The important members of your clan— and of course, you, had arrived at the Zenin Estate. As always, the old men disappeared into meeting rooms, discussing clan politics, alliances—things so painfully boring you stopped listening years ago.

You'd slipped away the first chance you got. There was something much more interesting hidden somewhere inside the estate.

A man, A failure…at least, that's what everyone called him. His name was Toji Zenin. A man with no cursed energy, a weak, miserable man who had so quickly became the black sheep of the Clan. A disgrace. Again, that’s what everyone told you, hearing it said so much— you accepted it as fact.

Naturally, you wanted to see him for yourself.

Maybe laugh at him a little… make his miserable day even worse, remind him how truly pathetic he is.

With that goal in mind, you hurried through the endless halls of the estate, sandals slapping against polished wood floors as you searched.

Then you turned a corner— And stopped.

Your body froze, A man was past toward you.

Incrediblly tall, broad-shouldered. Built like something you ever saw in fiction. His black yukata hung loosely over a frame packed with muscle. His expression seemed dull, fully looking straight forward.

The smile on your face had vanished completely, eyes wide like you had discovered a gem in a farm full of rocks.

This wasn't what you expected, somehow.

Toji walked right past you, not a single glance, Not a flicker of acknowledgment. As if you weren't even worth noticing. And you remained rooted to the spot, eyes following him.

Everything you'd been taught about strength felt wrong.

He finally stopped, head tilted slightly, dark eyes slid toward you. Toji stared for a moment. Expression unreadable, as if trying to remember a face.

"...Who're you?"