𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚 | 𝐓𝐨𝐣𝐢 𝐅𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐨

- Chapter 49 -

Even with the looming threat of the arranged marriage hanging over him, Toji couldn't resist spending time with Helia on her rest day.

He took her to the weeping willow tree, the familiar spot where they can be just the two of them.

Helia is still a little bit tensed because of this whole arranged marriage thing, but Toji told her that he would take care of it, so she tries her best not to worry about it.

The two of them lay beside each other under the weeping willow, the soft whisper of the leaves acting as a soothing background to the moment they're sharing.

Toji's arm is wrapped around her shoulders, his fingers tracing light, lazy patterns on her skin.

The gentle breeze rustles through the leaves, creating a soft, melodic sound that is both comforting and soothing.

Helia can understand why this place has become a sanctuary for him, a place where he can find respite from the chaos and troubles of the clan.

As Helia and Toji continue to lay together beneath the weeping willow, her thoughts start to drift towards the plan he had previously mentioned-the plan to eliminate the entire Zenin clan.

With the events of the arranged marriage taking precedence, she hasn't had the chance to address this topic yet. But she doesn't want him to hurt people who don't deserve it.

"Toji?"

Toji, who was previously deep in thought, turns his head towards her at the sound of his name. His gaze softens as he meets her eyes.

"Hm?"

She hesitates for a few seconds, she doesn't want to ruin the moment of peace, but the thought that he might hurt innocent people encourages her to speak.

"About your plan to kill everyone in the clan..."

His expression changes at the mention of his plan, the softness in his eyes giving way to a more serious look. He glances away for a moment before looking back at her, his gaze unwavering but unreadable.

"What about it?"

Now it's too late to back up, she must continue. "Are you really going to kill every single person in the clan?"

He doesn't respond immediately, his gaze steady and unblinking. His expression is stoic, betraying none of the underlying emotions that the question has stirred up within him. After a few moments of silence, he finally speaks, his voice quiet and firm.

"Yes. Every single person within the estate will die."

His words send a chill down her spine, the cold tone in his voice a stark contrast to the affectionate way he spoke just minutes before. Sensing her discomfort, Toji continues.

"Every single person but you, don't worry."

This isn't what Helia was worried about. She was more worried about the children, the maids and and people who had done nothing wrong and don't deserve this.

"But what about innocent people?"

His eyes narrow, his expression hardening again as she brings up the topic of innocent people. The look in his eyes makes it clear that he has no intention of sparing anyone, regardless of whether they're innocent or not.

"There's nothing innocent about the way they treated me. They looked down on me, they treated me like dirt. They saw me as useless because I didn't have any cursed energy. I was worthless to them."

"I understand that you hate them for the way they have been treating you since you were a child. But there are innocent children within the clan that have nothing to do with all of this..."