Geto-san kept his word.

Not that Shiki had particularly doubted he would break it 'that was the entire point behind making a binding vow in the first place ' but part of her had remained wary nonetheless, even despite the assurance of her and Iori-sensei 's safety.

There was once a time when Shiki would 've confidently said that she felt perfectly safe and at ease walking alongside Geto-san. But, that 's no longer the case. Things have changed too much since then. So long as the man in question remained an unrepentant curse user and set himself firmly at odds against Satoru-niichan, Shiki couldn 't see how things would take a turn for the better.

What a mess.

Even messier was the discovery that

Araya Souren

had somehow been involved in this situation. The man was

alive,

and he 'd been 'watching? Observing the fight?