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

A Heart That Shouldn't Care

Toji stirred as the warm rays of sunlight filtered through his window, painting the room in soft morning hues. For the first time in what felt like forever, he woke up feeling... relaxed. The heaviness in his body had lifted, and the tension in his chest was gone. It was strange, almost unsettling, to feel this at ease.

But then, as he shifted slightly, a realization dawned on him. The connection—the constant weight of maintaining the Ten Shadows Technique—was gone. He clicked his tongue in mild irritation, realizing that he had unconsciously released it sometime during the night. Tch. Sloppy.

Turning in his bed, he moved to sit up, only for his elbow to bump into something soft. His brow furrowed as he glanced down. His arm had grazed against another arm—an arm that clearly didn't belong to him. His gaze followed the length of it, and his eyes landed on... Emilia?

There she was, fast asleep next to him. She wasn't under the sheets like he was, but instead lay sprawled out on top of the covers. Her silver hair was slightly disheveled, spilling over the second pillow she had claimed, her head resting so close to where his had been earlier. One hand lay near the spot where his head had been, her fingers curled slightly as though she'd been holding something in her dreams.

Toji blinked, his irritation momentarily forgotten as he stared at her in confusion. What the hell...?

Her expression was serene, her breathing soft and steady. For a fleeting moment, he noted how peaceful she looked, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions she usually wore on her sleeve. But the scene was too unusual for him to dwell on it for long.

He grunted under his breath, his brow furrowing again as he pinched Dr  the bridge of his nose. "What is she doing here...?" he muttered to himself, his voice low so as not to wake her. He tried to think back to the events of the previous night. Emilia had insisted on staying, hadn't she? Made sure he rested when he clearly wouldn't have done so on his own. She actually stayed all night?

The thought unsettled him more than it should have. He wasn't used to people staying around—caring enough to make sure he was okay. It felt... unnatural. And yet, looking at her now, something about it wasn't entirely unwelcome. Not that he'd ever admit it.

Toji shifted slightly, careful not to jostle her too much. But as he moved, his own arm brushed against hers again, and he froze. Her soft breathing hitched for a moment, and her eyelashes fluttered, as though she were on the verge of waking up.

"...Guess I should let her sleep," he muttered, lying back down for a moment longer. His gaze flickered to the ceiling, and then back to her. He couldn't explain it, but the sight of her peaceful expression, paired with the lingering calm in his chest, kept him rooted to the spot.

For the first time in a while, Toji didn't immediately feel the need to move, plan, or act. For just a moment, he allowed himself to stay still.

Toji laid there a moment longer, his mind turning over the events of the past few days. The forest patrols, the strain on his body, the exhaustion he'd tried to bury under sheer determination—it all seemed distant now, like something he'd watched someone else endure. And yet, he knew that peace wouldn't last. It never did. He still had work to do, and resting wasn't a luxury he could afford for long.

But still... he thought, his gaze flickering to Emilia for the briefest of moments. I guess... it wasn't so bad.

With a quiet sigh, he finally sat up, the mattress creaking faintly under his weight. His uniform was wrinkled and disheveled from a night of restless tossing and turning. He ran a hand through his messy hair, smoothing it down as best he could, before swinging his legs over the side of the bed. The morning light poured through the window, illuminating the room in a soft, golden glow. Toji stood and made his way to the window, leaning a hand on the sill as he gazed out at the sprawling fields of Roswaal's domain. The cool morning air brushed against his face, and for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he didn't feel the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders.