Upon hearing the name "Mai," Rin suddenly let out a soft chuckle.
The laughter was light, yet exceptionally clear, carrying genuine amusement.
Maki was instantly stunned. She had known Rin for so long, yet this was the first time she had seen him laugh. When he laughed, his eyes would crinkle slightly, and the previous sense of detachment vanished without a trace, making him appear exceptionally gentle.
"Don't compare me to a half-baked amateur like your sister."
Rin stopped laughing, his tone carrying a hint of teasing but no malice:
"The pistol she makes isn't much more powerful than an ordinary firearm; at most, it's a 'toy.'"
He paused, then pointed to the Revolver in Maki's hand, a more serious look in his eyes:
"As for mine, my Cursed Technique is engraved on the gun body. It's a genuine special grade cursed tool."
"A special grade cursed tool?!"
Maki's eyes widened in surprise, and she instinctively tightened her grip on the pistol.
She knew how precious a special grade cursed tool was; even Tokyo Jujutsu High didn't have many. For Rin to be able to craft one himself, his strength was truly terrifying.
Rin nodded and began to introduce the Revolver to Maki in detail:
"The pistol has six chambers. Five of them are loaded with powerful Cursed Technique Explosive Rounds. Each bullet is equivalent to one of my full-power Cursed Technique attacks, powerful enough to inflict terrifying damage on a Special Grade Cursed Spirit."
He specifically emphasized:
"Remember, these five Explosive Rounds automatically replenish every twenty-four hours. This means you can only use them five times within a day."
Maki listened intently, her heart filled with shock.
Five attacks equivalent to Rin's full-power Cursed Techniques would undoubtedly be a powerful aid for her.
"What about the last chamber?"
Maki asked curiously, her gaze fixed on the gun's chamber.
Rin's tone softened:
"The last chamber contains an infinite supply of ordinary Cursed Energy bullets.
Their power is much less than the Explosive Rounds, but they can still wound a Special Grade Cursed Spirit, though not enough to cause fatal damage. However, they are more than sufficient for dealing with ordinary Cursed Spirits."
Maki looked at the Revolver in her hand, her heart filled with gratitude.
Five Explosive Rounds capable of severely injuring a Special Grade Cursed Spirit, plus an infinite supply of ordinary Cursed Energy bullets—the value of this special grade cursed tool far exceeded all the Cursed Tools she currently possessed.
She looked up at Rin and said earnestly, "Thank you, Rin. This is too valuable, I can't accept it..."
"Take it." Rin interrupted her, his tone brooking no refusal. "You saved me at the Stadium earlier.
Consider this my thanks to you, and also... a safeguard for a companion.
If you encounter danger again in the future, at least you'll be able to protect yourself, instead of having to rely on others' protection like this time."
The lingering afterglow of the sunset still spread across the sky, and the evening breeze, carrying the scent of grass, swept across the rooftop. However, the temperature in the air plummeted the moment Rin spoke.
Maki had just tightened her grip on the Revolver, solemnly promising, "I will protect you," when she saw the smile on Rin's face instantly fade.
Those eyes, which had just held warmth, became cold and calm again, as if covered by a thin layer of frost.
The gentleness at the corners of his mouth disappeared, replaced by his familiar detachment, and even the aura around him became sharp, making him seem like a completely different person from the one who had been chatting casually earlier.
Maki's heart sank, and her hand gripping the gun tightened unconsciously, her fingertips turning white. She could clearly sense that something was wrong.
Rin's tone had lost its previous warmth and friendliness; every word seemed to have been pulled from an ice cellar, carrying an undeniable sense of distance.
"Maki, thank you."
Rin's voice was light, yet exceptionally clear, breaking the tranquility of the rooftop:
"Not because you saved me, but because of your attitude towards me."
Maki was stunned, looking at him in confusion, her brows slightly furrowed:
"Rin, I... I don't quite understand what you mean."
She thought they had become companions, and that this time spent together under the sunset was the beginning of their relationship thawing, but Rin's words left her bewildered.
Rin didn't look at her, his gaze turning to the distant, slowly setting sun, his tone calm without a ripple:
"I know you want to help me, and I know you want me to learn to accept so-called 'friendship.'
But Maki, I want to tell you that not everyone desires these things."
He paused, finally turning his head, his eyes devoid of their previous warmth, leaving only resolute determination:
"What I pursue, and what you want to teach me, are two completely opposite things."
"One day, the weapon in your hand might even be aimed at me."
Maki's heart felt as if it had been violently struck by something, and a sour ache spread from deep within her.
She opened her mouth, wanting to retort, wanting to ask him what he truly pursued, but the words caught in her throat and wouldn't come out.
"I am very grateful for what you've done previously."
Rin's words remained cold, unwavering:
"But I will not accept the kind of emotion you want to teach me.
Everyone has things they must do, and I am no exception. From now on, Gojo Satoru has agreed that I can carry out missions alone."
He looked at Maki, saying each word distinctly:
"So, thank you again, Maki. Our relationship ends here."
These words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Maki's mind.
She tightly gripped the Revolver in her hand; the coldness of the metal spread through her fingertips, yet it was far less chilling than the coldness in her heart.
All the previous warmth, all the expectations, all the fantasies about being "companions" were utterly shattered by Rin's words at this moment, broken beyond recognition.
She sat on the railing, her body trembling slightly, her eyes reddening, but she stubbornly held back her tears.
She looked at Rin's cold profile, wanting to say something more, wanting to keep him, but her throat felt blocked, unable to produce any sound.
Rin didn't give her a chance to speak.
After saying those words, he stood up from the railing, straightened his clothes, and without another glance at Maki, merely left a light, airy "Thank you" before turning and walking towards the rooftop exit.
His steps were firm, without the slightest hesitation, and his silhouette gradually lengthened in the afterglow of the sunset, carrying an undeniable detachment.
Maki watched his disappearing back, her fingers clenching the Revolver, her knuckles white from the force.
She wanted to call out to him, wanted to say "goodbye," but in the end, she said nothing.
Only the evening breeze blew, carrying the silence of the rooftop and an unspeakable sense of loss in her heart.
The sun had completely set, and the orange-red in the sky was gradually replaced by night.
Only Maki remained on the rooftop, holding the special grade cursed tool that still carried Rin's residual warmth, yet feeling no warmth at all.
She finally understood that Rin was like the setting sun in the sky; occasionally revealing a warm side, but ultimately destined to sink into darkness, returning to his own world.
And she was merely a fleeting passerby in his life, a meeting under the sunset that ultimately could not alter his predetermined path.
Maki slowly stood up, looking in the direction of the rooftop exit, silent for a long time.
Finally, she tightened her grip on the Revolver and turned to walk downstairs. The night deepened, and the corridors of Tokyo Jujutsu High were empty, with only her footsteps echoing softly in the silence.
This brief thawing of relations ultimately concluded with a resolute farewell. And their story seemed to have returned to its starting point, yet leaving an indelible mark deep within their hearts.