—AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!! —I sat up abruptly, but as I did, I felt something pull inside me.
—Finally, you woke up!!! —I heard a woman's voice calling me, though I couldn't recognize who it was.
I looked around. I wasn't in my room, nor in Kuroha's… but it was a place I thought I knew well.
— Itadori… where are you?.— I whispered.
—What are you talking about? Look at me.—she held my cheeks and forced me to see her.
— Mom?.— I asked, still lost.
— Yes, it's me, it's me.— she said, crying.
— Where's Itadori? I left him fighting alone.—I tried to stand, but something was holding me back—. I have to go to him…
— What are you talking about!? Calm down!. —my mother tried to stop me from getting up while frantically pressing a button.
A constant beeping pulled me out of my thoughts. I turned and saw I was connected to a heart monitor, its alarm blaring. Numbers flashed, but my confused mind couldn't make sense of them.
Several people rushed into the room, forcing me back onto the bed and tying me down with straps. My mother was seated on the sofa, seemingly on the verge of a panic attack.
—Calm down, everything is fine now!
— But I…! —I struggled against them—. He needs me!
— We'll have to give her some sedatives.— I heard someone say. I recognized the voices, but my mind was too clouded to identify them.
I didn't know who I was, where I was… or even if this was a dream or reality.
I felt something cold running through my veins. They were administering medication. I turned to see who it was.
— I… I feel calmer.— I whispered.
And then I understood: I wasn't dreaming. This was real life. I was hospitalized in the very same hospital where I worked.
— Tam, how do you feel? —I recognized the voice. It was Dr. Tamara, the intensive care physician.
— Fine…—I murmured, still dazed. I looked around and saw my colleagues: Francisco, Yulissa, Dr. Dina, and Tamara.— What are you all doing here?
I glanced at the room. I recognized it—it was Room 115, on the hospital's ground floor.
— Do you know where you are?.— Tamara asked, shining a light into my eyes, forcing me to blink.
— Yes, in Room 115.
—Do you know who she is? —she pointed at my mother.
— My mom.
— Do you know who I am?
—Dr. Tamara…
— Good. Do you know what day it is?
— I don't… but I know it's night, because the nocturnal shift B is on.
—Do you know why you're here?
— N-no… that's what I want to know…
— You're here because you lost consciousness, and your parents couldn't wake you no matter what they tried. They brought you to the ER, and now you're under observation.
— But I don't have money to be here!
—Don't worry, Tam. You were offered insurance, and besides, we're all helping so neither you nor your parents will bear the costs.
—…— I looked at my colleagues, all smiling at me. I loved this place where I worked—a place where everyone came together for good, and where my way of befriending half the world now meant something invaluable. — Thank you, everyone…
— Don't mention it, Tam, that's what we're here for.— they answered with a smile.
—Tam?.— I whispered.
Tam? Who was Tam? I was supposed to be Kuroha Mizuki… No, wait… Was I still inside the dream? No… I think this is reality, but… why am I Tam and not Kuroha? Then… Itadori…
— Am I… Tam?!.— I screamed.
No… I couldn't be Tam. I had left my companion alone! I left Itadori behind, and I had to run to help him.
I tried to break free again, shouting in desperation. I even tried to bite my colleagues, like a cornered animal.
— Sedatives, sedatives!!.— Dr. Tamara cried hysterically. And before I could realize it, a heavy coldness dragged me into darkness.
For the first time, there were no dreams. I slept deeply, without images, without voices, without nightmares. When I woke, I immediately recognized the place: the intensive care unit.
— Did I lose control so badly that they had to lock me here?.— I touched my neck and felt the catheter through which they were administering medication. "What… what did I do?
I suppose waking up so abruptly after that dream was what harmed me so much.
When I said I wanted a break from work… I had hoped for a normal rest, not one like this.
— Good morning!.— I was surprised to see several colleagues from the morning shift coming to visit me.
We chatted for a while, exchanging jokes about my condition. Then breakfast arrived, and just as I imagined, the food was terrible.
After eating, visiting hours began. First my mother entered, crying as always, worried about what had happened to me. It was complicated to explain why I had woken up that way, but she seemed to understand. Honestly, I didn't want to give her too many details.
Perhaps, if I managed to finish writing the story… I could finally end this nightmare.
— Could you give me my phone, please? I get too bored here alone.
— Yes, that way you can tell me how you're feeling, okay?.— My mother pulled the phone from her bag and handed it to me.
I smiled, hugged her, and kissed her. After she left, my father came in. We didn't talk as much—he was more reserved—but his presence calmed me. Then my older brother arrived; we joked a little, and he showed me pictures of my little niece.
When I was finally alone, I opened my phone and began writing the sixth chapter of the story. I had to be very careful with what would happen after they tried to kill me. After all… whatever happened in the story was reflected in my real body.
Between dream and waking, my name shatters… and the nightmare writes upon my skin.
The phrase echoed in my mind like a mantra. When I finished writing the chapter, I checked the time—it was past two in the morning. I had already taken all my medications, and the only sounds left were the soft conversations of my colleagues on the night shift.
I closed my eyes, hoping to dream… to finally end this nightmare that grew more dangerous with every breath.
—UGH!.— I gripped the hand that tried to smash my head against the floor and twisted it at an unnatural angle.
With my free hand, I seized Yamikiri and slashed desperately at the enemy before me, forcing them back as I staggered away.
I had to trust my life to the very character I had created.
—"Kuroha!!.— Itadori shouted. I gave him a confident smile.
—I'm fine.— I raised Yamikiri toward the enemy. From the blade surged a chilling aura of black and violet.— Who are you…?
Before me stood a humanoid curse: skin pure white, black vertical lines running across its body, and from its eye sprouted a twisted branch. In its arm it carried what looked like a flower.
—Hana.— it whispered, soft yet terrifying.
—A special-grade curse… Yamikiri Eclipse!.— The weapon split into two blades. I lunged forward: one carried a small moon, the other a blazing sun.
The moon struck first—Hana blocked it. But she didn't expect the sun blade from her blind spot. It seared into her abdomen, burning with violent intensity. The moon reformed on the other blade and slashed her neck, where ice began to spread.
—Uhhhhhh!.— she shrieked, stumbling back.
I knew it wouldn't kill her, but it would buy me time to help Itadori. He was fighting desperately against the dark sorcerer, struggling—too noble to kill a human. But me… I wasn't bound by that.
While the sorcerer focused on Itadori, I charged at his neck with Yamikiri raised high. He spun suddenly and hurled a cloud of poisonous gas into my face.
—Agh!
—Kuroha! Damn it!.— Itadori cried.
—How many times do I have to tell you…?.— I wiped my burning face, blocking part of the attack with Yamikiri.— Worry about yourself! Dance of the Dead!
The weapon spun around me, forming a towering tornado. Both Hana and the sorcerer were dragged into its vortex.
—Infernal Dance!.— The tornado ignited into black and violet flames. When it vanished, their bodies fell to the ground, scorched and weakened. I hadn't unleashed the technique's full power… not yet.
—Now you'll tell me who sent you, and what they want.
—Miserable!.— I drove Yamikiri into the sorcerer's back, tearing a scream from his throat.
—Well…?
—Don't you think you're overdoing it?.— Itadori approached, placing a hand on my shoulder.—I can get the information we need.
—Fine.— I pulled the blade free and stepped back, Yamikiri still growling like a wild beast.
Itadori knelt before the sorcerer, who glared at him with hatred.
—Let her kill me. My death will be a sacrifice to create a perfect world, where Lord Sukuna reigns.
—I don't want her to kill you… but you could help me prevent it.
—You want me to beg for my life? I've slaughtered thousands. Killing one more bitch means nothing to me.— He rose, Hana beside him, and they charged.
But Hana vanished mid‑stride, leaving only the man. From his sleeve he drew a dagger, lunging to stab me.
—So be it!.— he roared like a wounded beast.
—Idiot, they've abandoned you!
—No! They gave me the chance to kill you and bring Sukuna back!
His attacks grew more violent, fueled by cursed energy. Blocking them was harder with each strike. Then I saw it: a gleaming object at his waist, a relic shining beneath the dim light.
That had to be the source of his power.
With a swift slash, I cut the relic in half. From it fell one of Sukuna's fingers. I seized it and leapt back.
—NOOO!!.— he screamed in agony. Before he could move, Yamikiri descended—severing his head.
I let out a sigh of relief, but guilt still weighed heavily on me.
—I'm sorry, Itadori.— I whispered, holding Sukuna's finger in my hands. Its cursed energy pulsed like a foreign heart, burning against my skin.— He was too corrupted… there was no salvation left for him.
— I know.— Itadori knelt before the body and began to pray. I stepped back, uneasy about killing in front of him. When he finished, he rose and looked at me.— That was what gave him his power.
— Yes. A finger of Sukuna. That explains the overwhelming cursed energy. He used a catalyst to wield it without destroying himself.
— I see… and what do we do with it?
— … They'll probably tell you to consume it. But doing that here would be reckless. I'll use my Domain to shield you.
— Are you sure…?
— Yes. You'll be safe. Don't worry.— I drove Yamikiri into the floor, but Itadori grabbed my arm.
— I… I don't want to hurt you if I lose control this time.
I stared at him, then smiled and tapped his head lightly.
— Try not to let him take over.
— … I'll try.
—Domain: Blood Moon.
Darkness swallowed everything. Around us, only a single cherry blossom tree bloomed crimson, and above, the moon glared impatiently.
—Here.— I handed him the finger. He gave me a nervous smile.
—… Stay back, just in case.
—Haha, fine.— I stepped away, turning my back.
But what I didn't know was that everything was already perfectly planned.
Suddenly, I felt arms wrap around me from behind. It wasn't excitement or confusion—it was as if my soul was being torn from my body. This wasn't Itadori. It was Sukuna.
Kuroha felt confusion and shame. I felt only terror: I hadn't written this.
— Hey...— I whispered, cheeks burning.
— Did you think I wouldn't come to see you?.— His voice was a blade. The embrace tightened until the air fled my lungs.
— Ugh…
— Shhh… calm down.— He gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.— I didn't expect you to have such an expression. When you finished that man, you looked drenched in bloodlust… a perfect assassin.
I swallowed hard. He had watched every move.
— Give me back Itadori.
— Haha… you're far too attached to him. Don't worry, I'll return him… after savoring your suffering a little longer.— He bit my ear, and I writhed in his grasp.
Then, suddenly, his hold loosened, and I was free.
— Kuroha, are you okay?.— Itadori's voice returned. Before I could answer, I struck his head so hard I nearly broke my hand.
— Idiot!.— I shouted.— Didn't you say you wouldn't let him win?
— Sorry, sorry! He was too strong—I couldn't stop him.
— Agh…— I growled and closed the Domain.
We were still inside the sorcerer's mantle. From here, the story would continue as usual… but I was certain I hadn't written any of this.
I went straight to the object sustaining the mantle and destroyed it with Yamikiri.
Soon, we were back in the hospital corridor.
— Let's return to the others.
— Yes.— Itadori followed obediently, still shaken.— Are you… alright?
— Of course I am!
We returned to the others. A simple nod between us was enough—it meant everything was finished for today.
We walked back to the school in silence. The sky was already painted with the colors of sunset. Gojo-sensei awaited us in the classroom, gazing out the window.
—Looks like you did well today!
We dragged ourselves to our seats, exhausted, ignoring his cheerful tone.
—We secured the cursed object. It was one of Sukuna's fingers, bound to a catalyst. A cursed sorcerer was using it.
— And?
—Itadori absorbed the finger without complications, but the catalyst was destroyed in the fight.
— Did you bring it?
— Yes.— I pulled it from my pocket. Gojo-sensei examined it carefully.
— Too peculiar…
— Yes. It seems to be a prototype.
— Hmm… the higher-ups will want to see this. That's all for today. You may leave.
We rose, dragging our feet with fatigue. Itadori followed me.
— Kuroha…
— What is it?
— I want to apologize. Because of me, you keep lying… and I've hurt you.
— It's fine. For now.— The scars had been burning for a while, but I had grown used to the pain.
— See you tomorrow?
— Alright.— I gave him a smile. He nodded and left, leaving me alone.
— Good.— I stretched a little and returned to my room.
After a shower, I placed my glasses on the nightstand, lay down, and pulled the blankets over me. That was all for today… with Kuroha.
I am Tam, I am Kuroha, I am no one… and in every fracture, the story claims me.