The last of the rocky road was almost gone.
Takeru looked down at his empty cone.
Then at Kenjaku.
For once, the Tombs of the Star Corridor felt almost peaceful.
Almost.
Takeru stood up and stretched.
"I should probably go back."
Kenjaku looked over.
"Back to the others?"
"Yep."
Takeru nodded.
"I've been gone for a while."
Kenjaku gave a small nod.
"Then you should probably return."
Takeru smiled.
"See ya."
He paused.
Then added casually:
"Dad."
Kenjaku's expression immediately changed.
"…Takeru."
Takeru grinned.
"Family bonding."
Kenjaku shook his head.
"Go."
"Bye!"
Takeru closed his eyes.
His consciousness reached outward.
Across the enormous distance between the Tombs and Tokyo Colony 2.
FLASH.
Takeru's consciousness switched.
Tokyo Colony 2
His eyes opened.
He was back in his body.
Hakari looked over.
"…You're back."
Takeru nodded.
"Yep."
Akari looked at him.
"Where were you?"
Takeru smiled.
"Visiting my dad."
Everyone froze.
Hakari slowly lowered his head.
"…Your what?"
Takeru walked past them.
"My dad."
Raiden stared.
"…You found your dad during the Culling Games?"
Takeru shrugged.
"Kind of."
A pause.
"…He bought me ice cream."
Hakari stared at him.
"I don't even want to know."
Takeru smiled.
"Good."
Meanwhile, deep beneath Tokyo Jujutsu High…
Kenjaku sat alone with his empty ice cream cone.
He looked at it.
Then quietly smiled.
"…Family bonding."