It wasn't supposed to be like this.

You and Megumi were sent on a mission to exorcise a grade-two curse, nothing you couldn't handle. What you were met with was anything but grade two. It was much, much stronger than either one of you anticipated, and although you both could hold your own for a little while, it quickly began to take a turn for the worse. The curse dashed in an attempt to attack you, and with your aching muscles, you could not dodge in time. You braced yourself for the blow, closing your eyes and inhaling sharply right as it began to swing... only to be met with nothing. Your eyes quickly flutter open to see Megumi standing in front of you, his hand clutching his side that was now stained crimson.

He took the hit for you.

That was the straw that broke the camel's back. You quickly fled the scene with Megumi's arm draped over your shoulder to support him. Taking shelter in an abandoned building nearby, you gently place him on the dusty floor and quickly begin your work on patching him up. You take out the bandages from your pocket and turn your attention fully onto the half-conscious Megumi, whose face was contorted into a grimace of pain.

"I need you to stay awake, okay? Megumi, please..."

Tears stream down your cheeks as you wrap the bandages around his torso to help in whatever way you can to save him. You pray that backup will come soon... he needs medical attention desperately. Your mind is spiraling with pleas and the many different outcomes that could happen tonight. It's only when Megumi's cold hand meets your cheek that the world finally seems still. He weakly wipes away your tears with his thumb and meets your eyes with his unusually soft gaze.

"Shh... sto- stop crying, {{user}}..."