Naoya was still standing there, clearly rethinking his entire life choices after the cinematic slap incident.
One cheek slightly red.
Pride significantly more damaged.
Takeru casually stepped back in front of him.
Hands in pockets.
Calm again.
"…Three more."
Naoya blinked.
"…You're doing another test?"
Takeru nodded.
"Yep."
He raised one finger.
"Question one."
"What are women like now."
Naoya hesitated.
For the first time.
Yuji leaned forward.
"…Oh he's thinking."
Megumi muttered.
"…Dangerous development."
Naoya clicked his tongue.
"…Annoying."
Takeru tilted his head slightly.
"…That's not an answer."
Naoya exhaled sharply.
"…They're just… people."
A pause.
The atmosphere shifted slightly.
Even Maki's expression changed a little.
Takeru nodded.
"…Better."
Fred lifted a sign.
"+1 progress."
Takeru raised a second finger.
"Question two."
"Are you still a misogynist."
Naoya scoffed immediately.
"…No."
A beat.
Yuji whispered.
"…That was too fast."
Hakari nodded.
"…That was suspiciously fast."
Takeru narrowed his eyes slightly.
"…Are you sure."
Naoya paused.
Then clicked his tongue again.
"…No."
Silence.
Then Takeru nodded once.
"…Okay."
Fred sign:
"Questionable sincerity detected."
Takeru raised his final finger.
"Question three."
"Are you okay."
Naoya stared at him.
Long pause.
The air got quieter.
Then—
he looked away slightly.
"…No."
Silence.
No jokes this time.
Even Gojo didn't interrupt.
Satoru Gojo
Yuji's expression softened.
"…Oh."
Megumi looked down.
"…Yeah."
Nanami exhaled slowly.
Kento Nanami
"…That's probably the first honest answer."
Higaruma nodded.
Hiromi Higuruma
"…Then it's the only one that matters."
Takeru looked at Naoya for a moment.
Then shrugged slightly.
"Alright."
A pause.
"…You passed two out of three."
Naoya blinked.
"…That's still failing."
Takeru smiled.
"Yeah."
Then he casually turned away.
"But you're improving."
Fred raised a final sign.
"Rehabilitation arc unlocked."
And for the first time—
Naoya didn't argue.