I held my breath at the sight. Horikita had really succeeded! I don't know how to describe it in that moment, but I was incredibly happy that he was free. I looked up at him, and he looked at him seriously.

 He spoke seriously, "Megumi, you have changed a lot since our last encounter."

 His voice was firm and serious, but I could see a certain sadness in his eyes. I held my hand over my mouth as I had to spit blood again. 

He looked at me then, concerned, and said, "Hang in there." 

I grinned at him, "I've been hanging in there this whole time, idiot." 

I noticed how my vision was fading to black again and eventually completely. I didn't notice how much time passed, but I slowly opened my eyes and saw that bandages were wrapped around both of them. I was practically blind. I reached for my head because it felt like half of it was missing. I lifted my upper body a bit and leaned on my hand. 

Suddenly, someone took my hand and placed his hand on my back. 

I asked confusedly because I couldn't see the person, "Gojo?" 

He said gently, "Easy, you're not supposed to move yet, let alone strain your eyes."

 He laid me back down. Apparently, he also sat down in front of me. I asked then, to lighten the mood, "How is it possible that even though you were in the prison realm, you have such a fresh undercut?"

 I heard him smile and then say, "Had infinite time there." 

It became quiet again, and we both said simultaneously, "I'm sorry—" 

I turned to him, and we both started giggling.

I heard someone opening the door. Judging by the high heels, I recognized it was Shoko. She came to me and removed the bandage around my eyes. My eyes immediately reacted sensitively to the light in the room, and I sat up, lowering my head and shielding my eyes with my hand.

 I muttered annoyed, "Damn." 

I rubbed my eyes. 

Shoko sighed and said, "That's what happens when you don't listen to me!" 

My eyes slowly adjusted to the light again, and I raised my head, looking around the room and squinting to clear my vision. I then said, "I didn't have a choice."

 She lit a cigarette. I glanced at Gojo. He was wearing a black hoodie and white pants. 

He looked pensive, staring at the floor, then said, "It's not her fault, it's mine."

 I grew annoyed, "Why would that be your fault?"

 He sighed and said, "I shouldn't have allowed myself to fall for a fake."

 He ran his hand over his face and took a deep breath. Shoko took a drag of her cigarette, walked to the door, went out, and closed it behind her.

 I lowered my legs from the bed and leaned on the bed to stand up. I felt dizzy, and my legs were shaky, likely due to blood loss. He stood up and hurried to me. He placed one arm around my waist and held my hand with the other. I rested my head on his shoulder, biting my lip to suppress the tears. 

He looked at me with wide eyes, then turned me around and hugged me tightly.

 I hugged him back tightly; it felt like he would disappear if I didn't hold on to him. 

Tears streamed down my face as I sobbed, "Y-you're such a dumbass! I-I couldn't achieve anything. I felt so alone. Nanami, Yuki, Geto, Nobara, Yaga, and Panda are dead!" and continued to cry, burying myself in his chest. 

He hugged me even tighter and said gently, while running his hand through my hair, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

 I looked up, and we made eye contact, and I said tearfully, "Why didn't you ever tell me how hard it is to be the strongest?"

 He cupped my face in his hand, resting his forehead against mine. 

Tears flowed into his hand, and he said softly, "Please don't cry." 

But I didn't stop.

 He bit his lip, his face contorting with pain, "Please. I promise I'll make sure you never shed another tear. So please, it hurts me to see you cry."

 I pulled away from him and wiped my tears with my hand but moved closer to him, taking his hoodie and using it to wipe my nose. 

He stepped back, shocked, "What was that for?"

 I grinned and said to him, "A gift for your return." 

He smiled at me sincerely and said   „I expected a different gift," and pointed his finger at his lips. 

I lunged at him, wrapping my arms around him and kissing him lightly, then pulled away, "I'm glad you're back." 

He smiled at me genuinely.

—-

We walked out of the room together, and as we walked, he said, "So theoretically, among the teachers, it's just you, Utahime, and me left."

 I replied, "Yes."

 He sighed, and we descended the stairs where the students were gathered.

 Yuji was ecstatic; he shouted joyfully, "GOJO SENSEI AND YN SENSEI!"

 We smiled at them, and Gojo grinned widely, embracing Yuji.

 "Good to see you all again," he said.

 Maki, Inumaki, Yuta, Hakari, and Kiara smiled back. 

Gojo released the embrace, and I asked, "What happened after I passed out?"

 He sat down on the couch, and we all followed suit. He made himself comfortable and said, "Kenjaku and I postponed the fight for 4 days."

 Yuta looked confused, "Why 4 days?"

 I pondered, "What are they planning this time?"

 Gojo yawned and then said, "I actually don't know, but I don't care because I'll win."

 I tossed the pen in my jacket pocket at him, and he caught it, grinning broadly. I said irritably, "Don't be so reckless; we're talking about Sukuna here."

 He made a silly face, "Don't worry." 

I replied annoyed, "No worries?"

 He then said seriously, "I'll handle it."

 I sighed, and Yuji chimed in confidently, "Gojo Sensei is the strongest; he'll win!" 

Gojo smiled broadly at him and said, "Take a cue from him."

 I rolled my eyes, took a few steps back to leave, and said, "I'm going to take a walk; see you later."

 Gojo looked at me questioningly, "Where—" but was interrupted as I teleported away.