Just as she rounded the corner of the corridor, Nobara nearly collided with someone.
"Whoa!" she exclaimed, instinctively clutching the shopping bags in her arms.
Looking up, she saw Megumi Fushiguro.
He was carrying several thick binders along with a strangely shaped metal case. His expression remained as unreadable as ever, though there was a trace of concentration lingering in his eyes.
"Megumi?" Nobara steadied herself. "How did things go on your end? That guy didn't hand you anything weird, did he?" Her eyes drifted toward the metal case.
Megumi shook his head, shifting the case slightly.
"Just some research on energy structures and a few ideas for coordinated combat with shikigami."
He paused, glancing at the colorful pile of shopping bags in Nobara's arms.
"You seem to have... collected quite a bit."
Nobara laughed awkwardly.
"Yeah. Allie and the others were way too enthusiastic. Oh, right, this is for you."
She rummaged through the bags and pulled out a sleek, futuristic training glove.
"They said it uses microcurrents to stimulate muscle activity or something. I don't really understand it, but they thought you'd find it useful."
Megumi blinked in surprise before accepting the glove. The material felt cool yet flexible against his hand.
"Thank you."
He examined it carefully before storing it away.
"Where's Itadori?" Nobara asked. "Didn't he come with you? Superalloy Darkshine-senpai took him away earlier, right?"
"Yeah."
Megumi nodded.
"Superalloy Darkshine-senpai brought him to one of the specialized training rooms."
Recalling Itadori's excited, slightly overwhelmed expression as Darkshine enthusiastically led him away with an arm around his shoulders, the corner of Megumi's mouth lifted into a faint smile.
"They're probably still discussing muscle training."
Before Nobara could reply, a booming laugh echoed through the corridor, followed by Itadori's energetic voice.
"Oh! I get it now! Superalloy Darkshine-senpai is incredible!"
A moment later, Superalloy Darkshine appeared beside Itadori, proudly flexing his massive biceps.
Itadori's face was flushed from training, his eyes sparkled with excitement, and he carried a heavy metal water bottle labeled Muscles Are Justice.
"Itadori!" Nobara called.
Seeing them, Itadori immediately hurried over.
"Nobara! Megumi! Look!"
He proudly held up several containers.
"Superalloy Darkshine-senpai gave me special protein powder, energy drinks, and this awesome water bottle! He also taught me a bunch of amazing training methods, plus a diet plan!"
Superalloy Darkshine laughed heartily.
"Young Itadori has tremendous potential! His physical foundation is already excellent. All he needs is proper, systematic training. I have high expectations for him!"
Seeing how genuinely happy Itadori looked, Nobara smiled and handed him a neatly folded T-shirt.
"Here. This one's for you."
Itadori unfolded it.
Printed across the front was a chibi version of Superalloy Darkshine striking an exaggerated bodybuilding pose with impossibly huge muscles.
His eyes lit up instantly.
"Whoa! This is awesome! Thanks, Nobara!"
"Allie and the others gave it to me," Nobara replied with a wave. "Megumi got something too."
She pointed toward the glove.
Itadori immediately leaned closer.
"That's so cool! Megumi, put it on!"
With everyone watching expectantly, Megumi reluctantly slipped the glove onto his hand.
It automatically adjusted to fit perfectly. A faint warmth spread across his fingertips, accompanied by an almost imperceptible electrical pulse.
"...Not bad."
After testing it briefly, he removed the glove and carefully stored it away again.
The three classmates gathered together, happily comparing the gifts they had received and sharing everything they had experienced since arriving in this unfamiliar world.
The atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful.
Watching from nearby with his arms crossed, Superalloy Darkshine smiled with satisfaction.
"It looks like you're all getting along quite well."
A calm voice interrupted their conversation.
They turned to see Zombieman approaching with several Hero Association staff members.
"Mr. Zombieman!" Itadori greeted him enthusiastically.
Zombieman nodded.
"Mr. Sol and Miss Tatsumaki still appear to be occupied. Mr. Gojo is currently enjoying desserts in the lounge and seems to be settling in quite well."
He looked at the three students.
"If you'd like, I can show you more of Hero Association Headquarters or arrange some introductory adaptation training."
The three exchanged glances before nodding in unison.
They were all eager to learn more about this world of advanced technology and extraordinary heroes.
"Then we'd appreciate it, Mr. Zombieman," Megumi said on behalf of the group.
"This way."
Zombieman turned and led them onward.
Itadori, Megumi, and Nobara followed, observing everything around them with curiosity.
Streams of glowing energy flowed through transparent conduits. Massive displays continuously projected data and images they couldn't decipher. Staff members hurried through the halls, each carrying out their duties with practiced efficiency.
Everything about this world differed completely from the jujutsu society they knew.
Yet beneath its unfamiliar appearance was an unmistakable sense of order, security, and overwhelming strength.
And standing behind all of it was their classmate, Sol, someone who now seemed both familiar and strangely distant.
Nobara remembered what Allie and the others had told her earlier.
Her gaze drifted toward Zombieman walking ahead.
Even this composed and dependable S-Class hero addressed Sol with genuine respect, calling him "Mr. Sol."
Quietly, she nudged Itadori's arm.
"Hey, Itadori... do you know about Sol? He..."
Itadori had been completely absorbed in watching a floating cleaning robot glide through the corridor. Hearing her voice, he turned with a puzzled expression.
"Huh? What about Sol?"
Seeing the utterly clueless look on his face, Nobara immediately realized he and Superalloy Darkshine had spent the entire time talking about muscles and training.
She swallowed the rest of her question.
"...Never mind. I'll tell you later."
Megumi seemed to understand exactly what Nobara had wanted to ask.
His eyes grew slightly more thoughtful, but he remained silent.
===
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