Tyrant's Favorite | Sukuna Ryomen x Reader

043. Let Me Be Yours

10 years ago...

This was the most important day in Higuruma's life. The day he had dreamed of and dreaded for the past five years. For which he sacrificed his youth, entire nights of rest, and the pleasures of life, such as being a husband or a father. All for this moment. Today, the former judge was retiring, and the selection of his successor was beginning.

Six young men, including Higuruma, took their assigned seats in the courtroom, right in front of the wooden ballot box, where members of the commune cast their handwritten votes on small slips of paper bearing their first and last names, a simple but effective method to avoid duplicate votes. The process was transparent, almost ritualistic: any citizen could approach and ask the candidates questions, resolve any doubts, and test them to see if they were worthy of such an important position.

It had been a long and tiring day. Sitting for hours under the gaze of the entire town required not only patience but also mental fortitude. All the candidates were young, exemplary, committed to their community, and well-regarded by their neighbors. There was no clear favorite: anyone could win. The result would not only define a position, but would mark an entire chapter in the commune's history.

The line to vote snaked outside the courthouse, and a dull tension hung in the air. Higuruma, though fatigued, straightened his back as soon as he saw you cross the threshold with your entire family. Something in his eyes lit up, as if, for a moment, all that tiredness would disappear.

"How are you doing, future Judge?" You greeted your friend with a big smile.

"I'm not a judge yet." Higuruma appreciated the compliment, but he also didn't want to get his hopes up.

"What are you worried about, Higuruma? It's obvious you're going to beat these idiots." Yorozu joined the conversation, leaving her vote for Higuruma in the box.

"Who are you calling 'idiots,' bitch?" One of the chosen ones, Rin, stood up angrily.

"Who else, idiot?" You tried to stop her, but she quickly slipped from your grasp. "Higuruma is way better than all of you combined, it's obvious he's going to win," she sneered in their faces.

"Stop it, Yorozu!" Your father scolded her, but she completely ignored him.

"You're only saying that because Higuruma is naive and stupid enough to defend a vixen like you," Rin said to her face. "When I become a Judge, I swear I'll exile you so you'll stop causing so much trouble."

The commotion caught the attention of those present in the room. Exiling someone was a severe punishment within the commune; it was the perpetual punishment for murderers or rapists. The fact that a candidate for Judge would say that was something serious.

"Apologize now." Your mother pushed her own daughter toward Rin to quickly retract her statement, but Higuruma stepped between them before Yorozu could say anything else.

"Rin, your threat is a direct violation of our code. While it's true that Yorozu has caused issues, nothing in her record is sufficient to classify her as a criminal worthy of exile." Higuruma answered Rin, hiding Yorozu behind him. "Besides, the commune currently has less than 2,000 residents; we're in no position to lose more. So I'd think twice before exiling someone."

"Don't act like a hero now. We know you're only defending her because you're completely in love with her sister." Rin attacked him at his most vulnerable point, which is why Higuruma was being judged more so that he wouldn't become a Judge.

"My emotions toward her sister are insignificant in this case. We all have feelings, and I shouldn't be judged for them. I'm only looking at it from a strategic and ethical standpoint. Yorozu has proven herself a great asset to our community as a hunter; it would be a shame to lose her just because your ego can't handle a few negative words. If you think defending those who deserve a second chance is a bad thing, then you don't deserve the position of Judge."