The classroom was loud in the way only Jujutsu High classrooms could be.
Not chaotic—comfortable chaos.
Panda was leaned back in a chair like he owned it.
Maki stood by the window, arms crossed, unimpressed by everything as usual.
Inumaki was half-asleep, occasionally muttering ingredient words into his sleeve.
Kirara was seated neatly, observing everyone with quiet curiosity.
Yuta sat calmly, polite as always, while Hakari… was loudly explaining something nobody asked about.
"…AND THEN I HIT ANOTHER JACKPOT, RIGHT? LIKE—"
Hakari stopped mid-sentence.
Because the door opened.
Takeru stepped in.
And the entire room froze.
Not because he was late.
Not because he looked different.
But because he looked like he had been rebuilt halfway.
Bandages wrapped across his entire torso.
No jacket.
No shirt.
Just layered sealing wraps that pulsed faintly with restrained cursed energy.
His posture was upright—but careful.
Like one wrong movement would trigger a system failure.
Panda blinked slowly.
"…Uh."
Maki narrowed her eyes immediately.
"…What happened to him?"
Inumaki lifted his head slightly.
"…Salmon?"
(confused concern)
Kirara tilted their head, quietly analyzing him.
"…?"
Yuta stood up immediately.
"…Are you okay?!"
Hakari squinted.
"…Wait, hold on—why does he look like he lost a fight with paperwork?"
Takeru paused at the front of the room.
Then calmly:
"…I am functional."
A beat.
Panda leaned forward.
"…That is NOT reassuring."
Maki stepped closer slightly.
"…Who did this to you?"
Takeru thought for a moment.
"…Me."
Silence.
Hakari blinked.
"…That's not an answer I was prepared for."
Yuta's expression softened.
"…You overdid it, didn't you?"
Takeru nodded once.
"…Temporary system overload during combat state."
Inumaki slowly sat up more.
"…Tuna…"
(worried: that sounds bad)
Kirara's gaze sharpened slightly, now fully focused.
They clearly understood enough to know this wasn't normal training damage.
Maki exhaled through her nose.
"…You fought Sukuna again, didn't you?"
That got the room quieter.
Takeru didn't answer immediately.
Then:
"…Partially accurate."
Hakari scratched his head.
"…Okay I'm gonna be real, I understood like 40% of that, but the remaining 60% sounds like it should've killed you."
Yuta stepped closer, visibly concerned now.
"…You should be resting."
Takeru nodded.
"…I am cleared for attendance."
Panda leaned back again slowly.
"…Who cleared that?"
A voice from behind them cut in immediately.
"…Me."
Shoko stood in the doorway.
Expression tired.
Clipboard in hand.
"…And I already regret it."
Maki crossed her arms.
"…So he's actually supposed to be here like this?"
Shoko nodded.
"…One class. No output."
A pause.
"…If he breaks again, I'm using him as a medical case study for the next decade."
Hakari laughed.
"…Honestly, that sounds like something I'd survive for fun."
Takeru walked to his seat carefully.
Each step controlled.
Measured.
Like even sitting down required negotiation with his own body.
Yuta watched quietly.
"…You pushed yourself really far."
Takeru nodded.
"…Necessary."
Inumaki tilted his head.
"…Okaka?"
(are you sure it was worth it?)
A pause.
Takeru looked at him.
Then simply:
"…Yes."
Silence settled for a moment.
Not heavy.
Just real.
Panda exhaled.
"…Man… you're lucky you've got that healing lady on speed dial."
Maki clicked her tongue lightly.
"…Don't make it a habit."
Hakari grinned.
"…Next time, invite me BEFORE you almost die, yeah?"
Kirara watched Takeru quietly for a moment longer.
Then nodded once.
As if acknowledging something unspoken.
Takeru leaned back slightly in his chair.
Still wrapped.
Still restricted.
Still standing in the aftermath of something far beyond a normal student life.
But present.
And for now—
that was enough.