The Vessel Second Chance

The warm morning sunlight streamed through the window, its golden rays brushing against his skin. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of relief as the light touched him, its warmth washing over him in a gentle embrace. For a brief moment, everything seemed quiet, as though the world outside had paused just for him. The sensation made him feel at peace, as if he could forget everything that had happened even if only for this fleeting instant.

"Ughh, I don't think I'll ever be able to like the food in this hospital."

Hana's voice echoed beside him, familiar and soothing. He didn't even need to open his eyes to recognize it. There was something about the way she spoke—light-hearted, warm, and laced with a hint of playful frustration—that brought him comfort. He felt her words as if they were an extension of his own thoughts, and a quiet smile tugged at his lips. It was the perfect morning. Or at least it would have been if not for the cacophony of noises those cursed spirits caused.

He remembered the creature—the one that had startled him in the dead of night. The eerie nurse-like figure, its voice a distorted question, its form a strange and unsettling presence. He hadn't expected it, not in the slightest. That was what had frightened him most, the suddenness of it, the realization that something could slip into his world without warning. But now that the surprise had worn off, all he could feel was irritation.

That creature, along with others like it, was nothing more than a nuisance. Noisy and disruptive, always lingering in the hallways, chasing after other cursed spirits like it was some twisted game. Now that he knew what they were, the fear had faded. He could see them, yes, but it no longer felt as terrifying. Instead, it was almost... annoying.

The spirits, with their strange, chaotic existence, never seemed to leave anyone in peace. The way they prowled, always lurking at the edges of his senses, their hushed whispers and unsettling movements—it was just another thing to add to the list of frustrations. He didn't have the luxury of time to fear them now. He needed to focus on the real problem: surviving, enduring, until the day he could unleash his strength and rid himself of these nuisances once and for all.

"Are you not going to eat, Megumi?" Hana asked, her mouth still full of food, her voice muffled as she spoke. He couldn't help but notice a small bit of her food splattering into his own bowl, but he didn't bother to react. It didn't matter much.

Megumi took a spoon and reluctantly shoveled a bite of the bland, rubbery hospital food into his mouth. The taste was as unremarkable as ever, and the texture made it feel more like he was chewing on cardboard than anything edible. He forced himself to swallow, though the effort was far from enjoyable.

Hana, on the other hand, seemed genuinely pleased to see him eating, though he couldn't tell if it was out of concern or just because she was relieved that she wasn't the only one stuck with this tasteless, hospital-made monstrosity. Her usual bright demeanor was only slightly dimmed by the situation, but he wasn't in the mood to dwell on it. The food wasn't the worst part of the day.

Outside the room, faint, disturbing sounds echoed from the hall. The cursed spirits were active again. The low growls, the shifting noises that annoyed him to no end. Megumi clenched his jaw and tried to block it out. He couldn't help but feel an unsettling tension in the air, making every bite of food even harder to stomach. 

Yesterday had been a rare lucky break it seems. No sounds of spirits wreaking havoc outside. Just the usual silence that made everything seem even more unnerving. The fact that it was quieter then only served to make today's cacophony feel that much worse.

He looked over at Hana. She seemed completely unaffected, her attention focused solely on her food as she chatted aimlessly about something trivial. Of course, she was unbothered. She couldn't see the cursed spirits. She couldn't hear their low growls or sense the unsettling presence they carried with them. To her, the world outside might seem peaceful—just another normal day, albeit with some less-than-appetizing food.

But Megumi knew better. She didn't feel the chill that crept along the walls, the suffocating pressure that came with knowing those spirits were lurking just beyond the door, watching, waiting. She couldn't sense the malicious energy radiating from them, nor could she hear the whispering curses that echoed in his mind. They could stare directly into her eyes, and she'd be none the wiser.

It wasn't fair. Megumi had the burden of seeing them, feeling them, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he was the only one who could in this town. The only one cursed to be aware of the horrors lurking just out of sight for everyone else. It was a cruel joke—having to live in a world where he could see the darkness, yet had no power to fight it.

He didn't want to burden Hana with his thoughts, though. She had enough to worry about. He knew she'd never understand. Even if he told her what he was seeing, what he was feeling, it wouldn't change anything. She wouldn't be able to fight them. She couldn't even perceive the threat.

A sigh escaped his lips as he pushed another bite of food into his mouth. It felt like his thoughts were suffocating him. The cursed spirits were everywhere, and yet, he was still stuck in this hospital room, trapped in a world that only he could see. The silence in his head was the only thing that would offer him any peace, but even that was quickly fading, drowned out by the haunting sounds of the cursed spirits outside.

It was much better before, when he still had his cursed energy. Back then, the cursed spirits stayed clear of him, as if instinctively sensing the lethal power he could unleash. They kept their distance, probably within a 100-meter radius, too scared to approach him. It was a silent, invisible barrier that kept him safe from their relentless presence. Now, though, with his cursed energy stripped away, it felt like a door had been opened. The spirits were no longer afraid to get close.

They came at him from all sides, their malicious auras crawling under his skin, their eyes—if they even had them—fixated on him with predatory intent. He could feel them creeping closer every passing moment, their twisted forms shifting in the shadows, making the air heavy with dread.

He tried not to let it show, but the change unsettled him. Without his cursed energy, he was vulnerable in ways he hadn't been before. He was just another target, exposed and weak, and the spirits could sense that.

Still, there was one small blessing. Most of these cursed spirits didn't have the intelligence to remember or recognize him as the one who once emitted that dangerous cursed energy aura. That was the only thing that kept him from being swarmed—at least for now. They saw him as a human, weak and insignificant. To them, he was just another human that has no ability to see them. Nothing special, no reason to linger.

He let out a long sigh, a mixture of relief and frustration. Relief that, for the moment, he was still safe from their recognition—still just another ordinary human in their eyes. But that relief was fleeting, quickly replaced by frustration. Three more years. He would have to endure this for three more years, pretending to be weak, pretending to be nothing more than a helpless bystander. The thought of it gnawed at him, the weight of those years pressing down on his chest.

In three years, his cursed energy would return, and he would be able to fight back, to take control again. But until then, he had to stay patient. He had to act as if he had no idea what these spirits were, as if he hadn't seen their twisted forms lurking just beyond the edges of his vision. It would be a constant struggle, forcing himself to ignore the chilling presence of the cursed spirits around him. He had no choice but to remain still, like a predator biding its time.

When his cursed energy returned, then—only then—would he be able to retaliate, to destroy them in the same way they had once feared him. He would be unstoppable. The thought of that power, the ability to finally unleash his full potential, was a small comfort in the face of his current helplessness. But until that moment came, he couldn't afford to make a mistake. He couldn't afford to let his guard down.

Patience. He had to be patient. It was the only option. Three years. He could survive that. He would survive that. Then, when his power returned, he would make sure the cursed spirits knew what it felt like to fear him again. But for now, all he could do was wait.

"Guhahahaha, I'm the fastest!"

Suddenly a cursed spirit cackled maniacally, its voice echoing through the halls as it sprinted past. Its legs, long and muscular like a kangaroo's, propelled it with terrifying speed. Its sleek, lean body rippled with every movement, the strength within it evident. Three glowing eyes were scattered across its face, unsettling and inhuman, while a large, menacing horn jutted from its forehead like a twisted crown.

With a sudden, fluid motion, it phased through the walls of the room, leaving a trail of distortion in its wake. Without losing momentum, it continued its sprint, phasing through the next wall with ease, as if the very fabric of reality bent to its will.

He laid his body silently in the room, his brow furrowed in concentration. He exhaled slowly, trying to rein in the surge of irritation that threatened to break through.

Patience. That was the only thing keeping him from unleashing his frustration. As a sorcerer, he had learned the value of remaining calm, of assessing the situation rather than rushing in. But with every obnoxious, laughter-filled leap the cursed spirit took, testing his limits, his self-control was being put to the test.

Every instinct in him screamed to charge in, to use his shikigami to overwhelm the creature and silence its smug laugh. But Megumi knew better. Reacting impulsively would only make things worse. His body twitched with the urge to act, to smack the cursed spirit across its face and watch it crumple, but he remained still, his expression unreadable.

"Focus, Megumi," he muttered to himself, squeezing his fists to ground himself. "Stay calm."

He had to stay unflinching. No matter how many walls it phased through or how many times it laughed in that maddening tone, Megumi had to remain unaffected.

And here it comes again. The unmistakable sound of the cursed spirit racing around the hospital echoed in the hallway. Megumi could hear it getting closer—each lap faster than the last. The speed it was moving at meant it would be here in less than a minute. He braced himself, ready to act the moment it phased through the wall again.

But just as he focused, another presence made itself known. A familiar, unsettling presence. The nurse cursed spirit from last night.

Megumi's senses sharpened as it entered the room, standing perfectly still. He didn't need to look closely to know what it was here for. It had a singular purpose, its eerie stillness betraying its sinister intent. The cursed spirit had been waiting for just this moment.

And then, the other cursed spirit appeared, phasing through the wall and into the room, its unsettling laughter ringing through the air. It didn't even notice the nurse cursed spirit standing just a few feet away.

Without warning, the nurse cursed spirit sprang into action. Its long, unnaturally thin limbs extended with a swift, horrifying grace, grabbing hold of the running cursed spirit's leg. In an instant, it yanked the creature into the air, its body flailing helplessly, unable to move or resist. The cursed spirit let out a frantic shriek, but it was entirely at the mercy of the nurse cursed spirit's grip.

Megumi watched, his eyes narrowing as the creature twisted and struggled in midair, but it was no use. The nurse cursed spirit held it effortlessly, its face still as emotionless as ever. Then, with an almost leisurely pace, it opened its featureless face wide, revealing rows of jagged, razor-sharp teeth.

But that wasn't what made Megumi's stomach churn.

Inside the nurse's mouth, more mouths. And eyes. Eyes that blinked, following every movement, as if watching and waiting for their turn. The sight was so grotesque, it felt almost like an affront to the very laws of nature.

The nurse cursed spirit's grotesque face seemed to smile, even without expression, as it prepared to do what it had been made for. The flailing cursed spirit in its grasp knew what was coming. It would be devoured, its very essence consumed by something far more dangerous than it could ever comprehend.

Then, in one fluid, almost mechanical motion, it seized the cursed spirit and engulfed it whole, its jaws snapping shut with a sickening crunch. The sound echoed in the still air.

The spirit writhed briefly before being broken down, swallowed by the darkness of its insatiable appetite. He recoiled, unable to suppress a deep sense of revulsion, his face contorting in disgust. A shiver ran down his spine as he quickly turned his gaze away, seeking refuge in the innocent oblivion of Hana. 

She sat there, blissfully unaware of the horrific scene unfolding nearby, her attention solely focused on the food in front of her. Her chewing was slow and unhurried. Unknowing of the cursed spirits lurking around her, she continued to eat, her world untouched by the darkness that surrounded them.

Then, the nurse cursed spirit walked out of his room, its long, spindly limbs moving with that eerie fluidity that seemed both unnatural and deliberate. It passed by Megumi without a second glance, as if nothing had just transpired, as if the grotesque act of devouring another cursed spirit had been nothing more than an afterthought. The faint sound of its footsteps, soft and unsettling, echoed through the hallway as it drifted out of sight, leaving behind only a lingering sense of dread.

Megumi stayed perfectly still, his gaze fixed on the spot where the cursed spirit had just stood. His stomach churned with a mixture of disgust and unease, the horrific sight of the creature's insidious, multi-eyed mouth burned into his memory. The way it had consumed the cursed spirit—without hesitation, without emotion—was a stark reminder of the brutal world he was now a part of, a world where survival often meant being a witness to the most unspeakable horrors.

His breath came in slowly. The atmosphere in the room felt a little suffocating, heavy with the remnants of the cursed spirit's dark presence. His hands is clenched into fists, the muscles in his arms trembling with the effort of keeping himself composed. The urge to lash out, to strike something—anything—was nearly overwhelming. But he held back, knowing full well that acting rashly would only invite more chaos. Patience. He had to remain patient. His only advantage was time.

Hana, completely oblivious to the tension that hung in the air, chewed on her food with a relaxed expression, humming softly to herself as she savored each bite. Megumi envied her normalcy, the way she could exist in this twisted world without being weighed down by the constant fear, the constant awareness of the cursed spirits that lurked just beyond the veil of reality. She lived in a peaceful oblivion, untouched by the horrors that plagued him.

But that peace only served to sharpen his sense of isolation. Megumi felt the bitter sting of loneliness creeping up on him, a gnawing feeling that had become all too familiar. He couldn't share what he was experiencing with her, not without dragging her into this nightmare with him. She didn't need to know, couldn't know. There was no way to explain the fear that twisted his insides, the constant vigilance that kept him on edge, the crushing knowledge that, for all his strength, he was now powerless to fight back.

The sound of the cursed spirit's laughter still echoed in his mind, a haunting reminder of the fragility of his situation. The spirits were everywhere. 

Megumi's gaze fell to the floor, the bland hospital food in front of him no longer appealing. It tasted like nothing, a cruel mockery of sustenance. He pushed the spoon around the bowl absentmindedly, his mind racing with thoughts of what had just happened—and what could happen next.

What had he been reduced to? The thought of three more years in this hospital, three more years of living in a world where he could see the spirits but had no means to fight them, was almost unbearable. Three more years.

His cursed energy would return eventually, yes. But that was the cruel part—the waiting. The waiting, when every day felt like an eternity, when every hour that passed seemed to stretch on endlessly.

He didn't know if he could survive it.

Could he really endure another three years of this? Of being surrounded by these spirits—watching them, feeling them—without being able to stop them? He had once been a force to be reckoned with, a sorcerer whose cursed energy had made him a threat. Now, he was just another target, another helpless human in the eyes of the spirits. He was no longer special. No longer feared.

Somewhere in the distance, he heard the eerie growl of another cursed spirit, its voice like a low hum vibrating through the walls. 

Megumi's eyes snapped to the door, his body tensing.

He could sense its presence, feel the malevolent energy creeping toward him. His pulse quickened as he braced himself, but before he could react, the cursed spirit's laughter reached his ears. It was taunting him, racing around the halls, teasing him with its speed. Its laughter echoed like the twisted sounds of a child at play, playing a game with him—one he was too weak to win.

It was like a constant reminder of how far he'd fallen. From power to impotence. From dominance to being just another helpless bystander in a cruel game of fate.

A bitter laugh escaped him, though it felt more like a strangled cough. He would have crushed that cursed spirit with a single strike if his cursed energy were still within him. He would have made it regret even crossing his path. But now, he couldn't even move without feeling the weight of his own limitations.

And Hana—Hana wouldn't understand. She wouldn't know how to help, how to fight. She was here with him, in this hospital, this strange, cursed place, but she was as powerless as everyone else.

Megumi closed his eyes, blocking out the noise, the fear, the frustration that threatened to consume him. He had to focus, had to endure. He would survive this. He had to. For three more years. He would wait.

Patience.

It was the only thing left he had control over.

And in three years—just three years—he would get it all back. The power. The control. The fear.

He could already feel it building inside him, that quiet resolve. He just needed to hold on a little longer.

.

.

It was already mid-day, and though he still wasn't quite used to the presence of curses being so near to himself without that turning into a fight or the curses running away from him, he was able to stop himself from physically reacting—like flinching or averting his gaze. It wasn't even a full day but he already could act as if he really couldn't see, hear, nor sense them. It was a strange kind of mental trickery he had forced himself into, one born of necessity.

The curses lingered, prowling just out of his immediate vision, their presences thickening the air around him. He could still feel them, of course. The shiver down his spine, the subtle weight pressing on his chest, the suffocating aura that seeped into the very walls—it was all too familiar, too real. But he had learned not to react. He had learned that his survival now hinged on pretending he was just another ordinary human, one who couldn't perceive the horrors that lurked beyond sight.

Megumi sat at the small table in his hospital room, staring at the lucnh food in front of him, though he barely registered it. His mind was elsewhere, trapped between the overwhelming presence of curses and the suffocating silence of his powerless state. Hana sat across from him, happily munching away at her lunch, oblivious to the dark world that existed in the periphery of their space. 

His muscles tensed as another curse skittered down the hallway just outside, its presence radiating a low, vibrating hum. Megumi didn't look, but he could feel it. The cold, malicious energy that tingled at the edge of his senses. The soft shuffle of its movements, the faintest scrape of its claw-like appendages against the floor, all these signs told him it was nearby, prowling, searching.

But he didn't react. He couldn't. Not now.

Instead, he kept his gaze fixed firmly on the table, on the lukewarm, rubbery food. He had to pretend—convince himself—that the curses weren't there. If he let even the slightest flicker of fear show on his face, if he allowed the curse to know that he was aware of it, things would spiral out of control quickly. The curses knew fear. They could sense vulnerability. And without his cursed energy, he was vulnerable in ways he hadn't been before.

Forcing his body to relax, he focused on his breathing. In. Out. He could do this. He had to.

A few more steps echoed in the hall, followed by a low growl. The curse paused, just outside his door, lingering in the space beyond. Megumi's pulse quickened, but his outward appearance remained calm, impassive. He didn't let his breath hitch, didn't let his eyes dart toward the door.

The seconds stretched long, dragging like hours, before the curse moved away, fading back into the deeper recesses of the hospital. Megumi exhaled slowly, his shoulders tense but unmoving. It was always like this now—always a game of pretending. Pretending he didn't feel the eyes on his back, pretending he didn't hear the whispers just below the threshold of his hearing.

Forcing himself back into a semblance of normality, he glanced over at Hana. She was still obliviously chewing, smiling as if nothing in the world could touch her.

He rubbed his eyes, trying to shake the tension that had begun to settle in his skull. There was a faint throb behind his eyes, a reminder that his cursed energy, his strength, was gone. Three years. That was the plan. Three years of pretending, of surviving, until his power returned.

Three years. Could he really last that long?

Another presence appeared at the doorway, but this time, it wasn't a curse. The faint, hurried footsteps of a nurse reached his ears, followed by the soft knock of a hand against the doorframe.

"Fushiguro-kun," the nurse called, her voice almost too cheerful. "How are you feeling today? Need anything?"

Megumi didn't respond immediately, just stared at the food in front of him, forcing himself to keep his face neutral. Hana, noticing the interruption, looked up with a bright smile, always the optimist.

"I think he's fine," she said, her voice light. "He's just getting used to the food here."

The nurse chuckled, but Megumi didn't acknowledge it. He glanced up at her, forcing a tight smile. "I'm fine," he muttered, his voice flat, betraying none of the turmoil roiling inside him. "Just wondering if my parents will visit me again."

"Oh yeah, both of your parents said that they will visit again," the nurse said kindly, "They will probably be here before lunch ends, so they probably will be here soon," added the nurse before nodding and leaving them to their silence once again.

As the door clicked shut, Megumi let out a long, slow breath. The room seemed to press in around him, the air thick with the oppressive presence of the curses. They were never far away, always there, always waiting, as if the whole world was just a façade, masking the true nature of things. 

In some ways, it was easier to pretend. Easier to act like everything was fine, like he was just another person. But it was also exhausting. Every moment he spent pretending, every moment he spent holding back the urge to react, to fight, felt like a small piece of himself was slipping away.

He had been a sorcerer, once.

But now, he was nothing more than a prisoner in a world he could no longer escape. The power that had once made him a force to be reckoned with had been stripped away, leaving him vulnerable and exposed. He couldn't help but wonder if there was anything left of the person he had once been.

The sound of another curse echoed faintly outside the room, but Megumi ignored it, forcing himself back into the routine of the day. One moment at a time. One breath at a time. He had to survive. He would survive. He just had to make it through the next three years.

For now, he decided to focus on eating his truly dreadful lunch, hoping the act of chewing would help him momentarily forget his other worries. He took the spoon in his hand and hesitated for a moment before scooping up a small portion of the lukewarm, unappetizing food. His stomach churned in protest as he brought the spoon to his lips. Without much enthusiasm, he took a bite. 

As expected, the taste was nothing short of terrible—bland, mushy, and almost tasteless, with a faintly metallic aftertaste. But strangely enough, the awful flavor provided a small consolation: it helped to shift his attention away from the presence of the cursed spirits that lingered just beyond his awareness.

He swallowed the bite, grimacing slightly, and found solace in the thought that this wretched meal was only temporary. Soon enough, his parents would visit, and when they did, there was no way they'd come without bringing something far more appetizing. The mere thought of the delicious food they would surely bring—comforting, fragrant, and satisfying—was enough to make him feel a little better. At least, for the moment, he could endure this meal, knowing that a feast was just around the corner, and he wouldn't have to suffer for long.

It took longer than he had hoped, but eventually, he managed to finish the last bite of his awful meal, the taste lingering on his tongue like a reminder of the unpleasantness. As he set his spoon down with a sigh, he noticed that Hana had long since finished her meal. She was now tidying up her empty plate, arranging it neatly for the nurses to take when they came through. He mimicked her actions, pushing his own plate aside and stacking the utensils, trying to look a little more presentable.

Hana glanced over at him, a playful glint in her eyes. "Ugh, I can't believe how bad this food is," she said, scrunching her nose. "I mean, it's not even food. It's just... mush."

He chuckled, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "I swear, they must think we're babies who need everything soft and bland. I haven't tasted anything this bad since I was six."

She shook her head dramatically. "I honestly don't know how they get away with serving this. It's like they want us to lose our appetite. But hey, at least it's filling, right?"

He sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah, it fills the stomach, but it doesn't exactly satisfy. I can't wait for my parents to show up. They're going to bring something good, I just know it."

"Same here," Hana agreed with a grin. "My mom will definitely bring something delicious. I think she's planning to bake me something. Last time, she said she will bring me a whole tray of cinnamon rolls. I don't care if I'm stuck in a hospital bed; that stuff was amazing."

"That sounds perfect," he said, suddenly feeling his stomach growl in anticipation, though he wasn't sure if it was from hunger or the memory of real food. "I'll probably get some of my dad's homemade ramen. You know, the kind with the really thick broth and those soft-boiled eggs?"

Hana's eyes lit up. "Oh, I'm so jealous! Your dad's ramen is legendary. If he brings that, I might just trade you a cinnamon roll for a bowl."

"Deal," he laughed. "We'll see who can tempt the other with better food."

"Yeah," she said with a smirk. "But just so you know, my mom's cinnamon rolls might be too good to resist. You might end up giving me your ramen after all."

"I'll take that risk," he teased, leaning back in his chair. "Though, I'm starting to think both would be the best solution. A ramen-cinnamon roll combo, maybe?"

Hana laughed, shaking her head. "You're insane. But hey, I'd be down to try it. At least it'd be better than this... this... mystery mush."

"Agreed," he said, and for the first time that day, the thought of something better—something to look forward to—made him feel a little lighter.

They continued chatting for quite a while, filling the silence with lighthearted banter, each of them eager for the arrival of their parents and the promise of better food. The minutes seemed to stretch on, but the conversation helped pass the time and kept their minds off the lingering unease in the air.

Then, as if on cue, Megumi felt a shift in the atmosphere—a familiar presence just outside their room. It wasn't the cursed spirits he had been so acutely aware of earlier, but something far more comforting. He straightened in his chair, his senses sharpening as he recognized the distinct feeling of his mother's energy.

The door to the room creaked open, and there they were—his mom and Hana's mom. The warm, familiar faces of the two women instantly made him feel more at ease. For a split second, he felt a strange sense of confusion. Why just them? he wondered. His heart had leapt with anticipation, but now, as he looked at the two mothers standing in the doorway, a small pang of uncertainty settled in. His dad hadn't shown up with her.

But the thought didn't linger long. His father was a busy man, deeply immersed in his work, and probably couldn't get away from his responsibilities. Megumi quickly rationalized that his dad had likely been unable to get permission to leave his job for the visit, and it made sense that his mom would come alone, as she had more flexibility in her schedule.

"Sweetheart!" His mom called, her voice a soothing balm to the tension in his chest. She walked toward him, her smile warm and reassuring, as if everything was perfectly fine. Hana's mom, just behind her, waved at them both, her eyes twinkling with affection.

"Hey, Mom," Megumi said, standing up from his bed as she approached. His eyes lingered on the small bag she was carrying—probably filled with something much better than the hospital food they'd just endured. His stomach rumbled at the thought.

Hana, equally pleased, stood up and ran over to her mom. "You're here!" she said, grinning wide. "I can't wait to see what you brought!"

"We've got some goodies for you," her mom said with a wink. "But before we get to that, how are you two holding up? How's the food here?"

Megumi exchanged a glance with Hana. The answer was obvious, but they both chuckled at the question.

"It's something," Megumi said, his tone dripping with dry humor. "Definitely not something I'd want to eat again, though."

Hana nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, it's like they want to make us lose our appetite. I think we'll be okay once you bring us some real food!"

"Well, we can fix that," Megumi's mom replied with a gentle laugh. She set the bag down on the table, and Megumi could already smell the faint aroma of something delicious wafting from it. His stomach gave another growl of impatience.

Hana's mom grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We thought we'd bring you both something special today." She reached into her bag and carefully pulled out an assortment of homemade treats. There were soft, doughy pretzels, sweet cinnamon rolls with a light dusting of sugar, and warm containers of rice with tender pieces of chicken. The scent of freshly baked bread and savory food filled the air, making Megumi's stomach rumble in anticipation.

His eyes widened as he took in the spread. The sight of the food alone was enough to lift his spirits. Finally, real food. There were also drinks—bright, fruity ones that looked refreshing. Everything about it seemed so much more inviting than the hospital mush they'd been forced to eat earlier.

Hana, already leaning in to grab a pretzel, looked at Megumi and grinned. "Looks amazing, right?" she said, her voice full of delight.

Megumi hesitated for a moment, then asked, his voice laced with caution, "Are we really allowed to eat all this, though? I mean, it looks great, but... I don't know if the hospital would approve."

Hana's mom chuckled, her tone light and reassuring. "Oh, don't worry about that," she said, waving her hand as if to dismiss any concerns. "The nurses already know about it. Since you two are likely going to be discharged in a few days, they've given the green light for some more normal food. As long as it's not too rich or heavy, they said it should be fine."

Megumi looked at his mom for confirmation, still unsure. His mom gave him a warm smile and nodded.

"She's right," she said, sitting down and opening one of the containers. "They wouldn't have let us bring it if it was a problem. Besides, you've been eating hospital food for long enough. A little change won't hurt now that you're almost out of here."

Hana immediately grabbed a cinnamon roll and broke it in half, offering Megumi the larger piece. "See? They said it's fine. And besides, I don't think they'll mind as long as we don't make a habit of it."

Megumi hesitated for a second longer, then took the cinnamon roll, his fingers trembling slightly from both hunger and the relief of finally being able to eat something good. He bit into it and let out a small sigh of contentment as the sweet, soft bread melted in his mouth. It was a far cry from the bland mush they'd been eating before.

"Okay, okay, I believe you," he said, smiling a little between his bites. "This... this is way better than anything we've had here."

Hana laughed, already finishing her own roll. "Told you! No way I'm going back to that awful hospital food after this. Maybe we should sneak some more in before we leave."

Megumi smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him—not just from the food, but from the simple joy of being surrounded by people who cared. "Yeah, I think I could get used to this."

His mom chuckled, watching the two of them devour the treats. "You two are like bottomless pits," she teased. "Good thing we brought plenty."

"We're still growing," Hana replied with a mischievous grin. "We need all the fuel we can get."

Hana's mom smiled and leaned back in her chair. "Well, enjoy it while you can. A few days from now, you'll be back to normal meals at home."

"Normal meals," Megumi echoed, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "That sounds perfect."

As Megumi and Hana continued to eat, savoring each bite of the homemade treats, their moms exchanged a glance and smiled. His mom set her fork down and turned to Hana's mom, her voice filled with warmth.

"You know, I've got to admit, I'm glad we decided to make these meals together," His mom said, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "It was nice to have a little kitchen time, especially since your house is already getting packed up."

Hana's mom nodded, her expression softening at the mention of the move. "Yeah, it's bittersweet," she replied, folding her hands in her lap. "The packing's been taking up a lot of our time lately. You know how it is when you're preparing to leave a place you've lived in for so long. It's a little overwhelming."

His mom gave her a sympathetic look. "I can imagine. It must be so much work, especially with everything going on. But I'm glad you took the time to join me at your place. We really needed it."

"Definitely," Hana's mom agreed. "It felt good to take a break from the chaos and just focus on something simple, like cooking. Plus, I knew the kids would love it."

His mom chuckled, glancing over at the two children, who were busy devouring the food, pretending to be oblivious to their mothers' conversation. "I think 'love' is an understatement. I don't think I've ever seen Megumi eat that fast."

Hana's mom smiled warmly, her gaze following her daughter. "Well, when you're eating food made with love, how could you not enjoy it? But, yeah, it's been a bit of a juggling act with the move, but making this together gave me a chance to feel a little normal again. I didn't want to just bring the usual store-bought stuff. I wanted them to have something special."

His mom nodded, her voice filled with understanding. "It's hard to find that balance."

Megumi, feeling a small spark of curiosity, decided it wouldn't hurt to ask a question that had been on his mind for a while. He put his spoon down, wiped his mouth with the napkin, and glanced over at Hana's mom, who was casually sipping her drink.

"Hey, Mrs. Yurikawa," he began, his voice a little hesitant, but his curiosity winning out. "What kind of place are you guys moving into? Is it... a nice place?"

Hana's mom looked up from her conversation with Megumi's mom, pausing for a moment as if thinking about it. She smiled warmly, glad to share a little bit about the new chapter in their lives.

"It's a two-story house," she began, her voice light and matter-of-fact. "Nothing too fancy, but it's comfortable. It has two bedrooms, one bathroom, and the usual living room and kitchen. It's a good space for us, especially with everything we need to pack up and get settled."

Megumi nodded thoughtfully, picturing the kind of house she was describing. It didn't sound overly extravagant, but it also didn't seem too small. The simplicity of it actually seemed kind of appealing in its own way.

"Sounds nice," he said, his tone reflective. "I mean, I guess it's a good place to start fresh, right?"

"Exactly," Hana's mom agreed, her eyes softening as she spoke. "It's perfect for us right now. We're not looking for anything too big, but it's enough to make a new start. I think Hana's excited to have her own room, too."

Hana, hearing her name, looked up and grinned. "I am! I get to pick out new stuff for the room, and I'm finally going to have a place to hang up all my posters!" She was clearly excited about the prospect of having her own space to decorate, the thought lifting her spirits despite the hectic nature of the move.

Megumi smiled at her enthusiasm, but couldn't help feeling a little bit envious. "That sounds pretty awesome," he said, a small laugh escaping his lips. "I don't think I could ever get enough posters to fill a room. You're lucky."

Hana shrugged playfully. "It's just something to make the place feel like mine, you know? Anyway, it's a big change, but I think it'll be fun. Once we settle in, we'll make it feel like home."

Megumi nodded, his curiosity satisfied, though he couldn't help but wonder how he'd adjust if he were in Hana's shoes. Moving to a new place was always a bit daunting, but it seemed like the Yurikawa family was handling it with optimism and determination.

"Sounds like it'll be great," he said, looking over at Hana's mom, who was nodding thoughtfully. "It's good to start fresh like that."

"Yeah, we're looking forward to it," Hana's mom replied, her voice filled with a quiet optimism. "We'll make the most of it, and hopefully, it'll feel like home before too long."

Megumi smiled, feeling a little lighter as the conversation continued to flow easily between them. Hana's playful comments, his mom's reassuring words, and the overall warmth of the moment helped take the edge off everything that had been weighing on his mind. As they continued to eat, the atmosphere felt comforting, like a momentary escape from the stress of the past few days. They joked about Hana's new room and her poster collection, and Megumi couldn't help but laugh at the ridiculous scenarios they imagined for his eventual visit.

He didn't realize how much time had passed until he glanced up at the clock, surprised to see that their meal had come to an end. The room had grown quieter, the hum of idle conversation slowing as they all finished their food. For the first time in what felt like ages, Megumi felt full—not just in the physical sense, but emotionally too.

The last few bites of food went down smoothly, and before long, they all started helping their moms clear the table. Megumi grabbed the empty plates and utensils, handing them to his mom, who was already gathering up the remaining scraps of food. Hana was right beside him, carefully stacking the leftover containers while chatting lightly with her mom.

"Thanks for bringing us this food," Megumi said, his voice sincere as he helped clear the table. "It really made a difference."

His mom smiled at him, placing the last of the dishes into the basket. "I'm glad you liked it. You two needed a little comfort, and food always helps." She looked over at Hana's mom, who was finishing up with the last of the dishes. "It was nice to have some time to relax, too. It's been a busy couple of days for all of us."

Hana's mom nodded in agreement, wiping her hands on a towel. "Yes, it was. And it's not over yet, but we'll get through it. At least today, we could enjoy a little peace."

Megumi's mom smiled warmly and reached into her bag, pulling out a small basket filled with fresh fruit—apples, oranges, and a few ripe bananas. "Here," she said, handing the basket to Hana. "For you both. Make sure you eat those, okay? You need all the energy you can get."

Hana's eyes brightened as she took the basket, her hands wrapping around the fresh fruit like a treasure. "Thanks, Mrs. Fushiguro! We will." She gave Megumi a teasing look. "You can have the bananas, Megumi. You're the one who always steals them from me at school."

Megumi laughed, rolling his eyes. "Hey, don't accuse me of something I never did," he said, reaching for one of the bananas. "I'll make sure to leave the apples to you."

His mom chuckled softly. "You two are such troublemakers, aren't you?"

"Only when we're together," Hana replied with a wink, nudging Megumi playfully.

Megumi smiled at her, his heart light. As they finished tidying up, he realized that the visit had given him more than just a break from the hospital food—it had brought a sense of connection, of normalcy, that he hadn't even realized he needed. There was something about the presence of their families, their laughter, and the simple act of sharing a meal together that made everything feel more manageable.

It wasn't long before the nurse came to the door, signaling that their visitation time was up. Megumi stood, grabbing the last of the dishes and handing them to his mom. As the nurse politely gestured for the visitors to say their goodbyes, Megumi's mom stood up and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"We'll be back tomorrow, okay? And don't forget to eat the fruit," she said, giving him a reassuring smile.

Hana's mom gave her a quick hug before turning to Megumi. "Take care of yourself, okay? You're doing great."

"Thanks, Mrs. Yurikawa," Megumi replied, his voice full of gratitude. "See you both soon."

As they waved their goodbyes and their moms exited the room, Megumi sat back down in his chair, feeling oddly at peace. The room felt quieter now, but in a way, it felt more comfortable than it had before. With the basket of fruit beside him and his thoughts lingering on the visit, he realized how much he'd missed just being with people who made him feel at home.

"Whooo... my stomach is really full," Hana said with a satisfied sigh, patting her belly gently as she leaned back in her chair.

Megumi chuckled, watching her relaxed expression. "I think we all ate a bit more than we expected," he remarked, rubbing his own stomach, which still felt pleasantly full from the meal.

Hana smiled, her eyes half-closed in contentment. "Well, I don't mind," she said, stretching her arms above her head. "It was definitely worth it. I can't remember the last time I had something this good."

Megumi nodded in agreement, a little grin on his face. "Same here. I forgot what real food tasted like." He paused, thinking for a moment. "It's weird, though. I feel a little... lighter, I guess? Not just full, but like I've had a chance to breathe for once."

Hana glanced over at him, her expression softening. "Yeah, I get that. It was nice to not be thinking about the hospital stuff for a little while." She looked down at the basket of fruit next to them. "And we still have this fruit to eat, too. It's like they know we'll need to balance out all the cinnamon rolls and pretzels."

Megumi laughed. "True. I think I'll be eating fruit for the next week to make up for all those sweets." He picked up an apple from the basket and turned it over in his hands, thinking about how good it would feel to have something light after all the heavy food. "But, yeah... I guess we're lucky. Not everyone gets a visit like this."

Hana grinned at him, giving him a playful nudge. "You're welcome to come over whenever you want. My new house has plenty of space for snacks and fruit... and posters, of course."

Megumi rolled his eyes but smiled. "I'm starting to think you just want me over to help you hang posters."

"Maybe," Hana teased, sticking her tongue out at him. "But you're going to have to put up with a lot of weird ones if you do."

Megumi lightly laughed, feeling more at ease than he had in days. Even though the visit had ended and their parents were gone, it still felt like something had shifted—like he had a little more room to breathe, and maybe even a little more hope for whatever was coming next. "I think I can handle it," he said, taking a bite of the apple. "As long as you don't make me do all the work."

Hana winked at him. "Deal. But only if you promise not to eat all the bananas."

"Hey, I never did anything like that," Megumi said, smiling. "Sure bananas are good, but it's not that good."

The two of them sat in comfortable silence for a moment, finishing their fruit and letting the peaceful quiet of the room settle around them. For the first time in a while, the day felt like it had ended on a good note.

Even though Megumi could still hear the distant whispers of cursed spirits outside his room, their presence lingering like an unsettling shadow, he refused to let it ruin his good mood. He had learned to tune out the eerie sensations over time, focusing instead on the small, comforting moments that kept him grounded.

The hum of the hospital seemed distant now, drowned out by the sound of Hana's lighthearted chatter and the lingering warmth from the meal they'd just shared. He could feel the subtle pressure of the spirits' presence, like an invisible weight, but for once, he let it fade into the background.

"Hey, Megumi," Hana's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "You look like you're somewhere far away. What's on your mind?"

Megumi blinked, realizing he had been lost in his own head again. He smiled slightly, shaking his head. "Nothing really. Just... thinking about how nice it was to have a normal meal for once."

Hana raised an eyebrow, sensing there was more to it. "Uh-huh. I bet you're also thinking about the kidnapping, aren't you?"

Megumi hesitated for a moment, but then nodded, deciding to go with the lie, his expression softening. "Yeah, those thoughts still linger around in my head. But honestly? I'm not letting them mess with today. For now, it's about hanging out with you and just... having some peace, you know?"

Hana smiled, understanding what he meant. "Yeah, I get that. It's nice to just... not think about everything else for a bit."

"Exactly," Megumi said, his voice firm with quiet determination. "I'll deal with the trauma later. For now, I'm just going to enjoy the fact that we had a good meal and that you're not making me hang up posters right now." He gave her a teasing grin.

Hana laughed, nudging him again. "Fine, fine, no posters for now. But you're still coming over when I move, right?"

"Of course," Megumi replied, his smile genuine. "I'll even bring a ladder so I can reach the top of your walls."

Hana grinned. "Deal."

And for a moment, all that mattered was the laughter shared between them, the feeling of something normal and comforting in the middle of everything else. 

.

.

It was late, far past the point when the hospital had quieted down, and the world outside the window was cloaked in the deep stillness of the night. Megumi had managed to fall into a restless sleep, the kind of sleep that came and went in fits, but tonight, something different stirred him awake.

It wasn't the cursed spirits, which had been present in his mind for so long, lurking just beyond the edges of his awareness. No, tonight, it was something far more mundane.

He groggily blinked his eyes open, squinting at the dim light filtering in from the hallway. A heavy sense of discomfort tugged at him as his mind began to clear.

He needed to use the toilet.

For a moment, Megumi just lay there, staring at the ceiling, as if hoping the urge would just go away on its own. But of course, it didn't.

Sighing quietly, he swung his legs over the side of the bed, feeling the cool hospital floor under his feet. His body still felt sluggish from sleep, and the last thing he wanted was to walk down the hall in the middle of the night, but he couldn't ignore it.

With a small groan, Megumi stood up, steadying himself against the bedframe for a moment to shake off the dizziness. The hospital room was eerily quiet, with only the faint hum of distant machinery and the occasional rustle of paper from the nurse's station down the hall. The peaceful silence made the mundane task of using the bathroom seem even stranger to him—especially considering the chaos he'd been dealing with recently.

He shuffled slowly to the door, careful not to make too much noise. The hallway outside was dimly lit, and there was no sign of the nurses or anyone else. It was just him and the quiet of the night.

Megumi made his way to the bathroom, half-awake and wishing for just a few more hours of sleep. But as he stood there in the silence, he realized that he didn't know where the bathroom was. He looked around to search if there was someone around he could ask for directions. Then, he saw a little girl around his age.

Megumi blinked, still groggy from sleep, and took a few steps further down the dimly lit hallway. His initial irritation at being woken up in the middle of the night slowly shifted into a sense of curiosity as he noticed something unusual. There, standing a little further down the hall, was a girl about his age.

She had shoulder-length hair styled in two neat pigtails, and though he could only see her back, there was something about her presence that caught his attention. The hallway felt unusually empty, and the girl appeared almost... out of place. Was she a patient here too? Or perhaps a visitor?

Megumi shook his head, brushing off the unease that crept up on him. He wasn't about to start imagining things in the dead of night. He just needed to ask for directions.

Clearing his throat quietly, he took a few more steps toward her. "Hey, excuse me," he called out softly, not wanting to startle her, but loud enough for her to hear.

The girl didn't respond. Instead, she stood still, her back still to him, staring straight ahead down the hall. Her posture was rigid, and there was something odd about how she was standing—it didn't feel quite like a casual stance.

Megumi hesitated for a second, wondering if she was even aware of him. He had been to hospital enough times in his past life to know that, at night, everything had an eerie stillness to it. He called out again, this time with more confidence. "Hey, I'm sorry to bother you. Do you know where the bathroom is?"

The girl didn't answer immediately. For a moment, there was an unsettling silence between them, broken only by the distant beeping of machines from other parts of the hospital. Then, finally, she turned her head slightly, though she still didn't face him directly.

Her voice, when it came, was soft and calm. "It's down that way," she said, pointing to her left with a small hand, her tone oddly distant, as though she wasn't entirely present in the moment.

Megumi looked in the direction she pointed, then back at her. "Thanks," he said, his brows furrowing slightly in confusion. It was a simple enough response, but something felt off. The girl didn't seem like a nurse or a patient; she looked far too out of place standing there, alone in the middle of the night. And the way she hadn't turned around fully to face him unsettled him more than it should have.

Before he could ask her any more questions, she spoke again, this time in a voice that felt even quieter, almost like a whisper. "You shouldn't be up alone at night," she said, her words lingering in the air. "It's dangerous."

Megumi froze, his stomach tightening. Something about her tone made him feel like she wasn't just talking about the usual hospital precautions.

"I'll be fine," Megumi replied, trying to brush off the odd feeling in his chest. "It's just a bathroom." He tried to smile, but the unease didn't completely fade.

The girl didn't respond. Instead, she turned back toward the hallway and began walking slowly, her pigtails swaying gently with each step. Her movements were slow, almost gliding, and she didn't look back as she disappeared around the corner.

Megumi stood there for a moment, staring after her, his mind racing with unanswered questions. There was something strange about the whole interaction, something that didn't sit right with him. Who was she? Why hadn't she fully turned around to face him? And why did it feel like she was more a part of the hospital's strange atmosphere than a normal person?

Megumi shook his head, pushing the unsettling encounter to the back of his mind. As he stood there in the dimly lit hallway, he could still feel the strange chill of the moment, but the rational part of his brain quickly took over. She wasn't a cursed spirit, he reasoned. He hadn't felt the usual oppressive weight or the surge of dread that came with their presence. If she had been a cursed spirit, he would've sensed it immediately—the heaviness in the air, the cold shiver running down his spine, the subtle malice that usually followed them. But nothing like that had happened.

The idea that she might be a cursed spirit capable of masking her presence crossed his mind briefly, but it didn't seem likely. If she had been, he would've felt it the moment he tried to speak to her. And if she truly had enough intelligence to mask her aura, he would have been attacked the second he approached her. It was just too much of a stretch.

With a frustrated sigh, Megumi decided to stop overthinking things. Whatever it was, it didn't matter right now. He had more important things to focus on—like the growing pressure in his bladder.

"Focus, Megumi," he muttered to himself, straightening up and heading down the hallway toward the bathroom. The hospital felt unusually quiet at night, with only the soft hum of distant machines and the occasional rustle of someone in another room. There was something oddly calming about the stillness, but it only made him more aware of his footsteps echoing down the hall.

He passed the nurse's station, but no one was around. It was just him, the long, sterile hallway, and the need to relieve himself. As he continued walking, he couldn't shake the nagging thought that something felt off, but he couldn't put his finger on it. The girl was gone now, and the hallway seemed empty, just as it should be at this hour.

Megumi took a deep breath, finally reaching the bathroom door and pushing it open. The bathroom was just as quiet, the harsh fluorescent lights flickering slightly as he stepped inside. After a moment, he found himself standing there, taking in the normalcy of the scene—the porcelain sink, the clean tiles, the sterile air of the hospital. For a brief second, everything felt perfectly mundane again. No cursed spirits, no strange encounters, just him in a hospital bathroom at night.

He did his business, his thoughts finally slowing down as the urgency lifted. It wasn't the kind of quiet that made him feel on edge. It was just... peaceful, in a way.

After finishing, he washed his hands, the cold water splashing against his skin, and he took a moment to look at himself in the mirror. His face looked tired, worn from everything he'd been through. The past few days had been a blur. But now, standing here in this quiet, empty bathroom, he could almost forget about it all.

With one last glance at his reflection, Megumi stepped out of the bathroom, feeling oddly refreshed. The weirdness of the girl and his lingering doubts were still there in the back of his mind, but they didn't matter right now.

He was heading back to his room when, just as he passed the same hallway where he had seen the girl, he paused. There was no sign of her anymore—no pigtails, no quiet, distant presence.

He took a deep breath, letting it go. "I'm just being paranoid," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head again.

With that, he continued back to his room, ready to get some more rest before another day filled with uncertainty.

Megumi's heart skipped a beat as he stepped back into his room, the door clicking shut behind him. The familiar, sterile smell of the hospital hit him immediately, but it was quickly overshadowed by something far more sinister. Standing in the middle of his room, as if it had always been there, was the same cursed spirit—the nurse. The grotesque, distorted figure that resembled a nurse, with its sharp, unnaturally long fingers and its unsettlingly blank, hollow face. It stood there, eerily motionless.

For a moment, time seemed to stretch as Megumi's instincts to fight flared up. His body tensed, muscles ready to spring into action. But just as quickly, he forced himself to suppress it, the weight of his previous experiences weighing down on him. Stay calm, he told himself. You don't want to make a move unless you absolutely have to.

The cursed spirit's head tilted ever so slightly, as if it sensed something was off. Megumi's heart raced. His pulse pounded in his ears as the cursed spirit's attention shifted toward him. It wasn't until that moment that he realized how close he was to being caught. He had just narrowly escaped its detection, and he had no idea how much longer he could keep this act up. The spirit's gaze was heavy, but it didn't seem to fully register him yet.

Don't show fear. Don't give it any reason to act, he reminded himself, his breath steady and controlled. His hand, still near the door, curled into a fist, but he made no further movements.

Slowly, deliberately, Megumi began to walk toward his bed, keeping his posture casual, as if nothing were out of the ordinary. His mind raced, running through scenarios, calculating the safest course of action. He couldn't let the spirit know that he'd seen it. If it realized he was aware of its presence, it might attack. And if it did... there was no telling how dangerous it might be. He had to appear completely unaffected. He had to keep his poker face intact.

The cursed spirit continued to scan him, its hollow, black eyes boring into his back. Megumi could feel its gaze like an oppressive weight on him, but he didn't let it show. He kept his movements slow, measured, as if he were just another tired patient returning to bed after a late-night trip to the bathroom. His breathing was even, his steps deliberate. He didn't even glance at the cursed spirit—he knew better than to show that he was aware of it.

Finally, he reached the edge of his bed. He sat down carefully, making sure not to make any sudden or jerky movements. His heart was still pounding, adrenaline coursing through him, but on the outside, he was the picture of calm. He didn't look at the cursed spirit, but he could still feel its presence, still hear the faint, unnatural rustle of its long fingers as it shifted slightly in place. It hadn't moved toward him—yet—but Megumi knew it was only a matter of time.

He let out a slow breath, continuing to maintain his poker face, praying that his act was convincing enough. The silence between them seemed to stretch, and every second felt like an eternity. He could sense the cursed spirit's patience—it wasn't making any moves either, almost like it was waiting for something. Maybe it was curious, or maybe it was just toying with him.

Minutes passed like hours, and eventually, the cursed spirit's unsettling presence began to shift, the weight of its gaze easing off of him, though Megumi still didn't dare to relax. Finally, with a slow, deliberate motion, the spirit began to move toward the corner of the room, its movements unnatural and jerky, like a puppet pulled by invisible strings. Megumi's muscles remained tense, but he didn't move a muscle.

Just as he thought it might be retreating, the spirit lingered for a moment longer, its form shifting in and out of clarity. Then, as if it had lost interest in him, it stepped out of view, disappearing into the shadowy corners of the room. The air seemed to grow lighter, though Megumi still felt an uneasy chill in the room.

It's gone... for now, he thought, exhaling slowly, though the relief was short-lived.

His body was still on high alert, his instincts screaming at him to prepare for an attack, but the cursed spirit had retreated—for the moment. Megumi didn't trust that it was gone for good, but he also knew he couldn't just keep pretending forever. He needed to sleep. He needed to be prepared for whatever came next.

With one last glance at the corner where the cursed spirit had disappeared, Megumi carefully pulled the blankets over himself, his mind still racing, but his exterior calm. As his eyes drifted shut, his thoughts were on high alert, scanning every inch of the room in his mind. The spirit might be gone now, but he knew better than to think it wouldn't return.

For now, though, he'd get what little rest he could. His heart skipped a beat. Just as he had finally managed to settle back into his bed, hoping for at least a few moments of peace, the sound of the door creaking open shattered the silence. He froze, his senses immediately on high alert.

He didn't need to see who it was to know it wasn't just another nurse or hospital staff member. The soft click of the door was unmistakable, and when he saw the little girl standing in the doorway, his stomach tightened. It was the same girl he had encountered earlier in the hallway, the one who had given him directions to the bathroom. She still had her back to him, even as she opened the door.

No, no, no. Not again...

Megumi's instincts screamed at him, but he forced himself to stay still, to remain calm. The girl didn't even look at him, her movements strange and deliberate as she stepped into the room—backwards. It was an odd, almost unnatural way to enter, as if she were intentionally avoiding facing him.

The moment the door clicked shut again, a chill crept over him. It was as if the temperature in the room had dropped, the air thickening with an unsettling presence. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. There was no mistaking it anymore—this girl was not normal.

Then, without turning to look at him, she spoke.

"Are you alright?"

The voice was soft, almost too soft, like a whisper carried by the wind, but the words had a weight to them. It was a question that seemed to cut through the room like a blade. The strange, off-kilter tone of her voice only served to amplify the dissonance of the entire situation.

Megumi's body remained tense as he lay in bed, his mind racing for a moment, processing her words. "Are you alright?" What kind of question was that? She didn't seem concerned—there was no warmth in her voice, no genuine inquiry. It was almost as though she were testing him. And in that moment, Megumi realized something: she wasn't just a strange girl; she was something far more sinister, something that didn't belong.

Despite his growing unease, he kept his face neutral, his expression unreadable. He knew he couldn't afford to show any weakness. If this was another cursed spirit, or something worse, he couldn't afford to let it see any fear. His instincts screamed at him to act, to prepare for a fight, but he resisted, forcing himself to remain still.

He cleared his throat, trying to mask the tension in his voice. "I'm fine," he said, keeping his tone steady, even though every nerve in his body was screaming to get up and leave the room. His eyes, however, remained fixed on her, watching for any movement, any sign that she might make a sudden lunge or attack.

The girl didn't react immediately. She just stood there, still with her back to him, like a shadow in the dimly lit room. The silence that stretched between them was suffocating. Megumi's mind worked furiously, piecing together what he knew. The girl had been strange in the hallway, yes, but this was something different. There was an aura of otherness around her, a cold, unnatural feeling that only deepened the suspicion he felt.

He had to ask. He had to know. But at the same time, he wasn't sure if it was wise to provoke her. Instead, he decided to play it safe, to keep his responses minimal. His fingers curled slightly into his blankets, his knuckles white with tension.

"You shouldn't be here," he said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of warning. "You're not... human, are you?"

The girl didn't answer at first, and Megumi felt an unsettling sense of dread build in his chest. For a moment, there was no sound at all, just the faint hum of the hospital and the rhythmic beat of his own heart.

Finally, the girl spoke again, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Does it matter?"

Her words sent a shiver down his spine. It was as though she knew exactly what he was thinking, as though she could see right through him, and yet her tone carried no malice, no anger—only an eerie calmness.

Megumi felt a wave of uncertainty crash over him. He had fought countless cursed spirits, dealt with endless dangers, but there was something different about this encounter. Something that made the hairs on his neck prickle with a sense of foreboding.

He opened his mouth to say something else, but at that moment, the girl turned slightly—just enough for him to see her profile. Her face was pale, almost ghostly, and her eyes were wide open, dark and empty, like hollow voids staring back at him. Her skin had a sickly sheen to it, as if she didn't belong in the world of the living.

Megumi's breath caught in his throat.

She wasn't just not human. She was something else entirely.

Before he could react, she slowly started to turn around again, facing the door. "It's not time yet," she said, more to herself than to him. And without another word, she began to back toward the door—just as she had entered—moving in a slow, fluid motion.

As the door clicked open again, she took one last glance at him over her shoulder, the faintest, almost imperceptible smile playing at the corners of her lips. It wasn't a smile of comfort or reassurance. It was a smile of someone who knew something he didn't.

And just like that, she was gone.

The door swung shut, leaving Megumi alone once again in the dim, sterile room. His heart was racing, his body still tense from the encounter. He knew one thing for sure: whatever she was, she wasn't finished with him yet.

Megumi stood still for a few moments after the door clicked shut, his heart still pounding in his chest. His breath came in shallow, quick gasps as he processed what had just happened. That little girl—who had been so eerily calm—was not human, and the way she had looked at him, as if she knew more than she should, left him on edge.

The room felt colder now, the unsettling presence of the girl still lingering in his mind. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing up, his muscles taut with readiness, as though he were waiting for the next move. The sense of danger hadn't left him. The eerie smile she had flashed before disappearing had unsettled him more than he cared to admit.

But despite everything, despite the strange and unnerving encounter, a weariness began to settle in his bones. His body, constantly on edge for so long, had finally begun to feel the toll of it all. He had been through so much and now, after that last exchange with the girl, his mind felt exhausted.

The tension in his body, as tight as a coiled spring, started to loosen, but only by a fraction. Megumi found himself sinking deeper into the bed, his limbs finally feeling the weight of the day—or perhaps, the days—catching up with him. The unease was still there, crawling beneath the surface, but fatigue was slowly overpowering it.

He closed his eyes, taking slow, measured breaths. Each inhale was deep, trying to force the tension from his body, to let go of the nerves still running through his veins. You need sleep, he reminded himself. It's just a few more hours. You can handle whatever comes next.

The quietness of the room seemed almost surreal now. The hospital had always been sterile, but now it felt colder, emptier. Still, despite the unsettling feelings swirling around him, Megumi found his body betraying him. His eyelids felt heavy, his mind sluggish with the exhaustion of the day. The weight of the blankets felt reassuring, grounding him in a moment of peace—however fleeting.

He turned onto his side, willing his body to relax, forcing his mind to quiet. The world outside of the hospital room, the cursed spirits, the strange little girl, all of it felt distant now, like a bad dream slowly receding into the background.

For the first time in days, Megumi let out a long, drawn-out breath, and allowed himself to drift off to sleep.

Even as his body finally gave in to the weariness, his mind remained alert, in the back of his consciousness. A part of him knew that the peace he sought was only temporary. The presence of the cursed spirits outside, the girl, the strange feeling in the air—it was all still there, just beneath the surface, like a storm waiting to hit.

But for now, in this fleeting moment of calm, Megumi let himself rest. He allowed the darkness of sleep to pull him in, his mind finally slipping away from the constant tension and fear. He slept deeply, though the weight of the unknown pressed heavily on his chest, and as his body finally relaxed, he knew he would face whatever came next with the same resolve he always had.

Tomorrow, he would face it. But tonight, for the first time in what felt like forever, he was able to find some semblance of peace.