Even with the looming threat of the arranged marriage hanging over him, Toji couldn't resist spending time with Helia on her rest day.

He took her to the weeping willow tree, the familiar spot where they can be just the two of them.

Helia is still a little bit tensed because of this whole arranged marriage thing, but Toji told her that he would take care of it, so she tries her best not to worry about it.

The two of them lay beside each other under the weeping willow, the soft whisper of the leaves acting as a soothing background to the moment they're sharing.

Toji's arm is wrapped around her shoulders, his fingers tracing light, lazy patterns on her skin.

The gentle breeze rustles through the leaves, creating a soft, melodic sound that is both comforting and soothing.

Helia can understand why this place has become a sanctuary for him, a place where he can find respite from the chaos and troubles of the clan.

As Helia and Toji continue to lay together beneath the weeping willow, her thoughts start to drift towards the plan he had previously mentioned-the plan to eliminate the entire Zenin clan.

With the events of the arranged marriage taking precedence, she hasn't had the chance to address this topic yet. But she doesn't want him to hurt people who don't deserve it.

"Toji?"

Toji, who was previously deep in thought, turns his head towards her at the sound of his name. His gaze softens as he meets her eyes.

"Hm?"

She hesitates for a few seconds, she doesn't want to ruin the moment of peace, but the thought that he might hurt innocent people encourages her to speak.

"About your plan to kill everyone in the clan..."

His expression changes at the mention of his plan, the softness in his eyes giving way to a more serious look. He glances away for a moment before looking back at her, his gaze unwavering but unreadable.

"What about it?"

Now it's too late to back up, she must continue. "Are you really going to kill every single person in the clan?"

He doesn't respond immediately, his gaze steady and unblinking. His expression is stoic, betraying none of the underlying emotions that the question has stirred up within him. After a few moments of silence, he finally speaks, his voice quiet and firm.

"Yes. Every single person within the estate will die."

His words send a chill down her spine, the cold tone in his voice a stark contrast to the affectionate way he spoke just minutes before. Sensing her discomfort, Toji continues.

"Every single person but you, don't worry."

This isn't what Helia was worried about. She was more worried about the children, the maids and and people who had done nothing wrong and don't deserve this.

"But what about innocent people?"

His eyes narrow, his expression hardening again as she brings up the topic of innocent people. The look in his eyes makes it clear that he has no intention of sparing anyone, regardless of whether they're innocent or not.

"There's nothing innocent about the way they treated me. They looked down on me, they treated me like dirt. They saw me as useless because I didn't have any cursed energy. I was worthless to them."

"I understand that you hate them for the way they have been treating you since you were a child. But there are innocent children within the clan that have nothing to do with all of this..."

His expression twists as she mentions the children in the clan.

"I know...I know. It's not like I want to hurt innocent people. But my target is the Zenin clan as a whole. The clan is more than just people. It's a system, a legacy. And that legacy needs to end."

She tries to speak on the gentlest tone she can.

"Toji, I don't care what happen to the people who hurt you they can die, and rot in hell for the rest of their existence. But those children don't deserve that, they're young and have the right to live..."

His expression softens slightly at her words. There's a hint of pain and guilt in his eyes, but he quickly masks it with his usual stoic demeanor.

"But it's not as simple as just sparing them. They're part of the clan...they're the future of the clan. If I don't eliminate them, they'll just grow up and probably become just like their parents."

She places a hand on his cheek in an attempt to calm the burning anger in his heart.

"But you can't kill people because of what they might become..."

His gaze is fixed on her, his eyes intense. The touch of her hand on his cheek seems to calm him slightly, his tense muscles relaxing a little. He stays silent for a few seconds.

He whispers her name, his voice barely audible. He's clearly torn, wrestling with the weight of his decisions and the consequences they'll bring.

"I'll think about it, but I can't promise you anything Helia."

This is already good enough for her. "Thank you..." She removes her hand from his face to lays closer to him.

His arm unconsciously wraps around her and pulls her flush against him. His body is taut, his thoughts still churning inside his mind.

As he holds her close, his mind is filled with conflicted emotions. He can't help but feel unworthy compared to her compassionate and caring nature. He's so consumed by anger and revenge and has spent years living in a world of violence.

His arm tightens around her. He can't comprehend why she's still here with him, accepting him despite his flaws and darkness.

His thoughts go silent as he absorbs the feeling of her body against him, the warmth and comfort of her presence soothing his troubled heart.

As for Helia, she's not sure that her words have changed his mind, but she hopes that he will listen to her and spare innocent lives.

And about those who aren't innocent, they can die in awful circumstances, it won't pain her. She almost felt relieved that Toji would be able to take revenge on those who made his life a living hell and dared to hurt him.

[...]

After an hour of contemplating the sky and leaves, Toji slowly sits up, his grip on her loosening as he untangles himself from her arms.

His expression is a little calmer now, the turmoil in his mind seemingly having subsided for the moment.

"I need to know. Will you...stay with me, no matter what I do? Even if I do things you might not agree with?"

His question hangs in the air, his gaze steady on hers. There's a vulnerability in his eyes, a hint of fear and anticipation.

Her thoughts race in her mind. Can she really stay by his side, support him, love him, and watch as he does things she prefers not to imagine?

As she ponders the question, she feels an undeniable pull towards Toji. Something about him, some inexplicable force, keeps her drawn to him despite everything.

Even if she tried to hate him, to distance herself from him, she can't shake the feeling that she's somehow tied to him. And the answer becomes clear in her mind.

"I promised you that I will always stay by your side no matter what and I'm not willing to break this promise."

A ghost of a smile graces his lips as he hears her words. He reaches out and gently brushes a strand of hair away from her face.

"Then I'll hold you to that promise. Always."

He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small, unassuming box. The sight of it makes her heart skip a beat, curious about what could be inside.

"I'm going to make you a promise too." He says gently.

As he opens the small box, her eyes widen at the sight of the ring inside. It's beautiful, glinting under the soft glow of the sunlight. He takes the ring carefully out of the box, holding it between his fingertips.

The ring is simple yet elegant, the metal a rich, polished silver. The stone in the center is a deep, crystalline blue, reflecting the light and drawing her eye.

"I promise you that after all of this is over, I will marry you. If you're okay with that of course..."

His words settle down send a jolt of surprise through her, but there's also a strange sense of excitement mixed with it.

The thought of being him being his husband, the idea of building a life together with him, it thrills her in a way she didn't expect.

"I want us to have a home of our own. A place where we can be free, away from everything. Just the two of us. No Zenin clan, no troubles, just...peace."

His description of a peaceful life, a cozy home secluded away from the world, makes her heart flutter. She pictures the two of them in a peaceful, picturesque home, far away from the troubles and the chaos. She answers, unable to contain her excitement.

"I'd love to!"

He smiles at her words, a rare, soft expression on his face. His hand still holding the ring, he reaches out and gently takes her hand in his free one.

As he slides the ring onto her finger, she looks down at it in awe, the cold metal against her skin a physical reminder of his commitment.

Then, before she can even fully process the moment, she leans forward, kissing him eagerly, her lips meeting his with an unexpected fervor.

His arms wrap tightly around her, pulling her close against him as he kisses her with a fierce passion that belies his usual cool and indifferent demeanor.

As the kiss deepens, his hand moves to the small of her back, pressing her more firmly against him.

The cool metal of the ring on her finger is a stark contrast to the heat of his touch, sending shivers of anticipation down her spine.

He breaks the kiss, his lips hovering close to hers as he gazes down at her, his eyes never leaving her. His voice is filled with a quiet determination as he speaks about the ring that now graces her finger.

"This ring...It's the symbol of my promise to you."

He lifts her hand, his thumb gently running over the band of the ring as he looks at it. He lifts her hand again, bringing it to his lips and placing a gentle kiss on the ring before gazing into her eyes.

"I love you, Helia."

Those four simple words, coming from his lips, send a rush of emotions coursing through her.

Her heart is drumming in her chest like a wild bird trying to break free. His declaration of love has sent her emotions in overdrive, a whirlwind of joy and wonder swirling inside her.

He's not used to expressing his feelings so openly, but there's a sense of relief in his eyes, as if a burden has been lifted from him.

"I love you too Toji."

He draws her closer, his hand cupping the back of her head as he places his lips on top of hers again. They move against hers, his kiss expressing the depth of his feelings through every caress, every touch.

He breaks the kiss, and he rests his forehead against hers, his breath mingling with her as he speaks.

"Let's live a happy life together."

He wants this peaceful life, this happiness, with her more than anything. And Helia wishes nothing more than this.

"Yes."

His lips claim hers again, this time with a slightly more insistent, more demanding edge. His hand tangles in her hair, pulling her closer as his tongue sweeps over her lips, seeking entrance to her mouth.

The faint whisper of the leaves adds a sense of tranquility to the moment, wrapping them in a cocoon of solitude and peacefulness.

Each time she feels the cold metal of the ring on her finger, it's a physical reminder of Toji's love and commitment.

A physical symbol of their connection to each other, a silent promise of a future filled with love, peace, and happiness.