It's no wonder given how much cursed energy he expended between attempting to expand his domain and indulging Ishigori's request, but now that the battle is well and truly over with, it hits him like a truck. There's little he can do about it when he won't be able to summon Rika's full manifestation for a while since her time limit already ran out nor can he linger and rest by Ishigori's side much longer, tempting though it may be to remain seated for a while; Ishigori is turning out to be far more pleasant company than Uro was. But there are people waiting for him, civilians that he needs to keep safe and escort to the edge of the barrier. So with his opponent's points taken, he bids his farewell and leaves Ishigori Ryu behind to make his way to the stadium, ignoring how exhaustion dogs his every step and weighs down his limbs.
He can fix that in a little while, he'll just have to bear it until he can tap into Rika's well of cursed energy again.
At least there is distraction from the fatigue as, soon after, Rika appears of her own volition without being summoned. That in itself is curious and unusual enough, but his exhaustion gets truly forgotten when she claims that "jiji is looking for you" while pointing in the direction of the stadium. What she's saying makes no sense to him—they don't know anyone named Jiji, Orimoto Rika's grandfather is dead, Yuta's own is not among the civilians he saved—and she can't seem to articulate it any better beyond her insistence that "jiji's here" no matter how he phrases his questions. She keeps saying it like he's supposed to know. He doesn't.
The resulting confusion is enough to have dread start seeping in, insidious and icy in his veins. Something only worsened by the dead sorcerer he finds along his way. Asking Kogane whose points have recently changed leaves him staring at the name MUMEI which is... foreboding. No last name or anything. Just 'Mumei'. Nameless. (Strangely with 0 points, suggesting they made use of the new rule change.) Although none of that compares to the rising alarm he feels as he gets closer to the stadium.
Because the closer he gets, the more he can sense a terrible presence unlike anything he's ever felt before. There's no sense of hostility to it like cursed energy has by nature and yet the enormity of it sets his teeth on edge, puts more haste behind his steps as worry for the people (meant to be) under his care swells and rises like the tides to nip at his heels. The lead in his wearied limbs matters no longer in the face of whatever this is.
His feet keep their hurried pace until he's moved up the steps that will carry him towards the stadium's entrance and he catches sight of an unassuming figure sitting on the bench right opposite of it, holding a sword. There's no doubt about it. The figure is the origin of the terrible aura. Instinctively Yuta's hand tightens its grip on the handle of his sword (he's tired, so tired, he doesn't want another fight) but he keeps calm as he draws close, Rika a steady reassuring presence at his back. ]
Go-
[ 'Good afternoon' he means to say with a carefully polite mask in place, but he gets no chance to when Rika suddenly rushes past him with outstretched hands and a jubilant cry that leaves Yuta standing utterly nonplussed in her wake. ]
TSUMUKARI AU — sendai colony, 12 november 2018
It's no wonder given how much cursed energy he expended between attempting to expand his domain and indulging Ishigori's request, but now that the battle is well and truly over with, it hits him like a truck. There's little he can do about it when he won't be able to summon Rika's full manifestation for a while since her time limit already ran out nor can he linger and rest by Ishigori's side much longer, tempting though it may be to remain seated for a while; Ishigori is turning out to be far more pleasant company than Uro was. But there are people waiting for him, civilians that he needs to keep safe and escort to the edge of the barrier. So with his opponent's points taken, he bids his farewell and leaves Ishigori Ryu behind to make his way to the stadium, ignoring how exhaustion dogs his every step and weighs down his limbs.
He can fix that in a little while, he'll just have to bear it until he can tap into Rika's well of cursed energy again.
At least there is distraction from the fatigue as, soon after, Rika appears of her own volition without being summoned. That in itself is curious and unusual enough, but his exhaustion gets truly forgotten when she claims that "jiji is looking for you" while pointing in the direction of the stadium. What she's saying makes no sense to him—they don't know anyone named Jiji, Orimoto Rika's grandfather is dead, Yuta's own is not among the civilians he saved—and she can't seem to articulate it any better beyond her insistence that "jiji's here" no matter how he phrases his questions. She keeps saying it like he's supposed to know. He doesn't.
The resulting confusion is enough to have dread start seeping in, insidious and icy in his veins. Something only worsened by the dead sorcerer he finds along his way. Asking Kogane whose points have recently changed leaves him staring at the name MUMEI which is... foreboding. No last name or anything. Just 'Mumei'. Nameless. (Strangely with 0 points, suggesting they made use of the new rule change.) Although none of that compares to the rising alarm he feels as he gets closer to the stadium.
Because the closer he gets, the more he can sense a terrible presence unlike anything he's ever felt before. There's no sense of hostility to it like cursed energy has by nature and yet the enormity of it sets his teeth on edge, puts more haste behind his steps as worry for the people (meant to be) under his care swells and rises like the tides to nip at his heels. The lead in his wearied limbs matters no longer in the face of whatever this is.
His feet keep their hurried pace until he's moved up the steps that will carry him towards the stadium's entrance and he catches sight of an unassuming figure sitting on the bench right opposite of it, holding a sword. There's no doubt about it. The figure is the origin of the terrible aura. Instinctively Yuta's hand tightens its grip on the handle of his sword (he's tired, so tired, he doesn't want another fight) but he keeps calm as he draws close, Rika a steady reassuring presence at his back. ]
Go-
[ 'Good afternoon' he means to say with a carefully polite mask in place, but he gets no chance to when Rika suddenly rushes past him with outstretched hands and a jubilant cry that leaves Yuta standing utterly nonplussed in her wake. ]
J̷I̴J̸I̴!̴