I walk outside to the back yard and see Megumi sitting on one of our terraced flower beds in the back yard. The hill in our back yard isn't super steep, but if you sit on the farthest terrace you get a great view of the city from far away. And that's exactly where I find Megumi.
I climb the steps to the top terrace and walk out on the wall to sit next to him. He glances over at me a few times but remains sitting with his head resting on his fist.
He came out here not long after Satoru and I came home from the store. He's been sitting out here for an hour. I told Satoru i'd come check on him while he plays with 'Niko's' new digimon toys we got him. I think Satoru just wanted an excuse to get them. Niko kinda just throws toys around.
"Hey." I say casually.
"Hey." Megumi says.
"I know this is a stupid question," I say sighing sitting next to him, "but how're you holding up?" I ask.
"Not great." He says unenthusiastically.
Ever since Megumi came back, he has refused to do much. Classes for the kids won't resume, and even if they did I doubt we'd be teaching for a while. If anyone started taking classes again we'd be recruiting new people. Then they'd get transferred right into JSS if they make the cut. At least that's what Satoru has been talking about.
Megumi hasn't used his Ten Shadows Technique at all since the culling games. Not even to summon demon dog. He doesn't talk about it much, but it pains him to even use it, knowing it's what caused so much death and destruction.
"Wanna talk about it?" I ask.
Megumi sighs and brings his knees up to his chin, like he used to do as a little kid. He rests his head on his knees and looks away from me.
"I... I feel like... a monster. A murderer. I am who I tried to fight all those years in school. A piece of shit." He says sadly.
"That isn't true." I say.
"How?" He asks looking to me.
I sigh, "because I know what a monster is. I'm a monster. The murderer you think you are. Only for me it's true. I loved the killing. The death of a cursed user excited me. It gave me purpose. So much blood has been spilled under my name, even that of innocents. My rage fueled me, and I hate that." I say ashamed.
"How does that make me different? I did the same in the culling games." He says.
"Do you hear yourself? Sukuna did that, not you. You know this." I tell him.
"And I didn't fight back." He says, "like Yuji could."
"We both know why. That bastard knew how to get to you. He.." I say taking a shaky breath, "he killed Tsumiki. Broke you in half before you even got the chance. It isn't your fault, he stole your body. Don't ever say you're a monster. He is." I tell him seriously.
He nods and looks back up toward the city.
"When are you going to get Yuji?" He asks.
"Ijichi should be pulling in any minute now." I say.
He nods.
"You wanna come?" I ask.
"Nah, I think i'll stay here. Gonna get ready to go visit Tsumiki soon anyways." He says.
"Alright. I'll see you later tonight then. I'd go to visit Tsumiki too, but..." I say, pain ripping through my chest. I try to make it out there as much as I can, but some days are harder than others. Some days I just sit at home, crying to myself in a closet. Mourning the loss of a child.
"It's alright. You can go with me tomorrow?" He asks.
"Yeah, i'll go." I say smiling sadly.
He nods and I stand up, "I'll see you later kiddo. Dress warm, it's getting cold at night." I say.
"Yeah yeah." He says in his normal teenage way.
I walk down the terrace and through the house. Satoru finds me in the kitchen and kisses my cheek.
"Try talking to him. He needs some support." I say worried.
Satoru nods, "I know. I will. He blames himself for a lot of this."
"Yeah," I say sighing, "he should be coming in soon. Maybe try and cheer him up a bit? I have to meet Ijichi out front soon."
"I will. And Naomi?" Satoru says catching my arm before I can walk off.
"Yeah?" I say.
"Don't beat yourself up either." He says.
"What? I-" I try to say before he cuts me off.
"No, I know you better than anyone. I know how you think. This isn't your fault. None of it. Sukuna did this, alright?" He says.
I sigh and nod.
He smiles and kisses me on the cheek, "go get Yuji. I'll stay here with Niko."
"I love you." I tell him.
"I love you too." He says smiling sweetly.
I walk out of the house and to the front yard where Ijichi is waiting.
"Ready Mrs. Gojo?" He asks as he opens the door for me.
"I told you, it's just Naomi to you. And you don't have to be a chauffeur if you don't want to you know." I say sitting in the back seat of the car.
"Yeah but...I still want to serve your family well. Gojo... Gojo honestly is the closest friend I have." He says.
I smile and nod once, "alright. Only as long as you don't mind. And Ijichi?"
"Yes?" He says putting the car into gear and driving towards the main campus.
"I really appreciate your loyal service to the Jujutsu Society, and our family. You truly are one of our most trusted friends." I say.
He smiles warmly and chuckles, "that's...that's very kind of you to say. Thank you."
"You're welcome." I say smiling.
Even after everything that's happened, it's still good to have someone as loyal and nice as Ijichi around. He's a good person at heart, and a loyal friend. He brings light to darkness when you need it most.
———
3 years ago:
No, no I can't got out there. I'm a monster, like everyone's told me my whole life. I'm broken. Feral. Dangerous. I should just leave, never return and ruin everyone's lives. I'm just a burden. A disgrace to the Suzuki name.
I really am a monster.
"Stupid. Stupid stupid stupid." I say hitting my head with the palms of my hands with every word.
"Naomi? Is that you?" I hear Ijichi say from the other side of the door.
I locked myself in this closet not long ago.
"Go away." I say with my eyes sealed shut.
"Do you need me to call Gojo?" He asks.
"He's out of town on business. Don't bother him with my problems." I say sadly.
"Naomi... I can't just leave you alone in there." He says.
"You don't have to worry about me Ijichi. I don't want to bother you." I say.
"Really Naomi? We've been friends all these years and that's what I get? Gimme a little more credit than that." He says.
I remain silent.
"Naomi, open the door. Please." He says.
I let out a breath and open it for him.
He enters the closet and leaves the door open. He pushes a mop aside and sits across from me in the small space.
"What's going on?" He asks.
"I just-" I say taking in a breath, "I just...can't stand who I am. What I've let myself become. I'm... i'm a monster." I say with tears streaming down my face.
Ijichi gently lays his hands over the tops of mine and pulls them away from my face. I look away from him in shame, but he pulls my chin so I'm forced to look at him.
"Naomi, you are one of my oldest friends. One of my only friends, really. So trust when I say that I know you. You are no monster. You hunt those. No, you're a good person. I've seen it." He says with kindness behind his eyes.
"Don't say things that aren't true." I say.
"What, i'm a liar now? And what would I have to gain from lying to you right now? I could just as easily leave you here. But i'm not. You're my friend. And I won't leave you. Not ever." He says.
I sit for a second in silence. Ijichi doesn't lie...
"C'mon. Why don't we get out of this dusty closet. Go grab a coffee. We can talk about whatever's bothering you, or anything else if you want. Just come talk to me, yeah?" He says gently.
I nod my head. Talking does sound nice...
He takes my trembling hands and helps me stand. My knees and ankles pop from sitting too long. That, and I'm getting old. He pulls me into a warm hug and just lets me hang on to him. Like he's the only lifeline I have right now. And to be truthful, he is. Satoru isn't here. Shoko's always busy, and I don't want to bother her. Nanami is off chasing 'dreams' of his. And Suguru...
"C'mon. Let's get out of here." He says letting me lean on him as we walk.
———
Present Day:
"Hey Ijichi?" I say as I ride in the car on the way to get Itadori.
"Yes?" He says looking at me through the rear view mirror.
"Thank you." I say simply.
"For what?" He asks confused.
"For being my friend." I say smiling warmly, "and for never leaving me behind."
He smirks and looks back to the road, "i'll always have your back Naomi."
————
A/N:
Hey everyone!
I know it's been a while since I last came out with a chapter, but the past few months have been pretty busy. I've had a lot to take care of in my personal life but it's finally starting to slow down and I have a lot more time to myself to write again. I have a lot of fun writing this, even if it isn't the greatest. It's still fun. And with the Manga ending soon, in two weeks from now actually, this is honestly a good way to cope lol. But I hope you enjoy this next installment of my fanfic series. Got some ideas for what I want to do with it, but still thinking on that. For now I just want some chill chapters with some of our favorite characters.
Hope you enjoy and have fun!
Thanks!
-The Sentinel
