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

The Fushigoro Technique

Toji's eyes opened slowly, groggy and unfocused at first. The sight that greeted him was all too familiar—the overly ornate ceiling, adorned with intricate designs and flourishes that seemed to mock him every time he woke up here. That damned ceiling.

A soft exhale escaped his lips as he blinked, taking it all in. "I'm back again, huh?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely above a whisper.

Then, the voices came.

"Sister, sister. It appears our guest is still half-asleep," a familiar, faintly condescending voice chimed in.

"Rem, Rem. For someone so young, it's quite sad how out of it he is," another voice added, with the same pointed tone.

Toji froze for a brief moment, the words washing over him like a cool breeze. He recognized those voices. Those scrutinizing, synchronized comments that used to grate on him more than they should have.

Ram and Rem.

For once, instead of irritation, a strange sense of relief settled over him, so unfamiliar it almost startled him. He turned his head slightly, his sharp eyes landing on the twins standing at the foot of his bed. Their identical stoic expressions and faintly judgmental gazes were just as he remembered.

And yet, this time, Toji didn't feel the usual spark of annoyance. He didn't snap back, didn't toss out a retort. Instead, a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips—subtle, barely there, but undeniably real.

They're alive.

He let out a soft, quiet chuckle, his voice unusually calm. "You two really can't help yourselves, huh?"

Ram raised an eyebrow at his uncharacteristic response. "I see you're in a strangely good mood for someone so prone to sleeping in."

Rem tilted her head slightly, her expression softening just a fraction. "Is everything all right, sir?"

Toji propped himself up, resting his forearms on his knees as he sat on the edge of the bed. His gaze lingered on the two of them for a moment longer, as if reassuring himself they were really there. Alive. Whole.

"Yeah," Toji said simply, his tone quiet but certain. "Everything's fine."

For once, it didn't feel like a lie.

The room settled into an awkward quiet, the kind of silence that stretched just a little too long. Toji sat there, his head lowered slightly, his fingers flexing on his knees as if he were trying to work through a thought. For once, the usual sharpness in his demeanor was muted, replaced by something softer—something the twins clearly weren't used to seeing.

Ram and Rem, standing in perfect sync, exchanged a quick glance before stepping closer to him.

"Is something the matter, sir? Do you feel unwell?" Rem asked, her voice soft with concern, though her gaze remained steady.

"What's wrong, sir?" Ram added, her tone sharper and more matter-of-fact. "Do you have chronic pain flaring up? I didn't think even someone like you could look this miserable."

Toji's head turned slightly, his sharp eyes drifting toward them, pausing on their hands. Their fingers were faintly clasped in their usual, synchronized way, mirroring each other perfectly. It was instinct, something the twins always did. But to Toji, the sight hit a little differently this time.

Without warning, Toji unapologetically reached out, grasping both Rem and Ram's hands in his own—one hand for each sister.

The twins froze.

Their usually poised expressions faltered as their eyes widened in surprise. Toji ignored it, his focus narrowing on the sensation. The warmth, the softness... It was exactly as it had been before. A strange comfort washed over him, as though some invisible weight had finally lifted, even if only for a moment.