soft, and does sound completely genuine.
"Why? Why do they have to-Why didn't anyone tell me?! Why does he have to die?" Your knees are giving out under you, but he steps forward and holds you steady. His hands feel warm on your shoulders.
"Because he agreed to it. It was his own decision." Megumi's words cut in through the pause in your crying.
"And he's doing it for the good of humanity. After he devours the rest of Sukuna's fingers, his body's use as a vessel will-"
"Don't talk about him that way!" Hissing in a harsh whisper you ball your fists tightly at your sides. "We aren't just vessels, we're people goddamnit!"
He holds his tongue, listening to the sound of your labored breathing as you angrily wipe your tears. You're vaguely aware of him stepping in closer, and allow him to embrace you as you stifle your cries into his shirt.
"I'm sorry we didn't tell you... It's not something any of us like to think about. We love Itadori. No one wants to lose him."
"Oh, my fucking God," You choke, unable to organize your thoughts beyond expletives. "I can't fucking breathe." There's a ringing in your ears.
He hugs you tighter in his arms. Cradling your trembling form, he attempts to reassure you with gentle murmurs.
"You need to focus on right now, not what's going to happen. He needs us to stay positive, even if it seems like he's handling the weight of this without any problem. We can't show Itadori... how we feel about losing him. It would only hurt him more knowing that we're miserable. It's best to try to be as happy as we can together."
"Ugh! How can you say that? You never smile!"
He pauses, and steps back only slightly to look into your eyes. He doesn't let go of you though. "You're right. I can be a hypocrite... but you made me smile tonight."
"That wasn't me," You protest.
"No?" Now that he's close enough, you can see his face in the moonlight, gazing at you with a look in his eyes that you were not expecting.
"Because I saw you pour your soul into another person tonight to save them from a cursed afterlife. Then I watched you captivate a room full of strangers with a kyrie, a song meant to bring peace to departed souls."
"I... I don't even understand all of the words, Ryomen pulled them from my memories," You confess, but he isn't swayed.
"It doesn't matter whether it's something you're conscious of doing or not. You don't realize it yet, but you're giving us a tremendous amount of hope. Doing the impossible, reversing a transfiguration. We're taking it as a good sign."
"A sign? For what?"
"That maybe more things we thought were impossible can change."
His words are so sweet and comforting, you can't stay upset for much longer if he keeps this up.
"By the way, can I tell you that I'm proud of you?" He asks, making your heart leap suddenly.
"You're proud? For what?" Your face begins to flush, you worry he might see even in the dim lighting.
"I know I can be a hardass. Yuji reminds me all the time. And I came down on you pretty harsh before without really understanding anything about you personally. But seeing you in action tonight... It's obvious that you're taking things seriously and applying everything you're learning. I'm sorry about what I said before about you being irresponsible."
He brings his hand to your cheek, wiping the last of your tears away. You notice that he still hasn't let go of you.
Megumi, you're so close. Aren't you afraid of me still?
This time when you meet his eyes, he doesn't speak, and his gaze slides slightly lower to your lips.
"I'm sorry," He says again, though you don't know why, but then he begins to pull away from you.
Please don't go yet...
Your fingertips curl into his shirt, tugging him back. He gasps, but it's quickly silenced by your kiss. His long, dark hair brushes against your cheeks, and he makes a deeper sound this time, leaning in, closing the last bit of distance between the two of you.
Megumi...
There's a radiant warmth flooding your body. The only sound is his breathing slowly rising and falling in cadence with yours. It's so hypnotically intoxicating. He smells like sandalwood, and when breaks the kiss momentarily to whisper your name, it sounds like he's praying.
"I... should probably go. It's late," He says, as if suddenly coming to his senses. He gives his head a small shake. But he can't help himself from leaning in one more time to press his lips to yours, despite what he says. You follow him as he leads you to the door. He walks backwards slowly, refusing to break contact with you. Even as he turns the door handle and steps out into the hallway.
"I have to go," He gasps. He's panting now, and his fingers are tangled with yours.
"Then you need to let me go," You laugh, keeping your voice hushed with his.
"I can't," He sounds embarrassed now, and in the brighter lit hallway, you can see that he's the one blushing.
"Just for a little while," You promise.
"Alright... Good night," He releases your hands, but steps in one last time, his forehead pressed to yours.
"Thank you..." His last words before he departs, disappearing into his own room two doors down.
You close your door, and you fall back onto your bed, heaving a loud sigh. You're still buzzing from that kiss.
"My pet," Ryomen purrs, the suddenness of his words startling you from your daydream.
"Not to inconvenience you, but you said I could have whatever I wanted tonight..."
"When did I say that?"
Oh, right... earlier when you were at the expo. You'd bargained with him so he would behave in public.
He chuckles wickedly, drumming your fingertips up your own thighs.
"I was a good boy," he coos, sending familiar chills down your body in a welcoming wave. "I bet you forgot I was even here when that sweet priest fell prey to your charms."
Your tension is beginning to ease ever so slightly. He had been behaving himself all day. And he was right, you didn't even worry about him with Fushiguro here. He was amicably for a change.
"Alright. So what would you like?" A smile plays across your lips.
"The mirror... Get to the mirror, my dear. Let me look at you." He practically drags you himself, not waiting for you to obey his request.
You flick the light switch on and pull yourself onto the countertop of the sink. Your legs drape over the edge and Ryomen leans your back against the wall, positioning you to see your reflection.
"You're such a marvel, and everyone knows it, my pet. I'm so proud of you, I could eat you up!" His growls resonate in your chest. It's nearly frightening to think you could make a sound like that on your own, but despite his feral words, your fingers caress over your skin slowly with reverence. He parts your knees, removing your underwear but keeping on your skirt, then twists your body towards the mirror.
"Whoa! Hey-this is too embarrassing, p-please!" You protest, but he shushes you with your own finger.
"What. Ever. I. Want. . . Right?" He repeats pointedly. "You're what I want, so let me see you."
Allowing him to resume, you're secretly thankful that he isn't asking for something more outrageous. You had given him freedom to decide what happened, but that was a mistake you should probably be more mindful not to make again. What if he had asked for something with Megumi?
"Mmm, thinking of him again?" Ryomen reads your thoughts as soon as you piece them together.
The warmth of your fingertips circling over your most sensitive spot eases any concerns of Ryomen being jealous. It sounds more like he's excited by your idea.
"Isn't he delicious? I knew he would be," His moans fill every crevasse of your mind. "He couldn't peel himself away from you. Though who could?" He pinches over your nipples and squeezes your sides in rapture.
"My gorgeous gem," His growls deepen.
"Let me polish you until you shine."
The headiness of your arousal is beginning to cloud over your senses, taking you under the surface and blanketing you in serene warmth. Though you still can't help but wonder how difficult it must have been for Ryomen to hold back from sweet Megumi. Even you couldn't resist the urge to pull him back when you thought he was letting go.
Ryomen chuckles laciviously, his mouth manifesting in your palm and enveloping your hot, throbbing sex with an appreciative moan. Your head rocks back with a soft thud on the wall.
"Ohhh, fuuu-" You catch yourself a little too late. You're a bit loud. It might be best to keep it down. There's a chance Itadori may wake up if he hears you.
You shouldn't have thought that. You definitely should not have thought that.
"Ooh, now THAT'S a game I want to play!"
"No, no, Ryomen, please don't make someone hear us!"
"Well maybe the hyper one is a deep sleeper. And who's to say how thick these walls are? Let's put it to the test, my screaming songbird." His tongue laps at your skin fastidiously, sucking and making lewd, wet sounds.
Instinctually, you muffle your sounds with your free hand. But your lover won't let you have that for long. Taking control of your fingers, he slides the first two into your mouth.
"Say 'ahhh,'" He instructs, his voice is practically oozing with the promise of pleasure.
"Aahhhnngg-!" You fight to hold back, but you're losing. He pries your mouth open wider.
"Louder..." He insists, sliding two fingers easily inside of you, from above and below. He's made sure that you're a dripping mess.
"I know what you want..." His voice is deep and silky, vibrating in your skull. The lightbulbs flicker on and off with a droning buzz. Your eyes roll back when he curls his fingers inside of you rhythmically. The sighs that escape from you are growing louder, and harder to hold back.
The lights flicker off completely, blanketing you in darkness.
"You want him don't you?" Ryomen asks.
With a fizz, the bulbs relight, dimly coming back to life. You're still facing the mirror, but what you see is something entirely different from before.
Megumi! Or rather, Ryomen's projection of him. He's kneeling over you, the hem of his school uniform pulled up in his teeth revealing his toned stomach. Instead of fingers pressing against your tongue, Megumi now slides the satin smoothness of his warm cock through your lips.
Your sounds come more freely from you now. Oh sweet fuck, he is gorgeous looking down on you like that. This... it's definitely an illusion, right? A manifestation within Ryomen's innate domain he must've opened. But fuck... how is he making him taste so real? You can't stop yourself from starting your own rhythm over his length.
"You fucking love it, don't you?" Ryomen's asks from behind Megumi's form. He towers over the boy, draping his arms over his shoulders and clasping his hands over Megumi's. There's a whimper from you as he thrusts his hips forward against the boy's ass, forcing you to take more of him.
"I thought so. You can't hide your desires from me. How does he taste? Is he filling your mouth the way you like? Hitting the back of your throat?"
You squirm with embarassment at his words, but its impossible to argue with him. Megumi holds your face in both his hands, smiling sweetly down at you and brushing your hair out of your face. Gradually he begins to rock his hips forward in time with Ryomen's movements, who is now settling himself between your thighs. The tip of his erection brushes against your opening, teasing you and making you writhe even more.
"You're a fucking mess already and we've barely started on you!" He presses inside, reaching around your middle partner to grasp the back of your neck.
"All of it," He insists.
"You want all of him, and he wants to give it to you. Don't disappoint now." His laughter rings in your ears but you do as he says, drooling down your chin and sucking eagerly on Megumi's thick length.
The manifestation makes small sounds of pleasure, turning to kiss Ryomen as he enters you. He thrusts his slim hips faster, fucking your mouth and making you gag as Ryomen's clawed hands slip into yours. He locks them gently in his fist so that you're held captive around Megumi's waist.
"Do you want him to explode inside your mouth? I feel those slutty thoughts of yours, don't think you can lie to me." He pumps faster into you, in turn forcing Megumi harder into your throat.
"Or would you have us finish together? A priest and a curse ravaging you, what an absolute delight this must be for you, my pet! Yes, take us all!" His moans increase, growing more feral.
The projection of Megumi squirms between the two of you, now gripping your hair passionately. Giving a small cry, he shudders and his taste fills your mouth. Ryomen thrusts harder, groaning with his own orgasm and filling you with an unnaturally warm stream of his cum. His markings are tinged with red and his pupils are nearly vertical slits.
The lights flicker again. This time the eyes staring back at you are your own in the mirror, still glowing with crimson energy. He has closed his domain and the fantasy comes to an end, leaving you breathless and slumped on your bathroom countertop.
"Oh my fucking god," You breathe in amazement, still struggling to catch your breath.
He chuckles and brushes your hair from your face. "I believe I may have bested you this time. But you did say 'whatever I want.'"
"I'm so glad I did," You murmur, barely registering to wash up after your session. With a yawn, you peel off the rest of your uniform and flick off the lights.
"Ryomen... thank you by the way."
"For what?"
"For healing Aikiko's body. I forgot to thank you before."
You pull up your covers and roll onto your side. The moon is barely peaking through your window. Ryomen makes an odd sound in your ear, something between a chuckle and a scoff. His smile glints from your palm.
"My dear... That wasn't me."
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It's raining when you wake up. The heavy pattering on your window makes it hard to drag yourself out of bed. You were already feeling very odd today. There is a figurative weight on your shoulders that makes it difficult to dress yourself in a timely fashion. Your feet shuffle into your shoes without retying them from when you took them off. You hear the sound of whistling coming down the hallway as you finish putting your shoes on. Gojo must be coming to collect you.
"Feed me before you go, my pet?" Ryomen asks. You pull open the drawer but pause when you see only two cursed fruits remaining.
"What happens when we run out?" You ask him.
"What do you mean? There's that pear tree outside still. It has the same energy as the other one the sorcerers usurped."
"Well, yeah. The way Yuji talked about it, it seemed like... it's a burial site though. Just like Mrs. Hama's tree. We should probably try to avoid it out of respect."
"Heheh, whatever you want. I'll find a way to eat," He says mysteriously.
The knock on your door stops you from any further questions.
"Star pupil! Rise and shine, morning glory!- Oh... Well. This is a new everyday look for you." His happy greeting is cut short by a sudden reassessment as you open the door.
"What? Sorry, I guess I'm just tired. Is my uniform wrinkled?" You double check yourself but can't see anything out of sorts right away.
"Ah, did you... wash your face this morning?" He asks.
Oh, maybe you had something embarrassing hanging from your nose. You groan and take a quick look in your bathroom mirror.
"WHAT THE FUCK!"
Ryomen's facial markings are still on your face. The slits below your eyes that only open for him to see when he was fully controlling your body are also fully open. Deep crimson irises blink back at you. The changes must have not dissipated after last night when...
When you had told him he could do whatever he wanted.
"RYOMEN!" You roar inside your head.
"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO?!"
He sounds nearly hurt when he replies,
"Nothing! I swear it. This must be the continuation of our merging. I told you my energy would entwine with yours. I said that a few times in fact!"
"But you never said anything about changing my face!"
"...I think you look good," He offers.
"UGH! Of course you do! I look like you!"
"Are you saying I don't look good?" Now he is offended.
"I'm supposed to look like me!"
"You do though. You're still you. This is just a side effect of more of my energy being acquired."
"Does that mean... I'll keep changing?" A whirlwind of possibilities hits you like a train. Sukuna's true form had multiple mouths. And arms. You would certainly stand out alot more. And struggle to find shirts.
Gojo calls your name from the doorway of your room. "Is everything okay in there?"
You return with a pained expression, on the verge of frustrated tears.
"What am I going to do?" You half sob piteously. "I'm a monster!"
Your sensei frowns and gives your shoulder a squeeze. "No, you're not! Don't say things like that. You're an amazing Jujutsu sorcerer, and Masamichi won't overlook that fact over your appearance changing slightly. It'll be okay."
You balk. This ass is still only concerned with showing off your talent. He isn't worried about how this makes you feel in the slightest.
"Tell you what," He leans in closer,
"I'll go in ahead of you to give him the breakdown if everything first. You know, butter him up a little. That way he'll be too optimistic to focus too much on your new face."
Your new face... his words repeat in your mind during the entire walk to the office. Ryomen sheepishly mutters once again
"I don't see what the fuss is about. You look good."
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You stand nervously outside Yaga Masamichi's office, leaning against the wall. Though the door, the sound of a growing arguement is giving the impression that things may not be going as well as your sensei had originally hoped. What could they be fighting about?
"Good morning," A soft voice startles you with an audible yelp. Fushiguro! You had been eavesdropping too intently to notice he had snuck up on you.
"Oh! G-good morning to you, too!" Getting used to his friendlier side is still new. Normally he doesn't greet you like this. He's almost always a grump in the mornings. Not today.
It isn't long before his eyes widen, taking in your altered appearance.
"Oh," he breathes. Just 'oh.'
"Yeah...I guess this is the new me," You smile sheepishly. "My body is processing Sukuna's cursed energy differently than Itadori's I guess. But I'm still me," You reassure him, but also you say it out loud to soothe yourself as well. You need a lot more convincing.
"It... sort of suits you," He says finally.
"Not that you look evil or anything, but for your ability to reverse a cursed technique like Mahito's, it makes sense for you to look . . . intense." He smiles gently, a small crinkle in the corners of his eyes.
How could he make you feel so much better about this drastic change that easily? Because he was used to seeing the same markings from time to time on Itadori most likely, you reason. This sort of thing must barely surprise him anymore. Maybe things wouldn't be so different afterall.
"So what're you doing here?" You ask when you realize he isn't just passing through.
"I... was asked to meet with the headmaster too," His expression falters. He looks nervous. Were you going to be seen together? If this is about last night's mission, where is Yuji? He should be here too.
The door to Masamichi's office finally creaks open and a chagrined Satoru Gojo waves for you to enter, "Okay, that's about as soft as I can get him. I did my best. Oh, good, Megumi, you're here too. He wants to speak with both of you..."
You exchange a worried glance with your friend. This didn't sound good.
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Yaga Masamichi had been felting stuffed animals back when you first met him. His demeanor was easygoing in nature, and he seemed only mildly interested in your blossoming abilities.
Today, however, he sits with his arms crossed, perched at the edge of his desk and rapping the heel of his shoe impatiently. He silently waits for you and Fushiguro to enter, the line of his lips pressing tighter with consternation. Yeah, this definitely wasn't going to be good. The tension in the air is nearly palpable. The scene reminds you of a television sitcom dad that's just caught their kids sneaking out past curfew. But you have a feeling it's alot more serious than an afterschool special.
"So," Your headmaster begins, "Who wants to guess why you're both here today?" His tone is hard to read, and he is gauging you for a reaction.
Fushiguro responds first, thank god.
"Our last mission included an unexpected visit from Mahito, a known special grade Curse responsible for the death of many humans. He did escape capture, but we were able to successfully recover the human body of one of his victims with the help of our newest teammate's cursed technique."
Masamichi nods tolerably, but it looks like he is still waiting to hear something more. "Okay. And what else?"
Now Fushiguro pauses, his jaw clenches and he swallows. He looks uncertain now, too. There's a long moment of silence before your principal speaks slowly, and deliberately.
"Why don't you tell me... What. Happened. On. Your. Previous. Mission."
Oh, fuuuuuck. Now you know what this is about.
You throw a terrified glance at Fushiguro, hoping no one heard the gasp you were hardly able to conceal. Can anyone else hear that banging sound? Or is that just your own pulse? Oh, god. Does a stroke feel like this?
"There had been a special grade cursed object recovered from the property of Mitsukini Hama. A finger of Sukuna." Fushiguro finally confesses.
"And where did that end up? Because that's clearly something you would have brought to me personally I would think. So why didn't that happen?" Your headmaster leans down close to your teammate, centimeters from his face. You can see the reflection of his eyes in Masamichi's glasses.
Megumi doesn't speak. Anything he would say would be a lie or it condemn you. And he didn't seem to want to do either.
"It... it was my fault!" you sputter at last. Masamichi jerks his head in your direction finally. "I... stole it from Megumi."
Ryomen groans from inside your head,
"You great idiot! Why would you tell him?" He's appalled by your honesty, but what choice did you have? Megumi had covered for you long enough. He could have told everyone right away when it happened, but he was too worried about what would happen to you.
"Please don't punish Fushiguro," You continue.
"You've got 60 seconds to explain why you took that finger. Now talk." Masamichi demands, planting himself in his chair, attempting to maintain his cool that was already slipping. He's angry, that's plain to see. But so are you.
"Me talk? How about you?! You're the one feeding them to Itadori so you can execute him!" Your anger bursts from you suddenly.
Now it's his turn to look taken back. Or as taken back as a man concealing his eyes behind sunglasses can look.
"What we do to ensure the protection of humankind is-"
"Is clearly up for your judgement only!"You interrupt. "Itadori is part of humankind too, last I checked. What about ensuring his protection?"
"These were actions put into motion long before you ever came here. You have no place attempting to dictate what you think about it!" He roars.
"There's plenty of us here who agree with you, there just isn't any other way for us to ensure Sukuna's destruction."
"So what about me? Is that your plan for me too, Masamichi? Because it would be the first I'm hearing of it."
There's a sharp inhale from Fushiguro as he struggles to maintain his composure. He shakes his head slightly, the look in his eyes is begging you to stop. But you can't.
"You enrolled me here under the pretense of giving me shelter from harm. That's what Gojo had told me. So why does that exclude the school?"
"As of now, you no longer need worry about your enrollment. You've proven yourself to be untrustworthy."
"What! For taking one finger you would have made Yuji swallow anyway?!"
He practically roars now, "For tresspassing into restricted space and the destruction of school property! You've been inside the Sorcery library, haven't you?! There's a wreck of ripped up books with pages missing. Some of those documents are older than any living sorcerer working here today! How the hell are we supposed to replace them?!"
Property destruction? What is he talking about? But it's obvious you can't deny that you know about the library. Regardless of his accusations, he isn't completely wrong, you did trespass. But how would they know? Unless...Inumaki. He was the only one to see you coming out through the hidden 'door' in the wall. You wilt inside. You had thought he could be someone to put some trust in. But he had ratted you out it seems. How ironic.
"Starting today, you are no longer permitted clearance for missions. You will be confined to your dorm except for mealtimes."
"THAT'S BULLSHIT!"
"IT'S FOR YOUR OWN PROTECTION! Do you know how many members of the sister school board are hounding me to immediately hand you over? They're screaming for your blood! I'm putting my ass on the line to keep you alive."
"So making me a prisoner is now keeping me safe? That's so fucking convenient for you!"
"You did this to yourself! You can answer for the consequences of your actions and consider yourself fortunate."
There is a cutting sting as you look down and see blood spots in your palm. Your nails had driven through your fists. The only sound for a while is the huff of your labored breathing.
"So can I go now? Back to my cell?!" You try to speak calmly, but ultimately fail.
Masamichi heaves a deep sigh, turning his attention back to your teammate.
"Fushiguro... You failed to report your teammate's insubbordination. We will discuss your reprimand later. You can leave now. I need to finish discussing other matters with our ex-sorcerer."
He doesn't budge.
"I said you may take your leave." Masamichi urges him.
"I don't particularly care for how this is turning out for my teammate," He says carefully. "I'd like to stay to hear what else is going to happen to them."
"This... this isn't about that. It doesn't concern you." Now he was sounding almost nervous? What the hell is going on here?
"Look, whatever you have to say to me, you can say it in front of my friend! I'd rather have a witness anyway with how this sleazy school operates anyway."
Masamichi turns back to you, grimacing tightly before he speaks next.
"There has been a contact from your family," he begins...
You can scarcely conceal your disgust.
"Ugh! What do they want?"
"It's concerning your mother..."
"Great, even better. Did she call to criticize me for quitting my job?" That was the only time you'd ever hear from her anyways. She could smell your failures from across an ocean.
"...I'm sorry... She's passed on."
"I-...what?" His words don't make sense right away. He couldn't have just said that. There's no way she can really be dead.
But the way he removes his glasses, letting you see his eyes for the first time, tells you this is real.
"This... can't be how it ends," You whisper. "She wasn't even old."
"I don't have many details, it was your sister who called. She's making the arrangements for..."
His voice fades out. You're no longer listening. You're staring at the floor, tracing the swirling grain of the wood between your shoes. Your breathing isn't heavy. Your eyes are dry. Your heart doesn't even skip a beat.
Mom is dead, you say to yourself.
"Every human dies." Ryomen whispers so only you can hear. It's unclear if he means it to be comforting or indifferent.