The table had gone quiet in that focused way where nobody trusts the silence.
Cards were scattered.
Coffee still steaming.
Mahito still screaming somewhere in the distance like a cursed weather forecast.
Yuji was mid-draw.
Hakari was calculating something he definitely shouldn't have been allowed to calculate.
Nanami was quietly winning in a way that felt illegal.
Higaruma was already treating it like a court case.
Then—
Takeru leaned back.
Looked at his hand.
Paused.
"…Alright."
He placed his cards down slowly.
Stacked them neatly.
Yuji blinked.
"…Wait, you still had cards?"
Takeru stood up.
"…UNO."
Silence.
Hakari immediately pointed.
"…THAT'S NOT THIS GAME."
Takeru didn't even look at him.
He reached into nowhere.
Pulled out a single card.
Held it up.
"…Plus twelve."
Yuji froze.
"…WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!"
Hakari leaned forward.
Eyes narrowed.
"…Why am I being targeted specifically?!"
Takeru turned slightly toward him.
Calm.
Casual.
"…Because you're annoying."
Hakari stood up instantly.
"…THAT'S NOT HOW CARDS WORK!"
Nanami sighed quietly.
"…It is now apparently."
Higaruma adjusted his glasses.
"…There is no legal framework for this game anymore."
Takeru flicked the card forward.
It landed directly in front of Hakari.
The air paused.
Then—
a faint cursed energy ripple formed around it.
Like reality itself was checking the rules and giving up.
Hakari stared at it.
Then at Takeru.
"…I hate you."
Takeru sat back down immediately.
"…Your turn."
Far away—
Mahito screamed louder.
"WHY IS THERE A MAHORAGA KIRARA NOW?!"
Yuji slowly leaned toward Megumi.
"…We were supposed to be saving the city."
Megumi didn't look up.
"…We are."
A pause.
"…Just also playing cards."