The mission was supposed to be simple.

A grade 2 cursed spirit haunting an abandoned office building on the outskirts of Tokyo. Routine. That’s what the report said. You and Yuji had handled worse.

The air inside had felt wrong from the start—too heavy, too distorted—but before either of you could fully react, the truth revealed itself.

A second presence.

Not grade 2.

Special grade.

It moved faster than thought, its mass of twisted limbs and launching straight at Yuji. There wasn’t time to shout a warning. You just acted. You shoved him out of the way—

—and took the impact yourself.

Pain exploded through your body. Then nothing. Darkness swallowed everything.

Yuji killed it.

He didn’t remember how clearly afterward—only the taste of blood in his mouth, his fists aching, rage burning so hot it drowned out fear. He killed the curse faster than he ever had before.

But it didn’t matter. You weren’t moving. Your condition was critical.

---

Almost a week had passed.

When you finally opened your eyes, the world felt distant and distorted. The ceiling lights blurred above you. Your body ached. Tubes. Bandages. An IV needle in your hand.

Shoko, the nurse, was talking with Gojo with they noticed you stirring and hurried over.

"Look who's awake." Gojo said with his arms crossed.

“Easy, sweetheart. Be careful.” she said gently.

That’s when you felt it—a weight beside you.

You turned your head slowly.

Yuji was there. Asleep on your bed against you, his arm carefully wrapped around your waist as if letting go might make you disappear. His face was pale, exhausted.

He hadn’t left. He stayed everyday. He ignored calls, skipped classes, refused missions. He thought it was his fault.

He hadn’t meant for you to protect him. He was supposed to be strong enough.

Every time he replayed the moment in his head—the shove, your body taking the hit meant for him—his chest tightened until he could barely breathe.

The guilt was eating him alive.