In that heartbeat, time seemed to grind to a halt. I saw Megumi suspended high in the air and Sister Ayame being tossed aside by the impact of a car like a broken doll. The frozen world shattered back into motion. Moving at a speed I had never before achieved, I blurred across the asphalt, catching Megumi mid-descent before rushing to Ayame's side.
"A... Ayame-nee..."
There was no answer. She lay sprawled on the ground, her limbs twisted at unnatural angles, her body a map of fractures and internal trauma. I needed to assess the situation immediately.
'Megumi? He's fine. But Ayame-nee... if I leave her like this, she dies. Do I summon the Round Deer to heal her here, with everyone watching? No. I can't reveal that power to the public.'
I secured Megumi's swaddling cloth to my own body and gathered Ayame into my arms. I had to reach a secluded area immediately. But before I vanished, I channeled a precise spark of Nue's lightning-imbued cursed energy, sent it snaking across the pavement, and blew out the tires of the car that had struck them.
'If someone can commit such an atrocity and escape without consequence... that would be far too unfair.'
Finding a deserted alley, I summoned the Round Deer. It was my first time utilizing the stag to heal another person, and a thin layer of cold sweat coated my palms. However, the moment the shikigami manifested, its presence began to work wonders. Ayame's shattered bones began to knit back together, sliding into their rightful places with sickening wet cracks. As her life force stabilized, I felt my own cursed energy being siphoned away in massive gulps. By the time her wounds were fully closed, I had exhausted nearly half of my total reserves.
"Phew... I think that's it. I saved her... didn't I?"
'If I recall correctly, the original story mentioned that Toji only began his spiral into total depravity after his wife's death...'
Though her physical trauma was gone, the mental shock kept her unconscious. I hoisted Ayame onto my back and sprinted toward Toji's residence. I kicked the door open. Toji, who had been yawning as he prepared to greet me, froze. His eyes widened into dinner plates as they fell upon his wife's limp form.
"Touya. What the hell happened? Explain. Now."
His expression was that of a rakshasa from the deepest pits of hell—a look far more terrifying than the one he wore when he massacred the Zenin guards. I calmly recounted the events.
"Sister Ayame came out to see me off. We were supposed to meet across the crosswalk, but a car hit her as she was crossing. Luckily, she had the presence of mind to throw Megumi to safety before the impact."
"Hit by a car? What was her condition?"
"She was on the verge of death. Fortunately, I have a shikigami capable of healing others. I've repaired the physical damage, but the shock was too great; she hasn't woken up yet."
Toji let out a long, shuddering breath, the murderous tension finally bleeding out of his shoulders.
"I see... so she's safe? Both Ayame and Megumi?"
"Yes. She just needs rest. Honestly, I'm a bit drained myself... ah, wait."
I borrowed their house phone to call my father, Naobito Zenin. I explained the situation briefly and requested he handle the aftermath—providing the address of the accident and the license plate number of the vehicle involved.
"I see. Understood," Naobito replied. "So that's Toji's wife. Tell them I'm glad she survived. I'll begin the cleanup operations immediately."
"Thanks, Father. About the driver..."
"Don't worry. I'll handle it cleanly. I'll also ensure no word of this leaks out. You're certain no civilians saw you using your cursed technique?"
"Yes. I moved to a deserted area before summoning the shikigami."
"Then it is settled. I'll see you back at the estate. Everything will be concluded by then."
"Thank you, Father. I'll see you later."
I hung up and checked on Ayame, who was now resting on the master bed. Toji was seated in a chair by her side, staring at her face with an intensity that bordered on desperation.
"Ah, Touya. You're back," Toji said, standing up. He did something I never thought he'd do: he bowed his head deeply. "I didn't say it properly before... but thank you. Truly. Because of you, I didn't lose Ayame or Megumi."
Startled by the uncharacteristic display of humility, I waved my hands dismissively.
"Stop that, Toji. I only did what was right. She's your wife and my sister-in-law. She's precious to me, too. I'm just glad I was nearby."
"Really... thank you. If she were gone... I wouldn't have any reason left to live."
It was the first time I had ever seen Toji look so fragile.
"That's enough of that. She's alive and well. Now, I'm exhausted. Can I crash here for a bit? Wake me up when she comes to."
"Yeah. Take the sofa. I'd give you the bed, but we only have the one. I'll wake you."
I nodded and flopped onto the living room sofa. Just before sleep claimed me, I called out to him.
"Take care of Megumi too, Toji. I'm out."
My eyes closed, and I plummeted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
I wasn't sure how much time had passed when Toji's voice pulled me back to reality.
"Touya. Ayame is awake. Come check on her."
"Mmm...? I'm not a doctor... but alright."
Yawning, I walked into the bedroom. Ayame was sitting up, looking around with a dazed expression.
"Toji... Touya... what happened? I was certain I was dead. I thought if I woke up anywhere, it would be a hospital bed..."
"Sister, do you feel any pain? I used my ability to heal you as best I could."
I briefly manifested the Round Deer to touch her, but the lack of a healing reaction confirmed she was in perfect health.
"No... surprisingly, nothing hurts at all. How is this possible? I remember the impact... wait! Megumi! Where is Megumi?"
Her voice rose in panic. I quickly moved to reassure her.
"You saved him, Nee-san. He's perfectly fine. He's sleeping soundly right now."
"Oh, thank God... truly..." She burst into tears, the weight of the brush with death finally hitting her. "I thought I'd never see Toji or Megumi again."
Toji pulled her into a fierce embrace.
"Ayame. Thank God. When I saw Touya carrying you in... I thought my heart was going to stop. I can't even imagine a world without you. So please... don't ever leave me. You are my entire world."
Feeling like I was intruding on a private sanctuary, I quietly slipped out and closed the door. I spent some time watching the sleeping Megumi until the bedroom door opened again, Toji supporting Ayame as she walked out.
"Toji, I told you I'm fine... oh, look at the time. I should make dinner. Touya, you haven't eaten, have you? Stay for a meal. It's the least I can do for the person who saved my life."
"Are you sure? It feels a bit wrong to make someone who just came back from the dead cook..."
"Nonsense! I'm fine. If anything, I feel more energetic than usual! Hehe... stay right there, I'll have it ready in a jiffy."
I sat on the sofa. Toji hovered over her in the kitchen, his eyes never leaving her for a second.
"I'm fine, Toji. Really. You don't have to watch me like that, it's a bit embarrassing."
"I'm going to be like this for a while. I don't know when your condition might take a turn."
'Well, that definitely won't happen... but if this incident makes them closer, I suppose it's a good thing.'
Dinner was served, and we gathered around the table. Ayame held Megumi, feeding him a bottle while we ate.
"Even when that car hit me, I never dreamed I'd be sitting here in such peace again. Thank you, Touya. You're my savior."
Seeing her smile while holding her son warmed something deep inside me. Because of my intervention, this family could continue their happy, mundane life. A profound sense of accomplishment washed over me.
"Touya," Toji said, his tone unusually solemn. "You are the benefactor of this family. I'll grant you one favor—no questions asked—whenever you need it. I never work for free, but for you, I'll make an exception."
"A 'Toji Free-Pass'? I'm honored. Haha. Just live well. You've been given a second chance, so raise Megumi right. I have a feeling that kid has some serious talent. When he awakens his cursed technique, let me know. I'll train him."
"We'll see. Honestly, I'd prefer if he stayed away from the jujutsu world entirely."
After a warm dinner filled with laughter and domestic chatter, I headed back. Even Toji, who never bothered with social graces, walked me all the way to the exit.
Upon returning to the estate, I went straight to my father's quarters.
"Father. How was the cleanup?"
"Ah, Touya. It was handled perfectly. I've already squared things with the police and the fire department. The scene of the accident has been scrubbed, and I've gagged the newspapers. As for the most important part—the driver... he died in another accident this afternoon. Drunk driving. Apparently, one of his tires blew out before the crash. Do you know anything about that?"
'Dead? Well, he got what he deserved. Did he die because I blew the tire? I don't know, and frankly, I don't care. I do as I please. Some might call me a hypocrite, but I never claimed to seek justice. I merely deliver judgment to those who have it coming.'
I shook my head and looked at my father.
"No. I'm not sure. But I'm glad to hear the mess is sorted. Thank you, Father. I can rest easy now. I'm going to turn in; using that much cursed energy at once took its toll."
"Hmm... I see. Go rest, Touya. You did well today."
"Yes. Goodnight, Father."
I went to my room, showered, and collapsed onto my bed.
'I saved Ayame-nee. This prevents Toji's descent into darkness. The future will change. But... it's been so long. I can't remember every detail of the original timeline perfectly anymore.'
Even so, I had saved someone today. The feeling was pleasant. I had also contributed to someone's death. About that... I wasn't sure. Was my humanity eroding? I felt nothing. Drunk driving, running lights, speeding—he was a potential murderer. No, he was a murderer in the original timeline. I had simply executed him. I wasn't wrong.
'I... didn't do anything wrong.'
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