The forest erupted into motion.
Branches snapped underfoot as Takeru and Yuji sprinted through the trees, barely keeping ahead of the presence chasing them. The Goodwill Event had started—and almost immediately, it had turned into chaos.
"WHY are they all targeting us?!" Yuji shouted, leaping over a fallen log.
Takeru didn't slow down. "Because we're vessels, remember?!"
"Right—worst perk ever!"
A burst of cursed energy slammed into a tree behind them, splintering it instantly.
"Left!" Takeru called.
They veered sharply, ducking into a denser part of the forest. For a brief moment, the pressure behind them faded.
Silence.
Yuji bent over slightly, catching his breath. "Think… we lost them?"
Takeru scanned the area, senses sharp. "…For now."
But something felt off.
Too quiet.
The air shifted.
A presence—heavy, overwhelming—suddenly appeared behind them.
"Hey."
Both of them froze.
Slowly, they turned.
Standing there was a tall, muscular figure with an intense stare and an overwhelming aura: Aoi Todo.
Takeru felt it instantly—this guy was on a completely different level.
Todo stared at them in silence.
Then—
He spoke.
"What's your type… in women?"
Silence.
Yuji blinked. "Huh?"
Takeru tilted his head slightly. "…That's your question?"
Todo didn't move. His gaze sharpened.
"Answer me."
The pressure in the air spiked. This wasn't a joke. This was a test.
Takeru and Yuji glanced at each other for half a second.
Then—
Without hesitation—
"I like a tall girl with a big butt."
They said it in perfect unison.
The forest went silent.
Todo froze.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then—
"…!"
His eyes widened.
His body trembled.
And suddenly—
"MY BROTHERS!"
Todo lunged forward, grabbing both of them in a crushing embrace.
"AT LAST! MEN OF TRUE CULTURE!"
Yuji wheezed. "Can't—breathe—!"
Takeru, somehow still composed, pushed slightly against Todo. "You're… very intense."
Todo pulled back, tears practically forming in his eyes. "To think… I would meet not one, but TWO besto friendos on this battlefield!"
Yuji blinked. "…Besto what?"
"BESTO FRIENDOS!" Todo declared proudly.
Takeru adjusted his sunglasses, completely unfazed on the outside—but internally?
This was the strangest situation he had ever been in.
Then—
"How ridiculous…"
The mouth appeared on Takeru's cheek again.
"This creature is loud. I may kill him."
"Don't," Takeru muttered under his breath.
Todo leaned in slightly, noticing. "Ah… the King of Curses."
For a brief moment, his expression sharpened.
Then—he grinned again.
"All the better! My brothers are truly extraordinary!"
Yuji laughed awkwardly. "So… you're not gonna attack us?"
Todo crossed his arms. "Attack? Why would I attack my besto friendos?"
A pause.
Then he pointed dramatically.
"But others will. And when they do…"
His grin widened.
"…I expect you to survive. Brothers do not fall so easily."
Takeru nodded slowly. "We won't."
Yuji grinned. "Yeah. We got this."
For the first time since the event started, the pressure felt… lighter.
Not gone—but manageable.
As Todo turned and began walking off, he raised a hand.
"Grow stronger, my brothers! I will be watching!"
And just like that, he disappeared into the forest.
Silence returned.
Yuji looked at Takeru.
"…Did we just make a friend?"
Takeru thought for a moment.
"…I think we did."
The mouth on his cheek curled slightly.
"How entertaining…"
Takeru exhaled.
Yeah.
This event was going to be anything but normal.