The Sorcerer Killer's Third Chance (JJK x Re:ZERO)

The End of The Beginning

The Slums. It was exactly as Toji pictured it—cramped, dilapidated buildings huddled together, with narrow, winding alleys snaking between them. The air was thick with a mix of smoke, dampness, and the faint scent of rotting food. Stray cats darted between piles of discarded trash, while a few wary eyes peeked out from behind tattered curtains. Toji scanned the area, his expression unreadable, but his sharp gaze took in every detail, every shadow.

"Not the most welcoming place," Satella murmured, glancing around with a mix of unease and sympathy. She could feel the weight of hardship hanging over the place, the kind that made people desperate enough to steal. "But if that girl lives around here, we might be able to find her."

Toji gave a small nod, his eyes narrowing as he stepped further into the maze of alleys. "Keep your eyes open. If she's smart, she'll be hiding."

As they ventured deeper into the slums, the streets grew quieter, the bustling sounds of the capital fading behind them. A few ragged children played in the dirt, their eyes flickering curiously at the newcomers before quickly looking away. Toji noticed how they shrank back into the shadows, as if wary of anyone who didn't belong. It was a place where survival meant being cautious and unseen.

"Are you sure about this?" Satella asked, her voice low. "I mean, what if we're just scaring people by wandering around like this?"

"We're not here to make friends," Toji replied, his tone blunt but not unkind. "We're here to find your insignia. And this is the best place to start."

Satella sighed but didn't argue. She could see he was focused, and in a way, it reassured her. Even in a place like this, where she felt out of place and uncertain, Toji moved with purpose, as if he was already figuring out a plan.

They continued down the narrow, winding paths of the slums, the atmosphere heavy with the sounds of distant chatter and the occasional clatter of debris. As they walked, an awkward silence settled between them, stretching on uncomfortably. Satella occasionally glanced at Toji, trying to gauge what he was thinking, but his stoic expression gave nothing away. It was like walking beside a wall—strong, steady, and unreadable.

Unable to bear the silence any longer, Satella decided to speak up. Clearing her throat, she hesitated for a moment before starting. "You know, I was surprised back there... when you helped that little girl," she said, her voice soft and tentative. "You didn't have to do that, but you did. I think it was... kind of you."

Toji glanced at her, raising an eyebrow slightly as if questioning where she was going with this. "You asked me to help, so I did," he replied, his voice flat, almost dismissive.

Satella shook her head, a small, knowing smile forming on her lips. "Maybe, but I don't think it's that simple. You could have just said no, but you didn't. That says a lot about you."

Toji's eyes flickered briefly, a mix of confusion and something else before returning to their usual blank stare. "You're reading too much into it," he muttered, quickening his pace as if he could walk away from the conversation.

Undeterred, Satella kept up, her smile widening slightly. "Maybe I am. But still, I think you're a good person, even if you don't want to admit it."

Toji felt an odd mix of emotions stir within him—annoyance, disbelief, but also a strange sense of... warmth? He quickly pushed it aside, not wanting to dwell on it. "Think whatever you want," he said, his tone curt, but there was no real bite to his words.

They continued walking, and while the silence returned, it felt a bit lighter, less strained. Satella found herself feeling more at ease, and even if Toji wouldn't admit it, she thought she might be starting to see a side of him he didn't show often.