The air in the theatre tightened.
Not physically—but conceptually.
Like the space itself had just been rewritten with rules that didn't belong to it.
Higuruma stood calmly on the stage.
His expression didn't change.
But the cursed energy around him sharpened.
"…Domain Expansion."
The world folded.
DEADLY SENTENCING.
Everything shifted.
The ruined theatre vanished.
Replaced by a massive courtroom.
Towering walls.
A silent gallery.
A judge's bench looming above like a god waiting to speak.
Yuji's eyes widened.
"…This is bad."
Megumi tensed.
"…We can't move normally in a domain."
Hana instinctively tightened her grip on Takeru's back.
Angel's voice followed:
"…Rule-based environment detected. Probability of forced adjudication: high."
Higuruma stood at the center of it all.
Calm.
Composed.
"…Now."
The massive figure of Judgeman emerged above the courtroom.
Silent at first.
Then it spoke.
"…Defendant identified."
A pause.
The atmosphere grew heavier.
"…Takeru."
Yuji stepped forward instantly.
"…Wait—me instead—"
Takeru raised a hand slightly.
"…No."
Everyone turned toward him.
Takeru's voice stayed steady.
"…I will proceed."
Megumi frowned.
"…You don't have to—"
Takeru interrupted.
"…I understand legal frameworks."
A pause.
"…Allow me."
Higuruma studied him carefully.
"…You're volunteering."
Takeru nodded once.
"…Correct."
Silence.
Then—
Judgeman's voice echoed again.
"…Proceeding with alleged crime evaluation."
A massive scale appeared in the courtroom.
Slow.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
"…Charge one."
The air tightened further.
"…Unauthorized cursed energy utilization resulting in multiple lethal engagements."
Yuji stiffened.
"…That's basically everyone here."
Megumi muttered:
"…That's not narrowing it down."
Angel whispered:
"…This system is highly generalized."
Takeru remained still.
Listening.
Analyzing.
Higuruma spoke quietly from the stage.
"…This domain forces truth through structure."
Judgeman continued.
"…Charge two."
A pause.
Longer this time.
"…Excessive combat escalation within protected civilian-adjacent zones."
Hana frowned.
"…That's… not fully accurate."
Takeru nodded slightly.
"…Partial misclassification."
Megumi looked at him.
"…You're arguing with a domain?"
Takeru replied calmly.
"…If structure is legal, it is contestable."
Higuruma's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Interesting."
Judgeman continued.
"…Final charge."
Silence deepened.
"…Existence classified as high-risk cursed anomaly with repeated systemic disruption potential."
The courtroom went quiet.
Even Yuji stopped moving.
Angel spoke softly:
"…That classification is overly broad."
Hana added under her breath:
"…That's basically 'you exist too hard'."
Takeru exhaled slightly.
Then spoke clearly.
"…Objection."
Everyone paused.
Even Higuruma.
Takeru stepped forward slightly.
Inside the domain.
Calm.
Focused.
"…Charges lack temporal specificity and intent verification."
A beat.
Judgeman paused.
The courtroom seemed to wait.
And Higuruma—
for the first time—
looked genuinely interested.
"…Proceed."