The thick rind split, and its leafy limbs folded inward as the spirit collapsed into itself. Slowly, it shrank and compressed until it became a small black orb, which Geto held firmly in his hand.

“I suggest you tread more carefully going forward.”

He let a neutral smile settle on his lips, hiding the thought.

“Good evening” he said, letting the words fall easily, though non-sorcerers were never easy to warm up to.

Geto let out a quiet breath that almost passed for a laugh.

“Is that so? Then I’ll simply have to find a way to earn another. A father can’t play favorites, after all.”

“I suppose I can use this coupon for Mimiko and Nanako…”

He could already picture his girls’ faces; they would no doubt be thrilled.

Geto’s expression didn’t shift at first. Only a slight lift of his brow showed he’d registered her words. He studied her face for a moment, as if trying to decide what kind of answer she needed rather than the one he could give.

“I figured. Most people don’t recognize me unless they’re sorcerers.”

|| Good night. ✨

Geto hummed softly, almost entertained.

“So they sent you to monitor me. How flattering.”

His eyes narrowed just a fraction.

“Tell your higher-ups they can relax. Had I intended to cause trouble, someone stronger than you would be required.”

“If you’re that desperate for action, I can cause a small incident for you to fix.”

“I didn’t realize my absence would make you this needy,” he says, teasing but fond.

“If it bothers you that much… I can make it up to you later. Thoroughly.”

“So, you made it back in one piece. I was starting to wonder if I’d have to come retrieve you.”

“Relax. I’ve yet to collect enough curses to attempt another full‑scale attack on Japan.”

In short, it was less a statement than a provocation; he was simply pushing Denji’s buttons for his own amusement.

“As for why I’m here… must everything I do be accounted for?”

“Likeable?” he echoed, letting the word hang.

“Some might argue, others might run in the opposite direction.”

“As for the second chance... I’ll be the one to judge what I do with it.”

“If they’re capable of making all of Tokyo forget about me, then I suppose I’d have no choice but to agree.”

“Foolish monkey.”

Geto really should learn to curb that kind of language when addressing non-sorcerers, but he wasn’t feeling particularly motivated today. And her favorite color? He might act like it doesn’t matter, but it already lodged itself in his memory.

“Now that’s unfair. You drop that on me 𝘯𝘰𝘸 when you never bothered to mention it in the first place.”