Takami, Yuri, and Jimin kept vibing as their conversation stretched. Laughter and soft digs.
Then Yuri leaned back against the couch, exasperation etching into her face. "Man, most boys I've met are so boring. Like, actual walking cardboard."
Takami chuckled, "They're just trying to act cool around you, you know. It's supposed to be the whole 'impress-the-girl' flow. I mean, I wouldn't know. Zero XP in that category."
They all laughed, Yuri rolling her eyes. "Dudes think acting mysterious is attractive. Nah. I've been reckless since I can't remember. You gotta bring a whole lot more than fake stuff to even scratch my interest."
"I do remember," Smiled
"Shut up."Yuri gave him a side glare.
"Classic Yuri," Jimin chuckled, shaking his head.
"I'd rather deal with someone real. Honest. Someone being himself. Don't fake it just to impress me, then pull a 180 after we get close."
Yuri's voice softened near the end, her gaze drifting up to the ceiling.
"She's not wrong, that works a lot." Jimin said, smiling.
Takami nodded in agreement.
Then his expression twisted into something sly. He turned to Jimin, glint in his eye. "Hey, Yuri…"
"Hmm?" She answered with a lazy hum, eyes closed.
"Didn't you catch that part?"
"What par—" Her eyes snapped open, a slow smirk crawling up her face. "Ohhhh now I get it."
Jimin blinked. "What's happening?"
In perfect sync, they turned to him and said, "Who's the lucky girl?"
Jimin froze, stunned. "Eh?! It's not like that,"
Yuri slammed the table, laughing uncontrollably. "We got you!"
Takami joined in, bumping fists with Yuri across the table. "He walked straight into it."
Jimin palmed his face, groaning. "Screw you two."
Yuri leaned in close, whispering. "But for real though, what's her name?"
Takami just smiled as if already in the know.
Jimin sighedmuttered. "Yona,"
"Nice," Yuri nodded, giving an approving grin. "We'd be ready to meet her anytime soon."
Takami backed it up, "Cool name."
The energy mellowed just a little. Yuri glanced sideways at Takami. "So... when's your heart gonna catch feelings, Mr. System?"
Jimin immediately latched onto it. "Right! When are you gonna start dating?"
Takami leaned back. "Probably not anytime soon. I was never the 'one they liked' anyway. So I'm not much interested."
"Oh please," Yuri waved him off. "Have I ever told you that system's been buffing your charm stat for free?"
Even Jimin cracked up. "Can't deny that."
"No," Takami's brows furrowed.
"Great. Because you're the same dumbass to me." Yuri gave him a playful glare.
"Would you stop cursing for once?" Jimin laughed
"It's in the blood." Yuri laughed, taking a bottle of water to drink.
"Whatever," Takami scoffed, trying to look smug but definitely flustered.
Jimin checked his watch. "7:14. Might wanna call it a night."
"True," Yuri stood, stretching a little.
They all made their way out, waving at the barista, who smiled at them.
Outside, the Tokyo night was gentle. A cool breeze slid between the streets, wrapping around them.
"Mmm, this weather's perfect," Yuri said, eyes closed, a peaceful look painting her face.
As they strolled, Takami's voice broke the silence. "You two been doing dorm-clear missions lately?"
"Yeah," Jimin said. "Pretty regularly."
"Even ran into an emotion-bound spirit the other day. A gleamer." Yuri added, opening one eye to peek at him.
Takami's gaze drifted to the moon, half-veiled by trailing clouds. "Came across two ragers. First one almost wrecked the entire team."
"You fought it, didn't you?" Yuri slowed, brows furrowed.
"Had no choice." Takami nodded. "Second one got handled by Spirit keeper Rei. He didn't see my fight with the first one, but he assumes I did it."
"You should've just told him it wasn't you," Jimin said.
"I did." Takami exhaled. "But he wants me to take a reevaluation test. Don't know if I should go or not."
Yuri crossed her arms. "Truth always claws its way out eventually."
"Anyway," Jimin said, stopping at a corner. "This is my stop. Later, weirdos."
"Bye dummy," Yuri replied.
"Night, man," Takami added.
"Sleep tight," Jimin grinned and walked off.
Yuri and Takami kept walking in comfortable silence. After a few minutes, they flagged down a taxi and headed home.
The timing couldn't have been better. Takami arrived just as dinner was about to be served.
"Perfect timing," Akane said with a warm smile, placing the last dish on the table. Tomoe darted out of the kitchen, nearly tripping over herself as she ran up to him with plates still in hand.
"I guess you can say that," Takami smiled, stepping aside so she wouldn't drop anything.
"I saw what you bought me, big brother!" she beamed.
Crouching down, Takami looked her in the eye. "You like it?"
"I loved it!" she squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck in a tight hug.
He chuckled and stood up, letting her pull him by the hand to the dining table.
Yosuke, eyes locked on his console, barely lifted his head. "Thanks for the gifts, Takami."
Takami patted his head as he walked by, smirking.
At the other side of the table, Mina sat quietly. She still seemed emotionally off. But her eyes met his, and she whispered, "Th-thank you. For the stuff."
Takami nodded, gentle and understanding. No need to push her.
Akane walked in, untied her apron, and took her seat. "Let's eat, food's getting cold."
Dinner began. Casual chatter, little arguments between Tomoe and Yosuke, small jokes that nudged out smiles from Mina.
Yet, Takami's eyes remained sharp.
Mina was barely eating. Expected.
But Akane? She barely touched her food too.
Her smile remained, soft and loving, but her eyes didn't tell the same story. The way her gaze lingered on nothing. The subtle pause before responding to Tomoe's questions. The distant warmth.
He didn't say anything. Not now. But he knew.
Something was off.
Still, for tonight, the home stayed warm.
And sometimes, that was enough.
Takami entered his room, the door creaking slightly as it shut behind him. He sat on the edge of the bed, reached over to his side drawer, and shuffled through a few items until his fingers found something…a card. Not just any card. Rei Hanekawa's card.
He held it up, studying it in silence. A reminder of the test still hanging over his head. "Hm? What if…" He smiled as a thought crossed his mind. "I'll take the test."
He tossed it onto his study table and stood up. Pulling off his shirt, he made his way to the bathroom for a quick shower. Soon after, refreshed, he flopped back onto the bed. Before long, sleep claimed him.
Morning broke quietly.
The sun's early rays filtered in through the curtains, casting soft, golden patterns on the floor. A calm, cold breeze drifted through the open window, making the small curtains dance. It was the kind of morning designed to make you stay in bed a little longer.
Takami lay bundled under his blanket, curled up. Velis, was also curled in a corner near the window wall, likely avoiding the chilly breeze.
Half-asleep, Takami's hand slid out from under the blanket. After a few sleepy swipes across the bed, he grabbed his phone and cracked open one eye. "6:19 AM." He groaned, dropped the phone beside him.
"Just… five more minutes," he muttered, the breeze brushing across his face.
But by the time his eyes opened again, the sun was already high and the light glaring. He bolted upright, grabbed the phone.
[8:43 AM.]
"Ahh, no! Overslept…" he hissed, kicking off the blanket.
There was something strange about this morning. Not just because he overslept, but something... off. Familiar, but missing. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Then it hit him.
"The system body sync scan…" he whispered. "Gone."
He hadn't noticed it for the past two mornings. But today, the absence clicked. The early sync; his usual adaptive stabilizer was missing.
"Great. Part of the punishment too," he muttered bitterly and stood up, stretching his arms.
A bit of morning exercise in his room, then a quick bath.
In the living room, he found Akane sitting with Tomoe, who used her mother's lap as a pillow. They were watching a cartoon.
"Morning, mom. Morning, Tomoe," he greeted.
"Morning, Takami," Akane smiled. Tomoe simply waved, still half-asleep.
Mina and Yosuke must still be sleeping, he figured.
Takami walked into the kitchen, made himself a simple breakfast, and ate in silence. Afterward, he headed back to his room to get dressed.
He chose black trousers and a white vest, then headed to the bathroom to fix his hair. It had grown longer, messier, falling over his face in a way that somehow still worked for him. He tied it into a rough bun, leaving a single tuft to drape over his right eye. It looked way better now.
He stared at his reflection.
A fake smile pulled across his lips, as if testing whether it still looked convincing. Then it faded as he went out of the bathroom.
With a sigh, he threw on a green shirt over the vest, leaving it unbuttoned. Before leaving, he cracked the room door open in case Velis wanted to come out.
"I'll be heading out," he called as he walked to the door.
Akane looked over, "Wow…you look great. Stay safe, honey."
"Bye, big brother!" Tomoe waved, now more awake.
"I will. Bye." He shut the door behind him.
A taxi pulled up and he got in.
"Shurin Guild," he said.
The driver gave a small nod and drove off.
Tokyo - Akihabara
A short ride later, Takami stepped out of the taxi. The Shurin Guild's building loomed before him, sleek and towering with its emblem glowing high above. He exhaled, then walked in.
Immediately, a security guard stopped him.
"Who are you here to see?"
"I'm here to meet the Vice Guild President," Takami replied calmly.
"One moment." The guard walked off to make a call.
Takami took in his surroundings. The interior was nothing like Phantom Order's guild. It was more…corporate. People in suits bustled around, phones in hand, briefcases clutched. The air buzzed with professional chatter and the faint hum of machines. It wasn't just a guild. It was a business hub.
The guard returned, phone pressed to his ear. "Your name?" he asked quietly.
"Takami. Takami Ryusei."
The guard nodded and relayed the name into the call. "Should I bring him up?" A pause. His expression shifted.
"Y-you're coming down yourself? Yessir… okay." He hung up, blinking.
Takami was still looking around, unaware.
"Who is he?" the guard wondered.
Then, the elevator doors slid open.
Out walked Rei Hanekawa, dressed sharp in a white suit, hands in his pockets. People bowed and greeted him, but he barely acknowledged them.
"Glad you came, Takami," he said, stopping before him.
Takami looked up but said nothing.
"Follow me," Rei added, turning back toward the elevator.
Takami followed silently.
Haneda Airport.
A man stepped out from the terminal, wearing a face cap to shield himself from recognition. Shurin. Calm, collected. A car waited near the exit.
A younger man rushed over. "Welcome back, sir," he said, grabbing the suitcase.
"Thank you," Shurin replied. "Take that home. I'll go straight to the guild."
"Yes, sir." The man nodded and loaded the suitcase.
Shurin exited the airport, stepping into the sunlight with a deep inhale. His phone rang.
"I thought you said two days?" the voice on the line said, light and teasing.
"Couldn't wait," Shurin responded plainly.
"That's nice. Good to have you back."
"Yeah."
The call ended. Shurin flagged down a taxi.
"Shurin Guild," he said, and leaned back in the seat.
He closed his eyes.
"We're back home."