Mahito laughed as he moved.
Not running in fear—
running in delight.
"…That face…"
He touched his own cheek, grinning.
"…the moment it breaks…"
Behind him—
Yuji didn't chase.
Not yet.
He stood there.
Frozen.
"…Nobara…"
Takeru didn't move either.
No cursed energy.
No words.
Just silence.
Something heavier than rage.
Something colder.
Mahito's smile widened as he disappeared deeper into Shibuya.
"…Not done yet."
Elsewhere — Underground
Nanami walked forward slowly.
His clothes torn.
His body burned.
Half his face… gone.*(Check Author Note)
But he kept walking.
Step.
Step.
Step.
"…I'm tired."
Curses surrounded him.
Weak ones.
Pathetic.
He eliminated them without thinking.
One strike.
Another.
Mechanical.
Like finishing a shift.
"…Malaysia…"
His voice was quiet.
"…That beach Takeru brought us to…"
Breath
"Retirement there too would be nice..."
The memory lingered.
Soft.
Distant.
He stopped.
Because someone stood ahead.
Mahito.
Smiling.
"…There you are."
Nanami looked at him.
No fear.
No surprise.
Just acceptance.
"…You again."
Mahito tilted his head.
"…You look awful."
Nanami didn't respond.
He adjusted his grip.
"…Overtime."
Cursed energy surged—
what little he had left—
focused.
Mahito stepped forward.
"…You're already dead."
Nanami walked toward him anyway.
"…Maybe."
A pause.
"…But not yet."
Back — Nobara's Location
Yuji finally moved.
"…We have to—"
Takeru knelt beside Nobara.
Checked.
Faint.
Barely.
"…Alive."
Yuji's breath caught.
"…She's alive?"
Takeru nodded once.
"…But critical."
Yuji clenched his fists.
"…That thing—"
Takeru stood.
"…Mahito."
His voice was flat.
"…We finish him."
Yuji looked up.
Tears still in his eyes—
but something else now.
"…Yeah."
No hesitation.
No fear.
Just resolve.
Cut Back — Nanami
Mahito raised his hand.
"…Let's end your shift."
Nanami stepped forward.
Broken.
Burned.
But steady.
"…Not until I clock out."
And the distance between them closed.
Fast.
Inevitable.