"Hasn't she woken up yet? Should we take her to a hospital?" Suguru Geto asked, glancing down at the unconscious Riko Amanai.
"It'd be great if we could use Reverse Cursed Technique like Shoko," Satoru Gojo replied, leaning against a wall.
"Shoko's explanations are total nonsense," Shion Gojo said with a grin.
"Fine, let's just go to a hospital," Geto continued. "If she hit her head and it affects the merger, that'd be our fault."
Satoru stepped forward to scoop Riko up, but just as he bent down, her eyes fluttered open.
"Huh, she's awake," Satoru said in surprise.
For a moment, Riko froze, then suddenly raised her hand and slapped Satoru across the face.
"Here," she snapped.
Satoru — not used to keeping Limitless active constantly — staggered back, stunned.
Meanwhile, Shion pulled a small magenta camera from his pocket and discreetly snapped a few silly photos of Satoru's shocked expression. Later, those would be very useful for teasing.
Riko stood with her hands on her hips, glaring. "You bold little thief! How dare you harm this lady!"
"We're not with the group that attacked you!" Satoru said, raising both hands. "We were ordered to protect you!"
Geto nodded in agreement. "That's right."
Riko eyed them skeptically. "With faces like liars', those bangs and that man‑bun are super weird… and those white‑haired guys look like delinquents!"
Shion blinked. "It's my hair's natural color. Not sure that's a crime."
"What natural white hair? Are you sure it isn't premature aging? None of you look like good people!" Riko retorted.
The three guards exchanged grim looks.
Without warning, Satoru and Geto grabbed Riko by her wrists and ankles and hoisted her up, then looked at each other and, with perfect silent coordination, pulled in opposite directions, twisting her like an overused towel.
Shion stood behind them holding a feather duster and proceeded to mercilessly tickle Riko's armpits.
"Hahaha… you monsters… hahaha… stop it…" she squealed, trying to squirm away.
Ding! — the elevator opened, and Misato Kuroi stepped out riding on a small cursed spirit called Tianniu.
Seeing the chaotic scene, Kuroi's eyes widened. "Please… stop!"
Riko's face lit up with relief. "Miri! Save me!"
At that, all three immediately let go, and Riko collapsed to the floor, rubbing her sore backside as she crawled upright.
Kuroi stepped forward to explain gently, "Miss, these three are the escorts sent from above to protect you."
Riko's eyes narrowed. "Ha! Why did they find me such scumbag bodyguards?"
Her expression brightened when she spotted the cursed spirit under Kuroi's control.
"What is that ugly‑cute little thing?" she pointed eagerly.
Kuroi smiled. "You'll have to ask him… er, Mr. Bangs."
Geto's expression twitched, but he stayed polite. "This is my cursed technique, Cursed Spirit Manipulation," he said calmly.
"Can you summon Angewomon?" Riko asked hopefully.
"That's a Digimon, not a cursed spirit!"
"What about the Nine‑Tailed Fox?"
"No!"
"What about Yamata no Orochi?"
"No!"
"What a useless ability!" Riko declared.
Geto smiled back with narrowed eyes, though a vein throbbed on his forehead from being teased.
To prove himself, he waved his hand and a small shadowy cat cursed spirit appeared, slinking out from the gloom.
Riko's eyes lit up. She reached out to pet it as it hopped into her arms.
"What is that?" Shion asked, genuinely curious. He didn't expect Geto to collect such a flashy but seemingly impractical cursed spirit.
"A shapeshifter," Geto replied, "Its original form is… well, never mind."
"…Impressive," Satoru said, watching Riko laugh as she petted the cat.
"It's a relief she's so energetic," he added. "I thought she'd be depressed after learning she's to merge with Tengen."
At that, Riko stood upright, pride in her tone. "As expected of a scumbag's way of thinking! Listen up," she declared.
She drew herself up tall. "After I merge, my consciousness, heart, and soul will be one with Lord Tengen. That means I am Lord Tengen, and Lord Tengen is me!"
Satoru tilted his head, confused. "Eh, did you change your wallpaper?"
"Yeah, Waka Inoue!" Shion joked.
"Bro, you have good taste, but Akina Nakamori is perfect!" Satoru added before Riko's patience snapped.
"Hey! Are you three even listening to me, you jerks!"
The trio just rolled their eyes.
"Judging by how she talks, she probably can't make many friends," Geto muttered.
"Agreed," Shion added.
"Bastards! I talk normally at school… School! Oh no, I'm going to be late!" Riko suddenly panicked.
Kuroi hurried forward. "Miss, it's dangerous out there right now. Maybe you shouldn't go to school?"
The three also nodded. After all, schools were unpredictable places for sorcerers.
But Riko was adamant, and because the mission required them to satisfy all the Star Plasma Vessel's reasonable requests, they had no choice but to let her try going to school.
Shion then turned to Kuroi. "Ms. Kuroi, why don't you stay with us from now on?"
"Eh? Why?" she asked.
"Well," Shion began, "it looks like you're like family to Riko, right?"
Kuroi's eyes reddened. Her voice softened as she nodded. Since Riko's parents died young, she had raised Riko and become closer to her than family. Knowing the merger would end Riko's life unsettled her deeply.
Shion continued, "Because your bond is so close, I'm worried those in the shadows might use you as a hostage."
"Even if they fail," he added, "they could use you to distract us. So it's better if you stay with us."
Kuroi agreed immediately. "Okay, I understand."
---
Elsewhere, at a Horse Track…
"Kong Shiu has already contacted us. Are you satisfied with this price?" a cold voice asked over the phone, making Toji frown.
"Three hundred million yen for two Six Eyes and one rare Cursed Spirit Manipulation user," came the reply.
Toji chuckled. "Last I heard, each Six Eyes had a bounty of one hundred million yen when they were kids. Hasn't the bounty gone up?"
"You mean…" the voice trailed off.
"You need to add more money!"
There was a long silence.
Toji popped a takoyaki into his mouth, voice muffled. "Don't think I don't know although your Star Plasma Cult doesn't have combat specialists like the Q Organization, you guys are rich."
After a laugh, the caller agreed, "Alright. If you succeed, we'll offer five hundred million yen."
"Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Zen'in!" the caller said.
"It's not Zen'in, it's Fushiguro. I married into the family; my name is now Toji Fushiguro," Toji sneered.
"I killed quite a few Zen'in back then. It'd be a miracle if they still wanted me to carry the name."
"And besides, I don't care for it anyway."
---