Qingxiao paused for two seconds instead of going straight over.
He turned toward the vending machine at the end of the corridor, put in some coins, and bought a can of coffee.
Only then did he walk over and gently offer it to Itadori.
When Itadori looked up, the corners of his eyes were red.
Seeing who it was, his lips moved, and he spoke in a trembling, self-reproachful voice, terribly hoarse:
"Teacher, this was my fault."
He spoke in broken sentences, his voice dropping lower and lower, as though it would sink into the night.
He had previously made an Enchain binding vow with Sukuna: whenever Sukuna said "Enchain," he could take over his body for one minute and erase the memory of it.
That was why, that day, he had felt as though he had blacked out, watching helplessly as Sukuna took over Megumi Fushiguro.
He had watched Hana Kurusu rush forward to stand in the way, her arm brutally severed, while he seemed nailed to the spot, unable to move at all.
"Back then... I would've been better off dying on the spot."
Itadori punched his own leg with a dull thud. Tears fell onto his bandages, spreading into a small, dark patch of dampness:
"Then I wouldn't have made that stupid binding vow and hurt Megumi and Hana Kurusu."
Qingxiao pulled out a chair and sat beside Itadori. He stayed silent for a few seconds. He wasn't good at gentle words, much less empty reassurances like "It wasn't your fault."
Comforting people had never been his strong suit. He was more used to acting than talking.
After a long silence, he reached out and patted Itadori's shoulder. The warmth of his palm passed through the school uniform, carrying a little reassuring strength.
"Sukuna was the strongest