章 27: Chapter 27

When Zoro opened his eyes, he saw Toji's face sleeping in front of him.

As soon as he realized Toji was sleeping beside him, Zoro immediately closed his eyes again and deliberately breathed evenly as if he were asleep.

Toji was sensitive when asleep; approaching too closely or staring for too long would wake him.

Fortunately, it seemed he hadn't awakened, as Zoro could hear Toji's faint breathing by his ear. For some reason, Toji's presence was particularly faint.

"..."

It wasn't a fact that Zoro particularly liked. After all, he could confirm it with his Observation Haki.

The rustling sound of breathing came from within his arms. It was Megumi. Megumi's new fluffy winter pajamas brushed against Zoro's arm. Whether it was the cold or just a desire to snuggle, Megumi made a whining sound and gradually moved closer into Zoro's embrace.

Zoro wriggled his arms to wrap them around Megumi's body. Once fully embraced, Megumi seemed content, stopped fussing, and fell into a peaceful sleep.

Rustle.

Hearing the sound of Toji getting up, Zoro opened his eyes in a flash. Toji, who was sitting up, pressed down on Zoro's head with his hand.

"Sleep more."

"I'm already awake."

Toji chuckled at Zoro, who was carefully getting up so as not to wake Megumi.

"You're tender."

"I guess..."

Not sure. Childcare felt like an endless battle, no matter how much you cut through it. He was trying his best, but whether he was doing well remained uncertain. Am I doing it right?

Zoro looked at Megumi's rounded belly. Underneath the thick pajamas lay a significant innate power, quietly contained. Megumi's power was like water in a bottle, not leaking out at all.

"What's wrong?"

"Just thinking about the innate power."

Compared to the innate power that non-sorcerers possess, a sorcerer's is incomparably greater, just as they say.

"Sorcerers are all affiliated with the Jujutsu Headquarters, tasked with killing spirits and Curse Users," Toji stated.

"Yeah. Or they become Curse Users themselves," Zoro replied, frowning.

"Don't like that?"

"Yeah."

Why should they decide what Megumi does with his life? That decision should be entirely up to Megumi.

Doing what one loves is best. Of course, life doesn't always go as desired, but Zoro still wanted Megumi to have the freedom to choose his own path. If he wishes to be a sorcerer, so be it; if he desires something else, then that's fine too.

"I wish for him to live freely."

Toji rested his chin on his hand. It was somewhat incomprehensible that a being born with such blessings could opt out of becoming a sorcerer, but he had no intention of dissuading Zoro. Nor did he feel entitled to.

As Megumi's foot peeked out from under the blanket, Zoro gently pulled it up to cover him. Toji chuckled at the familiar overprotectiveness.

"Blessed, your brother is."

"You're the one who named him."

Megumi.

"...Right."

Toji suddenly remembered the time he had spent flipping through dictionaries, comparing various characters to name Megumi.

Zenin Toji hardly ever heard his name used during his childhood. Dubbed the disgrace of the Zenin family, there were few who would call him by his given name and surname properly. When he was called, it was often with disdainful labels like "you," "that thing," or "disgrace."

His name itself was uncomfortable—severe and you. The name chosen by the previous family head clearly reflected what he thought of him.

He wanted to give his child a name with a good meaning, something different from his own. After much thought, he chose Megumi.

Hoping for a blessed existence and a blessed life.

'As for Zoro, it was Chie who named him.'

Toji thought the name Zoro (ゾロ) wasn't bad either. Unlike the naming conventions in the sorcery world, where names are given with kanji and imbued with meaning, Zoro's name was simply in katakana, without any particular meaning or hope attached to it, hence free from any curse.

If the name Zoro were to acquire any meaning, it would be one derived from the life Zoro lives.

"That's good," Toji said calmly.

You're different from me.

Zoro quietly observed Toji's distant green eyes. Sometimes, even though Toji was right there, he seemed as if he might disappear at any moment. Like now.

It seemed like Toji was intentionally keeping a distance from them. His reluctance to call Megumi by name, or his tendency to step back instead of approaching when Megumi and Zoro were together, made it clear.

As if he felt he didn't belong, he always maintained a boundary, taking a step back. There was a subtle distance, as though he was there but always ready to leave.

That's why Zoro still couldn't fully trust Toji.

'I thought we were getting closer.'

One moment he's expressing gratitude, and the next, he's distant again. Zoro didn't like this version of Toji.

"..."

He should make it then.

With Toji's birthday approaching, he could make that as a gift. But it wouldn't feel like a birthday present if that was all he gave, so he should include something else. What should it be?

After pondering for a while, Zoro stood up and extended his hand.

"Give me your hand."

"...?"

When Toji extended his hand, Zoro drew a small dagger he was wearing around his neck. With a swift sound, the tips of Toji's white nails were slightly clipped off. Zoro quickly picked up the fallen nail pieces and then disappeared into another room.

"...??"

Toji looked bewilderedly at his slightly shortened nails.