Ryuji hadn't expected Maki to suddenly suggest tinuing their earlier "sparring session."

  It seemed that now that her body had fully recovered, she wao test her limits. And what better way to push herself than to use him as her benchmark?

  For Maki, the thrill of disc her rength filled her with a joy she hadn't experienced before. For so long, she had believed that nothing outside of training aing stronger could make her happy.

  But now, she had found something else, something just as fulfilling.

  Still, the day broke into dawn before their sparring finally came to an end.

  "What kind of Heavenly Restri User is this? I 't eve you!"

  Maki stared at Ryuji with an incredulous expressioe her massive physical improvement, it seemed her current strength still couldn't pare to his.

  inally, she'd thought her newly enhanced physique was uable. But Ryuji's endurand power had far exceeded anything she imagined possible.

  Ryuji couldn't help but ugh at her words.

  No man would pin about receiving su evaluation in this particur regard.

  "Even with your Heavenly Restri, it doesn't mean you're invincible," Ryuji said, a satisfied grin on his face.

  He casually ed his other arm around Maki. There was an undeniable air of smugness in his posture.

  Truthfully, this was the first time he had entered someone who could handle his iy—even briefly. Maki's newfound strength was no joke.

  "It's no wohey say Heavenly Restri is extraordinary," Ryuji mused. "But your physical power isn't limitless. If you want to reach the level of a special-grade sorcerer, you'll o refine your bat skills further et yourself some high-grade cursed tools to plement your physique."

  Maki listened ily. She nodded seriously.

  High-grade cursed tools weren't cheap, but they wereirely out of reach either. With enough effort, she believed she could acquire them.

  "I uand," she said firmly.

  Gng at the time, Ryuji realized just how much time had passed.

  "It's already getting te," he muttered. Standing up, he stretched his limbs, muscles rippling as he moved.

  "I should head out."

  Hearing this, Maki hesitated. She wao say something, but she held back. After all, there wasn't any defined "retionship" between them, nothing that would justify her asking him to stay longer.

  She bit her lip, unsure of what to say.

  "Don't worry."

  Ryuji's smile softened as he noticed her hesitation. He reached out aly ruffled her hair.

  "I'll visit when I . And now that you have my tafo, if you ever need anything, just call me."

  Though Ryuji didn't sider himself a "good guy," he always took responsibility for his as.

  Not taking the initiative, not refusing, but always being responsible.

  "Alright," Maki replied, her smile growing wider at his reassurance.

  She watched as Ryuji left her apartment, her heart feeling lighter.

  But after a moment, something suddenly occurred to her.

  "Wait!"

  Her expression ged as she remembered something important.

  "The curse on my sister hasn't been lifted yet!"

  Ryuji had helped break her own curse, but she had pletely fotten t up her sister, Mai.

  How could she have fotten something so crucial?

  She sighed, shaking her head.

  "Well, there'll definitely be another ce t it up."

  After all, she now had a e with Ryuji. Wheime came to ask for his help, she was certain he wouldn't turn her down.

  With that thought, a sense of relief washed over her.

  Still feeling a little sore, Maki stretched before heading to the kit.

  "I could really use some fht now," she muttered to herself.

  But as she moved, a sharp ache shot through her body.

  "Hiss!"

  Even with her enhanced physique, she wasn't pletely immuo exhaustion. Though her body could recover quickly, she still felt the aftereffects of her "training."

  She winced, pressing a hand to her lower back. "Ugh, I don't even feel like cooking right now."

  For once, Maki found herself wanting to indulge in a little ziness.

  "If only Ryuji were still here," she thought with a sigh. "I wouldn't have to do anything. I could just lean on him and rex."

  The thought made her chuckle softly, though she quickly shook her head to clear it away.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell ringing.

  "Hmm? Who could that be?"

  Frowning slightly, Maki walked over to the door.

  When she ope, she was greeted by a delivery worker holding an ornate food box.

  "Hello, a Mr. Hoshino pced an order with us and asked us to deliver this to you."

  "Mr. Hoshino?"

  Maki blinked, surprised. The only person that came to mind was Ryuji.

  She accepted the box, her fingers brushing against its smooth surface.

  Though it was a small gesture, it made her smile.

  Ryuji must have arrahis before he left. It might not have been a big deal to him, but to Maki, it meant everything.

  "Thank you," she said softly to the delivery worker.

  Closing the door, she pced the box on her dining table, her earlier exhaustion fading as a warm sense of happiness filled her chest.

  To her, this simple act roof that Ryuji hadn't fotten about her. And for now, that was more than enough.

  ***

  Chey new ff: Heavenly Restri User of the Gojo : I Refuse to Be Cut in Half

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