The smell of roasted meat and warm broth filled the air. The group gathered at the restaurant Sogen had once taken them to, the place where their journey had truly begun. The memories lingered heavy in the air, but tonight, there was laughter instead of sorrow.
Kaosu leaned back, his drink in hand. "Well… it's been a journey."
The table erupted with laughter, relief hanging between them.
"You've all gotten stronger," Supira said, pride in his voice as he looked around the table. "Especially you two, my brothers. I'm proud."
Doraibu smirked. "Yeah, but the real praise goes to Kudo."
Inside Kaosu's mind, Kudo was lying lazily across the dimension's void, ignoring him entirely.
"... He's not even listening," Doraibu muttered.
At the far end of the table, Kori raised his hand. "So… can I have alcohol?"
Before anyone could answer, a familiar voice rang out:
"Look who walked in."
It was Shimo. She stepped into the restaurant, her steps slow but steady, and without a word she plucked the alcohol from Kori's hand and replaced it with apple juice.
Kori pouted. "...Apple juice?"
Shimo sat down beside Kaosu with a faint smile. Across from her, Mizu slipped onto the bench beside Supira, quietly wrapping her arm around his. Rai caught sight of it and burst out laughing.
That was when Kudo materialized, leaning casually against the wall. "I guess Doraibu's the only one without a girl."
The entire table roared with laughter. Doraibu slammed his hands on the table. "Hey! What about you, huh? You don't have a girl either!"
Kudo's grin widened. "Not one, Doraibu. I had thousands of wives."
The table went silent. Doraibu slowly sat back down, muttering to himself as the laughter rose again.
But the warmth didn't last.
The door creaked open. A man cloaked in shadows entered, his steps calm and measured. He took a seat right behind their table, ordered food, and quietly removed his hood. On his bare arm was a brand — the number 2 burned deep into his flesh.
Kudo's eyes narrowed instantly. "...Kaosu. Behind us."
The group turned, the air suddenly heavy.
The man smirked. "Enjoy your little feast while you can. You'll all be dead soon enough."
He grabbed his food to go, his gaze lingering on them for a moment before he vanished into smoke.
The restaurant fell silent.
Kudo disappeared without another word, leaving the others tense and uneasy.
Supira broke the silence first. "...So, what do we even call ourselves?"
Kori raised his glass of apple juice high. "Kori and his amigos and ladies!"
"No way," Doraibu groaned. "We should call it… Doraibu's little harem."
Mizu smacked him on the head.
Supira crossed his arms. "What about Team Nex?"
Kaosu finally spoke, his voice steady and commanding. "The Nexus Vanguard."
Everyone turned toward him.
Kudo's voice echoed from the void, approving: "Now that… is a name."
Shimo smiled faintly. "I like it."
Kori sighed, sipping his juice. "Fine, but I still want alcohol. And don't call me a baby."
Kaosu stood, raising his drink high. "Then it's settled. This is the dawn… of the Nexus Vanguard!"
One by one, the group raised their glasses, the restaurant filled with cheers and laughter.
But above their heads, in the shadows beyond, the Dark Nexus was already moving. And the man with the number "2" was only the beginning.