Watari followed Koharu through the mist-den streets of the Chūkan, still adjusting to the way his energy settled inside him now.

  The shift was undeniable.

  Eventually, they stopped before a rge building.

  Etched into its entrance was the kanji for Nine (九).

  Watari squinted.

  “Okay, I’m assuming this isn’t a restaurant?”

  Koharu ignored him.

  “This is the Kyūmonban—the Ninth Gate Watchers.”

  ”Kyūmonban?” Watari muttered, testing the word on his tongue. “So… we’ve got the Jūmonban for the Tenth, and this is their younger sibling?”

  “Something like that.” Koharu tapped the doorframe. “You see, all Tamashkii users’ souls echo through the Chūkan when they pass on. Some of them—if their will is strong enough—end up manifesting here, still chasing whatever unfinished goal they had in life.”

  Watari’s brows furrowed.

  “Wait. You’re telling me… souls straight up reincarnate here?”

  “Not exactly.” Koharu’s gaze turned knowing. “But let’s just say… this squad picked up a new member recently. And something tells me you know him.”

  Before Watari could press further, she slid the doors open.

  Inside, a lone figure stood in the training hall, cd in a Shinsei-gai uniform.

  His back was to them, but Watari recognized the stance instantly.

  The fluid precision, the quiet focus—

  Kaito.

  Watari felt his breath catch.

  Kaito was alive.

  No, not alive.

  But here.

  Whole.

  The sound of their entrance made Kaito pause mid-swing. He turned, eyes widening slightly before settling into something familiar.

  A smirk.

  “Took you long enough, Watari.”

  Watari stepped forward, his throat dry.

  “You… you’re really here.”

  Kaito exhaled, looking around the hall.

  “Guess this is where I belong now. Can’t exactly go back, so… might as well make myself useful.”

  He let out a small chuckle.

  “And honestly? It’s not bad. Feels… right.”

  Watari ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply.

  “You know, Mii-chan’s here too.”

  Kaito blinked.

  “Wait. Yumi’s here too?!”

  “Oh yeah,” Watari nodded. “And if she knew you were here, she’d lose her mind. She’d probably call us both idiots first, but, y’know… affectionately.”

  Kaito ughed, shaking his head.

  “That sounds about right.”

  Then, his expression darkened slightly. He clenched his fist as he muttered,

  “Watari… Kuroda.”

  Watari’s posture straightened.

  The weight in Kaito’s voice made it clear—this wasn’t just casual talk anymore.

  “I know.”

  Watari’s grip tightened at his side.

  “Don’t worry.”

  “No.”

  Kaito’s eyes locked onto his, firm and unwavering.

  “Not just for me.”

  Watari inhaled.

  His fingers curled, but this time, there was no hesitation.

  No doubt.

  “I’ll stop him.”

  Then, his voice steadied—

  a conviction solidified.

  “I’ll stop him so he never hurts anyone else ever again.”

  Kaito studied him for a moment.

  Then, he nodded.

  ”…Good. That’s my proud Heishi.”

  The two stood in silence, the weight of everything settling between them.

  And then—

  Watari exhaled, shaking his head.

  “Man. If you were alive, you’d totally be rubbing it in my face that you joined one of the veils before me.”

  Kaito smirked.

  “Still am.”

  ”—Okay, actually? Screw you.”

  Kaito just ughed, the sound light and genuine.

  For the first time since waking up in the Chūkan, Watari felt at ease.

  Cut to bck.