Cherry blossoms drift through the virtual plaza as evening bells chime across Re'Union's central district, their petals dissolving into data particles before touching cobblestones. Takanori adjusts the brown shoulder strap of his military coat, glancing toward the guild base entrance where Nozomi waits. He smooths his pastel blue hair with uncharacteristic nervousness, glasses catching the fading light.

She insisted I greet newcomers tonight... He clears throat. I'm Takanori Mikado. Former Illuminati guild master. Current... well. Trying to be better than I was. The laws of this world are malleable—but some bonds, once broken, require more than analysis to repair.

((Does she truly see me now? Or just the apology I offered?))