hi this definitely isn't milk and you can tell because i said i'm not. what's your favorite small itafushi moment (so not one of the obvious ones like "i'll kill you if you die again" or "let's go home"). you can't say megumi feeding yuuji his sandwich because that's my favorite so pick a different one :P
I emotionally, psychologically and spiritually cannot pick a single small moment. So have an abbreviated manifesto of my favorite instances of Megumi’s love for Yūji:
—Even in the oppressive atmosphere—thick with bloodlust and malevolence—of Sukuna’s presence, Megumi’s thoughts revolve around Yūji. His focus is How do I save Yūji? instead of How do I survive this?
It would be negligent to (a) overlook other situations in which he demonstrates a lack of self-preservation and (b) dismiss the implicit concern of his willingness to sacrifice himself under a pretext of utilitarianism and collective priority.
But special attention should be drawn toward this scene because, moments earlier, the finger-bearer’s presence—a cursed spirit only fractions as capable as Sukuna in his most debilitated form—paralyzed him with fear. He trusted Yūji to entertain the special-grade as long as necessary to recover Nobara and escape the detention center; now, it’s Megumi’s turn to swallow his fears, and he does without hesitation.
—When Megumi delivers to a grieving mother her son’s name patch. He risked crucial seconds in his escape to retrieve it and approach the mother of someone he considered unworthy of being saved, because it was important to Yūji and helped honor his memory.
—The transparency through which Megumi sees beneath Yūji’s buoyant, enthusiastic demeanor; and how a silent gaze can communicate something wholly uncommunicable: I know you’re hurting. But you don’t need to carry this grief alone anymore. I will help you shoulder this burden as long as it is yours to bear.
—Megumi never misses an opportunity to validate how strong Yūji is—and recognizes it straight to his face. There is no competition that makes either character too proud to acknowledge the capability of the other.
The singular instance of rivalry between them—I’ll also get stronger... and surpass you! (chapter 53)—bears deeper implications about Megumi’s desire to protect Yūji than it does an interest in being stronger on a superficial level. Megumi blames himself for Yūji becoming involved with jujutsu sorcery, after all—for swallowing that finger and condemning himself to execution. He likely blames himself for Yūji dying at the detention center, because Sukuna implied he was capable of defeating the finger-bearer all along—if only he hadn’t run—and once again failed when afflicted with Hanami’s cursed buds, being protected by the person he wants to protect the most.
—Not once does Megumi shame Yūji’s ignorance or simple-mindedness. He is always patient and takes the time to explain things—whether it be about the world of jujutsu sorcery Yūji was recently thrust into, the people he’s surrounded by, etc.
Megumi demonstrates so much patience with Yūji. He is genuinely invested in supporting Yūji, helping him to adapt to the new world he’s found himself in and becoming a more capable jujutsu sorcerer. This leads back to the nonexistent rivalry—Megumi wants Yūji to grow, wants him to become the best version of himself he can.
—His dying thoughts surround Yūji. Need I say more?
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