Cold and distant

"Oh, this style is so pretty. I've never seen anything like it."

"Of course, Shoko! This is a traditional-inspired outfit from my hometown. The top is a qipao with wide, flared sleeves, and underneath is a short tiered skirt. That makes it easy to move around without accidentally flashing anyone."

"All right, I'll send this over in a bit. Your uniform should be ready tomorrow."

"Yay!"

Noticing how exhausted Shoko looked, I belatedly realized I'd been talking too much. I'm so sorry, Shoko!

"Then I'll get going, Shoko. Get some rest! I'm really sorry for taking up your break!"

I bowed at a ninety-degree angle.

"You haven't disturbed my rest, Takechi. I'm happy to chat with you." Shoko gently stroked my head.

Sob, Shoko was so sweet.

[Xiao Ba, are there any items that could help Shoko sleep better? Ideally something that lets two hours of sleep restore fourteen hours' worth of energy.]

[Ding. Host has joined Jujutsu High. Item Roulette unlocked. Newcomer gift pack awarded: roulette draws ×3.]

[Sob, I love you so much, Xiao Ba.]

With that, I opened the roulette and pressed the draw button.

[Ah, this is useless... Wait, the draw button turned into a refresh button?]

"As compensation, dear host, you may refresh an unlimited number of times."

[Hahahahaha, so this still works now! Awesome!]

I frantically refreshed until I successfully rolled an item that could help Shoko sleep better.

"Shoko, this is for you!" I pretended to pull a women's wristwatch out of my pocket and put it on her wrist.

"Huh? What's this?"

Shoko stared at the dainty pink watch and asked the million-dollar question.

"It's a little cursed tool that can help you sleep better. Make sure you wear it all the time, Shoko!"

"Huh? This is too valuable. I can't accept..."

Before she could finish, I dashed off, leaving only a breezy declaration behind.

"You're not allowed to refuse, Shoko!"

I ran quite a distance without stopping. Only after I was sure Shoko couldn't see me did I brace myself against a tree and slowly sit down.

A constitution of only 4 was way too pathetic. I was going to die of exhaustion, sob...

I sprawled on the ground, contemplating life. When I opened my eyes, I found three heads hovering around me.

The white-haired one spoke first. "Oh~ What a coincidence, Edano! Come meet your two classmates."

That's right. Those three heads belonged to Satoru Gojo, Megumi Fushiguro, and Yuji Itadori.

I scrambled to my feet and bowed a full 180 degrees.

"Hello! I'm Takechi!"

Yuji and Megumi jumped in surprise and hurriedly helped me straighten up. "Whoa, whoa, there's no need to be so formal, Taketori! I'm Yuji Itadori." Yuji, you little angel!!!

"Megumi Fushiguro." So aloof. Interesting.

I stood up straight with a smile. "Yuji, Megumi-can I call you that? Just call me Takechi. I don't like being addressed so formally. It feels cold and distant."

"Of course, Takechi! We're classmates now. I look forward to getting to know you!"

"Ahem. Do whatever you want."

Ohoho, I noticed Megumi's ears turning red! Innocent little Megumi got embarrassed when someone addressed him affectionately!

Satoru Gojo had spaced out again, thinking that this sense of familiarity was growing stronger and stronger.

"Gojo-sensei, Gojo-sensei! What are you spacing out about?"

"Hm? What is it, Edano? Where are Megumi and Yuji?"

Satoru Gojo once again suppressed that strange feeling.

"Megumi went to help Yuji get his luggage. I'm heading back to my dorm now."

"Oh~ Off you go, then, Edano."

I stayed right where I was, staring straight into his eyes (scratch that, his blindfold).

"...Sensei, why do you think I'm waiting here for you?"

"...Ahem. Come on, I'll take you back to your dorm."

Satoru Gojo tried to sling an arm around me, only to end up draping it over my head.

"...Gojo-sensei, if I try a little harder to grow taller, could I become your walking stick?"

"Pfft, hahahaha... Nope. You're not getting any taller, Edano."

Satoru Gojo laughed so hard his shoulders shook.

My fists clenched. How could he laugh this much? Seriously.

"Ta-da!" Satoru Gojo slid the door open.

I finally returned to my dorm room, which looked completely different from when I'd woken up that morning. It had a wardrobe, a desk, a mirror, and everything else. Especially that huge bed and those enormous floor-to-ceiling windows-it was absolutely perfect!!!

"Ah... This is heaven!!!"

I flung myself headfirst onto the soft Simmons mattress and never wanted to get up again.

"Do you have any luggage you haven't picked up, Edano? Your teacher can make time to go get it with you~"

Being able to use Teleportation must be so nice...

"...Gojo-sensei."

"Hm? What is it, Edano~?"

"Can I hire you to pick up my packages?"

"Ah~ You're so cruel, Edano. You only want little Satoru to fetch your packages." Schoolgirl Gojo was back, sounding for all the world as if I were some heartless lover.

I seriously couldn't bear to watch.

I silently turned my head back and buried it in the covers again.

But schoolgirl Gojo refused to accept that. He crouched beside the bed and poked my arm relentlessly.

I irritably swatted his hand away. "What?"

Schoolgirl Gojo cupped his face in both hands, practically surrounded by little flowers. "Edano~"

"What?"

"Edano."

"What?"

"Edano."

"...What?!"

I rolled over and glared at him resentfully.

"What do you want?!"

"Hehehe, nothing. Just saying your name for fun~"

I couldn't take it anymore. A vein bulged on my forehead.

I rolled out of bed and pushed Satoru Gojo toward the door. "Now, please get out this instant. Move it! I need to rest!!!"

"Sob, sob, you're so heartless, Edano~" That was schoolgirl Gojo.

"Scumbag Gojo, can't you talk normally?!" That was Takechi, the heartless lover.

Bang! Satoru Gojo was shut out.

"Edano, get some rest! We're going to welcome a new classmate tomorrow~!" Satoru Gojo waved a pink handkerchief.

"...Got it!" came my voice from beneath the covers.