"Dismantle."
The kid raised his hand, fingers shaped like scissors. His eyes glowed red, completely indifferent to his situation, like he wasn't scared of anything.
The mercenaries, who had been dead silent, started laughing. This situation was just too unreal. Too absurd.
The boss, standing with them, glared at everyone and snapped:
"Useless bastards! Is it really that hard to tie up one kid?" —his face twisted with fury.
A subordinate slapped a hand on his shoulder, grinning.
"Chill, boss. Nothing's gonna happen. After this, we're out anyway. Besides, this made my night."
The leader shot him a dirty look and shoved his arm off. Something felt wrong. He walked toward the kid and said:
"You think you're a hero, brat? Raising your hand like you've got powers to kill us just lik—"
Invisible lines sliced through the room at insane speed. The sound of scissors cutting followed right behind.
Air punched out of the man's lungs, trapping the words in his throat. Along with the blood, the words never came out.
He wasn't the only one. Others carrying boxes froze mid-step. The clatter of weapons, crates, and food hitting the floor echoed everywhere.
No one in that warehouse saw it coming. This was supposed to be their big final score: easy money from a contract, then disappear. Turns out, it was their last day too.
Like dominoes, they dropped one by one. Dying confused, spending their last seconds wondering what the hell just happened.
They all fell. Upper halves missing. The dull thud of dead bodies hitting concrete rang through the warehouse.
The smell of blood and death flooded everything. Guts and intestines spilled out everywhere. Walls painted with fresh blood. Like a horror movie scene turned real in seconds.
The only things that survived in that room: a bag of chips and what looked like a Coke.
The kid, unfazed, lowered his arm and walked toward the exit, stepping around blood and guts. Right before leaving, he remembered something. Turned back. Weaved through the corpses again.
Opened the door he'd come from. Went inside.
Came out with someone on his back.
POV: Itadori Yuji
after carrying the girl on my back, I left the warehouse with a small bag of food. We'd been locked up in the middle of nowhere, no idea which way to go. Grabbed it just in case. The area looked abandoned—no houses, no buildings around.
Before killing them, I hesitated. They didn't seem like they deserved it. Maybe just scare them off.
But kidnapping two kids without blinking? That told me this was normal for them. You can't expect a good life if you make a living hurting others.
Plus, listening to their chatter, I found out my name's still the same in this life. Coincidence? Destiny?
If I'm back as me, why don't I remember anything before reincarnating?
Hope I didn't land in some game where humanity's just puppets while higher beings have fun. Would be interesting, though, not gonna lie.
Before leaving, I checked a phone from one of the bodies. Date and time: October 18, 2004, 3:27 PM.
I'm in the past. But with changes. Born earlier, no parents. Now I'm a rich kid—doesn't change much, but better than being poor, right? The important thing: my grandpa alive. That... that's my biggest fear. I already mourned him, but now? No idea how to act.
Weird seeing someone who died, who shaped your life, alive again. But what can you do? I'm gonna enjoy my time with him. Spent my whole life regretting not keeping his promise.
Walking with my thoughts, I hit a road. Saw a city in the distance. We were close.
Since we're both from important families, first thought was to stay put. But how do I explain this? A massacre?
And if I can use this "energy," others probably can too. So I ran, girl on my back. Thought about leaving her, but couldn't shake the image of her waking up alone, seeing all that. More trauma.
So I took little koala with me. Wondered whether to wake her or not, but better this way. Let her walk, get tired. Plus, I really don't wanna explain that we got kidnapped and the kidnappers magically died.
She didn't weigh much. Easy.
Not gonna lie, I was scared standing in front of armed guys in this body. Dismantle took longer than it should've. Skill issue?
Probably.
Or maybe I just replicated the cursed energy output wrong. That could be it. Body's fine though. Not too tired, but a nap sounds good.
Looks like we're almost there, so shouldn't be any pro—
"Where are we going? Wait... who are you?"
A voice cut through my internal monologue. Our little friend woke up.
"Ah, you're finally awake" —I yawned— "I'm Itadori Yuji. Nice to meet you."
Waved a hand.
"Where... where are we?"
"No idea, but we're heading to that city over there."
She touched my shoulder shyly.
"Can... can you put me down? Please."
She seemed pretty normal for someone just kidnapped. Did she forget? Probably. Set her down carefully.
Truth is, I had no clue what to say now that she was awake. She looked at me suspiciously, but I felt like she trusted me. Like I was a reliable adult or something. Had to keep the conversation going.
"What's your name?" —I asked, smiling, looking her in the eyes.
She was shy. Looked down nervously. Well, from her perspective, she woke up with some kid her age in the middle of nowhere. Normal. Wouldn't surprise me if she didn't answer.
Then suddenly, she lifted her gaze, gained some confidence. Still shy though.
"Raiden... Raiden Mei. Nice to meet you" —she said, hand shaking a little as she offered it.
"Same here" —I shook it— "What do you remember about what happened?"
She looked surprised. Scared to answer, but met my eyes, then looked down.
"Hard to forget being dragged away on my way home from school... but you're asking how I am, and... I think I'm okay."
We kept walking toward the city.
"Glad you're okay. You hungry? Need anything?"
"N-no, not really hungry."
Right then, her stomach growled loud. Mei turned tomato red. Too embarrassed to speak. I grabbed the chip bag from my backpack and handed it to her. She took it, still embarrassed, and whispered:
"Thanks..."
While she ate, I opened the Coke I'd found in the backpack. Wait. "Homu-cola." Homu-cola? What kind of name is that? Why Homu and not Coca-Cola? Hope this pattern doesn't continue.
Sipping my Homu-cola, Mei offered me some chips. She's pretty sweet. Why'd they kidnap her? Didn't seem like a ransom job.
We walked and talked. Gradually, she opened up, got less shy. Offered her some Homu-cola. She refused at first, but clearly wanted some.
As we got closer to the city, she moved closer and asked:
"How... how did we get out of that warehouse? Aren't they looking for us?"
"Uh... no idea" —I said with my best poker face.
Mei stared, surprised.
"Huh? What do you mean you don't know? Didn't you save me?"
Looked away.
"No, I don't know. I mean, yeah, I got you out, but it wasn't me. I was outside."
Hands on her hips.
"Then how do you not know, Itadori-san?"
Pushed my lying potential to 120%. Put on a scared face.
"I-I was scared, Mei-chan. Someone else saved us, but they were terrifying. Said if I told anyone, they'd hurt my grandpa."
Please, Mei, buy it.
She looked at me a moment, then her expression softened.
"Sorry, Itadori-san. I didn't think about how you felt."
Phew, close one. God, I'm terrible at lying. Can't even lie to a kid properly. Good thing she's dropping it.
"No worries, Mei-chan."
Patted her head. Couldn't help it, she's adorable. She tensed at first, then relaxed.
It was night by now. Probably run into some drunk or homeless guy. We were in the city. With luck, we'd spot a cop. Or a bus.
Speaking of luck, a police car stopped right in front of us.
The headlights blinded us both, but we got through it. Kinda.
God, I have to lie again. Why do I always have to lie? Let's try half-truths.
Yuji, right now you're a kid. Just act like a kid.
A guy got out. Not too young, not too old. Looked tired. One hand on his walkie-talkie, static crackling.
"Central, we have the two missing kids. Repeat, we have the two missing kids. Over and out."
He approached carefully.
"You two okay?"
Mei stepped forward before me.
"Yes, we're okay, thankfully. Is our family nearby?"
"Not yet, but we've notified your families. Before confirming... you're Raiden Mei and Itadori Yuji, right?"
I answered this time.
"Yeah, that's us."
"Good. We shouldn't move from here, but there's a lot of personnel searching for you. We'll go to the nearest station and continue the process. Please get in the car. If you need anything, tell me, okay?"
"Yes" —we said in unison.
"By the way, I'm Ryotaro Dojima. Nice to meet you."
Mei spoke up this time.
"Thank you, Dojima-san. We'd still be walking all day if not for you."
Dojima smiled.
"No need to thank me. It's the job."
Pretty nice guy, Dojima. Even tired, he's helpful. Give this man a raise, seriously. He deserves it. Finding us probably means he'll get one anyway, so not bad, Dojima.
I waited for Mei to get in first. Meanwhile, I couldn't stop thinking.
My grandpa got a terrible temper. No idea what Mei's deal is with her parents. But I know I'm in for it. Big time. Guess I'll just pray I survive.
When I finally got in and the car started, Mei yawned.
"Finally going home. My legs hurt so much, I've never walked that far in my life. Itadori-san, what are you gonna do when you get home?"
"Not sure I'll make it home in one piece, Mei" —I blurted out.
"Huh?"
I quickly corrected
"Probably eat a big bowl of rice with meat and noodles. Then crash. Long night. What about you, Mei? What are you gonna do?"
"I dunno. My dad's not home much, so probably just eat and go to sleep."
Okay, I get it, you own a million-dollar company, Mr. Raiden, but seriously... a little attention for your own daughter? Well, what can you do.
Besides, I don't mind being friends with Mei. Not like I'll have many friends anyway. Can't hang out with kids too much—my reputation would tank.
So we're finally going home. Never thought my first day reincarnated would involve killing. Guess times don't matter—it's always the same. Everything gets solved with violence and death.
But who am I kidding? I chose that method. Could've picked another, but I didn't. 'Cause honestly? it doesn't matter.
Been thinking a lot lately. Dunno if that's good or bad. But I don't wanna think. Makes me feel... anxious? Not sure what this feeling is. Just wanna get there.
Just want this ride to end...
"Kids, you can get out now. We're at the station."
With that from our buddy Dojima, I opened the door, waited for Mei to get out, and closed it.
Well... hope my grandpa isn't too different from the one I remember.