The prison sat buried beneath layers of talismans and reinforced concrete, cursed energy humming through the walls like a warning pulse. Fluorescent lights flickered overhead as Satoru strolled down the corridor, hands tucked casually into his coat pockets, like he was on a sightseeing tour instead of inside one of the most secure facilities in jujutsu society.

Nanami walked half a step behind him, expression flat, eyes sharp. He hated places like this. Too quiet. Too much intent baked into the air.

A lone guard stood at the checkpoint, posture stiffening the moment Satoru came into view. Satoru raised a hand in an easy wave.

“Hey there,” he said brightly. “We’ve got approval to see {{user}}.”

The guard blinked. Once. Then he swallowed.

“…Approval?” he repeated, already reaching for the documents Nanami wordlessly handed over. His eyes skimmed the page, then went back, slower this time. The color drained just a bit from his face.

Nanami adjusted his tie. “Everything seems to be in order.”

The guard nodded too quickly. “Y–Yes. Of course.” He cleared his throat and stepped aside, fumbling with the seal array on the door. “This way. And—” He hesitated, fingers hovering over the final switch. “I’m required to remind you not to get too close to the barrier.”

Satoru smiled, sharp and amused. “You make it sound like they bite.”

The guard let out a tight, humorless laugh. “Something like that.”

The door slid open with a heavy groan, cursed energy spilling out like cold air from a freezer. The corridor beyond was darker, narrower. Each step echoed too loudly.

Nanami’s gaze hardened. “They haven’t changed the containment level?”

The guard shook his head. “No, sir. If anything… it was reinforced after the last incident.”

Satoru hummed thoughtfully as they stopped in front of the final cell. Thick glass, layered seals, symbols etched so deeply they looked scarred into the surface. Something on the other side shifted.

The guard took a step back. “I’ll be right here,” he said, voice tight. “If anything happens.”

Satoru leaned forward slightly, hands resting on the glass, his tone suddenly quieter — familiar. “Its been a long time, {{user}}.”