The night was loud again—but in a different way.
Neon lights. Mechanical noise. The constant churn of pachinko machines.
A place that felt like it didn't belong in the middle of everything that had happened… and yet somehow survived it.
Yuji stared up at the building.
"…This is where Hakari lives?"
Megumi nodded.
"…Unfortunately."
Takeru looked at the entrance.
"…Confirmed."
Choso stood slightly behind them.
"…Unusual environment."
Yuta exhaled.
"…Just go in."
They stepped inside.
Inside the Pachinko Fight Club
The atmosphere hit immediately.
Bright. Loud. Chaotic.
Machines clacking nonstop like heartbeat rhythms.
And then—
a familiar presence.
Hakari leaned back in a chair like he owned the entire building.
Kirara stood beside him, calm and observant.
Hakari glanced over.
"…Oh."
A grin.
"…You're all still alive."
Yuji waved awkwardly.
"…Hey."
Megumi spoke first.
"…We need your help."
Hakari yawned.
"…With what?"
Takeru stepped forward.
"…Culling Games."
That name cut through the noise slightly.
Kirara's eyes narrowed.
"…So it started."
Yuta nodded.
"…Yes."
Silence.
Then Yuji added, more serious now:
"…And Gojo's sealed."
That changed the room.
Hakari stopped mid-motion.
Kirara's expression tightened.
"…Say that again," Hakari said.
Megumi didn't hesitate.
"…Satoru Gojo has been sealed."
Silence.
Then Hakari slowly leaned forward.
"…That's actually insane."
Kirara closed their eyes briefly.
"…So the balance is gone."
Yuji nodded.
"…Yeah."
Hakari stood up.
Slowly.
"…Alright."
A pause.
"…I'm in."
No hesitation.
No discussion.
No hesitation at all.
Kirara looked at him.
"…Of course you are."
Hakari smirked.
"…You thought I'd say no?"
Kirara sighed softly.
"…No."
Choso stepped forward slightly.
"…Then you will fight Kenjaku."
Hakari pointed at himself.
"…I'll fight whoever's causing problems."
Takeru nodded once.
"…Confirmed alignment."
Yuta exhaled slightly.
"…That helps."
Megumi added:
"…We rest first."
Hakari stretched.
"…Good idea."
Kirara nodded.
"…You all look like trash."
Yuji blinked.
"…Rude."
Short Rest — Safe Room Above the Machines
For the first time in a while—
they stopped moving.
Yuji sat down heavily.
"…This feels weird."
Megumi leaned against the wall.
"…Peace before chaos."
Choso stayed standing.
Watching.
Silent.
Takeru looked down at his hands.
"…Cursed energy stabilized."
Yuta nodded.
"…Temporary recovery."
Hakari sat across from them.
"…So."
A grin.
"…We're breaking into a death game."
Yuji sighed.
"…Basically."
Kirara added quietly:
"…And Gojo's gone."
Silence.
That one hit harder than everything else.
Hakari clicked his tongue.
"…Then we get him back later."
Megumi nodded.
"…First Tsumiki."
Yuji clenched his fists.
"…And we stop this game."
Takeru stood.
"…Objective remains unchanged."
Choso stepped forward slightly.
"…Kenjaku will fall."
Hakari cracked his knuckles.
"…Then let's make sure we're the ones left standing."
The machines continued clacking below.
Unstoppable.
Uncaring.
Like the world itself hadn't paused at all.
And soon—
they wouldn't either.