The Air Feels Tight
Like something is pressing down—
Not as overwhelming as before—
But sharper.
More precise.
Hiroto Stands Still
Blade already in hand.
No hesitation now.
"…They're coming."
Akari steps beside him
"…Yeah."
Kenzaku joins quietly
"…Not hiding this time."
Yui swallows nervously
"…So this is it…?"
Goro steps forward
"…No."
A pause.
"…This is just the beginning."
At the front
Tamagichi stands alone
His presence is calm—but absolute
Then—
A figure appears in the distance
Walking.
Not rushing.
Step by step
The ground feels heavier with each movement
Hiroto narrows his eyes
"…Only one…?"
Kenzaku responds quietly
"…That's worse."
The figure continues forward
Unstoppable.
Unbothered.
No visible weapon
No clear intent—
But overwhelming presence
Akari clenches her fists
"…I don't like this…"
Tamagichi speaks without turning
"…Stay back."
Hiroto steps forward anyway
"…No."
Tamagichi's voice sharpens slightly
"…You'll die."
Hiroto doesn't stop
"…Then I'll learn from it."
That line lands
Tamagichi pauses
Then—
He doesn't stop him.
The figure finally stops moving
Not far now.
Silence
Then—
They speak
A calm voice.
Controlled.
"…So this is the one."
Hiroto tightens his grip
"…Who are you?"
No answer
Instead—
The figure lifts their hand slightly
And in that instant—
The air compresses
Hiroto feels it immediately
He moves—
Too late
Impact
He's sent flying back violently
Crashing into the ground
Akari shouts
"HIROTO!"
Kenzaku's eyes widen
"…That fast…?!"
Yui freezes
"…He didn't even move properly…"
Goro steps forward slightly
"…This isn't a fight…"
Tamagichi finally moves
He steps between them
Facing the figure
The atmosphere tightens again
The figure speaks calmly
"…You're interfering."
Tamagichi responds without hesitation
"…I am."
A pause
Then—
"…Because you've gone too far."
The figure tilts their head slightly
"…No."
A beat.
"…Not far enough."
Silence
Hiroto pushes himself up slowly
Blood at the corner of his mouth
But his eyes—
Still locked on the figure.
"…I'm… not done…"
The figure glances at him briefly
Then says—
"…You were never part of this."
That hits differently
Hiroto steps forward again
Shaking—
But standing.
The blade pulses violently
Stronger than ever before
Tamagichi notices instantly
A brief silence
Then—
"…Stop."
Hiroto freezes
Tamagichi's voice lowers
"…Not here."
That line carries meaning
The figure watches carefully
Then—
"…Interesting."
A pause
Then—
"…It's reacting."
That confirms it
The figure lowers their hand
The pressure fades slightly
Then—
They turn away
"…This isn't the time."
Akari shouts
"…Wait—!"
But—
They're already gone
Just like that
Silence returns
Hiroto drops to one knee again
Breathing heavy
The blade slowly calms
Tamagichi stands still
Then speaks quietly
"…Now it begins."
To be continued…