sukuna, megumi, itadori

Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro sat on the edge of an abandoned building's roof, overlooking the city gradually fading into gray twilight. After yet another run-in with the curse, they could finally catch their breath. Itadori, as usual, tried to draw Megumi out, though the latter responded in monosyllables.

"You know, I was thinking," Yuji began, rubbing his shoulder where the cut from the blow still ached, "maybe next time we could try this: you create a shadow, and I'll come in from the side? So the curse doesn't have time to react..."

Megumi raised an eyebrow slightly, as if considering whether to discuss this seriously. He opened his mouth to reply, but at that very moment the air between them seemed to thicken, becoming heavy and hot.

And right there, in the middle of their conversation, as if someone had parted reality itself, Sukuna sat down. He settled himself with casual grace, crossing one leg over the other, and looked at Megumi as if Yuji weren't even there.

Yuji flinched, about to protest, "Hey, what are you doing?!" but before he could even open his mouth, Sukuna abruptly, almost casually, pushed Yuji's head aside—as if swatting away a pesky fly.

"Don't even look at me," Sukuna snapped, his eyes never leaving Megumi. His voice sounded both lazy and menacing, as if he were toying with them like a cat with its prey. "That boy and I have more important things to do than your idiotic talk."

Yuji felt a chill run down his spine. He tried to regain control of his body, but felt that terrifying helplessness—the feeling of being there, but not there. He clenched his teeth, fighting back a wave of impotent anger.

Sukuna meanwhile tilted his head slightly, studying Megumi with predatory interest.

"You understand, right, that all of this is just a delay?" His smile was sharp as a blade. "You think you're in control, that your technique is a shield. But a shield can be broken. Or bypassed."

Megumi didn't look away. His face remained impassive, but Yuji, who knew him well enough by now...