The infirmary was quiet again.
Too quiet for someone like Takeru.
Shoko stood at the bedside, arms crossed, watching him like a locked door that had already been tried too many times.
Takeru shifted slightly under the sheets.
Then spoke, casual—
"…Could you help me walk to class?"
Shoko didn't even pause.
"…No."
Silence.
Yuji, sitting nearby, immediately sighed.
"…That was fast."
Nobara didn't look up from her phone.
"…She's getting better at that."
Megumi stood by the window, already expecting the outcome.
"…He's going to try anyway."
Hakari grinned.
"…Oh, 100%."
Takeru blinked once.
Then sat up.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like he was respecting the rules of physics.
Shoko watched him.
Not moving.
Just observing.
"…Don't."
Takeru paused.
Looked at her.
"…Understood."
A beat.
Then—
he moved.
Not fast at first.
Just a shift of weight.
A testing step.
Shoko's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Takeru."
He was already off the bed.
"…I'll return shortly."
And then—
he ran.
Yuji shot up immediately.
"…HEY—!"
Nobara stood up too.
"…ARE YOU SERIOUS—?!"
Megumi clicked his tongue.
"…Of course."
Hakari laughed.
"…HE DID IT AGAIN!"
Shoko didn't chase immediately.
She just sighed.
"…Unbelievable."
By the time anyone reached the hallway—
Takeru was already gone.
Cut to—
Jujutsu High classroom.
The door slid open.
Silence.
Then—
Takeru walked in.
A little out of breath.
Bandages slightly disheveled.
But upright.
"…Attendance maintained."
Yuji arrived seconds later, pointing.
"…YOU CAN'T JUST RUN OFF LIKE THAT!"
Nobara followed, furious.
"…YOU JUST GOT RESTRICTED FOR A REASON!"
Megumi walked in last.
"…You're impossible."
Hakari leaned back in his seat.
"…Man just escaped medical supervision like it was nothing."
Panda blinked.
"…Respectfully, how?"
Kirara tilted their head.
"…He's not supposed to be mobile."
Takeru sat down at his desk.
Calm again.
Like nothing had happened.
"…I arrived."
Yuji grabbed his hair.
"…That's not the point!"
Nobara pointed at him.
"…YOU ARE STILL INJURED!"
Takeru looked down at his bandages.
Then back up.
"…Stable enough."
Megumi exhaled.
"…That's not a medical term."
Hakari smirked.
"…It is now."
From the doorway—
Shoko appeared.
Everyone froze.
Takeru froze too.
Just slightly.
Shoko looked at him.
Then at the room.
Then back at him.
"…So."
Silence.
"…You made it."
Takeru nodded once.
"…Yes."
A long pause.
Shoko sighed.
"…Fine."
Everyone blinked.
"…You're staying."
Yuji whispered.
"…That's it?"
Nobara whispered back.
"…I think she gave up."
Megumi muttered.
"…Or adapted."
Shoko turned slightly before leaving.
"…But if you collapse again, I'm stapling you to the bed."
Takeru nodded calmly.
"…Understood."
Shoko left.
Silence again.
Then Hakari leaned back, laughing.
"…He just keeps winning against authority."
Nobara groaned.
"…This is going to get worse."
Takeru sat there quietly.
Back in class.
Back where he wanted to be.
Even if nobody else thought that was a good idea.