Wild Beast of Tokyo High – Chapter 74

Ren stood.

Wobbly, half-shirted, sore as hell… but standing.

The IV tube tugged gently at his arm as he moved, the translucent line snaking out of a bag still hooked to the pole beside his bed. He could've pressed the call button. Could've asked for help. Could've waited.

But no. That wasn't his style.

He grimaced and looked down at his own body.

"Great," he muttered. "No pants."

He sighed.

"Rika… Get me a shirt and pants."

The air behind him shimmered like heat on asphalt. A soft black rift opened in reality—a pocket-sized void that bloomed for only a moment—and from within, Rika's semi-summoned hands slipped through. Pale and ghostly, they moved with surprising precision, fishing through the void like she was rummaging through an invisible closet.

A pair of pants. A folded shirt. Tossed out like laundry from a dryer.

The void snapped shut with a soft pop.

Ren didn't notice the way Rika didn't poke her head out. He didn't notice the awkward flick of her hands or the way the black mist curled nervously before vanishing.

He just sighed and pulled the pants on slowly.

"Fucking hell…" he hissed, bracing against the IV pole. "I feel like I got thrown off a cliff and hit every ledge on the way down."

His fingers fumbled at the shirt buttons—but the IV line made it impossible to reach across properly. After two attempts, he gave up and just let the shirt hang loosely across his chest.

"Whatever. Who's going to be out here anyway?" he muttered. "I just have to get to my dorm and grab a few books. In and out. Easy."

He limped forward, one foot in front of the other, dragging the IV pole like a half-dead warrior returning from battle.

Bad choice.

Because the moment Ren walked through the halls of Tokyo Jujutsu High's infirmary wing and into the open courtyard—

Eyes.

Whispers.

All at once.

"Huh? Wait, is that—?"

"Is that him?!"

"No way, he's walking around already??"

"I heard he fought a special grade—another one!"

"They say he fought while protecting civilians too—like three people!"

"Dude's insane… but, like, in the cool way."

Ren blinked.

"…Huh?"

And then—

"Hey, hey! That's the Wild Beast of Tokyo High!!"

Ren froze.

"What?"

He turned his head slowly toward the voice. Two second-year students. One had their phone half-raised like they were about to sneak a photo. The other just whispered with excitement.

"The wild beast fought a special grade and lived?!"

"Dude, I thought only Gojo-sensei could do that!"

Ren's eye twitched.

"The Wild Beast of Tokyo High??"

"Are you serious right now?" he muttered. "What kind of lame-ass nickname is that?!"

He kept walking, pulling the IV pole with him, resisting the urge to snap the tube off just so he could flip someone off with both hands.

Sure, the power-scaling rumors were fine. Let the kids gossip. Let them think he was some unstoppable monster. That made people stay out of his way, which was good.

But the nickname.

Wild Beast?

God. He sounded like a washed-up pro wrestler.

Ren kept walking, picking up pace slightly, keeping his eyes ahead. He just needed to reach his dorm. In. Out. Ignore the stares.

Then—

"Hey, idiot."

Ren stopped.

His body stiffened like someone had pulled a cursed wire in his spine.

"You're supposed to be resting in the hospital, right?"

Ren turned his head.

Standing a few meters behind him, arms crossed, was Maki Zen'in.

Her brow was furrowed, eyes sharp. She wore her usual Jujutsu High uniform, though slightly disheveled, like she'd rushed over.

Ren blinked.

"…Uh. I was going to my dorm," he said slowly. "Why do you ask?"

Maki's gaze dropped instinctively to his shirt—which was hanging open, barely buttoned at all—and her cheeks colored just slightly before she snapped her eyes back up to his face.

"…Tch."

Ren opened his mouth to say something else, but Maki stepped forward, grabbed his IV tube, and started dragging him by it like a rebellious child on a leash.

Grab!

She snatched the IV tube.

"Wha—hey—!"

Yank!

Ren stumbled forward as Maki turned and began dragging him by the IV stand like she was returning a stray dog.

"This is assault!" Ren snapped, limping to keep up.

"This is your fault!" Maki hissed. "What kind of idiot leaves the hospital a few hours after having a metal rod go through their leg?!"

"I'm fine—!"

"No, you're not!"

They turned a corner.

"Also, don't yank the IV! That goes in me!"

"Then stop walking like a moron!"

Eventually, they returned to Ren's hospital room. Maki shoved open the door and practically shoved Ren inside.

"Sit down!"

Ren glared. "You have a really weird way of saying thank you."

Maki crossed her arms. "That wasn't thank you! But… it was… kind of."

She turned her face away slightly, trying to look casual.

"You should rest, you know! You had a rod in your leg like, hours ago. And here you are, trying to hike back to your dorm like an idiot."

Ren sat down with a grunt, staring at her.

"What the fuck is going on today?" he thought. "First Gojo, now Maki?? What's with everyone being emotional? Did I die and come back in a weird drama?"

"I can walk," he said. "And yeah, I wanted to go back. There are a few books I need. It's boring here."

Maki clicked her tongue and looked down.

"…Give me your dorm keys."

"…Huh?"

She looked up again, eyes narrowing.

"Give. Me. Your. Dorm. Keys. I'll get your books. You stay here."

Ren stared.

His eye twitched.

"Okay… fine," he muttered. He reached into his bag, pulled out a small silver key, and handed it over.

"Get me the smallest notebook on my desk," he said. "It should be on top of some papers. Also, uh… my room might be uncleaned."

Maki took the key and turned.

"Noted."

She stormed out with the speed of someone trying to hide their expression.

Ren sat back, finally alone again.

The door clicked shut.

And the hospital room was silent once more.

He stared at the ceiling, then slowly leaned his head back into the pillow.

"…What a weird fucking day."