Jujutsu High was slowly returning to normal.
Well, normal by Jujutsu High standards.
Takeru's phone was charging on a nearby table. Both Gojo's were still laughing about his shorts-related emergency, Yuji was explaining the incident to Nobara, and Nanami was reconsidering every decision that had led him to this school.
Meanwhile, Maki had just walked into the room.
"Why is everyone yelling?"
Yuji pointed at Takeru.
"He ran back from the hot springs because he wanted to check when Halloween was."
Maki stared at Takeru.
"...Seriously?"
"AND I WOULD DO IT AGAIN!" Takeru declared.
"You forgot your shorts."
"WE'RE NOT DISCUSSING THAT!"
Maki sighed and walked past him.
"Whatever. I'm getting something to drink."
Takeru watched her walk away.
Then something clicked in his head.
His eyes brightened.
A massive smile spread across his face.
"SISTEEEEEEEEER!"
Maki stopped.
"...What?"
THUMP!
Takeru launched himself at her.
"WHOA, HEY!"
Maki barely had time to turn before Takeru wrapped his arms around her and leaned against her shoulder.
For one terrifying second, it looked like he was about to start another completely unnecessary wrestling match.
Instead...
His body went limp.
His head settled comfortably against her shoulder.
And he stopped moving.
Maki blinked.
"...Takeru?"
No response.
She looked down.
His eyes were closed.
His breathing was slow and steady.
HE WAS ASLEEP.
Maki stood there, holding up the full weight of a grown man who had recently launched a gigantic multicolored attack at Sukuna.
"...You've GOT to be kidding me."
Yuji slowly approached.
"Is he...?"
"ASLEEP," Maki replied flatly.
Nobara covered her mouth.
"Oh my God."
One of the Gojo's leaned forward.
"Did he seriously use Maki as a pillow?"
The other nodded.
"Looks like it."
Panda tilted his head.
"Maybe she's comfortable."
Maki slowly turned her head toward him.
"Do you want to be next?"
Panda immediately sat down.
"Nope!"
Yuji started laughing.
"WHY DOES HE DO THIS?!"
Nobara crossed her arms, grinning.
"Apparently, he has a sibling thing."
Maki looked down at Takeru again.
He had one arm loosely wrapped around her, his cheek resting against her shoulder, looking completely peaceful.
The same guy who had fought an army of curses.
The same guy who had killed Yami Sukuna.
The same guy who had jumped off a mall twice because he thought it might cure his amnesia.
Now he was sleeping on her.
Like a cat.
A ridiculously powerful, white-haired cat.
Maki sighed.
"...Idiot."
But she didn't push him away.
Instead, she carefully adjusted her stance so he wouldn't fall.
Yuji noticed.
His grin grew wider.
"You're letting him stay?"
Maki glared at him.
"He's asleep. I'm not throwing him across the room just to wake him up."
"Sure, sure."
"Fujimoto's not here to save you, Yuji."
Yuji immediately shut his mouth.
Meanwhile, Takeru mumbled something in his sleep.
"...five more minutes..."
Everyone froze.
Nobara whispered, "HE'S EVEN DOING IT IN HIS SLEEP."
One Gojo quietly pulled out his phone.
The other did the same.
Click. Click.
Maki's head snapped toward them.
"DELETE THOSE."
"Nope," both Gojo's answered simultaneously.
"I WILL BREAK YOUR PHONES."
"YOU CAN'T BREAK BOTH!"
Maki took one step forward.
Both Gojo's immediately put their phones away.
"...We deleted them."
"No, you didn't."
"No, we didn't."
Maki narrowed her eyes.
Takeru snuggled a little closer against her shoulder.
"...Sister..."
Maki stopped.
The room went quiet.
For a brief moment, her expression softened.
Then she looked at everyone else.
"Not. One. Word."
Yuji, Nobara, Panda, and both Gojo's all nodded.
Naturally, every single one of them was going to remember this forever.
Maki carefully sat down on the nearest couch, allowing Takeru to rest against her.
She crossed her arms and stared straight ahead.
"...Ten minutes. That's all he's getting."
Twenty minutes later.
Takeru was still asleep.
Maki hadn't moved.
Yuji peeked around the doorway.
"How's the pillow?"
Maki picked up a cushion with her free hand.
Yuji vanished.
WHAP!
The cushion struck the doorway just as he disappeared around the corner.
Maki looked down at Takeru.
"...Your friends are idiots."
Takeru smiled faintly in his sleep.
And, without opening his eyes, he murmured:
"...Family benefits..."
Maki stared at him.
"...I'm never letting him forget this."