Okinawa.
'Peaceful...'
I stood knee deep in the cool water, the sand shifting beneath my feet. Letting out a deep breath, I inhaled the ocean breeze.
"I never got to see a sight like this before."
That honeyed voice came from my right. I turned to Kaede, dressed in a bikini. I wasn't sure how I felt about my mind putting her in one—but I wasn't going to try and imagine anything else.
"...And you never will."
I looked down at my reflection—not the weathered man I had become, but the younger version of myself. The one from before I was dragged into this world of sorcerers.
Young. Confused. Desperate to survive another day in a world that wanted me dead simply because I wielded something I never asked for.
A wave rolled in, distorting the reflection. When the water stilled, the younger me was gone—replaced by the tired, worn version staring back.
Tired. That was what I was.
Tired of losing so damn much.
Tired of a cycle that never seemed to end.
Tired of hearing her voice but never feeling her warmth.
And tired, so tired of losing every single thing I'd come to care for.
"I would say I told you so..."
A smile tugged at my lips as I looked out over the ocean.
"What has you smiling, Ryou?"
I turned toward the hallucination—the sick mockery of her that I'd created during my time sealed away.
"I can feel it."
Its eyes widened as I rested a hand over my heart. It was weakening—slowly, steadily.
Behind me, I heard joyful yells. The Gojo kid and Amanai had jumped into the water.
"Sasaki-san! Catch!"
I didn't catch. I dodged, walking past them without a word.
"Don't trip, Amanai-san."
She groaned before Gojo grabbed her wrist and dragged her deeper into the surf.
"Whatever, old man!"
I ignored him and made my way back to the sand, taking a seat beside Misato and Geto.
"Have fun?" I asked.
They looked at me, then nodded.
"What happens after this?"
Geto didn't answer me immediately. His gaze shifted toward Amanai, a strange glint in his eyes.
"We'll go to Tokyo Jujutsu High, at Mount Mushiro. That's where it all... comes to an end."
There was hesitation in his words. Sadness masked behind Misato's usual calm.
"I see... That's where my journey ends as well."
Both turned toward me at that. I caught the question in their eyes, so I explained, keeping my eyes on Amanai.
"If I'm right, I won't have sorcerers after me anymore when I arrive with you lot at Mushiro." I paused, then shrugged. "Probably."
I saw their shared glance out of the corner of my eye.
After that, we sat in silence—until the two in the ocean became four, as Geto and Misato were dragged into the water to play.
I watched their smiles, and that feeling—one that had clawed at me since we arrived—crept in deeper.
Still, I couldn't stop the small smile that bloomed on my face.
~Scene Change~
It was two thirty in the afternoon by the time we arrived at the base of Mount Mushiro. Amanai stared up at the long staircase in visible disgust, and I turned to Misato and Geto, who both smiled at her reaction.
"I'll join you lot later—I've got to grab something."
They looked a little confused but ultimately shrugged. Just as I turned to leave, I had to sidestep the flailing limbs of the Gojo kid.
"Aww~ come on, old man! What if you collapse when you're on your own?"
'Rude little shit.' I sighed and avoided his attempted hug.
"I'm not that old, kid."
He rolled his eyes dramatically and let out an exaggerated sigh. "Come onnnn!~"
I ignored him, turning away. Amanai's voice followed behind me.
"Goodbye, Sasaki-san!"
I paused and glanced back. Standing behind her was Kaede, smiling gently. But she wasn't really there. The hallucination beside me screeched.
"DON'T LOOK AT HER!"
I raised a hand lazily in farewell. "Cya, kid."
With that, I walked off, heading to find a bottle of plum sake.
~Riko Amanai POV~
"This is as far as I can go... Please... Please, Riko—"
I ran back and threw my arms around her. Kuroi's warmth wrapped around me. A warmth I'd never feel again.
"I love you, Kuroi-san!"
My throat burned as I cried out those words—the truest I had ever said.
"I love you too, Riko-san!"
Her embrace tightened. My tears soaked her clothes and I wished this moment could last forever.
"Riko-chan..."
I wanted to ignore his voice. Pretend I didn't hear it. But I couldn't—not really.
With a heavy heart, I left Kuroi's arms and dragged my feet toward Suguru, trying to prolong the time I had left.
"Come on... it's only a little further."
I nodded, staring down at the cold concrete. The quiet sound of our footsteps echoed down the hallway. Just in the corner of my vision, I noticed a glowing light.
"Riko-chan, we're here."
I looked up.
A massive tree—imposing and ancient—stood tall before us.
"So this is it..."
Suguru hummed thoughtfully, his voice calm as I stared up at the structure.
"It's Tengen-sama's territory now."
The entire place looked like a giant wooden colosseum, with branching paths and embedded homes. Lightning crackled from the center of the arena, illuminating everything in an eerie glow.
"The Main Hall of the Tombs of the Star."
The name alone sent a shiver down my spine.
Suguru continued.
"Once you pass through the gate and head toward the base of the tree, you'll enter a barrier separate from the rest of Jujutsu High. Only those invited can enter."
He exhaled quietly, his voice gentler now.
"That's where Tengen-sama will protect you during the assimilation."
'Assimilation.'
I knew what that meant. I'd been told about it for so long, but now that it was really happening...
I was scared.
Terrified, even. This was something bigger than me, something greater than I could ever be, but I didn't want to leave everyone behind.
'Will Sasaki-san be sad that I'm gone?'
It was a stupid thought. He was always so distant, mysterious—like a ghost with nowhere to haunt. But I'd hoped just a little, that I might be able to crack through that shell of his.
"That..." Suguru said suddenly, drawing my attention.
"...Or we can turn back around. Go home. With Kuroi-san. And Sasaki-san."
My eyes widened. I thought I'd misheard him—but I hadn't.
He explained how he and Satoru had planned everything, that we could leave, all of us—together. That Sasaki could live with Kuroi and me.
It was all happening so quickly. As he kept speaking, something inside me burst. I couldn't hold it in anymore.
Tears welled up. Suguru smiled gently, knowingly.
He already knew my answer.
As I clutched my chest and opened my mouth to speak—to pour my heart out—
The ceiling above us exploded.
A gunshot rang out.
Pain seared through my body.
Then everything went black.