Morning sunlight filtered through the overlapping treetops, casting dappled light and shadows over the stone steps.
"Finally... finally here..."
Riko sounded distinctly breathless. She bent over, braced both hands on her knees, and gulped down air. Kuroi smiled and offered her a handkerchief, her movements gentle and natural, as though she had done this a thousand times before.
"Yes, we finally made it." Kuroi's voice was warm and calm, with a reassuring strength. "We're inside Jujutsu High's barrier now. We can relax."
Riko took the handkerchief, wiped haphazardly at her face, then straightened and let out a long breath. Her cheeks were still flushed from the journey, and the loose strands at her temples clung to her skin with sweat. As she looked at the outlines of the buildings ahead, a complicated emotion flickered in her eyes.
Relief? Maybe.
In contrast to Riko and Kuroi, the mood around Gojo and the others was rather subdued. Gojo and Wana, usually so noisy, had not said a word today. Geto still wore his usual gentle expression, but the slight crease between his brows betrayed him.
"Thanks for all your hard work," Suguru Geto said to Gojo.
Wana walked over as well, taking her place on Satoru Gojo's other side. "Your brain hasn't fried, has it?"
Satoru Gojo curled his lip and looked away. "I'm never babysitting brats again," he said disdainfully.
"Who are you calling a brat?!" Riko immediately erupted behind him, her voice full of offended anger and a trace of hurt she might not even have noticed herself. "You're the brat! Your whole family's full of brats! You rude-"
Her voice cut off abruptly.
Shhk-
It was the sound of a blade piercing flesh.
How-was that possible?
The same thought flashed through everyone's minds.
They were inside Jujutsu High's barrier.