Megumi, Yuji, Nobara and Sensei Satoru scoured the snow-covered landscape, calling your jame with increasing desperation. They had just defeated a dangerous curse, and everyone clearly remembered telling you to retreat to the car. But now, you were nowhere to be found.

Their face were etched with worry, but Megumi's was different—tight with panic, and his voice cracked as he called out for you, his usual calm facade shattered.

When a streak of crimson stained the pristine snow, his heart sank. "No, no, no, no," he muttered, sprinting forward without a second thought.

"Megumi, don't run off! The forest is dangerous!" Yuji shouted, chasing after him as the others followed.

Megumi ignored the warning, the sound of his own heartbeat roaring in his ears. Then he reached a clearing, and his world came crashing down. There you were, crumpled in the snow, a pool of crimson around you. Blood streaked from a head wound, deep scratches marked your legs, and your ankle was twisted unnaturally. You were breathing—but barely.

Megumi dropped to his knees, pulling your limo form into his lap as his vision blurred with tears. "No, no, no... please, no," he whispered brokenly, his voice trembling as his hands trembled too.

He wasn't sure why he's crying. He had always prided himself on being composed, cold even. But you—you were his closest friend. You, small and delicate despite being a jujutsu sorcerer, had always drawn out his protective instincts. And now, seeing you like this broke something in him.

"Megumi, we—" Nobara's voice cracked as she stumbled into the clearing, tears pooling into her eyes.

"Leave him," Sensei murmured, raising a hand to stop her. His usual carefree tone was gone, replaced with a rare solemnity. "He needs this."

As the others looked on in silence, Megumi stayed with you, his grip firm, as if holding you tightly enough could somehow will you back to health.