A flicker of understanding crossed Gojo's face. The tracksuit, the panicked yelling, the familiar language, it all clicked. "So," he stated, cutting straight to the chase with the casualness of someone asking for the time, "how did you die?"
Subaru stared at him, utterly baffled. "What do you mean, how did I die?"
It was Gojo's turn to be confused. His brow furrowed slightly. "I died. Then I opened my eyes, and I was here. Isn't that how it works?"
Subaru shook his head vehemently, waving his hands in front of him. "No, I think you've got it wrong! I didn't die! I was just on my way home from the convenience store, bought some snacks, stood on the sidewalk for a second, and… bam! I was here. I even had the snacks with me! I was just… transported."
"Huh. Well, whatever," Gojo said with a dismissive shrug, the mystery already boring him. "It's not like I can do anything about it. I definitely died, so I guess this is round two for me. I was just wandering around when I heard a little girl crying her eyes out for help."
"I-I wasn't crying, okay!" Felt piped up from the side, her cheeks flushing red. "There was just… something in my eyes! I wasn't crying!"
A wide, teasing grin spread across Gojo's face. "Yeah, yeah. I must have been imagining things, then. A cute little girl with tears in her eyes and snot running down her nose, begging someone to save her."
"Hey!" Felt stomped over and threw a small punch at his leg. To her surprise, it connected with a soft thud; Gojo had deactivated his Infinity for the light tap. Her face was a mask of embarrassment. "Now you're just making it up!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm making it up," Gojo chuckled, ruffling her blond hair affectionately. He then turned his attention to Emilia, who was still tending to the unconscious Rom. "Hey, girl, is that huge dude okay?"
"Yes," Emilia replied, looking up with a gentle smile. "I've healed the wounds he got from the Bowel Hunter. He should wake up later." She stood and gave Gojo a deep, formal bow. "And thank you, very much, for helping us. If it hadn't been for you, we would have been heavily injured, or even dead. Thank you." She looked up expectantly, hoping for the name of the man who had so effortlessly saved them.
"Satoru. Satoru Gojo," he said, his voice smooth. "You can just call me Gojo. Or Satoru. Whatever you like." He then leaned in, closing the distance between their faces with his usual lack of regard for personal space, a mischievous glint in his sky-blue eyes. "But," he whispered, "I'm really interested in this healing magic you were using."
Startled by his sudden closeness, Emilia stuttered, a blush creeping up her neck. "A-are you a foreigner, too? Like Subaru? I heard you two talking… I couldn't understand it, but it seemed like you knew each other."
"Not really," Subaru interjected, stepping between them. "He's just from the same place I am. I don't know him." He then turned on Gojo, his voice rising with indignant jealousy. "And hey! How did you get all those cheats?! I didn't get anything when I got here! You know how unfair that is?!"
Gojo leaned back, looking genuinely puzzled. "Cheats? What are you talking about?"
"What do you mean, 'what am I talking about'?!" Subaru exclaimed, gesturing wildly. "Don't tell me you got that handsome face as a bonus, too! Did you customize your body when you arrived? And those cheat abilities! The barrier that stopped Elsa's attacks! The teleportation! Ahhhhh, it's so unfair!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Gojo said, his expression flat. "And I didn't 'customize' anything. This is me. I was born with these powers. Don't tell me you're getting all this from those isekai manga."
"Of course I'm talking about those manga!" Subaru shot back. "And what do you mean you were born with those abilities?!"
"Just what I said," Gojo replied with a simple shrug. "I was born with them."
"Hello…" Emilia interrupted, her soft voice cutting through their bizarre argument. "I'm sorry to interrupt. But Gojo, you said you're not from here, and you're interested in magic. As a thank you for saving us, how about you stay at Lord Roswaal's mansion? I can even help you learn about magic… if you want, of course. I can't just let your help go unrewarded."
"Really…?" Gojo's interest was piqued. A free place to stay and a magic tutor sounded way better than wandering the slums.
"Of course," Emilia said with a warm smile. "I would be happy if you'd accept. It's the least I can do."
"Well…"
"We'll take it!" Subaru shouted before Gojo could even finish the word. "Thank you so much, Emilia-tan!"
Just as the decision was made, another figure entered the wrecked inn. He was handsome, with fiery red hair and clad in a pristine white uniform. A gentle, knightly smile was on his face. "Miss Emilia," he said, his voice calm and melodic. "I heard a commotion and came to see what the problem was… but it seems it's already been resolved."
"Oh, Reinhard," Subaru said with a sigh. "I think you're a little late."
Reinhard's gaze fell on Subaru, who had been mostly obscured by Gojo's tall frame. "Ah, Subaru. You are here as well. I certainly wasn't expecting this. Miss Emilia, if I may ask, what brought you to a place like this?"
"My insignia was stolen," Emilia explained. "After I lost its trail, I asked the lesser spirits for help, and they told me it was here."
At the mention of the insignia, Felt fidgeted. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the small, ornate object she had stolen. "Here," she said quietly, holding it out. "You can take it back."
As she held it, the small white jewel embedded within the insignia began to glow with a brilliant, pulsing light. Reinhard's eyes widened. He moved swiftly, taking Felt's small hand in his own. "What?!"
"What is your full name, my lady?" Reinhard asked, his voice gentle but his grasp firm.
"F-Felt! I'm just an orphan, I don't have a surname!" she stammered, tears welling in her eyes as Rom began to stir and move towards them protectively. "P-please don't hurt me, I only steal to survive!"
"No, my lady," Reinhard said, his expression softening. "This glowing… it means you are a candidate for the Royal Selection."
"B-but, isn't it just glowing because she's here?" Felt asked, pointing at Emilia.
Reinhard shook his head. "No, it requires direct physical contact." He took the insignia from her, and the gem immediately returned to its dull, dark red color. "See? Unfortunately, this means you have to come with me."
Without further ceremony, he swept her up into a princess carry and tossed the insignia to Emilia, who caught it with a frown. "That's not very knightly, Sir Astrea, kidnapping a girl like this."
The Sword Saint sighed dramatically. "Alas, circumstances dictate such behavior is necessary. I believe we'll meet again, Lady Emilia." And with that, he was gone, a red blur disappearing out the door.
Gojo just stood there, having watched the entire, lightning-fast exchange without saying a word. The guy was clearly a knight, and his polite demeanor suggested he wouldn't harm the girl. Still.
"How hurtful it is to be ignored for a whole conversation like this," he grumbled to no one in particular, a pout on his face. "I haven't been treated this harshly even by Nanami." After his brief rant, he turned to Emilia. "Is it okay to just let that little girl get taken by him?"
"Please don't worry," Emilia reassured him. "He is the Sword Saint, a knight of the kingdom. He wouldn't do anything to hurt her. On the contrary, I believe that insignia glowing means Felt is a candidate in the Royal Selection, just like me."
Gojo's eyebrows shot up. "Royal Selection? Like, for picking a king or queen or something?"
"Yes," Emilia confirmed with a nod. "Exactly like that."
….
A/N: So How was it?! This misunderstanding will continue to grow in subaru mind.