The afternoon sun filtered softly through the windows of the florist shop. They were taking a quick mid-break for lunch while Akari finished arranging a fresh batch of lilies at the counter before reopening.
Then, the world outside seemed to turn grey. A shadowy figure materialized across the opposite walkway. It was Geto Suguru.
The ceramic vase Akari was holding slipped from her fingers, shattering against the wooden floorboards with a sharp, echoing crack.
Gojo glanced down at the broken ceramic in mild surprise, checking Akari for any cuts on her fingers, while Ren immediately rushed over with a broom to clean up the mess. Utter confusion flickered across Akari's face—none of the others were reacting to the man standing right out there.
“Satoru... Geto is here,” she whispered, her voice trembling as she gripped Gojo’s sleeve hard.
Trusting her instinct instantly, Gojo whipped off his blindfold and began to scan the area with his Six Eyes.
Nothing. The street was completely clear. Akari was the only one who could see him.
Across the street, Geto didn't move an inch toward them. Instead, a slow, knowing smile curved his lips as he casually raised a hand and waved directly at her.
“Akari, look at me,” Gojo gently placed his hand over hers. “Tell me exactly what he's doing.”
Geto, entirely amused, began curling his fingers one by one in a deliberate, slow-motion countdown. Three. Two. One.
It was a silent, psychological trap meant entirely for her. Fearing Geto was about to strike, the crushing weight of the illusion broke her restraint, and she screamed, “Stop this—now!”
A suffocating pressure wave exploded from Akari, violently distorting the air around them. Everyone stumbled back, shielding their eyes as two terrifying, opposing forces began swirling wildly around her—one of absolute, destructive cursed power, and another of blinding, volatile cleansing energy.
Breaking through the heavy atmospheric pressure, Gojo wrapped his arms around her from behind, pressing her close against his chest to ground her.
Ren rushed forward, slamming a specialized suppression seal directly onto the wooden floorboards.
The seal flared brightly as Akari's power finally died down.
"Fascinating," Geto murmured from across the street, giving a slow, mocking final clap before casually turning and disappearing into the crowd.
ns216.73.217.153da2
and then Add to home screen.