"This is our ticket. Get the money ready."
After leaving the venue where the audience seats were, the two brothers walked straight to the counter. Toji calmly placed the small slip of paper in front of the staff.
"Please wait a moment, sir." The staff member took the ticket and began checking with his colleague to confirm its authenticity.
"Are you two not planning to keep playing? Your luck today is amazing. If you stay, you could earn much more. Who knows, maybe you'll even get some unexpected rewards~"
At the same time, a female attendant tried to lure them in with other gambling options. She threw a flirtatious glance at Toji and swayed her curvy body as she moved closer, clearly intending to use her charms to hook the handsome man before her.
Normally, a man who wanted to leave after winning just two million would only get a few words of persuasion from her. But this man was different. This one made her heart stir.
"Not interested." Toji gave her a passing glance before turning back to the counter. "Still not done checking?"
"Eh? Oh, yes, it's fine. Sorry! Please wait, we'll fetch your cash right away!"
The two staff members froze for a second, then hurried to apologize. One of them rushed off.
"Um…" The woman took a few steps back. She turned around, pulled out a small mirror from her pocket, and checked her makeup carefully. Satisfied that nothing was out of place, she turned back with a practiced smile.
"Didn't you hear me? I told you to scram." Toji's cold stare cut her words short.
"That's so mean… I just wanted to—"
She quickly switched expressions, crouching down and pretending to cry, hoping to gain sympathy from Mukuro.
"Don't make me repeat the same thing."
The boy's words were no warmer than his brother's. The woman stiffened, her confidence crumbling as doubt crept in.
"Sir, here's your money."
The staff member who had left returned, holding two thick envelopes. He handed them to Toji with respect.
"Let's go. Tonight, we'll eat better."
Toji squeezed the bulging envelope, a grin appearing on his face. He then tossed the other envelope to Mukuro.
"Your treat."
"Don't push it, brat. Otherwise, I'll take all your money while you sleep."
The brothers joked as they turned and left, leaving the stunned woman and staff behind.
* * *
"Two million. That'll last us for a while. In a few days, we should take Onshin out for dinner."
Walking down the street, Toji felt lighter, energized. He spotted a pachinko parlor by the roadside and nearly gave in to the urge to step inside.
"Hmm?"
Before he could take another step, a loud crash erupted ahead.
Bang!
Not far in front of them, two cars collided. A family sedan had been smashed from the side by a large dump truck. The force of the crash drove the smaller car into a wall, crushing most of its frame.
"Humans… really are fragile creatures …" Toji couldn't help but sigh.
Born into one of the Big Three Families, he understood well the vast difference between sorcerers and ordinary people. He hated those arrogant sorcerers, but he couldn't deny the weakness of non-sorcerers.
People like him and his brother, able to rival sorcerers purely by physical ability, were extremely rare beings.
"Get out of my way!"
The dump truck's driver, blood covering his face, jumped down and shoved aside the onlookers. He staggered but ran desperately, trying to escape.
And the crowd let him. They moved aside obediently, thinking it safer not to get involved.
"You think you can just run after hitting someone? I already called the police and an ambulance! Move your truck and let them get to the hospital!"
Just then, a young girl stepped forward. Her legs trembled, but she held up her phone resolutely, blocking the man's path.
"Mind your own business! I'll cut you down too!"
The man ran while reaching behind him, pulling out a knife and swinging it wildly. The onlookers screamed and scattered.
"What?"
The girl panicked and tried to back away, but someone shoved her from behind. She stumbled and fell hard.
"Ah!"
The knife came down, and she had no time to dodge. Instinctively, she raised her bag in front of her and squeezed her eyes shut in fear.
Snap!
A sound rang out, but the expected pain never came.
She opened her eyes slowly. A tall figure stood in front of her, shielding her just as he had on the day they first met.
"Toji-san!"
The girl was none other than Onshin.
"You're so fragile a gust of wind could knock you over. What are you trying to act brave for?"
Toji turned his head with an annoyed expression.
The knife-wielding man struggled on one knee, his wrist crushed in Toji's grip. No matter how he pulled, he couldn't break free.
"Uh… um…" Onshin lowered her head, nervously poking her fingers together. She didn't dare meet his stern gaze.
"Die!"
The man roared and tried stabbing with his other hand.
Clink!
To everyone's shock, Toji simply flicked his finger. The knife snapped in half, the broken tip clattering to the ground.
"Almost forgot about you. I don't care what you did, but right now, you're pissing me off."
His grip tightened. Bones cracked and snapped under his hand, the man screaming as his arm was crushed beyond recognition.
"Toji-san, the victims! Help them!"
Onshin finally remembered why she had stepped forward. Standing up, she patted Toji on the shoulder and pointed to the accident scene.
"They're not dead yet, but it's close," Mukuro called out. He had already pushed through the crowd and checked the car's occupants.
Inside the car was a couple. The husband's eyes were blank, lifeless. The wife still clung to a faint breath.
"Almost every bone in the body shattered, internal organs severely damaged. Do you have any last words?"
He could tell at a glance she was only alive through sheer will.
"Who… are you?"
Her blood-filled eyes looked at him as if seeing something clearly for the first time.
"Me? Just think of me as a hero for fun."
Mukuro rubbed his chin, considering before answering.
"A hero? To ask a child for help… But please, I beg you… don't let my daughter… don't let Riko become the Star Plasma Vessel… Please, save her…"
She coughed, blood pouring from her mouth along with bits of torn flesh. Her dimming eyes searched his face.
With twisted and bloodied hands, she pushed a few items into his arms.
"No way…" Mukuro caught them. A pocket watch locket, opened to reveal a three-person photo: herself, her husband, and a young girl.
"I have nothing else to give… but this is all I can leave…"
There was also a wallet, stuffed with thick ten-thousand yen bills.
"Mukuro, why are you here!"
Onshin rushed over, trying to cover his eyes from the bloody sight. Toji followed, dragging the broken man behind him.
"It's fine, Onshin-san. I'm not afraid."
Mukuro raised a hand, gently pushing hers away.
"Your request, I accept."
The woman's lips moved faintly as her life faded. A small smile lingered on her face as she exhaled her last.
**
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