The infirmary was quiet.
Too quiet.
Shoko was writing.
Yuji was half-asleep in a chair.
Nobara was scrolling on her phone.
Megumi stood by the wall, eyes closed—but not really resting.
Takeru was still in bed.
Still wrapped.
Still… not moving.
"…Can I leave."
"No."
Silence.
Five seconds.
Ten.
Nothing changed.
Then—
everything did.
Takeru's eyes sharpened.
A micro-adjustment.
A shift in weight.
A calculation.
"…Action confirmed."
Before anyone could react—
he moved.
Bandages strained—
but this time—
they didn't fully stop him.
Takeru sat up.
Then—
stood.
Yuji blinked.
"…Wait—"
Megumi's eyes snapped open.
"…Takeru—"
Too late.
Takeru dashed forward—
straight toward the door—
then—
slid.
Right across the floor.
Low.
Fast.
Controlled—
Directly under Nobara.
"…HEY—?!"
Mid-slide—
Takeru lifted one arm—
covering his eyes.
"…Respect protocol maintained."
Nobara froze.
"…WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN—?!"
He cleared her position—
rolled—
stood up in one motion—
and bolted.
Yuji jumped up.
"…HE'S ESCAPING—?!"
Megumi immediately moved.
"…Stop him—"
Shoko didn't even stand.
"…Don't bother."
They paused.
"…He'll be back."
Cut to—
Classroom.
The door slammed open.
Takeru walked in.
Bandages still wrapped.
Movement slightly off—
but functional.
Everyone turned.
Panda blinked.
"…Didn't you die again yesterday?"
Maki narrowed her eyes.
"…Why are you walking?"
Inumaki lifted his sleeve.
"…Salmon?!"
(how are you here?!)
Yuta stood quickly.
"…You're not supposed to be out of the infirmary—"
Hakari grinned.
"…NO WAY—he broke out?"
Takeru walked to his seat calmly.
Sat down.
"…Attendance maintained."
Silence.
Kirara tilted their head.
"…You ran here like that?"
Takeru nodded.
"…Yes."
Maki crossed her arms.
"…You're insane."
Panda added.
"…Respectfully, yeah."
Hakari laughed.
"…That's my kind of dedication."
Yuta still looked worried.
"…Shoko is going to be furious…"
Right on cue—
The door slid open again.
Shoko stood there.
Silence.
Everyone froze.
Takeru did not turn around.
"…I made it to class."
A long pause.
Shoko stepped inside slowly.
"…You slid under someone, didn't you."
Nobara (from the hallway, yelling):
"HE DID—?!"
Takeru nodded slightly.
"…Visual obstruction protocol was followed."
Shoko stared at him.
"…Get up."
A pause.
"…No."
The room went dead silent.
Hakari whispered.
"…Oh this is about to get good…"
Shoko walked forward.
Stopped right beside him.
"…You broke every limb yesterday."
"…Recovered partially."
"…You are wrapped in medical seals."
"…Still functional."
Another pause.
Then—
Shoko sighed.
"…Fine."
Everyone blinked.
"…You can stay."
Takeru didn't react.
"…But."
There it was.
"…If you move too much—"
She lightly tapped one of his bandages.
A pulse ran through them.
"…I'm shutting your entire body down."
Silence.
Takeru nodded once.
"…Understood."
Shoko turned.
Walked out.
The door closed.
Five seconds of silence.
Then—
Panda leaned forward.
"…You're actually insane."
Maki nodded.
"…No argument."
Hakari grinned.
"…I like him."
Yuta sighed.
"…Please don't die again…"
Inumaki:
"…Tuna…"
(please rest)
Takeru sat there.
Still.
Wrapped.
Barely holding together.
But present.
"…Attendance maintained."
And somehow—
that was all that mattered to him.