White ceiling.
Sterile smell.
Soft footsteps.
Bandages.
Takeru's eyes opened slowly.
He stared upward for a moment, unfocused, then blinked himself back into the room.
Medical ward.
Jujutsu High.
Again.
He let out a tired breath.
"…Huh."
Two figures were nearby.
One seated casually, arms crossed.
One checking supplies with practiced calm.
Older Shoko.
Younger Shoko.
Both turned at the same time.
Younger Shoko blinked.
"…He's awake."
Older Shoko looked mildly unimpressed.
"…Unfortunately."
Takeru gave a weak laugh and lifted one hand in greeting.
"…Hey, miss my time Shoko…"
He glanced around the room.
Then smiled crookedly.
"…Such a shock that I'm back in here, ain't it?"
Older Shoko stared at him for half a second.
Then snorted once despite herself.
"…You say that like this is your reserved seat."
Takeru shrugged from the bed.
"…Frequent visitor perks."
Younger Shoko looked between them.
"…How often does he end up in medical?"
Older Shoko answered immediately.
"…Too often."
"…Rude."
"…Accurate."
Takeru laughed again, softer this time.
The kind of laugh that tried to make light of something heavier.
Both Shokos noticed.
Neither said it aloud.
Younger Shoko stepped closer, checking his pupils.
"…You fainted from emotional overload and physical exertion."
Takeru nodded.
"…Sounds dramatic when you say it like that."
Older Shoko adjusted his blanket with zero gentleness.
"…You blacked out after tearing apart a curse while crying."
"…Okay yeah, that sounds worse."
Silence settled briefly.
Not uncomfortable.
Just real.
Takeru looked toward the window.
"…Everyone okay?"
Older Shoko answered.
"…Shaken."
A pause.
"…Worried about you."
Younger Shoko added:
"…Yuji hasn't moved much from outside the room."
Takeru's eyes shifted toward the door.
He exhaled slowly.
"…Yeah."
Older Shoko studied him.
"…You don't have to joke every time you're hurting."
He looked back at her.
Smiled faintly.
"…I know."
A pause.
"…Just helps."
Younger Shoko's expression softened.
Older Shoko only nodded once.
She understood that answer too well.
Then Takeru sat up slightly.
Winced.
Still grinning.
"…So… can I leave?"
Both Shokos answered instantly.
"…No."
Takeru fell back onto the pillow.
"…Cruel."
From outside the room, Gojo's voice shouted through the hall.
"CAN I COME IN!?"
Both Shokos yelled back at once.
"NO."
Takeru laughed for real that time.
And for the first moment since the courtyard—
the weight eased.
Just a little.