"Who are you! How dare you attack an officer! Put your hands on your head and squat down immediately!"
The police officer with the pistol raised it, pointing it at the young man approaching. His partner quickly drew his weapon as well, both muzzles aimed directly at the intruder.
Despite facing two guns, the young man didn't react with fear. Instead, he took one calm step—
—and vanished.
"Where did he go?!"
"How did he disappear?!"
The two spun around in panic, sweat beading on their foreheads.
"You two are truly ruthless… hurting a child this small. Are you even human?"
A quiet voice drifted behind them.
The officers spun around—
"When—?!"
"That's impossible! He was in front of us just now!"
The young man, Takumi, stood behind them, eyes cold enough to freeze the air.
"I don't have time to deal with trash right now."
He flicked his hand.
A shockwave erupted from his sleeve.
"Bang!!"
"Gahhhh!"
The officers were blasted backward, smashing into a cracked concrete pillar before collapsing into a heap, coughing up blood before slipping into unconsciousness.
"I'll deal with you properly later."
Takumi turned to the small figure curled on the ground—a little girl drenched in blood, bones fractured, breathing faint.
He crouched down, pulling out a vial of Dimensional City high-grade healing potion.
"Hang in there, little one."
As the blue light of healing enveloped her, Meihui's wounds stitched closed, broken bones knitting together, and her breathing steadied.
Takumi gently placed her fallen hat back on her head, then lifted her carefully and sat down with her in his arms.
After a moment—
"Mn…?"
Her eyes slowly opened.
"Is this… heaven? It's warm… there's no pain…"
Takumi chuckled softly.
"While I appreciate the compliment, you're not dead."
"Ehh?!"
She bolted upright—
"Thump!"
"Ow!!"
Her head collided with Takumi's chin, and she clutched her forehead with teary eyes.
"Easy, easy. No need to panic."
Seeing she could move on her own, Takumi released her.
She stumbled backward, eyes wide with fear and curiosity.
"W-Who are you? Why didn't I die?"
Takumi straightened his back, adopting an exaggeratedly proud tone.
"My name is Takumi. I'm much older than you, so you can call me Brother! And when asking someone's name, little one, you should introduce yourself first."
"Brother…? Aren't you afraid of me? I'm a Cursed Child…"
Her trembling voice held both fear and fragile hope.
"Afraid? Why? You're adorable. Too adorable to fear!"
Her face reddened instantly. She covered her chest with both arms and backed away two steps.
"You… Don't come near me!"
Takumi froze.
"That's not what I meant! Don't misunderstand!"
If Rimuru hears this, I'm dead! he screamed internally.
"I meant I like little girls—no! I like children—no, no, that sounds wrong too—listen, it's not what you think!"
Meihui stared at him for a moment—
—and suddenly burst into giggles.
"Pfft! Hahaha! Brother Takumi, you're funny!"
That smile will kill me… too cute! Takumi thought, shielding his eyes dramatically.
Once her laughter faded, Takumi asked gently:
"Feeling better now?"
"Mm! Thank you, Brother Takumi. My name is Meihui… I abandoned my surname."
She held out her tiny hand.
Takumi took it carefully, shaking it.
"Then I'll call you Xiao Meihui. And you can call me Takumi Brother, okay?"
"Yes! Okay, Takumi Brother!"
"Good girl."
She looked around the ruined building nervously.
"Did… you save me?"
"Yes. See those two pieces of trash there?" Takumi pointed.
Meihui followed his gaze—her eyes widened.
"Takumi Brother! We need to run! If someone finds us—!"
"It's fine, Xiao Meihui."
Takumi patted her hand gently.
"These guys aren't dead yet. They nearly killed you. Do you think I'd let them die easily?"
Meihui looked up at him, eyes trembling.
"Is… is that really true? You'll protect me?"
Takumi stroked her head softly.
"From now on, you won't need to fear anything. Anyone who bullies you will face judgment. Leave everything to Brother."
She choked, then burst into tears.
"W-Takumiiiih…!"
"Why do they hate us… why won't they give even old food… why… why did all my friends disappear…"
Takumi held her tightly, eyes burning red with restrained wrath.
"You did nothing wrong. This world wronged you. Its people wronged you. And I will change it."
He pulled back slightly.
"Alright, enough tears. If you cry more, you'll turn into a little calico cat."
"I-I'm not a calico cat!" she sniffled.
"Right. Xiao Meihui is a little beauty."
"I already am!"
Takumi smiled faintly.
"Good. Because now… I need to take care of something."
His eyes turned cold.
He stood, walking toward the unconscious officers—his killing intent thickening the air.
Behind him, Meihui watched silently, unaware that the man she met today was about to overturn her entire world.