Sumire Tohsaka

"Finally let me out of the blacklist."

There was a hint of teasing in the man's tone.Those glacial blue eyes stared at her with a slight smile.

"do you miss me?"

Sumire Tohsaka sighed slightly upon hearing that.

"Please be serious, I'm tired of saying this, Mr. Wutiao."

Among the collapsed ruins, the girl raised her head and watched him quietly.For the first time, emotional fluctuations emerged in those jewel-like pupils, like subtle ripples on still water.

"You always come to my rescue."

As if to conceal this, the girl lowered her eyelids, her long eyelashes were like the spread wings of a butterfly, covering all her thoughts.Gojo Satoru could only hear her voice, which was as soft as a sigh.

"Is this really good? If this continues, even you will be involved."

If someone said this to Gojo Satoru, it would probably look like a joke.

If it were any one person, Gojo Satoru would probably sneer and ask "Who do you think I am?" instead.After all, he is Wujo Satoru, the only one in heaven and earth, a genius who is only one among billions of people, and the strongest magician who has changed the balance of the world....

However, when the words came out of Tohsaka Sumire's mouth, it took on special weight.

Gojo Satoru knew very well that what she said was not false.

From the very beginning, he knew what the one who had been staring at her... was.

The red shadow will surely kill her.

Because "that" is for that.

No matter what the price is, no matter how many people will be killed, no matter how many innocent people will be involved.Protecting her means making an enemy of "that".

Calling it a "curse" is not an exaggeration.

If measured by curses, "that" can be said to be the largest curse Gojo Satoru has seen so far-although there is no malice in it.

That's just instinct.It is a prayer.It is the thoughts gathered for survival.

Even he couldn't get rid of that kind of thing.

but……

"But, from the very beginning, you hoped that someone would come to save you." Gojo Satoru smiled slightly, clearly revealing the fact, "I'm here because you made this wish."

"You found it."

The girl smiled slowly.Only this time, there was a little bitterness in her smile.

"Because... I want to live."

Yes.

Because Tohsaka Sumire wanted to live that much.

Even if it is an enemy of "that", even if it is not allowed, she still wants to live.

So, as she wished - fate sent her someone who could save her.

"It's despicable, it's selfish." She said softly, "But even so, I still want to live. No matter how painful it is, I also hope to be with Sakura, sister, mother... and everyone , to survive in this world. No matter how many people will blame me for it."

Maybe it's better to die early.

Perhaps in the future everyone will hope so.

Perhaps this idea will be criticized by people who know the truth.

Living is a very painful thing, a thing that requires a lot of hard work, and a thing that may even hurt others... But even so, Tohsaka Sumire still wants to live.

"No, I don't think it's a problem at all."

Gojo Satoru suddenly bent down, stretched out his hand and rubbed the girl's head vigorously.The eyes were an ice blue, shining beneath the dark glasses so bright it was almost blinding.

"It's a good thing to want to live." He laughed, and although his tone was still so frivolous, it was inexplicably reassuring, "Don't worry, no matter who says you shouldn't live, I will blow him away .”

"..."

Sumire Tohsaka didn't know what to say for a moment, so she could only stare at him blankly.She knew better than anyone else what kind of promise this person had made to her at this moment.

Gojo Satoru pressed her head one last time, straightened up, his tall figure was against the moonlight, his shadow fell on her body, for some reason, it made her feel less cold.

Sumire Tohsaka couldn't see his expression clearly, but could only hear his voice, which was a rare solemn tone.As if stating a fact, he spoke to her calmly.

"I can only save those who are ready to be saved," he said. "So, one last time, are you ready to be saved, Sumire Tohsaka?"

The girl lost her mind for a while.

—Is she ready to be saved?

After a while, Tohsaka Sumire smiled slightly.She raised her arm and handed her hand into Gojo Satoru's outstretched palm.

"Yeah," she said, "I'm ready."

——Even if this is an impermissible wish.She still has to twist to the end.

The silvery moonlight sprinkled down from the night, like gentle rain, and like an empty lake, submerging them clearly and softly.Among the ruins, the girl held the man's outstretched hand.

"Then, we have an appointment."

Gojo Satoru said to her with a smile.

"I will protect you."

This is a covenant without any witness.Except for the white moon hanging high in the sky.

Tohsaka Sumire never thought that someone would make such an oath with her.In other words, someone could voluntarily make such an agreement with her on the premise of knowing everything.

It made her a little bit—though only a little—

The girl raised her other hand and gently pressed her heart.

What is this indescribable sadness and unstoppable throbbing?

That's weird.

She opened her eyes slightly, thinking in a daze.