The training grounds behind Jujutsu High were quieter than usual.
Mostly because everyone else had been threatened by Shoko to "please stop destroying buildings for ONE day."
Naturally—
Takeru ignored that immediately.
He stretched his arms once while standing across from Reina.
"So."
A grin.
"You said you wanted to fight."
Reina adjusted the sleeves of the shirt she was still wearing.
His shirt.
"…I did."
Takeru rolled his shoulders loosely.
"I'll go easy on 'training' you."
Reina narrowed her eyes immediately.
"…That sounded incredibly arrogant."
"It was."
Young Gojo immediately pointed from the sidelines.
"THAT'S MY GOAT!"
Older Geto sighed.
"…He encourages him too much."
A small crowd had gathered already.
Yuji.
Megumi.
Hana.
Yorozu.
Hakari.
Kirara.
Todo.
Even Sukuna sitting nearby with crossed arms.
Everyone wanted to see how strong Reina actually was.
Takeru raised one hand casually.
"…Ready?"
Reina lunged first.
Fast.
Very fast.
Her fist cut through the air sharply—
But Takeru tilted his head slightly.
Dodged.
Barely moving.
Reina spun immediately into a kick—
Takeru stepped around it casually.
"…Good balance," he commented.
"…Stop REVIEWING me while fighting!"
She attacked harder.
Faster.
A barrage of punches.
Kicks.
Sharp movements.
And Takeru kept dodging lightly.
Hands still in his pockets.
Hakari whistled.
"…Cold."
Yuji blinked rapidly.
"…Wait he's ACTUALLY going easy."
Sukuna scoffed.
"…Barely."
Reina suddenly changed angles.
A feint.
Then a low strike.
This time—
Takeru actually moved his arm to block.
THWACK.
The impact echoed lightly.
Reina smirked immediately.
"…Got you."
Takeru looked down at his arm.
Then grinned.
"…Nice."
That single compliment visibly boosted her confidence.
Even if she tried hiding it.
Then—
Takeru vanished forward.
Not serious speed.
Not even close.
But enough to make her eyes widen.
He tapped her shoulder lightly.
"…Open."
Then tapped her side.
"…Open."
Then behind her knee.
"…Open."
Reina jumped backward immediately.
Breathing harder now.
"…You're analyzing me…"
Takeru shrugged.
"…That's kinda what I do."
Young Nanami adjusted his glasses.
Watching carefully.
"…He's teaching while fighting."
Higuruma nodded slightly.
"He's forcing her to recognize her weak points in real time."
Reina attacked again—
more carefully now.
Less reckless.
Takeru smiled slightly seeing the adjustment.
"…There you go."
Their movements sped up gradually.
Dust kicked up around them.
Footsteps cracked the ground lightly.
Reina landed another hit—
a punch against Takeru's shoulder.
Yuji pointed instantly.
"SHE HIT HIM!"
Takeru looked at the spot.
Then gave her a thumbs up.
"…Better."
Reina froze briefly.
"…You're weird."
"…Correct."
Then suddenly—
she smiled a little.
Just a little.
And everyone noticed.
Especially Hana and Yorozu.
"…Hm."
"…Hm indeed."
Takeru didn't notice at all.
Of course.
Instead—
he simply raised his fists properly for the first time.
"Alright."
A grin spread across his face.
"Now let's actually train."
Reina's eyes widened immediately.
"…WAIT THAT WASN'T REAL TRAINING!?"
Young Gojo started cackling in the background.
And the sparring match truly began.