The dojo was quiet now. The earlier energy had faded into stillness.
Fresh from the shower, Aimi walked back into the hall barefoot, towel wrapped around her damp hair.
She blinked. Yuji was still there, sweeping the floor with laser focus. Every few strokes, he'd glance around like he was on a mission.
She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed.
"...You're determined."
Yuji jumped. "A-Aimi-sensei! You're back!"
"Why are you still here?" She walked over. "You've already helped with class prep all week. Go home."
"I just thought I'd finish this. Feels like the least I can do. Y'know. Repaying my debt."
"You've been out of debt for days now," she shook her head. "Actually, you were never in debt."
"Hehh…" He pouted, eyes scanning the floor. "I just like it here. The dojo's kinda… peaceful."
She raised an eyebrow. "Then join. I'm sure Minato and Kenji would like that too."
"Can I?"
"Why not? Just sign up and show up."
Yuji grinned. "Then I will!"
Aimi moved to sit on the bench, pulling a comb through her hair.
Yuji lingered, tapping the broom handle against the floor. "Um… if you're not busy later… wanna go get that ice cream I promised?"
She paused mid-comb, then looked up.
He rubbed the back of his neck. "As an apology. Also kinda wanna hang out, if that's okay…"
She stared at him for a beat. Then sighed — the soft kind.
"...Alright. Let's get ice cream."
Yuji lit up like a kid at a festival. "Really?! Awesome!"
Being around him was strangely warm. She caught herself smiling again.
"Let's move before I change my mind."
"Roger that, Sensei!"
Late afternoon warmth clung to the air. They leaned against a low wall outside the ice cream stand, cones in hand.
Yuji kept glancing her way.
Aimi didn't look at him. "Spit it out."
"Ah—nothing. Just curious." He paused. "Your nose… healed fast. Like, really fast."
"Apparently I've got magic."
"Wait—seriously?"
"Seriously."
Yuji groaned. "I'm traumatised, okay? You're my first ever victim."
Before she could reply, a voice cut in.
"Oii, Yuji! Over here!"
A girl with a short cap and ponytail jogged up, flanked by two others. Yuji's face lit up.
"My club friends!"
They skidded to a stop, eyes flicking toward Aimi.
"Who's this?" the girl in the cap teased. "New girlfriend?"
Yuji nearly dropped his cone. "No! No! She's Aimi-sensei! Teaches martial arts!"
"Hehh~" they grinned. "She's cute."
Aimi raised an eyebrow. "Is it that bad to be seen with me?"
Yuji panicked. "No! I just didn't want to disrespect you!"
The girl laughed. "Yuka. Third year, Sendai High. Occult Research Club."
Aimi shook her hand. "Aimi Riwaka."
"That's Sasaki," she motioned to the tall guy, his hands in pockets. "And Iguchi," she added, nodding at the girl with glasses.
"Nice to meet you!" Iguchi smiled.
"Hello Aimi-sensei," Sasaki then squinted at Yuji. "She's your teacher? You don't look like the martial arts type."
Yuji groaned. "I'm not! I just threw a baseball at her face by accident."
"Wait—she's the one?!"
Aimi gave a tired nod. "Unfortunately."
Yuka gasped. "You're alive?!"
"Miraculously," Aimi muttered.
Iguchi clapped. "You're officially cooler than our entire club."
Yuka dug out her phone. "Sensei, we're planning something fun tonight. Wanna come?"
Yuji sighed. "You guys recruit everyone now?"
Yuka grinned. "Spooky fun. We're unboxing a cursed object!"
Aimi froze slightly. "Cursed… object?"
Yuji chuckled nervously. "It's never real. Just creepy junk."
"Come on!" Yuka pleaded. "Worst case, it's fake. Best case, cool story. We've got chips. Pocky. Maybe cake."
"You're bribing her," Sasaki muttered.
"Is it working?" Yuka blinked.
Aimi licked the last of her cone. Gojo's voice echoed in her head: Some cursed objects are like bombs.
"…Where?"
"Old gym storage. Totally haunted."
Yuji coughed. "Not helping, Yuka."
Aimi sighed. "Fine. I'll tag along."
Yuka punched the air. "YES! Sensei's the coolest!"
Sasaki smirked. "Hope you don't scare the ghosts away."