Sorry for the later update, I was tired.
---
I'm not Shoko or Yuta, so healing isn't exactly my thing. Still, the kid's wounds weren't fatal. They'd heal eventually.
"What's your name?" I asked, stretching out my hand toward his left since his right arm was clearly dislocated.
He stared at me, his dull brown eyes carrying that heavy kind of despair only kids who've already given up can have.
"Are you… going to help me, mister?" he asked quietly, his voice trembling.
"Sure thing, kiddo," I said, my smirk softening into something closer to sincerity.
He hesitated before grabbing my hand. His fingers were cold and shaking.
"I'm guessing you can't walk," I said, glancing down at his leg. It was swollen and bruised. "Alright, then, piggyback!"
"Huh? What's that?" he asked, blinking.
I sighed dramatically, striking a quick pose. "It's where the cool older guy carries the poor injured kid on his back," I explained. "Classic stuff."
Then I froze for a moment, realizing how that would look. A grown man carrying a dirty, beaten-up kid through the city while already getting stared at for a blindfold and weird clothes? Yeah, that would definitely make me look like a kidnapper.
"On second thought…" I muttered.
Placing my hand gently on his shoulder, I focused. The coordinates formed clearly in my mind, my room at the inn. A flash of light enveloped us, and in an instant, we were gone.
The world blinked back into view, and the boy stumbled slightly, eyes wide as he looked around the unfamiliar room.
"Are you dizzy?" I asked casually, watching him steady himself.
He blinked again, swaying slightly before sitting down on the edge of the bed. "W-What just happened…?"
"Teleportation," I said simply, plopping down in the chair nearby. "One of my many, many talents."
His mouth hung open for a moment, completely stunned. I couldn't help but grin.
"Don't worry, kid. You're safe now," I said, leaning back with my arms crossed behind my head. "Let's patch you up before someone mistakes me for a criminal, yeah?"
I figured there had to be a first aid kit somewhere around here. After a quick scan of the room, I spotted a small metal box sitting on top of the cabinet, exactly what I was looking for.
"Bingo," I muttered, grabbing it.
Opening the kit, I gave an approving nod. It was the full package: clear instructions, sterile bandages, plasters, disinfectant, even scalpels. Pretty advanced for this world.
"Hold still," I said, moving the box closer and crouching beside the kid. My hands worked automatically, cleaning his wounds and wrapping the bruised areas. It wasn't perfect, but it would do.
After a few minutes, I cracked my knuckles. "Alright, time for the big boss!"
He blinked nervously. "W-What do you mean, big boss?"
I grinned. "Your shoulder's dislocated. So this next part might hurt a little but trust me, it's for the better. Probably."
Before he could protest, I gripped his shoulder and adjusted it back into place.
He yelped in pain, clutching his arm,then froze as the pain faded away. His eyes widened.
"It doesn't hurt anymore…" he whispered, rotating his arm slowly.
"Told you," I said, flopping back onto the bed with a satisfied sigh.
The kid sat there, still stunned, then finally looked at me. His clothes were torn and muddy, but his eyes caught my attention again,those same dull brown eyes that looked far too tired for someone his age.
"So," I said, folding my arms behind my head, "what's your name, kid?"
He hesitated before answering softly, "My name is Julius, sir… What's your name?"
I tilted my head toward him, a grin spreading across my face. "Gojo. Gojo Satoru."
"So, Julius, you look really homeless and you stink but I'm here to help," I said with a cheeky smile.
He flinched a little.
"So, who was your caretaker before?" I asked, leaning back casually.
Julius blinked at me nervously. "I was raised by my parents… but they died a few weeks ago," he whispered.
My smile faded. "Oh? And how did they die?" My tone grew serious.
"Nobody believes me, but they died to demons," Julius replied, his small hands clenching into fists.
"Demons, huh?" I raised an eyebrow. "Well, before we get into that, I've got a few… less important questions."
I lifted my hand lazily, counting with my fingers. "First—when your parents died, where did you stay?"
"I-I stayed in our house," he said quietly. "Until the landlord kicked me out."
"Figures," I muttered. "And the kids that were bullying you earlier, what was that about?"
He hesitated. "When I was living on the street, I told someone that demons killed my parents… but they said I was lying. Then they said my parents killed themselves to get away from me. I got angry and started a fight, and then…"
He trailed off.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. The kid really went through it. Life's cruel like that—whether it's in my world or this one. Weak people get crushed. It's the same everywhere.
"See? Then stay strong, kid," I said finally, standing up and dusting myself off. "I'm gonna get you some clothes. You can't keep walking around looking like a kicked puppy."
Julius looked up, confused but hopeful. "You're… helping me?"
"Of course, what did you think I was doing before?" I said with a grin. "Can't have my new sidekick looking like trash, can I?"
"Oh, and when I come back, can you describe what the demons looked like? I'm interested," I said before stepping out the door and heading down the stairs.
"Oh, it's you again," I called out to the innkeeper. "Not sleeping on your 'job' again, are you?" I teased.
He yawned loudly and gave me a lazy glare before turning away without a word.
"Someone's not in a good mood," I muttered under my breath, smirking.
Walking through the streets, I scanned the nearby shops, looking for one that didn't look completely run-down. Most of them seemed to sell clothes for adults but they were not my style.
I felt a little tempted to buy something for myself, but honestly, nothing here really appealed to me. "There we go," I said when I finally spotted a small section tucked away in the corner. "The kid's section."
I picked out some clothes that looked decent enough for Julius, simple, clean, and durable. I also grabbed a few toiletries he'd need. Hygiene was important, especially if we were going to travel together. The last thing I wanted was a smelly sidekick.
After a brief chat with the cashier and a few gold coins exchanged, I left the store and headed back to the inn.
When I returned, Julius was still sitting where I'd left him, looking a little more relaxed but still cautious.
"Here, take this," I said, tossing him a bundle of clothes along with a bar of soap and a towel. "If you head down the hall, turn left, you'll find a bathhouse. Go wash up."
He blinked, holding the items carefully.
"Have a good bath!" I added with a grin as he stood up and walked out the door. "And don't take too long, yeah? You smell like a dead goblin."
He gave a tiny nod before disappearing down the hall.
I leaned back against the wall, crossing my arms. "Hopefully his wounds don't act up in there," I muttered. "Either way, the kid needs to get clean somehow."