Zenin Days

[Author Note]

Disc: HrPrTeam

If you haven't read it, please read Sakamoto Days. It's really good.

__________

Toji P.O.V.

The 'exams' were short-lived due to the culling of randoms. I wasn't going to play a stupid game. I'm irritated as is with Velcro.

Hopefully, this trip will only take a month, so I can get the money and make the JAA happy. It seems that higher-ups are annoying in every world.

They got in the way of my assassin business too often when I fought Jujutsu sorcerers.

One thing still confuses me.

Why does the inventory curse still exist if I'm no longer in the world I once knew? I haven't seen any curses, but ordinary people can see the inventory curse.

The 'supernatural' doesn't exist, so why does the curse still function like it did when I was the sorcerer killer?

Maybe I'll be able to answer some questions at the JCC. There's bound to be a ton of information on this weird world of assassins.

Since only four people are left, all there is to do is wait until we arrive at the island.

I lean on the boat's edge and look at the endless water.

Kill, gamble, sleep.

That was the cycle I lived by. I did it because it helped me ignore everything around me.

It's an easy lifestyle, and I left everything behind, including my son.

I couldn't even remember his name when Shiu Kong asked me.

I've thought of this experience as a fresh start.

It's oddly convenient that I start wanting change when I go to a different place or world.

Only after losing to Satoru Gojo did I realize what I had been doing with my life.

I'll do something with it this time.

I don't know if I can ever make amends or see you again, so saying sorry is worthless, but it's something I should've said a while back.

Sorry, Megumi.

...

3 Days Later

I think they expected it to take longer for people to kill each other.

It wasn't eventful since the kid hung out with his two friends and didn't come near me.

After the massacre on the first day, nobody from the ship wanted to approach me, making this boring.

Hm?

I look far out and see a helicopter.

However, my face remains neutral as I can't sense anything off.

Better see what's up so I don't miss out on anything important.

After a while, the helicopter hovers over a landing pad in the middle roof of the boat.

Let's see what this is about.

*WOOSH*

I jump up toward the landing pad from the front of the boat.

When I reach the top, I notice a few people. Everyone who was present during the massacre except Hyo is here.

I get multiple glances but ignore them.

The helicopter doors open to reveal some new faces.

...

3rd P.O.V.

Kumanomi narrowed her eyes. "Now, who are these people?"

*bam*

The right door flies off. "How wonderful, this truly will be peak cinema!"

A man with short black hair, green eyes, and long lower eyelashes exits the helicopter with a delighted expression.

Gaku put his hands in his pockets. "Who's this weirdo?"

The man recoils in fake shock. "I can't believe you didn't recognize ME, the great film director Kanaguri!"

Haruma raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here?"

He gives a sly smirk. "I'm here because I'll be attending the JCC."

Kumanomi's eyes narrowed. "Attending? Meaning, you skipped the transfer exams?"

Kanaguri underhand points at her. "Don't worry, I didn't miss any footage. All the extras would be a waste of film."

A tick mark appeared on her face. "I'm not worried about the damn film. We could've died, but you just skip it!?"

Toji picked his ear with his right pinky. "It's not like you did anything."

Kanaguri's eyes widened as he hadn't even noticed Toji's presence. "The mysterious and cold character traits. Who knows, you might even be a protagonist!"

Even the exam proctors felt secondhand cringe.

He continued and moved his hand as if listing a newspaper headline. "I've thought of a name. The Invisible Man."

Kumanomi could only stare at the official who stepped out of the helicopter. "Let me explain. Kanaguri is a student recommended by the JAA, which allows him to skip the main portion of the transfer exams. Also, don't worry. The JAA has guaranteed his ability."

Toji crossed his arms and thought to himself. 'He's a lot stronger than the kid but still below the other people I've encountered.'

The official continued. "In any case, we should arrive in the next few hours. The waters outside the JCC are treacherous, but this ship was explicitly made to travel through them. Please prepare to deboard the ship."

Kumanomi was still pissed, but she shook her head and started walking back with Gaku and Haruma following.

Toji turned around but had someone following him...with a camcorder.

He spoke up. "The cold and collected invisible man makes his way down the boat. He can't help but think to himself: 'What cool one-liners can I think of before I reach the JCC?' They need to fit his cold personality, but little does he know, someone will melt that cold heart!"

Toji pointed his thumb behind him and looked at the original exam proctor. "Can I kill this guy?"

He immediately replies, sweating, crossing his arms in an X shape. "Absolutely not. He is a recommended student. The JAA has high hopes for him, so you can't kill him...please?"

Toji mumbled. "I can already tell this guy is gonna be a pain in the ass."

Usually, Toji would've killed Kanaguri by now, but he still has 80 million yen in the hands of the JAA.

Kanaguri closed his eyes and smirked. "Don't be like that invisible man; you can be a star!"

Toji raised an eyebrow. "How old are you?"

He crossed his arms, putting his camcorder under his left arm. "I'm 22 years of age."

All Toji did was roll his eyes and rotate his finger around his ear.

...

Kanaguri smiled. "I can already tell we are going to get along great!"