[The convenience store's air conditioner gave off a low, monotonous hum, and fine droplets of water condensed on the clear glass storefront.]
[With one hand in your pocket, you quietly watched the other side of the street through the slightly blurred glass.]
[Under the mildly warm afternoon sun, a child with conspicuous short pink hair tugged at an old man's hand as he skipped down the street.]
[They were the young Yuji Itadori and his grandfather, Wasuke Itadori.]
[As you watched this outing between grandfather and grandson, a heartwarming scene even by ordinary people's standards, your gaze remained like stagnant water, without the slightest ripple.]
["Since you care so much about that 'vessel,'" you asked Kenjaku beside you without turning your head, your tone flat, "why don't you simply stay by his side? You could keep up the pretense of that family. It wouldn't make much difference to you anyway, and you could monitor the vessel's growth better, couldn't you?"]
[Standing beside you near the convenience store's refrigerated case, Kenjaku was casually propping her cheek on one hand.]
[At your question, her lips curled into a strange, delighted smile. In a relaxed tone, as though discussing everyday family affairs, she drawled, "Oh my, someone like you, with nothing but calculations in your head, wouldn't understand this sort of ordinary family drama. You should know that not every marriage receives the heartfelt support and blessings of the older generation~"]
["..."]
[For a moment, you found yourself at a loss for words at this utterly flippant remark, which invited objections on so many levels.]
[Yet even as you were speechless, your brain, accustomed to constant calculation, involuntarily raced down that line of inquiry.]
[You began carefully considering a crucial question: at precisely what point had Kenjaku seized Kaori Itadori's body?]
[Had she