I forced myself to the doorway. My vision blurred, my head swam, and my limbs felt weak and limp. Probably from losing too much blood...
If I pass out like this, won't I scare them to death...?
Just before I lost consciousness, I dimly saw several figures running toward me.
"Megumi, Yuji, Nobara...? You're not hurt, are you...?"
A moment later, my body gave out completely. Everything went black, and I seemed to fall into a warm embrace.
Losing this much blood really makes you cold...
Just as Megumi Fushiguro and the others reached the limits of their patience and were about to rush inside to find her, he saw a blood-soaked figure staggering toward them, wearing a tattered Jujutsu High uniform, her body covered in wounds deep enough to expose bone.
Megumi Fushiguro's pupils contracted. "Edano?" He immediately ran toward her.
"What? Edano's out?" Yuji Itadori and Nobara Kugisaki quickly turned around and saw a sight that would haunt their dreams, one they would never forget.
They hurried forward, just in time to hear my last words before I passed out.
Nobara Kugisaki's eyes reddened. "That idiot. Look at the state she's in, and she's still worrying about us."
Megumi Fushiguro scooped me up and strode toward the car. Yuji Itadori hurriedly opened the door.
"Mr. Ijichi, please drive faster! Edano can't hold on much longer!"
"All right. Hold on tight." Ijichi drew a deep breath and floored the accelerator. The three in the back hurriedly shielded the girl in their arms.
As her breathing grew fainter, Megumi Fushiguro and the other two grew increasingly tense.
Edano had ended up like this to save them.
No one spoke the entire way. The atmosphere inside the car was unbearably oppressive, but inwardly, all three were screaming.
They had to get stronger. Strong enough to protect their friends.
Infirmary
[Host, host, wake up! You've been unconscious for almost a day. Shoko Ieiri has already healed your injuries.]
I blearily opened my eyes.
"Mmph..."
A gentle hand stroked my cheek. "Edano, you're awake. Does anything still feel uncomfortable?"
"...Shoko? Hehehe, Shoko called me Edano. Hehehehe..."
"Pfft. Already joking around the moment you wake up. Looks like you're fine."
I propped myself up into a sitting position. "Oh, right, Shoko. Have you been getting enough rest lately?"
"Ah, speaking of that, I owe you a thank-you, Edano. With this, I've been sleeping well every day." She raised her wrist to show me the Watch.
"Oh, you really have! Your dark circles have faded a lot. You really are the most gorgeous beauty, Shoko~"
"Pfft. Look at you, teasing me as soon as you wake up. Clearly, you weren't hurt badly enough."
"No, no, I ache all over. Only cuddling with Shoko will make me better~"
"Surprise!"
Satoru Gojo suddenly pushed the door open and handed me a paper bag.
"Huh? What's this?"
"A souvenir! Surprised? Didn't see that coming, did you? Happy?"
"Let me guess. Is it Kikufuku?"
"Bingo! You got it!" Satoru Gojo crooked a finger. "You're so clever, Edano~"
"Kikufuku. That's exactly your style," Shoko Ieiri remarked dryly.
"Yep, yep~"
Just then, the infirmary door burst open again. Before I could see clearly, someone flung herself into my arms.
"Nobara?"
"Waaah, Edano, you're finally awake! I was worried sick about you! You can't push yourself like that again! Waaah!"
"Exactly, Edano! That was way too dangerous! You had us worried sick!"
Megumi Fushiguro said nothing, but his eyes quietly conveyed his disapproval.
Meanwhile, Satoru Gojo stood beside them, fanning the flames with a constant chorus of "Exactly, exactly." My fists were itching!
I took a deep breath and ventured weakly, "Um, let me explain..."
"Fine. Explain." Nobara immediately pulled away from my arms and stared at me.
"Go ahead, Edano. We're listening."
"Yeah. Go ahead."
Uh... I only said that offhand...
Why aren't you following the script?!
That jerk Satoru Gojo spoke up again. "Ah~ Don't tell me you were lying just now, Edano? You haven't actually thought of an excuse, have you~?"
"Satoru Gojo, you jerk-!"
"Hm?" ×3
"Oh, so you've learned to be naughty, Edano!"
"How could you do that, Edano? That's awful!"
"Liar."
Wow, Megumi, you're so cold. My heart's freezing over.
After finally managing to send my classmates away, I escaped Nobara Kugisaki's torment and gave Satoru Gojo a resentful look.
"...Mr. Gojo."
"What is it, Edano~?"
"I'm going to stuff your Kikufuku full of chili sauce and chunks of salt, so eating it gives you heatiness and hemorrhoids."
"What?! Edano, you're too cruel! How could you do that to Kikufuku? You're insulting it!"
"I'm doing it!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"Yes!"
"No!"
"..."
Listening to us bicker like two elementary school kids, Shoko, who was writing a report, finally lost patience and threw us out.
"Both of you, get out!"
The door slammed shut with a bang!
Satoru Gojo and I stared at each other, eyes to blindfold, both looking innocent and utterly unrepentant.
"What's wrong with Shoko?"
"No idea. Maybe because we didn't share the Kikufuku with her?"
"No way. Shoko doesn't seem like she likes sweets."
"Yep, yep, who knows? Come on, Edano. Your teacher will take you to try the new desserts."
"Yay! I love desserts!"
Satoru Gojo grabbed both my arms and teleported away with me.
Before you continue