The arcade noise faded like it was being pulled underwater.
Coins stopped clattering.
Machines dimmed.
Even Hakari's shouting felt distant now.
Takeru stood still.
His expression changed slightly—subtle, but noticeable to anyone who knew him well.
Yuji tilted his head.
"…Something's off."
Megumi narrowed his eyes.
"…He's gone."
Hakari blinked.
"…Gone where?"
Takeru's body went completely still.
Then—
his consciousness dropped inward.
MIND SPACE
It wasn't the usual place.
Not Sukuna's domain.
Not that familiar pressure.
This felt… different.
Quiet.
Clean.
And there—
someone stood.
A girl.
Calm posture.
Neutral expression.
Like she had been waiting.
She looked at him.
And spoke immediately.
"…Hello."
Takeru froze.
Silence stretched.
"…Oh."
He paused.
"…Uh."
The girl tilted her head slightly.
"…You can see me, right?"
Takeru blinked once.
Then twice.
"…Yeah."
Awkward silence.
Then his entire expression subtly broke.
Just for a second.
PHYSICAL WORLD
Back outside—
Takeru's body suddenly jolted.
His face turned slightly red.
Not dramatic.
Not exaggerated.
But unmistakable.
Yuji immediately leaned forward.
"…WAIT."
Megumi's eyes widened.
"…No way."
Hakari pointed aggressively.
"…HE'S BLUSHING?!"
Inside—
Takeru snapped back into his body instantly.
He coughed once.
Looked away.
Then spoke way too fast.
"…I'm cooked guys…"
A pause.
"…It is a girl."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Yuji slowly looked at Megumi.
"…Did he just—"
Megumi cut him off immediately.
"…Yes."
Hakari looked like reality had shifted.
"…Takeru doesn't blush."
Gojo, watching from nearby, slowly nodded.
Satoru Gojo
"…He REALLY doesn't."
The second Gojo leaned in.
Satoru Gojo
"…That's how you know it's serious."
Fred slowly raised a sign from behind a claw machine:
"New entity detected: emotional damage."
Takeru stood there still looking away slightly.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…We're not talking about it."
Yuji immediately nodded.
"…We're absolutely talking about it."