The hot springs were peaceful once again.
Well, as peaceful as they could be with Takeru Gojo in attendance.
Takeru was sitting comfortably in the water when he suddenly opened one eye.
"Actually, I have two things to clarify."
Yuji glanced over. "Here we go."
"Firstly, I died before because Toji shot me."
Everyone paused.
Panda slowly turned his head.
"...You know, sometimes you say things so casually that I forget how INSANE your life is."
Takeru nodded. "Understandable."
Yuji raised a finger. "Wait, wasn't that the time you came back with Reverse Cursed Technique?"
"Yep!"
"And you survived?"
"Yep!"
"And then you fought Toji?"
"Yep!"
Yuji stared at him.
"Man, your life is WEIRD."
Takeru gave him a thumbs-up. "Thank you!"
Nanami sighed. "That was not a compliment."
"I ACCEPT IT ANYWAY!"
Kirara laughed while Hakari shook his head.
Then Takeru raised his second finger.
"Secondly, my phone's dead."
Silence.
Yuji blinked.
"...Okay?"
"WHICH MEANS I CAN'T CHECK THE DATE!"
"Then charge it when we get back!"
Takeru stared at Yuji as if he'd just suggested the most unreasonable thing imaginable.
"But I wanna know when Halloween will be!"
Panda perked up.
"Halloween?"
Takeru's expression became serious.
Far too serious.
"Yes, Panda. Halloween."
He leaned forward in the water.
"Costumes. Candy. Decorations. Spooky stuff. Maybe a ridiculous amount of pumpkin-flavored food."
Yuji grinned. "You just want candy."
"I WANT TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY PROPERLY!"
"You want candy."
"I WANT TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAY WITH CANDY!"
Todo suddenly slammed a fist into his palm.
"HALLOWEEN! A NIGHT WHEN ONE MAY PRESENT A NEW AND GLORIOUS FORM TO THE WORLD!"
Takeru pointed at him.
"EXACTLY!"
Todo nodded enthusiastically.
"WHAT COSTUME WILL YOU WEAR, BROTHER?"
Takeru froze.
His eyes widened.
"...I haven't decided."
Yuji gasped dramatically.
"OH NO."
Takeru slowly turned toward him.
"What?"
"You're going to spend the next several weeks thinking about it, aren't you?"
Takeru looked away.
"...Possibly."
Kirara laughed. "Several weeks? You're going to make a whole list."
"That's a fantastic idea."
Hakari groaned. "They've encouraged him."
Nanami stood up from the water.
"I'm leaving before this becomes a committee."
Takeru immediately pointed at him.
"YOU CAN'T LEAVE! WE NEED YOUR OPINION ON COSTUMES!"
"No."
"VAMPIRE?"
"No."
"ZOMBIE?"
"No."
"ACCOUNTANT WHO HAS FINALLY TAKEN A DAY OFF?"
Nanami stopped.
Everyone stared at him.
Takeru slowly smiled.
"...That's actually pretty good."
Nanami walked away.
"Goodbye."
The entire group burst out laughing.
Eventually, Takeru settled back into the water, looking thoughtful.
"Alright. When we get back, I'm charging my phone, checking the date, and figuring out exactly how long we have until Halloween."
Yuji grinned.
"And then?"
Takeru's smile widened.
"Then we prepare."
Panda gulped theatrically.
"For what?"
Takeru looked him dead in the eyes.
"THE HALLOWEEN OPERATION."
"...It's a holiday."
"NOT ANYMORE."
And somewhere in the distance, Nanami probably felt a sudden, inexplicable headache.
He wasn't even sure why.
He just knew Takeru was planning something.