Chapter 56: Familiar Yet Distant

"Don't move!"

Toge Inumaki yanked down his collar, revealing the curse marks along both sides of his mouth.

With his words infused with cursed energy, his command struck like a thunderclap—

Aoi Todo, charging forward at full speed, froze in place.

"BOOM!"

A powerful punch from Panda crashed into Todo's face, sending him staggering.

Standing in front of the injured Fushiguro and White, Panda sighed, his voice tinged with exasperation.

"There are only a few days left before the Exchange Event. What's the rush?"

"Tch."

Todo spat a mix of blood and saliva onto the ground, a crooked grin spreading across his bruised face.

"I was just testing whether the rookie can replace Okkotsu. No need to get so worked up."

Panda playfully shook his rear, waving dismissively. "If you don't leave now, I might scream harassment."

"And if the higher-ups come, they might cancel your participation altogether~"

"Like I care." Todo huffed. "I was leaving anyway."

Having gauged enough from his brief scuffle, he turned to leave.

---

"Hey, muscle-head!"

White's voice darkened. "You think you can hit my disciple and walk away just like that?"

If not for Panda and Inumaki intervening, the brutish gorilla would have seriously injured Fushiguro.

Todo turned back, a sneer curling his lips. Peeking from behind Panda was White's pale face, equal parts smug and cowardly.

Todo's expression turned to one of disbelief. "This guy's got guts... but also no spine."

Panda whispered urgently to White, "Save it for the Exchange Event. If we cause trouble now, they'll cancel all of us."

---

At that moment, Mai Zenin arrived. Her green hair was disheveled, and her slender figure mirrored her sister Maki's features.

"Todo, aren't you supposed to attend Takada-chan's handshake event?" she said, tossing him his discarded uniform. "You'll be late if you don't leave now."

At the mention of the idol's name, Todo stiffened, panic flashing across his face.

Takada-chan—the beloved idol with twin pigtails, long legs, and a perfect figure—was Todo's obsession.

Grabbing his uniform, Todo sprinted away without another word.

---

Once Todo's figure disappeared from sight, Panda sighed in relief and removed his hand from White's mouth.

"If I hadn't stopped you, you would've gotten us all into trouble."

White shot Panda a glare before dramatically shifting his tone. "If it weren't for you, I would've blown that gorilla's brains out!"

But his indignation quickly melted away as he turned toward Mai with a mischievous grin. "Mai! It's been two years! Come, let me take a good look at you!"

Mai shoved a hand against White's forehead, keeping him at arm's length. "Don't call me your niece. You only conned that idiot Maki into believing it."

White took a step back, his grin widening. "You're twins. If I'm her uncle, I'm yours too."

Mai narrowed her eyes. "Still looking for an angle, huh? If I hadn't stepped in just now, Todo would've crushed you."

"Pfft, that muscle-brained idiot?" White scoffed.

Mai glanced at the red revolver in her hand. "This cursed tool is strong, but Todo's a Grade 1 sorcerer. If he really wanted, you wouldn't last a second."

"Even without this gun, one hidden attack from me would've dropped him in a heartbeat!" White boasted as he tossed the revolver back to Mai.

Mai studied him suspiciously. "Your 'hidden attack'…?"

Lighting a cigarette, White exhaled a puff of smoke dramatically and looked out into the distance. "Summon: Mirai."

Mai snorted, unsurprised. She inspected the revolver in her hand, her expression softening briefly. This gun, Guren, was a gift from Mirai, though she hadn't had a chance to collect it until now.

Meanwhile, White stole a glance at the others, his face momentarily clouded with disappointment.

No one—not even Panda or Mai—paid him any mind. Their focus was solely on the injured Fushiguro.

White sighed. "Ah, well."

Mai smirked as she spun the revolver around her finger. "You've been putting on this act for long enough. Time to cut it out."

Her tone grew more serious. "I'll talk to Todo and keep him off your back. Just stay away from him during the event."

"Wow, so nice of you."

Nobara Kugisaki's sarcastic voice rang out as she approached, her white tracksuit riddled with bullet holes. "You hate Yuji for being Sukuna's vessel but care so much about White. You're a real piece of work."

Mai's gaze remained steady, and with a sly grin, she raised the two revolvers—one silver and one pink—aiming them both at Nobara.

"A word of advice, rookie." Mai's tone was sharp. "If you want to keep being a sorcerer, don't provoke someone stronger than you."

Nobara's eyes narrowed as she recognized Guren in Mai's hand. She hesitated, sensing the tension in the air.

Panda and Inumaki quickly moved closer, ready to intervene.

Inumaki loosened his collar, prepared to use his cursed speech at any moment.

"Don't point that at my teammate."

Maki Zenin's voice cut through the standoff as she approached from behind, her staff resting on her shoulder. "Put the gun down, Mai."

Mai's expression darkened. "Get out of the way, Maki. You're just a dropout from the Zenin clan."

Maki remained calm. "So are you."

The two sisters, once inseparable, now stood worlds apart.

The weight of their unspoken history hung heavy between them, thickening the tense atmosphere.

---

"Alright, everyone, chill!"

White dramatically stomped out his cigarette, waving his arms in mock panic. "No more fighting, please!"

The others twitched, visibly restraining themselves from punching him.

Just then, a familiar yet unsettling voice cut through the tension.

"Mai, lower your guns."

Without thinking, Mai obeyed, her hands slowly dropping to her sides.

A man with shoulder-length black hair and a spotless white robe stepped forward. His serene smile was gentle, yet deeply unsettling.

"Mirai…" Mai whispered, stunned.

Having grown up under the Zenin clan's thumb, she knew him too well. The Mirai she remembered was ruthless—his motto simple: "Obey me, or perish."

Now, however, that same man stood before her, exuding a calm and eerie warmth.

Despite his gentle demeanor, a chill ran down Mai's spine.

"Madoka."

With a soft chant, Mirai formed a hand seal, and the shadows beneath him began to shift and spread.

Within moments, the injuries on Fushiguro and Nobara began to heal, their bodies enveloped in a soothing warmth.

The sight of the large shikigami summoned by Mirai reignited Fushiguro's burning desire to grow stronger.

This was the second time Mirai had saved them—once from that fearsome cursed spirit atop the volcano, and now again with his reverse cursed technique.

Nobara and Fushiguro bowed their heads. "Thank you, Mirai-sensei."

Mirai only smiled gently, as if their gratitude were of no consequence.

"No need to thank me. It's nothing."

And yet, neither of them could ignore the flicker of guilt in their hearts as they lowered their heads, ashamed of the doubts they'd harbored.

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