Kyoto Jujutsu High, at the foot of Mount Mushiro.
"Everyone, thanks for all your hard work."
"We're inside Jujutsu High's barrier."
"Huff, huff." Riko Amanai struggled up the final step, then said breathlessly, "We can relax for now, right?"
Beside her, Kuroi thoughtfully handed her a handkerchief and said with a smile, "Yes."
Standing ahead of the others, Suguru Geto glanced at Satoru Gojo with a smile. "Satoru, thanks for all your hard work."
"Sigh." Satoru Gojo let out a long breath, the azure of his eyes dimming a little as he grumbled, "I'm never babysitting kids again."
Having wiped away her sweat beside him, Riko Amanai looked over with disdain. "Huh?..."
Squ elch!
"Urgh..." Satoru Gojo's body sagged as he looked down in disbelief at the blade buried in his chest.
Everyone else's pupils contracted sharply.
"How is that possible?! We're... inside Jujutsu High's barrier!" A bead of cold sweat ran down Suguru Geto's forehead as he murmured in disbelief.
Satoru Gojo turned his head with difficulty to glance at Toji Fushiguro and said with a hint of a smile, "Have I... seen you before?"
Toji Fushiguro looked up and said, "Don't worry about it. I'm much the same. I can't remember men's names..."
At noon, even beneath the scorching sun, many people were still walking through the streets and alleys.
"Sorry for the wait. Your tonkotsu ramen is ready."
Thump!
"I'm digging in."
Slurp! Slurp! Slurp, slurp!
It was quiet, as though nothing remained in the world but that hurried slurping.
Traffic streamed past, a cool breeze brushed his face, sunlight roamed freely, and the shadows of trees swayed.
The sight of the four of them horsing around surfaced before his eyes.
Riko Amanai? Her life doesn't seem to mean much to me.
She really is a brave girl, though.
He recalled the advice he had given her earlier when he had nothing better to do: cowardice accomplished nothing, but courage could conquer all.
Why did I tell her that again? I think it was when Geto was encouraging her to embrace her new life. Whatever, it doesn't matter that much anymore. That wild monkey won't spare her.
He shook his head to clear the images from his mind and went back to slurping his noodles.
Riko Amanai was merely a passing acquaintance. Whether she lived or died would have no effect on him.
Why bother with so much? He wasn't someone who liked meddling in other people's business.
Bang!!
A gunshot rang out, and he reflexively glanced over.
Oh, it's just the TV. Shootings are still much rarer in Japan than in Southern Europe. But... I remember one is going to happen today.
At this hour, it should be almost over, right? But what does that have to do with me? Everything I do follows my heart. I do whatever I want, and no one in heaven or on earth can stop me.
Follow my heart...
"Boss, the bill."
Tokyo Jujutsu High, Tombs of the Star Corridor.
Ding!
The elevator doors slowly opened.
Suguru Geto and Riko Amanai walked inside.
"Miss, this is as far as I can take you. Please... please..."
Thump! Riko Amanai jogged over and threw her arms around Kuroi, tears instantly spilling from her eyes.
"Kuroi... I love you so much... I always have... and I always will..."
Kuroi could no longer hold back. She hugged Riko Amanai tightly, tears sliding down her face. "I love you too..."
Beside them, Suguru Geto watched the scene, his thoughts unknown.
The two passed through a long corridor and entered a strange building.
"So this is..."
"Yes. This is where Master Tengen resides, the foundation of Japan's major barriers, the main hall of the Tombs of the Star Corridor. Go down the stairs, through the gate, and to the roots of that great tree. You'll enter a special barrier different from the one around Jujutsu High. Only those invited can enter. Master Tengen will protect you until the 'assimilation' is complete."
Suguru Geto spoke as he looked at the great tree ahead, wrapped in strange ropes.
"Or you could go home with Miss Kuroi right now."
Riko Amanai froze and looked at Suguru Geto in confusion.
"Before we met you, Satoru and I discussed it. Satoru and I are the strongest, after all. Besides... you have Amaha's guarantee. Whatever you choose, we can guarantee your future."
Suguru Geto looked at Riko Amanai with a smile as he spoke.
Riko Amanai's eyes gradually grew wet. "Ever since I was born, people have kept telling me, 'You're special. You're different from everyone else.' All this time, I've done my best to avoid danger, living only for this day. I don't remember my parents dying, so I thought that even if I assimilated and parted with everyone, it should be fine. No matter how painful it was, the sadness and loneliness would disappear."
At this point, Riko Amanai clenched her fists, large tears rolling down her face. "But... but... I still... want to be with everyone. I want to go to all kinds of places with everyone, see all kinds of things, and eat all kinds of food."
Looking at Riko Amanai before him, Suguru Geto smiled affectionately and held out a hand. "Let's go home, Riko."
Riko Amanai wiped away her tears and smiled. "Yeah!"
In the distance, Toji Fushiguro slowly raised his handgun and aimed at Riko Amanai. "Farewell."
Tap! A hand settled on the handgun.
"I don't recall agreeing to that."
Igarashi Amaha suddenly appeared out of thin air, one hand in his pocket, the other pressing down Toji Fushiguro's gun hand.
Toji Fushiguro froze, then frowned. "Getting this close to me with your guard down-aren't you afraid of dying?"
"Want to try?" Igarashi Amaha raised an eyebrow at Toji Fushiguro.
"There's no bounty for fighting me. Go back where you came from. Someone might be waiting for you." With that, Igarashi Amaha applied a little pressure with his hand, crushing the handgun out of shape, then walked toward Suguru Geto and Riko without looking back.
Suguru Geto had also noticed Igarashi Amaha and Toji Fushiguro. Disbelief filled his eyes, and roars rang out from the black curtain behind him as he stared fixedly at Toji Fushiguro.
"Amaha! Be careful of that guy! He's dangerous!" Suguru Geto shouted to Igarashi Amaha.
Igarashi Amaha walked over to Suguru Geto and patted his shoulder. "It's fine. He's not an idiot who'd throw away his life for money. As for Satoru, you don't need to worry about him either. He's not going to die."
"As for you, bean sprout." Igarashi Amaha turned his gaze to Riko Amanai. "I've got a car and a plane ready for you. Go take a vacation in Southern Europe. Come back once you've had your fun. I'll cover the expenses."
"Wait, is Satoru really okay? How did this guy get here? Also, even though the bounty has been withdrawn, there are still plenty of people who want Riko dead." Suguru Geto threw several questions at Igarashi Amaha at once.
"Sigh, I shouldn't have come. What a hassle. The car and plane both belong to my Aoki Financial Group. Anyone with any real strength recognizes them and wouldn't dare mess with them. As for Satoru, won't you know when you see him in a bit?"