Jujutsu High, at the entrance to the Tombs of the Star Corridor.
"Hey, Maki." Itadori raised a hand in greeting.
"Hey." Maki Zenin leaned against the wall with her hair down and nodded, her face showing little expression.
On the sofa, Yuki Tsukumo was idly pressing the remote, flipping through channels one after another. She glanced sideways at the newcomers and gave a casual wave.
"Oh, Maki, you're awake already?"
"I'm fine," Maki said evenly. "Kashimo wasn't trying to kill me. He only knocked me out."
"Huh?" Okkotsu's eyes widened. "How is that fine?"
"Hah? He wasn't nearly that merciful when he fought me." Yuki Tsukumo irritably pressed the remote again. The image on the screen changed, and she simply tossed the remote aside.
"Where's Ms. Shoko? Wasn't she supposed to be here too?" Megumi Fushiguro looked around.
Yuki Tsukumo lifted her chin toward the smoking room nearby.
"Right..." Fushiguro glanced in the direction she indicated and said nothing more.
Suddenly, the smoking room door opened. Shoko Ieiri stepped out, reeking of smoke. White wisps lingered around her for a few seconds before the air in the hallway quickly dispersed them.
She took a bottle of Deodorizing Spray from her pocket and deftly spritzed herself a few times. Her movements were fluid, clearly something she had done countless times before. Putting the spray away, she swept her gaze across their faces.
"All right, everyone's here?"
"Yeah. Megumi, about Tengen's barrier-" Maki turned to Fushiguro.
Fushiguro was about to speak when Choso cut him off.
"Let me explain." He took half a step forward, his gaze steady.
"Between the entrance and the Tombs of the Star Corridor, there's a Forbidden Vault where Jujutsu High stores Cursed Tools and Cursed Objects. Normally, no one except the designated custodians can enter." He paused.