Itadori's shout broke the delicate silence in the training ground, successfully diverting everyone's attention from the unspoken tension between Sol and Tatsumaki.
"That's amazing, Sol! Is this the kind of weight you usually train with?! I need to work even harder!"
Itadori's eyes gleamed with excitement. Completely unaware of what he had interrupted, he rubbed his fists together and started toward the squat rack.
"Idiot! Do you want to get flattened into a meat patty?!"
Nobara quickly grabbed him by the back of his collar and yanked him to a stop.
"Is that weight something we can even touch?!"
Megumi Fushiguro sighed as he pressed a hand against his forehead, clearly despairing over his oblivious companion.
The interruption, however, successfully eased the awkward atmosphere.
Tatsumaki took the opportunity to float a little farther away. She crossed her arms and feigned composure, although the blush on her cheeks had not completely faded. She shot Itadori a fierce glare, but unfortunately, he failed to understand the message entirely.
Sol's tense muscles gradually relaxed, the unnatural tension disappearing as he returned to his usual aloof demeanor.
He glanced at the damaged strength-testing pillar before looking toward Child Emperor.
"Record this. The equipment needs an upgrade."
"Yes, Sol-sama."
Child Emperor pushed up his glasses and immediately began entering the data into his tablet.
Metal Bat chuckled, finally breaking what remained of the subtle atmosphere. He clapped his hands loudly.
"Alright, alright, show's over! Everyone get back to training! We haven't done enough today. Tanktop Master, let's see who can finish a thousand sets of weighted sprints first!"
"Just as I intended."
Tanktop Master calmly accepted the challenge.
Bang, the old martial artist, walked toward an open area and began practicing the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist. His movements flowed smoothly, each technique carrying a refined and effortless precision.
Gojo Satoru, meanwhile, returned to the control panel. He still seemed fixated on the data regarding Simulated Sol at 1%, muttering to himself.
"Why is Simulated Sol-kun so strong?"
Genos faithfully recorded his observations.
"Sol-sama destroyed the strength-testing device during training. Miss Tatsumaki exhibited a rare physiological reaction, possibly related to her close proximity to Sol-sama. This is also part of becoming stronger."
Saitama rubbed his bald head and looked at Sol.
"Sol, when we're done, want to get some oden? That new place is really good."
"Mm."
Sol nodded.
The training ground soon returned to its usual bustle, but an unusual tension still lingered beneath the surface.
No one openly stared anymore, yet their peripheral vision repeatedly drifted toward the two figures near the side of the training area.
Sol seemed to have no intention of continuing his high-intensity strength training.
He moved to the side, picked up a regular weighted wristband, secured it around his arm, and began performing basic yet extremely precise muscle-control exercises.
Every movement was slow and deliberate, as though he were consciously sensing and activating each individual muscle fiber.
Not far away, Tatsumaki floated above the ground while using her telekinesis to control several specially designed alloy spheres for high-speed evasion training.
Although her attention was not entirely focused on the exercise, the trajectories of the alloy spheres remained perfectly controlled.
Her gaze occasionally drifted toward Sol, particularly whenever the muscles in his arm became more pronounced under the strain of his movements.
To some of the onlookers, this silent undercurrent between the two was even more interesting than their earlier physical contact.
While competing against Tanktop Master, Metal Bat nudged Bang with his shoulder. He winked and silently mouthed,
"Something's brewing."
Bang merely smiled.
His response was a single punch, gentle in appearance yet carrying an unshakable force.
Time passed amid the sounds of exertion, movement, and occasional shouts.
Eventually, the training ground's timer emitted a long beep, signaling the end of the day's group training.
Everyone simultaneously released a breath of relief, though there was also a lingering sense that they could have continued.
The Itadori trio was nearly exhausted, but their eyes remained bright. They had clearly gained a great deal from the training.
Gojo Satoru was still gesturing toward the control panel, apparently having come up with another idea.
The S-Class Heroes also stopped their exercises and began their cooldown routines.
Sol removed his wristbands. His breathing remained steady, as though everything he had just done had been little more than a warm-up.
He looked toward Tatsumaki.
"Let's go."
Tatsumaki immediately stopped controlling the alloy spheres.
Clang!
The spheres dropped to the ground.
She floated over to Sol, her voice deliberately casual.
"Mm. I'm hungry."
The two left the training ground together, walking one after the other.
This time, no one cheered or said anything.
Everyone simply watched in silence as their figures disappeared through the entrance. Their gazes remained fixed on the door until it finally closed.
Metal Bat eventually couldn't resist whistling.
Grinning, he said, "Looks like we'll be having wedding wine soon, huh?"
Tanktop Master calmly reminded him, "Watch your words, Bat. Whatever happens between those two blockheads isn't for us to speculate about."
There was, however, a faint smile in his eyes.
Bang leisurely added, "Just let nature take its course."
Saitama had already pulled out his wallet and looked toward the door Sol had disappeared through.
"Hey, Sol! Are we still going for oden?"
Genos immediately responded, "Saitama-sensei, we can go ahead. I will send Sol-sama and Miss Tatsumaki the location."
Outside the training ground, in the corridor, Sol and Tatsumaki walked side by side.
Without the eyes of everyone else on them, the atmosphere seemed to shift again.
Tatsumaki floated slightly lower than usual, almost shoulder to shoulder with Sol.
After a brief silence, she suddenly spoke in a quiet voice, barely above a whisper.
"...Thank you. Just now."
Sol did not stop walking. He merely tilted his head slightly to look at her.
"Mm."