The morning sun rose lazily over the fractured skyline of Tokyo.
Rubble still lay scattered across the streets. Smoke curled up from distant buildings, and the air was heavy with the weight of battle just ended. But among the debris, life stirred once more.
Utahime limped quietly, holding her fractured ribs with one arm, her face pale with exhaustion.
"Careful now," Gojo said, smirking beside her as he offered his arm again. "We don't want you shattering another wall on the way down."
"…Say that again and I'll throw you into one myself."
"Ouch," Gojo gasped. "Such violence. No wonder no one asks you out."
Her grip on his shoulder tightened like a vice.
"Say that again and you'll be walking with a limp too."
But Gojo just grinned wider.
Even as he helped her walk across the courtyard, he leaned in mock-whispering, "You know… you look kind of cute when you're furious."
She turned red.
"Die."
Upstairs, above the training tower, Yuta, Maki, Inumaki, and Panda leaned against the rail, battered but alive.
Maki adjusted the bandage on her arm and narrowed her eyes.
"He's always so annoying… but somehow, it works."
Panda folded his arms. "It's because he's cool and he knows it."
"Tuna mayo," Inumaki muttered approvingly.
Yuta said nothing. He just stared at the two figures below, at Gojo's calm composure, the ever-present smirk on his face, and Utahime's crimson face of frustration.
He smiled softly.
"…He really is amazing."
Just then, Gojo looked up. He knew he had an audience.
With a dramatic twirl of his long coat, he stood straight, turned toward the balcony—and struck a victory pose.
One hand behind his head. The other outstretched.
A grin that could shatter glass.
"Behold!" he declared.
"Tokyo is safe once more! All thanks to me!"
"IDIOT!" Utahime screamed from beside him.
She grabbed her broken staff and smacked him on the back of the head.
The students above burst into laughter.
Even Yuta couldn't stop himself from chuckling.
The dust of war hadn't yet fully settled. The wounds would take time to heal. But for this moment…
There was warmth.
There was light.
There was laughter.
And sometimes, that's all you need to keep going.