Day of the Merger
15:00

"Good work, everyone. We're inside Jujutsu High's barrier now," Geto said. The looming gates behind them offered an odd sense of comfort. The bounty on Riko had been lifted. While there was still a minuscule chance of them being attacked, it was minuscule. The barrier was strong. It would protect them.

"What a relief," Riko expressed with a relieved smile, taking a handkerchief from Kuroi to wipe her face.

"Yes," Kuroi also smiled, but rather softly.

"Satoru," Geto looked at Gojo. "You really worked hard this time."

"Tch. I never wanna get stuck babysitting a brat again," Gojo grumbled. Riko made a sound of protest, ready to argue with him.

The wind seemed to slow down at that moment. The noise of knife stabbing flesh was loud. Hitomi should have felt the presence but it was as though her senses had stopped working. By the time it sank in, it was already too late. Danger had struck.

The mystery man stabbed Gojo in his chest. In that very instant, all of them were on high alert. Hitomi felt something deep in her had been ripped open. Izuki's presence was faint, lingering beneath the surface of her soul, but she could feel him on high alert too. The man, with his sharp features, and ugly looking weapon ⸺ he shouldn't have been able to enter the barrier.

"Have we met before?" Gojo asked, through gritted teeth.

The man spoke casually. "Don't worry about it. I am terrible at remembering guys' names, too."

Geto stepped into action first, raising his hands and summoning one of his curses. The worm-like creature attacked the man, who leapt out of the way, giving room for Gojo to move to safety. In the meantime, Hitomi stood in front of Riko and Kuroi, trying to protect them from being attacked.

"Satoru!" Geto exclaimed with worry as he rushed towards Gojo.

Gojo raised a hand to stop him. He stood up straight. "I'm fine. I didn't make it in time with my technique, but it missed my vitals. I then strengthened myself with cursed energy, so the blade couldn't be drawn out at all. It was like passing a safety pin through a knit sweater. Seriously, I'm fine. Prioritize Amanai first. I'll deal with this guy. Suguru, Hitomi, you get her to Tengen-sama."

"You better not let your guard down," Hitomi demanded.

Gojo snorted, taking off his glasses. "Who do you think you're talking to?"

Geto and Hitomi looked at each other and nodded. They trusted him. Gojo was strong. He could handle this man.

*

At the bottom of Jujutsu High
Tombs of the Star Corridor

The creaky, vintage lift opened out into a vast open space, lined with cracked walls and pipes. They stepped out of the lift, ready to rush to get to Master Tengen's actual location. On the opposite side was a massive tunnel that would lead them there.

"Master Riko," Kuroi called out, causing everyone to stop to look at her. Hitomi stood at her side, having the slightest feeling as to what she was about to say.

"This is as far as I go," Kuroi bowed, her voice slightly wavering. "Master Riko, please take..."

Riko ran to her, wrapping her in a tight hug. "Kuroi!! I love you! Always! Now and forever! I love you too!"

Hitomi blinked. She would not cry, no matter how much wanted to. She looked at Geto, meeting his eyes with a sad look.

"I'll stay with Kuroi," She said softly. "You go with Riko."

He nodded, gently staring at the two girls who were yet to let go of each other. "Got it. Be safe."

"I promise."

Riko slowly pulled away and wiped her eyes. She started walking towards the tunnel, where Geto was waiting for her. Together, the two started walking down, going further and further into the darkness till they too, became nothing but black spots.

"Why didn't you go with them, Ayase-san?" Kuroi suddenly asked. Her eyes were a little red and her expression was full of sadness.

"Geto can handle anything," Hitomi answered, offering her a comforting smile. "He's strong. Both him and Gojo are. They'll handle things. I'm just here to provide support."

"Oh," Kuroi looked contemplative. A second later, she added, "But you are strong too. I saw you use your technique. And you are certainly a lot kinder than Gojo-san and Geto-san. It is like you understand Riko better than they do."

Hitomi looked up at the space surrounding them, before replying, "I guess I do. She was dragged into this world when she could have had a much better life. But she has a chance to escape, to leave this."

"But the merger-"

"The three of us decided something before we met Riko," Hitomi said. It would be better to tell Kuroi now and mentally start preparing to fight Master Tengen. "If she didn't want to go ahead with the merger, we'd call it off."

"How can that even be possible? What would happen to Master Tengen then?" Kuroi sounded extremely shocked.

"We may have to fight Master Tengen. But at least Riko gets a chance to have a proper life."

Kuroi looked like she was going to cry again. Judging by the tears forming in her eyes, she probably would. "Th-thank you! I don't know how we'll ever be able to repay you."

"We didn't do it to-"

Again. Hitomi should have felt the presence. She should have been able to detect it, but like before, her senses didn't work. By the time the hairs on the back of her neck stood up to indicate the danger, it was already too late. She pushed Kuroi out of the way, sending her stumbling to the ground. She had no time to dodge as the man struck her neck with his knife. She gasped loudly as a burning pain spread through her arm and then through her entire body. Hitomi could feel her blood flowing down her arm, staining her white shirt red. She could feel Izuki awakening, but she pushed him away. He could not come out now. If...if she were to die right now, she would take her biggest secret to the grave with her.

"K-Kuroi, run..." Hitomi gasped out as she turned to face the man. She was strong. She could do this. She channeled all her cursed energy to her hands, trying to summon as much of it as she could.

The dark-haired man acted quicker than her. He slammed the hilt of his knife into her shoulder. Her scream died in her throat as she fell to the ground.

"Huh," The man looked at her like she was nothing at all. "I should have known that the Ayase kid would put up even less of a fight. Pathetic weakling."

Blood dripped from her fingers to the ground. Did he mean...Gojo...he...no...it couldn't...

Her eyes fell on Kuroi, who was frozen in her fear. Hitomi had to keep her safe. She had to. Gravity was usually on her side and she prayed that would be so, even if these were her last moments. The man kicked her in her stomach and every single part of her body screamed. It felt like she was being hit by a giant boulder and not a man.

"K-Kuroi, go..." Hitomi's voice was barely a whisper. If she used Izuki right now, she could possibly save Kuroi. If she activated her domain now, she could save Kuroi. But if she did any of that, her own death would be certain. And with a massive, bleeding wound on her shoulder, all her cursed energy would be concentrated on protecting her. That was the problem with Hitomi's technique. She couldn't use the Reverse Curse Technique like Shoko could. All her cursed technique could do was to protect her and her only at the end of the day. It was selfish. She hated it. She hated it so much.

Kuroi. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Kuroi's eyes met Hitomi as that man neared her. She looked terrified, sad and almost acceptant of what was going to happen. Hitomi had to try. She had to save her. Kuroi and Riko deserved to live a happy life together. She had to do something at least.

Hitomi was already too late.

By the time she had sufficient cursed energy built up, the man had already slashed Kuroi across her chest and she collapsed. By the time Hitomi had crawled over to Kuroi, he had already gone down the tunnel. Geto and Riko...I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry...

Gojo...

Hitomi could barely feel her shoulders. Everything felt numb as she pressed her trembling hands onto Kuroi's chest. It was pointless. She couldn't do the Reverse Cursed Technique on herself. She would never be able to do it for Kuroi.

"Kuroi, hey...I'm sorry...I'm sorry..." Hitomi was crying. Every tear that she shed, she shed with a heavy heart. Gojo. Geto. Riko. Kuroi. "I couldn't protect you. I'm so sorry."

Kuroi smiled weakly. "It's-it's okay. It's not your fault. I thought....I thought something might happen. But I...would have liked to live a little longer with Master Riko. She...I...please protect her...please keep her safe. She has to be-"

"I promise. I promise we'll keep her safe."

All Hitomi could think about as the light faded from Kuroi's eyes was that she hated promises.

I can't believe I am posting such a depressing chapter the same week Gege did what he did in Chapter 236 (fuck you gege) and Gojo's sealing in the anime. I'm honestly so freaking mad and sad at the manga right now and I'm literally already planning a fix it fic. 

Anyways, sorry for this depressing chapter, but I hope you all enjoyed reading this! Comments and votes are always appreciated <33