The spar was over.
Ren stood near the strange purple portal that had brought him to the beach.
He looked back at everyone.
"Well…"
He gave a small wave.
"Thanks for letting me stay."
Takeru waved back.
"Anytime!"
Ren stepped toward the portal.
"Maybe I'll see you guys again."
Takeru grinned.
"Definitely!"
Ren walked through.
FWOOM.
The purple portal closed behind him.
The beach returned to normal.
Takeru smiled for a moment.
Then—
He froze.
His hand immediately went to his forehead.
"…Ow."
Yuji looked over.
"Takeru?"
Takeru squeezed his eyes shut.
"Wait…"
The pain suddenly intensified.
"OW!"
He stumbled backward.
Yuji rushed over.
"What's wrong?!"
Takeru grabbed the side of his head.
"My head…"
He grimaced.
"It hurts."
One of the Gojo's immediately approached.
"How badly?"
Takeru shook his head.
"Really badly."
His Six Eyes flickered behind his sunglasses.
The pain wasn't like an injury.
It wasn't cursed energy exhaustion.
It felt like something was happening inside his mind.
Nanami frowned.
"You didn't sustain a head injury during the fight?"
"No."
Takeru leaned against one of the beach chairs.
"I was fine."
Then another wave of pain hit.
"Gah!"
Yuji caught his shoulder.
"Easy."
Takeru breathed heavily.
"It started right after Ren left."
Everyone went quiet.
Maki looked toward the spot where the portal had disappeared.
"…You think it's connected?"
Takeru slowly opened his eyes.
"I don't know."
He pressed his palm against his forehead.
"But…"
His expression became uneasy.
"…it really feels like something changed."
One of the Gojo's narrowed his eyes.
"Changed how?"
Takeru looked toward the empty space where Ren's portal had been.
"I don't know."
He paused.
"But my head definitely knows something that I don't."
Another sharp pulse hit.
Takeru winced.
"Ow!"
Yuji frowned.
"Yeah…"
He looked toward everyone else.
"This isn't normal."
Takeru slowly sat down.
For the first time since Ren had arrived…
he wasn't smiling.
Something had happened.
And whatever it was—
Ren had taken the answer with him through the portal.