The courtyard had become impossible to categorize.
Half reunion.
Half military council.
Half comedy show.
Too many halves.
Takeru stood with arms crossed, scanning the crowd.
Counting.
Recounting.
Then counting again.
"…Hold on."
He frowned.
"…I forgot people."
Megumi looked exhausted already.
"…How many people can one person forget?"
Takeru ignored him.
Thinking hard.
"…Yuki…"
"…Todo…"
Then his eyes widened.
"…Oh."
He planted one foot dramatically.
Took a deep breath.
Rolled the R with absurd commitment.
"…Besto Frrrrrrrrriendo!"
The air exploded.
POP.
A tall figure struck the ground in a perfect three-point landing.
Muscles.
Confidence.
Delusion-powered charisma.
Aoi Todo.
He rose slowly.
Wind somehow blowing despite none existing.
Then his eyes landed on Takeru.
"…BROTHER!"
Takeru grinned instantly.
"…BESTO FRIENDO!"
They sprinted at each other and clasped forearms with absurd force.
The shockwave kicked dust outward.
Yuji blinked.
"…I'm… replaced?"
Todo looked at him.
"…Impossible."
Then back at Takeru.
"…Expanded."
Gojo clapped.
"…Excellent entrance."
Hakari pointed.
"…That guy gets it."
Kirara muttered:
"…No, he definitely doesn't."
Before the noise even settled—
another distortion opened.
Calm.
Smooth.
Controlled.
Yuki Tsukumo stepped out casually, hands in pockets.
"…You people really couldn't start without me?"
Choso immediately straightened.
"…Yuki."
Yuki smiled faintly.
"…Hey, Choso."
Then she looked around at the packed courtyard.
"…Wow."
A pause.
"…This got stupid fast."
Takeru pointed proudly.
"…I built this."
Yuki laughed once.
"…Of course you did."
Then more ripples formed.
Reality was now just helping.
POP.
Miwa appeared holding a training sword.
"…Huh?"
POP.
Inumaki appeared crouched.
"…Salmon?"
POP.
Momo dropped in on her broom.
"…WHAT IS HAPPENING?!"
POP.
Noritoshi Kamo arrived with perfect posture.
"…This is highly irregular."
POP.
Nobara Kugisaki landed on her feet.
"…Why do I smell snow and stupidity?"
Silence.
Then Yuji's eyes widened.
"…NOBARA!?"
Takeru froze.
Actually froze.
Nobara looked at him.
"…What?"
He pointed shakily.
"…You're here."
She frowned.
"…Obviously."
Then looked around.
"…Did I miss something?"
Takeru laughed once.
Then twice.
Then had to wipe his eyes.
"…Nah."
A pause.
"…You're right on time."
Young Nanami stared at the growing crowd.
"…There are too many sorcerers now."
Shoko lit another cigarette.
"…Good problem to have."
Todo suddenly placed a hand on Takeru's shoulder.
"…Brother."
"…Yeah?"
"…What kind of woman is your type?"
Takeru sighed.
"…We just got here."
Gojo screamed laughing.
The courtyard roared back to life.
More people restored.
More history bent.
More second chances walking around in daylight.
And standing in the middle of it—
Takeru realized something.
For the first time in a long time—
almost everyone was here.