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

Life At The Mansion

It's good.

That was the first thought that crossed Toji's mind as he took a sip of the soup in front of him. The warmth of the broth and its rich flavor were a rare comfort, though his expression didn't show it. His face remained as unreadable as ever, a picture of disinterest, even as he indulged in another sip.

Toji was seated at one end of the elongated dining table, his usual posture relaxed with his chair slightly tilted back, legs stretched beneath the table. Emilia sat beside him, her hands neatly folded in her lap as she glanced at him occasionally, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. At the center of the table sat Roswaal, his mismatched eyes glinting with amusement. The twins stood on either side of him, their postures perfectly poised, waiting on their master.

"So, dear guest," Roswaal began, his lilting voice carrying a theatrical flair, "is the meal to your liking? The soup is a particular specialty of ours."

Toji glanced lazily at the clown-like man, setting his spoon down with a faint clink against the bowl. "It's alright," he said flatly. Then, with a deliberate gesture, he pointed his spoon toward the blue-haired twin. "You're the one who made it, right?"

Rem, standing to Roswaal's left, inclined her head slightly, her expression calm and dutiful. "Yes, that is correct. I handle all the cooking in the household. My sister is not particularly skilled in that area."

Ram, standing opposite her, scoffed quietly but said nothing, her lips curving into a smirk.

Toji leaned back further in his chair, his eyes flicking back to Rem. "It could be better," he said casually, his tone laced with just enough pettiness to make the statement sting.

A flicker of surprise crossed Rem's face, but she quickly recovered, her composure unshaken. "I will strive to improve," she said coolly, though there was a faint edge to her voice that betrayed her irritation.

Toji knew the soup was good—better than good, even. But something about the maid's composed demeanor made him want to ruffle her feathers. It wasn't malice, exactly, but a petty urge to test the waters and see how far he could push her.

Emilia, noticing the tension, shifted slightly in her seat. "Um, I think it's delicious, Rem. Thank you for preparing it," she said with a soft smile, her voice soothing.

"Thank you, Emilia-sama," Rem replied, bowing her head.

Roswaal, meanwhile, chuckled softly, his eyes glimmering with amusement as he observed the exchange. "My, my," he said, clasping his hands together, "how fortunate we are to have such lively mealtime conversation."

Roswaal leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table, his fingers interlaced in a thoughtful manner. "Despite finding yourself in the mansion of Margrave Mathers," he began, his voice tinged with playful curiosity, "and within the illustrious kingdom of Lugunica, it seems you know... absolutely nothing."

Toji didn't bother responding immediately. He was more interested in finishing his soup, his pace picking up as he unconsciously revealed how much he liked it. Though his face was unreadable, the way he scraped the bowl clean with his spoon didn't go unnoticed—particularly by Rem, who quietly watched from her place near Roswaal. Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly, her earlier irritation now mixed with faint amusement.

Setting the spoon down with a faint clink, Toji finally replied, "Is there something going on?"

Roswaal's mismatched eyes twinkled with delight at Toji's bluntness. "Well," he said, dragging the word out theatrically, "the kingdom isn't in an agreeable state currently. That much is certain."