"Humans"

Movie theater stairwell

Tap, tap-tap.

"The security cameras didn't catch anything, did they?"

"No. Apart from the victims, there was only one boy."

"So the culprit was a cursed spirit?"

"Yes..."

We followed the stairs all the way up to the roof.

"...Though we can't rule out the possibility that the boy did it. But identifying him..."

A strange scrabbling noise came from behind us. Kento Nanami stopped and looked sharply to the side.

"B-ben, ben, ben, bento."

A cursed spirit lay sprawled over a chair, mumbling something that sounded like "bento."

It sensed our presence, turned its head, and stared fixedly at us.

Yuji Itadori immediately tossed aside his umbrella and took a fighting stance, shielding me behind him. I focused too, ready to fire off some cursed speech at any moment.

[Edano, this is a "human" transformed by Mahito's Idle Transfiguration. But there's no saving them now. Don't hold back.]

I lowered my eyes and fell silent for a moment, but soon raised my head again, my gaze clear.

[I understand.]

[...Edano, you're adapting faster than I expected. Are you okay?]

[I'm okay. I had to face it sooner or later.]

"...Taketori? Taketori? You were distracted. Losing focus in combat is extremely dangerous. It could very well cost you your life." Kento Nanami frowned as he snapped me out of it.

"Sorry, Nanamin. It won't happen again."

"...What kind of ridiculous nickname is that? Never mind. You and Itadori take the one over there. I'll handle this one."

Kento Nanami put away his umbrella.

Yuji Itadori and I looked in the direction he'd indicated. Cursed spirits really do look bizarre... Why did its teeth look like a zipper? I'd have to get Shoko to heal my wounded soul when I got back!

"If you think you can't win, call me."

"Aren't you underestimating me a little too much...?" Yuji Itadori wilted instantly. Poor thing!

"This isn't a matter of underestimating you..." Nanamin undid a button with one hand and loosened his tie. Aaah, that was so sexy!!!

"I'm an adult. You're children. I have a duty to put your safety first."

"I'd rather be underestimated than treated like a kid!"

Well, actually, Yuji was the only real kid here! Across my two lives, I'd lived over thirty years!

"Having risked your life countless times doesn't make you an adult."

"Finding more fallen hairs on your pillow, seeing your favorite filled bread disappear from the convenience store... It's the accumulation of those little moments of despair that makes you grow up."

"Just listening to that is making me feel hopeless..." Nanamin, my heart hurt for you! But-

"Yuji, watch out!" Did cursed spirits have no sense of fair play? Another sneak attack!

Yuji hurriedly dodged. Wait, was I some kind of cursed spirit magnet? Why had it suddenly swerved toward me?!

[Ahem, that's actually because of the vast, practically limitless reserves of cursed energy inside you, darling...]

I vanished on the spot and reappeared on the other side of the battlefield. "[Don't move.]"

[Ha-ha. Thanks so much for finding the time to explain.]

"My cursed technique can forcibly create a weak point. Seven to three, dividing the target's length into sections..."

Kento Nanami explained his cursed technique to us while effortlessly handling the cursed spirit's attacks.

"Even against an opponent stronger than me, I can inflict damage accordingly. Against an opponent with weak cursed energy, even this blunt blade can cut them in two."

Once it realized I wasn't someone to mess with, the cursed spirit gave up on me, so I released my cursed speech. After all, the kid needed a chance to get some experience now and then.

But what bad intentions could I possibly have? I just stayed on the sidelines and occasionally slipped in some cursed speech so the cursed spirit would take another solid punch~

"...Are you listening, Itadori? Taketori?"

"Huh? Were you talking to me?!" Yuji Itadori struggled to trade blows with the cursed spirit, only to get hurled away when his attention wandered, slamming into the railing.

"Home run!"

The ill-timed mechanical voice rang out. Talk about rubbing it in.

"Ow! That hurt."

Yuji Itadori rubbed one side of his face, looking close to tears. "Is it really okay to just explain your cursed technique like that? And Edano, you're so heartless. You just watched me get beaten up."

That accusing stare made me feel a little guilty...

"Ahem, I'm doing this for your own good, Yuji. Really."

"Okay, I forgive you."

Waaah, Yuji, you sweet little angel. You were so kind that my conscience hurt even more.

"If it's a cursed technique you can safely reveal, an opponent you can safely reveal it to, or an explanation that can mislead them, then there's no problem."

"I want to focus on fighting the curse, but it seems like I have to listen to him..." Yuji tugged at my sleeve for help.

"Fighting and listening to Nanamin at the same time does sound a little difficult." I patted his head comfortingly.

Mmm, that felt nice.

"There are benefits too. The binding vow of 'revealing one's hand' can greatly enhance a cursed technique's effectiveness. Like this."

The instant Kento Nanami finished speaking, the cursed energy around him surged. He tore the cursed spirit apart with a single strike, then stylishly flicked the blood from his Cursed Tool. "That's all I wanted to say."

"That was amazing!"

"So cool!"

Yuji Itadori and I applauded and cheered, stars in our eyes.

"Itadori, behind you."

"Huh? Ow!" Poor Yuji got sent flying again.

"You shouldn't let your eyes wander."

"Who was the one talking to me?!!!" Yuji Itadori flailed in helpless fury.

The cursed spirit attacked again, but this time Yuji Itadori was ready. He turned and caught the blow.

He coated his fist in cursed energy and knocked the cursed spirit out for good.

"You're amazing, Yuji!" I threw my arm firmly around his neck and pulled him into a loving headlock.

"Urk, cough, cough, cough... Not really. Your cursed speech helped me a lot too, Edano." Yuji nearly couldn't catch his breath, then scratched his head bashfully.

"B-ben... bento..." The cursed spirit in the corner let out a pained groan. No, I should have called them a "human."

"Excuse me. I'll end this now..." Kento Nanami raised his blade and prepared to step forward to finish them off.

"Wait, Nanamin! Don't do it yet!"

"...Seriously, what's with that nickname?" Kento Nanami stiffened and slowly turned to look at me.

"Yeah, yeah, that's not the point~" I tried to laugh it off.

"...Never mind. What...?"

Kento Nanami paused, frowning as he followed my gaze.

"A watch? This... You already knew."

That was Nanamin for you. So sharp.

"What's wrong?" Yuji asked in confusion.

I took out my phone, snapped a picture of the cursed spirit, and handed it to Yuji. "Look. I got a picture of the cursed spirit."

Kento Nanami looked at me with a complicated expression.

"Huh? Aren't cursed spirits supposed to not show up in photos?"

"Stay calm. So, the opponents we were fighting..."

"Were humans." ×2

The rain fell harder and harder.