The plane ride had settled into a heavy kind of quiet.
Not peaceful.
Just… restrained.
Like everyone was waiting for something they couldn't see yet.
Takeru suddenly straightened in his seat.
He turned his head slightly toward the aisle.
"…Nanami."
Kento Nanami
Nanami looked up from where he was sitting, already tired of being included in anything that started with Takeru speaking.
"…Yes?"
Takeru's gaze shifted further down the row.
Both versions of Nobara were there.
Young Nobara, confused but attentive.
Older Nobara, sitting stiller than usual—eyes sharper, quieter, like she already knew where this was going.
Nobara Kugisaki
Nobara Kugisaki
Takeru paused.
Then spoke clearly.
"…Both Nobara."
The younger one blinked.
"…Huh?"
The older one didn't react outwardly.
But her expression changed just slightly.
Like a memory pressed too close to the surface.
Takeru leaned forward a bit.
His voice dropped.
"When we get to Shibuya…"
Silence tightened instantly.
Even the engine noise felt louder.
"…Do. Not. Leave. My. Side."
Young Nobara frowned immediately.
"…What? Why would I—"
Nanami's eyes narrowed slightly.
Not questioning the instruction.
Questioning the weight behind it.
"…That is unusually specific."
Yuji, sitting further back, looked between them.
Yuji Itadori
"…Shibuya again…"
Megumi didn't say anything.
But his expression tightened.
Megumi Fushiguro
The younger Nobara looked confused, glancing at the others.
"…Seriously, what's with everyone?"
The older Nobara finally spoke.
Quiet.
Controlled.
"…Got it."
That alone changed the mood.
Because she understood something the others didn't.
Something she wasn't explaining.
Not yet.
Takeru leaned back slowly again.
Like the moment had been sealed.
"…Good."
No one asked for more details.
No one wanted to.
Fred, somewhere behind the seats, quietly raised a sign:
"Protective parameters updated: Shibuya."
The plane kept moving forward through the clouds.
And this time—
no one felt like it was just a trip anymore.