"I'm Akiho's mother, Hayashi Honoka. It's nice to meet you. Would it be all right if I put in the request that you and my daughter should share a room?"

Fushiguro blinks twice, and lets out a long, relieved breath. He had been half-expecting her to come here tell him her daughter didn't survive her wounds.

He nods, once.

"All right." She smiles. "Akiho-san is doing well. Bored out of her mind already. I thought it might be prudent to solve one bored teenager with another."

That draws a small smile out of him. "Thank you, Hayashi-san."

"Of course. Is there anything you need?"

He shakes his head. "No, thank you, Hayashi-san."

"You're quite welcome. Rest well."

And then, several hours later, the desire to move rooms is confirmed, and he is gently bundled up and wheeled away to another room. This room contains pretty plants by the window, a couple packages of sweets, and most importantly...

One Hayashi Akiho.

"Fushiguro-san!" she says, brightening immediately upon seeing him. "Hi! How are you doing."

"Not any more hurt than last time you saw me."

"Wow, what a glowing review that does not at all fill me with concern."

He shrugs, and winces at the pain. "Take it or leave it."

"Well I'm taking it, obviously, you're my friend. Besides, I think my mom has decided to adopt you as her own."

"...what?"

"I don't know, she was very annoyed by the state of your hospital room. In a, a. My mom kind of way. She is out passive aggressively buying you a get well card or something."

"Passive aggressively," he repeats slowly.

"Yep. Just wait. You'll see. She's scary."

"You don't look scared."

"She is not pointed at me! Are you scared of Gojo-sensei when he's being scary?"

"...nah."

"Mhmm. She might get you balloons. Just think! Bright and happy with 'Get well soon' on them!"

He grimaces. "Can I opt out?"

Hayashi makes a malevolent little cackle.

"No."

"Isn't bringing this suffering to your fellows betraying your sorcerer principles?" he needles.

"Ooo! Low blow! But no, they're fine, maternal smothering doesn't fall under my sorcerer jurisdiction."

"Sounds like a cop-out."