The transfer light faded out in waves, like reality slowly reassembling itself.
Tokyo Colony 1 stretched out around them—warped buildings, unstable cursed zones, and the constant pressure of the Culling Game hanging in the air.
But this time, it felt different.
Because people were already waiting.
Yuji stood first, hands relaxed but eyes sharp.
Megumi was beside him, quiet as always, scanning the incoming group instantly.
Hana lingered slightly behind them, observant, with that subtle awareness of something larger happening around Takeru specifically.
And then there was Hiromi Higuruma.
Calm. Composed. Watching everything like a judge who had already seen too many outcomes.
A beat of silence.
Then—
Hakari exhaled lightly.
"…Wuzza guys."
Kirara nodded once.
"…Hello."
Yuji's face lit up slightly.
"…Hakari! Kirara!"
Megumi's eyes narrowed just a bit.
"…Hi."
Yuta stepped forward slightly, recognizing the group immediately.
"…Yuji. Megumi."
A small pause.
"…It's been a while."
Yuji grinned.
"…You've been busy."
Megumi's gaze briefly swept over the new arrivals—Ryu, Uro, Kashimo.
"…And you brought more chaos."
Ryu smirked.
"…I prefer 'variety.'"
Uro stayed quiet, arms crossed, already analyzing everyone.
Kashimo stood slightly apart, eyes fixed forward, uninterested in greetings.
Then Takeru stepped forward.
Calm.
Centered.
"…Introduction phase."
A pause.
He gestured lightly.
"…Ryu."
Ryu gave a lazy wave.
"…Hi."
"…Uro Takako."
Uro nodded once.
"…I'm not staying long if this gets annoying."
"…Hajime Kashimo."
Kashimo glanced briefly at Yuji.
"…You look interesting."
Yuji blinked.
"…Uh—thanks?"
Hakari laughed.
"…Yeah, that's Kashimo."
Kirara sighed slightly.
"…This is going to get loud."
Megumi exhaled quietly.
"…It already is."
Hana's eyes stayed on Takeru for a moment longer than the others.
Not speaking.
Just watching.
Higuruma finally stepped forward slightly.
"…So this is the group you've assembled."
Takeru nodded.
"…Correct."
Yuji stepped closer.
"…So what now?"
A pause.
Everyone looked at Takeru.
He didn't hesitate.
"…Next phase."
The air shifted slightly again.
Not tense.
Not calm.
Just inevitable.
Because now—
all the pieces were finally in the same place.