Months has past since Riko Amanai's passing.

Suguru continued his relentless pursuit of exorcising and absorbing cursed spirits. The repetitive cycle weighed heavily on his mind as he pondered,

Exorcise, absorb. Over and over. No one else understands what cursed spirits taste like. It's like swallowing a dirty rag that's been used to clean up vomit.

The haunting question lingered in his thoughts,

"Who am I doing this for?"

In the past few months, something had shifted within Suguru. He withdrew into his own world, rarely leaving his room and embarking on solo missions. Even his closest friend, Satoru, seemed oblivious to the changes in Suguru's demeanor.

As you ventured outside during your own training, you spotted Suguru in a state of disarray. Heavy bags under his eyes, unkempt and longer hair, paler skin, a weariness that transcended mere physical exhaustion. Seated nearby, he appeared lost in a daze, a shadow of the Suguru you once knew.