Cousin Uncle

The vermilion wooden gate at the courtyard entrance stood half open. The bronze bell hanging from the lintel swayed gently in the breeze, giving off delicate, clear chimes.

Toji slowed his steps. The little boy on his shoulder breathed evenly, his long eyelashes trembling with each breath like a butterfly resting on a petal.

He raised a hand and tapped his knuckles lightly against the wooden gate, using just enough force to announce their arrival without waking the sleeping boy.

"Hey, kid. We're here." Toji's voice was much softer than it had been in the confinement chamber. Gone was his flippant teasing, replaced by an almost imperceptible gentleness.

Zhiyan's consciousness seemed submerged in a warm whirlpool. The bell's chimes and Toji's voice reached him through a hazy barrier, distant and indistinct.

The purple lightning from his dream still flashed before his eyes, and Nue's cries seemed to echo in his ears. He struggled to open his eyes, but his eyelids felt weighted with lead.

Only when Toji's shoulder shifted slightly did he snap his eyes open, as though startled awake.

His vision was blurry at first. The familiar courtyard entrance came into view, with its neat rows of blue-gray roof tiles and green vines climbing the corner of the wall. Sunlight filtered through gaps in the vines, scattering patches of light and shadow across the ground.

He froze for a moment before realizing he was still draped over Toji's shoulder. The familiar scent of tobacco and sunshine lingered around his nose, reassuring him.

"Put me down." Zhiyan's voice was hoarse from sleep, with a trace of lingering exhaustion.

He struggled to slide off Toji's shoulder, but his aching body made his movements clumsy.

Toji chuckled and followed his movement, bending slightly to set him firmly on the ground.

The instant Zhiyan's feet touched the ground, his knees buckled, and he nearly stumbled and fell. The battle had drained every last bit of his cursed energy, while the strain of controlling his shikigami had left his head aching. Now his entire body felt as though it had fallen apart.

Toji caught him before he could fall. His fingertips brushed the skin of Zhiyan's arm and found it icy cold, covered in a fine sheen of cold sweat.

"Tch, that wiped out?" He raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing, but kept a steady grip on Zhiyan's arm. "Just say so if you can't walk. I don't mind hauling you inside."

"No need." Zhiyan gritted his teeth, pushed Toji's hand away, and slowly straightened with the doorframe for support. He looked up at Toji, his face still pale but his eyes once again clear. "Thank you."

The thanks was sincere, without his earlier distance or wariness.

Toji raised his eyebrows, clearly not expecting the stiff little kid to thank him of his own accord. He waved a hand, some of his usual flippancy returning. "No need to thank me. It was a fair trade, after all. Barely any trouble. But seriously, kid, that all-or-nothing move you pulled to summon Nue was pretty impressive." He paused, a flicker of approval crossing his eyes. "Any other six-year-old would've been bawling their eyes out. You actually had the guts to take the gamble."

Zhiyan said nothing. Holding the doorframe for support, he slowly made his way into the courtyard.

The Zenin Clan had arranged this courtyard especially for him. Its luxury came second to its peace and quiet.

An old pagoda tree stood in the center, its branches thick with leaves. A stone table and several stone stools sat beneath it. Sunlight streamed through gaps in the foliage, casting shifting patches of light across the ground.

"Hey, you're just going to leave me standing at the gate?" Toji followed him with both hands in his pockets, sounding a little disgruntled. "I brought you home, you know. Not even a cup of tea?"

Zhiyan stopped and glanced back at him. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Come in."

Toji grinned and followed him inside without ceremony. He went straight to the stone table and sat down, then picked up an apple from the tabletop, wiped it off, and took a bite.

"Nice courtyard you've got here. A lot better than my dump." He chewed his apple and surveyed the scenery, his gaze casual, yet seemingly taking in the entire layout without any effort.

Zhiyan ignored his remarks and slowly lowered himself onto a stone stool, feeling exhaustion wash over him like a tide once more.

He raised a hand to rub between his brows, but the battle in the confinement chamber replayed unbidden in his mind: Toad's restraining slime, the Divine Dogs' wind-based offense and defense, Rabbit Escape's distracting doubles, and his final, desperate resolve when summoning Nue.

Every detail was crystal clear. In particular, the seamless understanding between him and his shikigami stirred a feeling he could hardly put into words.

"Thinking about the fight?" Toji's voice broke into his thoughts. He set down the apple core and looked at Zhiyan's pale face. "Your tactics were pretty good. You knew how to adjust to the cursed spirit's reactions as they happened, and your shikigami worked together well enough. But have you thought about what would've happened if that cursed spirit had been a little craftier, or if your cursed energy had run out a little faster?"

Zhiyan looked up at Toji, his gaze calm. "I have. But in that situation, dragging out the stalemate would only have put me at a greater disadvantage." He paused, his voice firm. "Better to take the initiative than stay on the defensive."

"Commendable courage, but too risky." Toji shook his head, his tone turning serious. "Remember, jujutsu battles aren't about gambling on luck. They're about finding the surest way to win when there's an overwhelming gap in strength. You won today for three reasons. First, that cursed spirit had plenty of brute strength, but not much intelligence. Second, your shikigami really do have some unique strengths. Third... you got lucky."

Zhiyan did not argue. He knew Toji was right. During the cursed spirit's counterattack, the consequences would have been disastrous if he had not reacted quickly and recalled the Divine Dogs in time. And summoning Nue at the end truly had staked all his remaining cursed energy on one move. If he had failed to land a killing blow, he would have been left helpless once his cursed energy ran dry.

"Still, getting this far at six is already pretty remarkable." Toji shifted his tone, no longer hiding his approval. "Forget coordinating three shikigami in battle and exorcising a cursed spirit-hardly any kids your age in the Zenin Clan have even awakened their cursed techniques. The old man picked the right kid. You really do have what it takes to be the heir."

At the mention of being the heir, Zhiyan's eyes showed neither delight nor resistance. "Being the heir gives me better resources for training. That's enough." He knew exactly what he wanted-not the clan's power or wealth, but enough strength to control his own fate and protect the people he wanted to protect.

As for clan affairs, those could wait until he grew up. Right now, he had only one goal: to become stronger.

Toji raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by his answer. "Oh? You don't want to inherit everything the Zenin Clan has? Power, wealth, status-plenty of people spend their lives chasing those things."

"Those things are useless to me." Zhiyan shook his head, his eyes clear and resolute. "Or rather, they're not much use to me right now. Once I'm strong enough, they'll come naturally."

Toji gave a low hum and said nothing more, though inwardly he marveled.

The Zenin Clan had produced its share of outstanding youngsters over the past century, but most had been blinded by the clan's glory and power, becoming either arrogant and complacent or impatient for quick success.

Yet this kid was only six, and his mind was as steady as cold jade polished by the years. His talent was startling, and his composure and clarity far surpassed those of his peers. What was he if not a prodigy? If properly nurtured, someone like him might reach heights even the old fossils of the Zenin Clan could never hope to match.

Suddenly, light footsteps sounded from a corner of the courtyard, accompanied by a soft, bell-like child's voice that rang through the breeze and melted the heart. "Big brother! You're back! Wana's been waiting for you forever and ever!"

Before her words had faded, a tiny figure came toddling out through the vine-covered moon gate, her plump little arms and legs swinging. Her hair was styled in two round, dangling buns, with pale pink silk ribbons tied at the ends. As she ran, the ribbons fluttered like two pink butterflies taking flight.

She was Zhiyan's younger sister, Wana Zenin. Behind her followed a maid of fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a blue cloth jacket and skirt, her eyes lowered respectfully. She kept her steps light, afraid her little mistress might trip if she ran too fast. This was Wana's personal maid, Aoi. She also carried a gold-trimmed white porcelain plate holding several neat squares of Osmanthus Cake, their faint sweetness drifting through the air.

Wana was only five, innocent and carefree through and through, and had clung to Zhiyan since she was little. Whenever he went out, she would bring a little stool to the courtyard gate and wait. Today, after waiting for over an hour, she had finally heard movement at the entrance, pulled free of Aoi's hand, and pattered over.

She spotted Zhiyan beside the stone table at once. Her dark eyes lit up like two honey-soaked glass beads, and she sped toward him on her short little legs, completely oblivious to the stranger sitting nearby.

She flung herself against Zhiyan's legs and wrapped her soft little hands tightly around his knees. Looking up with her delicate face, she knitted her fine brows into a tiny knot, her sweet voice full of concern. "Big brother, your face is so, so pale. Are you all worn out? Did training hurt?"

Her little hands were warm against the cool fabric of Zhiyan's clothes, like a tiny fire. Without realizing it, he relaxed the shoulders that had tensed from the depletion of his cursed energy.

He looked down at the little girl beside his legs. His pale face remained mostly expressionless, but a softness rarely seen by others rippled through his eyes. He gently stroked her hair buns, keeping his touch featherlight so he would not disturb her carefully tied ribbons. His voice lowered, hoarse but gentle. "Mm. A little tired. It's nothing. I'll be fine after some rest."

"Then Wana will blow on it for you! A little blow and it won't hurt anymore!" Wana tipped up her face and leaned toward his knee to blow gently twice, her cheeks puffing slightly like a little kitten eager to please. Afterward, she blinked as though waiting for praise and tugged at his hem. "All better! Do you want some Osmanthus Cake, big brother? Aoi just made it. It's sweet, but not too rich. Wana saved lots and lots for you, and it's cooled down!"

As she spoke, she let go and started to run toward the house. Aoi hurried forward two steps and gently urged, "Slow down, miss. The ground is slippery. I'll fetch it." But Wana shook her little head and pushed off with her short legs, insisting on doing it herself. "No, no! Wana wants to give it to big brother herself!"

She pattered over to Aoi and carefully picked up a piece of Osmanthus Cake from the gold-trimmed plate. The cake was soft and dotted with tiny bits of osmanthus, and she held it very gently, afraid of crushing it. Keeping her little body straight, she walked back to Zhiyan step by step, rose onto her tiptoes, and offered it to him, her eyes sparkling. "Big brother, eat!"

Zhiyan looked at the Osmanthus Cake held before him, its delicate floral sweetness filling his nose, then at her determined effort to stand on tiptoe. He reached out to take it, his fingertips brushing her slightly cool little hand. "Thank you, Wana," he said softly.

He took a small bite. The delicate sweetness melted on his tongue, soft and pleasant, soothing the dryness in his throat. It seemed that even the weariness of the day's training eased a little with that touch of sweetness.

Seeing him eat it, Wana beamed, her eyes curving and two shallow dimples appearing in her cheeks. She ran back to Aoi and picked up another piece of Osmanthus Cake. This time, instead of offering it to anyone else, she cradled it and trotted over to Toji beside the stone table, then stopped.

She looked up at Toji. The uncle before her had hard, cold features and a sharpness in his eyes that warned strangers away. There was also a faint scar near his ear. He looked quite unlike the gentle clansmen in the estate.

The little girl could not help feeling timid. Her grip on the Osmanthus Cake tightened, and she swayed slightly, but she still gathered her courage and held it out to him. Her soft voice carried a barely perceptible trace of fear, yet she remained perfectly polite. "Uncle, have some. Osmanthus Cake. It's yummy."

Toji looked at the tiny hand held out to him and the soft cake dotted with osmanthus, then at the little girl who was forcing herself to offer it despite being frightened enough that her eyes had gone slightly red. An amused smile suddenly curled his lips, and a teasing gleam entered his formerly indifferent gaze.

Instead of accepting the cake right away, he leaned down until his eyes were level with hers. He deliberately lowered his voice, giving it a touch of feigned menace. "Little girl, do you just hand food to strangers like that? Aren't you afraid I'm a bad guy who'll kidnap you?"

Wana's tiny body visibly stiffened. Her dark eyes blinked, as though she were seriously considering the question, and her fingers tightened around the Osmanthus Cake until her knuckles turned slightly white.

Zhiyan glanced up at Toji, a hint of resignation in his eyes, but said nothing and simply watched.

Aoi hurried forward two steps as well, intending to pull Wana behind her, but Zhiyan stopped her with a small wave of his hand.

A moment later, the little girl suddenly raised her head and looked at Toji, her eyes clear and firm. Her soft voice held unwavering certainty. "Uncle isn't a bad guy."

Toji raised an eyebrow and asked with interest, "Oh? Why not? I don't exactly look like a good guy."

"Because Uncle teaches big brother how to train!" Wana puffed out her tiny chest, her voice bright and clear. "Anyone who teaches big brother is a good person! Big brother is amazing, so the person teaching him must be good too! Good people should get sweet Osmanthus Cake!"

Her childish words were utterly earnest, like a tiny pebble landing gently against Toji's heart, sending an inexplicable ripple through its usually cold, hardened depths.

He looked into the little girl's clear eyes. There was not the slightest suspicion in them, only pure trust. Simply because he was "the person teaching big brother," she had decided he was good.

Such unreserved trust seemed especially precious in the Zenin Clan, where deceit and scheming lurked everywhere.

Toji chuckled and took the Osmanthus Cake from her hand. His fingertips happened to brush her soft little hand, warm with the particular warmth of a child.

He took a bite. The delicate sweetness of osmanthus melted on his tongue, completely unlike the plain food he usually ate, yet surprisingly light.

"Guess you've got a good eye." Toji's lips curved, the teasing leaving his voice and giving way to an almost imperceptible gentleness. He raised a hand and lightly ruffled Wana's hair buns. "Tastes good. Thanks, little girl. But I'm your cousin, not your uncle."

Seeing him eat the cake and even praise it, Wana immediately broke into a delighted smile, all the fear vanishing from her little face. She skipped back to Zhiyan, clung to his arm, and shook it as though asking for praise. "Look, big brother! Cousin Uncle thinks it's yummy too! The Osmanthus Cake Wana picked is the best!"

Toji nearly choked when he heard her. What the hell was a Cousin Uncle?

Watching her smiling face, Zhiyan's lips curved almost imperceptibly. He took another bite of Osmanthus Cake, its delicate sweetness spreading through him and easing even the throbbing ache in his head. He stroked Wana's head and said softly, "Mm. The ones our Wana picks are the best."

Seeing Wana so happy, Aoi smiled faintly as well. She stood quietly to one side with her hands lowered, watching the siblings interact. Even the cold, hard aura surrounding Toji beside the stone table seemed to soften in the courtyard's warmth.

The old pagoda tree spread its leafy branches overhead. Sunlight filtered through the gaps, casting mottled shadows across the ground. The delicate sweetness of Osmanthus Cake filled the courtyard, accompanied by a child's soft laughter and an occasional exchange of idle conversation. Time itself seemed to slow, warm and peaceful.