Chapter 57 : A Silence Shared

Training Field — Late Afternoon

It was quiet again.

The field where they once sparred felt like a ruin now. The grass hadn't been cut in days, and the sky hung low with heavy clouds. A breeze drifted through the open courtyard, but it couldn't clear the heaviness in the air.

Gojo sat on the edge of the platform, long legs dangling off the side. His blindfold rested loosely around his neck, his eyes glazed and distant. He didn't move when Kishibe arrived.

The older sorcerer limped slightly, bottle in hand, bandages across his ribs and shoulder. He didn't say hello. Just dropped down beside Gojo with a grunt and took a long drink.

"You're still alive," Gojo murmured.

"Unfortunately," Kishibe muttered, his voice like rusted gravel.

They sat like that for several minutes—just the wind and the bottle between them.

Gojo finally broke the silence. "I thought I was untouchable."

Kishibe gave him a sideways glance. "You still are. Just not invincible."

"Big difference," Gojo muttered.

"Real big," Kishibe agreed, rubbing his eyes.

The door creaked open behind them. Geto stepped into view, hands in his sleeves, robe tidy, hair perfectly tied. He looked like he hadn't fought a single battle.

But his eyes were wrong. Still. Distant.

He joined them on the platform without a word, lowering himself slowly. For a while, no one spoke. The three sat side by side, backs to the world they'd nearly died defending.

"I keep thinking about her," Gojo said suddenly. "Riko. She should've lived."

Kishibe drank. "We all should've done a lot of things."

"She smiled right before he killed her," Geto said flatly. "Like she was ready."

The words hit like a slap. Gojo's hands clenched into fists.

Kishibe didn't look up. "She shouldn't have had to be ready. That's the point."

The silence returned—heavier this time.

"We won," Kishibe finally said, half-laughing. "At least that's what they'll write down. 'Mission accomplished.'"

Gojo looked over. "It doesn't feel like a win."

Kishibe's mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "Hell of a win. She's dead. You nearly died. I nearly died. And all I got to show for it is scars, headaches, and a stomach full of whiskey."

Gojo let out a short laugh, hollow and raw. "Welcome to the big leagues."

"Is that what this is?" Kishibe sneered. "Just another level of losing?"

Geto stood. His voice was flat. "There's nothing left to protect."

Kishibe blinked.

Gojo looked up. "What?"

Geto didn't answer. He turned and walked away without looking back.

---

City Streets — Nightfall

Neon lights shimmered over wet pavement. The city was a blur of laughter, cars, and colors. Life moved on—untouched by the screams and deaths that still echoed in Geto's head.

He walked in silence, hood up, hands in his pockets.

A child bumped into him. Apologized. Ran off, clutching a toy. A parent called after them, laughing.

Geto didn't smile.

On the edge of an alley, a cursed spirit crawled into view. All teeth and wet shadows. It hovered near the same child.

Geto watched.

And did nothing.

The spirit hissed. Then vanished into the gutter, unnoticed.

He turned his gaze away.

He remembered what Yuki Tsukumo once told him: "They want us to keep saving people who'd burn us as witches if they could."

He remembered Riko's soft voice asking if she could stay.

He remembered her crumpled body.

A low ache started in his chest.

"This world doesn't deserve protection," he muttered.

---

Courtyard — Later That Night

Gojo stood in the dark alone.

The wind had picked up. It howled gently through the trees. His hair was unkempt. His eyes fixed on the distant rooftops.

His hands were shaking. He didn't know why.

He looked up at the stars.

They were still shining.

And that made him angry.

---

Kishibe's Room — Midnight

The bottle was empty.

Kishibe sat on the edge of his bed, bathed in pale yellow from the streetlamp outside. His shoulders slumped. His blade leaned against the wall across from him.

He stared at it for a long time.

Then looked away.

Outside, a cat yowled. A distant truck rumbled down the road.

The world had moved on.

The monster trio had survived.

But they were no longer whole.