The spar had shifted from playful to serious fast.
Not dangerous-serious.
But focused-serious.
The kind where both fighters actually start learning each other's timing.
Reina moved in again, sharper now.
Less emotion. More intent.
A clean step-in strike followed by a feint toward Takeru's ribs.
Takeru shifted just slightly.
Let it pass.
Then tapped her wrist to redirect her balance.
"Better," he said casually.
Reina clicked her tongue.
"…Stop talking like a coach."
"I am coaching."
She lunged again, this time aiming higher—shoulder level, trying to disrupt his guard.
Takeru leaned back.
Barely.
The punch passed close enough to stir air across his face.
Yuji from the sidelines leaned forward.
"…This is actually high-level."
Hakari nodded.
"Yeah, but it still feels like a friendly fight somehow."
Sukuna scoffed quietly.
"…Because he refuses to kill intent."
Reina twisted mid-motion, trying to catch him off rhythm.
Her shirt shifted slightly with the movement.
A fraction of exposure—nothing dramatic, just an accident in motion.
Takeru paused instantly.
Then stepped in.
Not to attack.
Not to counter.
Just—
a quick, clean motion.
He gently pulled the shirt back into place, fixing it properly while stepping out of range at the same time.
Reina froze.
"…Huh?"
Takeru had already retreated half a step, hands up again like nothing happened.
"…Dignity preserved," he said simply.
Silence.
Then—
Hakari burst out laughing immediately.
"…HE JUST MID-FIGHT POLITELY RESET HER OUTFIT!"
Yuji covered his face.
"…That was oddly respectful…"
Hana blinked.
"…That's… actually considerate."
Yorozu narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…Annoyingly so."
Reina stood there for a moment, processing what just happened.
Then her face turned slightly red again.
But softer this time.
Less embarrassment.
More something else.
"…You didn't have to do that."
Takeru shrugged.
"…Yeah I did."
A pause.
"…Rules of fighting," he added.
"…That's not a rule."
"It is now."
Young Gojo leaned toward Megumi.
"…He's creating etiquette mid-battle."
"…I hate it here," Megumi replied instantly.
Reina exhaled slowly, resetting her stance.
This time, calmer.
"…Again."
Takeru smiled.
"…Yeah."
They moved again.
But now—
it wasn't just sparring.
It was learning.
Timing.
Spacing.
Trust.
Even from the sidelines, everyone noticed the shift.
Higuruma spoke quietly.
"…He's raising her level without breaking her spirit."
Nanami nodded.
"…That's rare."
Sukuna watched without speaking for once.
Reina attacked again.
Cleaner.
Sharper.
Less reckless.
And Takeru met it the same way.
Not overwhelming.
Not humiliating.
Just matching her growth step by step.
For once—
he really was just training.