"I dare you to steal us champagne." I whispered cheekily.

Megumi raised a brow, "What kind do you want?"

"You're actually gonna do it?"

"You think I won't?"

"Yeah..."

"Watch me." He smirked.

We were suddenly stopped by a hard yank on the shoulder. The two of us jolted and turned around. It was a red haired girl, short in frame, about my height as she wore a frilly orange dress.

"You're not stealing liquor without me are you?" She laughed.

"Kugisaki."

"Fushiguro." She gave him a quick embrace.

I didn't expect Megumi to be close with girls like that. Guess I was wrong.

"You never told me you had a girlfriend. Let alone a cute one like her?" She said.

Megumi and I both stuttered.

"We're not together-." We said in unison. Fumbling for the right words.

She widened her eyes, "Dates?"

"Yeah... She's my... Date... We're..."

"Dating." I said.

Megumi beamed at me.

"Dating huh?" She raised a brow and punched his shoulder playfully.

"What's your name." She asked.

"Y/n."

"Nice to meet you. That's a pretty name. I'm Kugusaki Nobara." She smiled.

I liked her already, this girl seemed like fun.

"Do you go here?" Nobara asked.

Megumi quickly chimed in. "She's in the community."

"Oh, so you know these stuffy alums?"

"A bit." I chuckled—an attempt to brush off my lies.

~ ~ ~

Nobara and I talked while we sent Megumi to sneak us some booze. The three of us had claimed a secluded booth in the dining area. It had a decadent tapestry to cover us from any prying eyes.

She dropped her gaze on me like a mask had just fallen off her face, "You two aren't actually dating are you?" She said.

"What do mean?"

"You and Megumi."

My heart thumped. She peered into my eyes. Once again, it was like someone could see all of my secrets. Nobara leaned her chin on her palm, waiting for my answer.

"We're- We're friends." I stuttered.

Don't tell me... she knew.

She moved in a bit closer and smirked hopelessly, "I won't ask what the situation is, it seems important. Megumi's been out of school for a while. I wondered what was up. But now, it makes sense."

I parted my lips, but before I was able to say anything, she chimed in once again, "There's something going on that I'm not supposed to know about... I'll respect that."

I took a deep breath, "So you won't tell anyone?"

"You've got my word y/n. I'd never hurt Megumi. He's my best friend. You're a normal high school student aren't you?"

"How did you... know?" I asked.

"I can tell... There's something refreshing about you. It's nice being around regular kids for once. Sorcerers always got a stick up their ass."

Well that was true at least.

"I don't know much about this world. It scares me but, I can't run from it." I said.

"As long as you've got Megumi, I promise, you'll be okay." She smiled warmly this time. There was something genuine in her eyes. I held onto that feeling and hoped that she had Megumi's best interest.

"Speak of the devil. We were just talking about you." Nobara chuckled as Megumi came back with the drinks.

"Talking shit." He laughed.

"A little here and there."

Megumi placed a full bottle of wine in the middle of the table. Nobara and I both gawked. "You got an entire bottle? Did you sweet talk the servers?" She said.

He sat down beside us. "Tch, don't worry about it."

"Oi, Megumi." A ponytailed girl with glasses stood with her hands on her hips at the edge of our table.

Megumi widened his eyes, "Zenin."

She plopped down on a seat and laid her head on the table. "Don't be selfish, pour me some. It was exhausting to see the family today." She groveled.

Megumi filled her cup. "I can imagine, here."

She perked up and clutched the glass. "Ahh, you're a savior. Thank you."

"Maki-san." Nobara said.

"Mm?" She hummed with the glass at her lips.

"You're dripping it on your dress."

"Ah! Fuck, fuck, fuck." She dabbed the collar of her light green dress with a napkin that was now stained in red.

"As you can tell, I'm having a shitty night." She chuckled.

"Hopefully that drink will help." Nobara laughed.

I felt a bit out of place, like I was intruding in on their friendships. I was just a stranger to them after all. An uninvited guest.

Maki looked at Megumi. "Why do you always get to skip them at these events?"

He took a sip from his glass, "Well they don't want to speak to me. I don't want to speak to them either."

"Lucky you."

I guessed that they were talking about the family Megumi said he was related to earlier. It still seemed like something he was pretty private about. Who was this Maki girl? Were they related? They sure looked alike. Pale skin and nicely pronounced facial structure.

I stood from my seat, maybe if I left for a bit, it would give Megumi a moment to feel comfortable enough to talk about his family. I didn't want to be a hinderance after all. I wanted him to at least enjoy his friends. I felt like such a burden.

"I'm gonna use the restroom?" I said.

Nobara sprouted form her seat, "Walk with me, I'll show you." I took her offer, it's not like I knew where the bathrooms were anyways.

"Thanks."

Megumi eyed me, it was like he was silently saying "Don't get lost, idiot."

The two of us entered back into the crowd and maneuvered through the bustling sea of shoulders.

"I think this is the most packed it's ever been. You may be waiting in line for the bathroom." She said.

"I don't mind." I didn't even have to pee.

Voices permeated the air, it was almost suffocating. The fact that I didn't know a single person made it even more daunting. Nobara stuck beside me.

I kept my head forward and tried to make out a door. But when I turned to my left to ask Nobara a question, she was gone. I looked back, she'd bumped into a random lady accidentally, I didn't even notice. Nobara was only a few feet away, I turned to walk back to her but that's when a rough hand latched onto mine like a magnet I couldn't escape. It was cold and grooved with scars.

I followed the length of his body. The buldge of his muscles poked through his dark blazer. I scanned the back of his neck, he turned. Only allowing me to see a glimpse of his side profile.

It was Sukuna... Although, his marks were gone. Just like how he was the day we met. He pulled me through the crowd in silent dominance. Nobara was long gone.

My hand felt so minuscule in his grasp. Like he could just shatter my fingers in one squeeze. I bet that gave him pleasure.

He could break me if he wanted to.

I knew I couldn't escape, I simply looked back and tried my hardest to make eye contact with Megumi, any of them. I couldn't scream, no one was allowed to know my situation or I'd be executed.

I felt like I was in a nightmare. Sukuna's steps were casual, he didn't want to draw too much attention to himself as he led me out of the ballroom. He was the real, uninvited guest.

"Please, let me go." I whispered.

No answer.

My heels clamored against the floor as he hastened his pace.

I turned back one more time. Clumps of random people devoured my view. Our booth was gone, as far as I could see.

Now feeling desperate, I muttered through my lips, "Megumi... help me."

☾