After Qingxiao and Satoru Gojo finalized the deployment points for the barrier defenses and he finished handing over the arrangements for transporting the wounded to Nanami, he headed toward the Tombs of the Star Corridor.
Shoko was leaning against a corridor pillar, checking through her medical kit. Hearing him approach, she looked up.
She wasn't wearing her white coat, just plain everyday clothes, with her hair loosely pinned behind her head.
"I thought you'd wait until New Year's before remembering to pick me up."
She flexed her wrist as she stood.
"You just can't get any sun in this place. Two more days here and I'll be the same shade as the walls."
Qingxiao stepped inside and naturally took the heavy medical kit from her hand, his other hand hovering lightly beneath her arm.
He lowered his voice, a barely perceptible trace of apology in it. "It's been hard on you."
Shoko glanced at him without responding to his gentle words and simply headed outside.
"Enough of that. How are the wounded?"
When they reached the foot of the Medical Room building, the Cursed Vehicle transporting the wounded had just pulled up at the entrance.
Shoko immediately dropped her casual expression and reached for the medical kit in his hand.
"I'm heading in." She paused, then added, "See you tonight."
Qingxiao nodded and stood at the entrance, watching her put on her white coat and hurry into the treatment area.
Only when the hem of her white coat disappeared behind the door did he turn toward the Command Room.
Work kept him busy well past midnight.
In the apartment, Qingxiao switched on the floor lamp, and warm yellow light spread through the room.
He sank into the sofa, idly leafing through the preliminary intelligence on the Culling Game spread out