Time slipped steadily by. The four teenagers played freely on Jujutsu High's grounds, their friendship and understanding of one another quietly deepening.
Shoko partnered with Ze Zenin, while Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto paired up, spending more and more time together.
Every so often, Ze Zenin teased the dozing Shoko with a foxtail grass stem, earning an indignant scolding.
Shoko also sat among the four of them and watched them bicker. Those days were wonderfully relaxing.
But as the semester drew to a close, Shoko was the only one of the four in the classroom who stole glances at Zenin's expressionless profile, her cheeks flushing despite herself.
Did he say sweet things to girls all the time...?
Remembering what he had said when they first formed their pairs, Shoko gave Ze Zenin a fierce glare, strange thoughts swirling through her mind.
Sensing an inexplicable murderous intent, Ze Zenin glanced at Satoru Gojo. Gojo happened to turn around at that very moment, leaving Ze staring straight at his sunglasses-covered face.
The atmosphere gradually grew tense.
Satoru Gojo: "..."
Ze Zenin: "..."
Satoru Gojo coughed, then asked, "How are things going for you? Geto and I took on several missions just yesterday!"
After spending months together day and night, Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto, and Ze Zenin practically knew what underwear the others wore.
Friendship between boys really was that simple...
"There are only two days left in the semester... get ready to do our cleaning!"
Then he hollered at Suguru Geto, "Geto, let's make the dorm extra messy so a certain someone has plenty to clean!"
"Gojo... are you asking for a beating?"
Ze Zenin raised an eyebrow and taunted Satoru Gojo. "Forget thirty-seventy odds. If we fought now, ten-ninety would be no problem."
"I'd crush you nine times in one minute."