Koharu took a deep breath, rolling her shoulders. Her patience was wearing thin, but at least now that everything was settled, she could finally get to the point.

  “Now, as I was saying—”

  SLAM.

  The door flew open.

  “Watari!”

  “Yumi!”

  Before he could react, Yumi tackled him in a tight hug, nearly knocking the breath out of him.

  “H-hey, okay—breathing, breathing is important—” Watari wheezed, barely managing to stay upright.

  Yumi pulled back just enough to gre at him. “You bailed on the kids, you idiot!”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know—”

  Koharu inhaled sharply through her nose, tapping her foot against the ground. Her expression darkened.

  “Are you two done?”

  Yumi finally let go, fshing a wide grin. “Maybe.”

  Koharu’s gre didn’t waver. “Good. Because it’s actually better that both of you are here. Now I don’t have to repeat myself.”

  She straightened up, preparing to speak again.

  “As I was saying—”

  SLAM.

  The door flew open again.

  “Yo.”

  Koharu visibly twitched.

  Watari turned, only for a slow smirk to tug at his lips. “Ren.”

  Ren stepped inside, his hands tucked casually into his pockets, his presence heavier than before. The second Watari felt it, he knew—Ren had gotten stronger. His Tamashkii was refined, sharper than it had ever been.

  “Damn,” Watari muttered. “You for sure have gotten stronger.”

  Ren exhaled, stopping in front of him. “Had to.” His gaze was steady. “Can’t let you leave me in the dust, kid.”

  Watari grinned. “Oh? You saying you caught up?”

  Ren’s lips barely curved into a smirk. “I’m saying I’ve reached the Third State. Tsukuyomi has evolved.”

  Silence settled over the room.

  Watari’s smirk twitched, just for a second. But Ren saw it.

  There was an unspoken agreement in that moment. A challenge for another day.

  Koharu closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Alright.” She exhaled, voice ft. “Three of you being here actually makes this even better. Now I only have to say this once.”

  She inhaled deeply.

  “Now, as I was—”

  SLAM.

  “WHAT UP, LOSERS.”

  The entire room shuddered.

  For a split second, everything went still. Then, the raw force of Koharu’s killing intent practically crushed the air.

  Ayase shifted slightly, eyes flickering to her. Yumi stiffened. Even Ren’s stance adjusted just a little.

  Kaito, however, remained completely unfazed.

  “Hey, so, uh… what’s the big meeting about?” He waltzed in without a care in the world, hands casually behind his head. “We having a surprise party for me?”

  “Dude, no one is throwing you a party,” Watari deadpanned.

  Kaito gasped, pcing a hand over his chest in mock offense. “What?! Not even a little one?”

  “Not even a candle on a cupcake.”

  “Damn. Tough crowd. People really do change after two years.”

  Koharu’s fingers twitched.

  Her eye twitched.

  Her entire body twitched.

  Yumi, however, didn’t hesitate.

  CRACK.

  Kaito and Watari were both sent flying.

  The thud of two skulls hitting the floor echoed through the chamber.

  Ren let out a slow breath, shaking his head. “They deserved that.”

  Koharu paused. Her hands slowly lowered from where she had been about to strangle Kaito.

  Kaito groaned, sprawled out on the floor.

  Watari, still ft on his back, simply lifted a hand. “I’m awake. Present. Ready to learn.”

  Koharu stared at Yumi. Then back at the two idiots on the floor.

  Then back at Yumi.

  A realization dawned on her.

  “Wait.” She turned to Yumi, voice slow, almost amazed. “Is that the way to do it? Is that how I solve my problems?”

  Yumi crossed her arms, nodding sagely. “Yes.”

  Koharu processed this for a long moment.

  “Huh.”

  A brief moment of girl bonding.

  Kaito groaned, rolling onto his side. “I feel like this is sexism.”

  Yumi cracked her knuckles. “Wanna repeat that?”

  Kaito coughed. ”…No.”

  Koharu sighed deeply, regaining her composure.

  “Alright. Now that everyone’s finally shut up—” She side-eyed Kaito and Watari, making sure they got the message.

  She straightened.

  “Let’s talk about the real matter at hand.”

  The atmosphere shifted instantly.

  Koharu’s expression hardened. “We’ve had reports near the Fifth Gate.”

  A pause.

  “Two warriors were sent already. Neither returned. The Gomonban have made an interesting move though and that’s what the households really want to check out.”

  Silence.

  The weight of her words sank into the room.

  “The elders aren’t sending reinforcements until we know exactly what we’re dealing with. That’s why…”Koharu’s gaze flickered across them, her voice sharpening. “They want Watari and his team to investigate.”

  Watari frowned.

  “Wait. Me and my… team?” His eyes moved between everyone present. “Pretty sure we’re all in different Veils.”

  Koharu exhaled.

  “The elders made a special exception.” Her eyes narrowed at Watari. “Your entire induction into the Chūkan has been special. So they’re being a little… lenient.”

  Watari crossed his arms, tilting his head. “Old people always did love me.”

  Ren promptly bonked him on the head.

  “Kid, shut up.”

  Koharu ignored them.

  “If this turns out to be too dangerous, the Jūmonban will send higher-ranking warriors.” Her eyes swept across them. “But for now, you leave for the Gomonban tomorrow.”

  A quiet moment passed.

  The group exchanged gnces.

  Watari sighed. Ren stretched his arms. Yumi tilted her head. Ryuko let out a short exhale.

  Kaito grinned, rubbing the back of his neck. “Another adventure, huh?”

  Watari smirked back. “Guess so.”

  —CUT TO NIGHT.