The moment Gojo's eyes glowed with celestial light, the glyph on his back shining like a divine brand, hope lit up in Hikami's chest. The Spirit Seal—an ancient binding between human and celestial force—had awakened in Gojo.
But a second later, that hope shattered.
Gojo's legs buckled.
"Wha—" he coughed violently, blood spraying from his lips.
"Gojo-kun!!" Hikami screamed.
His body slumped, collapsing into her arms.
Dema stepped forward, disgust curling his lip. "He forced open the Spirit Seal before his body could handle it. Pathetic."
Kuma loomed behind him, fire swirling around his fists. "Shall I finish him?"
"No!" Hikami snarled, shielding Gojo's body.
But it was Suma who made the first move—she kicked a piece of obsidian rock at Kuma's face. "Try touching him, flame boy. I dare you."
Hiyori raised a frosty barrier around them. "Suma, grab Gojo!"
Suma hoisted him onto her back. "Tch! He's heavier than I thought!"
"Don't grab my butt… again," Gojo mumbled faintly.
"No promises, dummy," she grinned.
Dema pointed. "They're escaping! Zona! Ro—"
But his words cut short as he looked around.
Zona was still stewing in lava soup. Rona was a frozen popsicle.
"You brats…" Dema seethed. "KUMA! GET THEM!"
But the three were already gone—vanishing into a mist of snow and shadow.
---
Later — Secret Hideout, Earth Realm
Gojo lay in a futon, his bare chest bandaged, his arm in a sling. His hair was messy, his cheeks flushed with fever. Despite the wounds, he still looked annoyingly hot.
Suma sat beside him, arms crossed, her cropped hoodie slipping off one shoulder and exposing a tantalizing view of sports bra.
"You're lucky I'm amazing at first aid," she muttered. "And lucky I didn't accidentally cop a feel."
Hiyori sat cross-legged nearby, holding an ice pack to Gojo's forehead. "His vitals are stabilizing. But his spirit energy is a mess."
"I'll be fine…" Gojo croaked, eyes half-open. "Just need… a moment…"
"You IDIOT!" Suma suddenly screamed.
She slapped him hard across the face.
Gojo blinked, stunned. "W-What the hell?!"
"You think collapsing in front of Hikami is heroic?!" Suma shouted, fists trembling. "You let her go. You let that sleazebag claim her! And now you're lying there like some tragic anime protagonist—well guess what, I'm not watching you mope!"
Gojo sat up, wincing. "I… I'm not strong enough. I lost."
"You dumbass!" Suma's voice cracked. "You don't get to give up! Not after everything!"
"Suma…" Gojo looked at her.
She leaned close, her face red, her eyes shimmering with tears. Her hand landed on his bare chest, trembling.
"I love you, okay?! I love you, you annoying, perverted, noble idiot. And Hikami loves you too! Even if she'd rather die than admit it!"
Gojo's eyes widened. "You…?"
"I know I'm not her. I'm loud. Reckless. I kick people in the nuts before asking questions—but I still love you, and you don't get to lie in bed and sulk when she's about to be married off to some flaming musclehead!"
There was a long silence.
Then Gojo smirked. "...You really slapped me."
"I'll do it again if you don't get your sexy butt in gear."
Hiyori coughed, awkwardly turning away. "I'm still here, you know."
---
Wedding Day — Hiroma Kaznu: Temple of Flames
The sacred temple glowed with eternal fire. Crimson tapestries lined the obsidian pillars, and flame-lit lanterns floated midair. A hundred fairies gathered, whispering with anticipation.
Kuma stood at the altar, muscles oiled, hair blazing. He wore a sleeveless crimson robe, with the Fire Emblem tattooed across his chest.
Beside him stood Hikami—her long red hair flowing, her white wedding kimono slipping slightly off one shoulder in a way that made every man in the room choke on their saliva. Her eyes, however, were blank. Her hands trembled.
Dema watched from a throne, sipping wine.
"The union of Phoenix and Flame… at last."
Priests began chanting.
"Let the Spirit Bond be formed—"
BOOM!!!
The temple doors exploded.
A gust of snow and wind swept in.
And from the smoke stepped…
"GOJO?!" Hikami gasped.
He stood tall, robes flapping, Spirit Seal glowing faintly on his bare chest. His shirt was gone again. Somehow.
Beside him, Suma grinned in a black combat dress cut far too short to be legal. Hiyori followed in a frost-lined yukata, her snowflake pin glowing faintly.
Gojo pointed dramatically.
"HIKAMI IS MY WOMAN!"
The entire temple went dead silent.
Then Hikami turned beet red. "Y-YOU IDIOT!! DON'T SAY THAT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!!"
Suma leaned toward her. "But you liked it, didn't you?"
Hikami didn't answer. Her cheeks were smoking.
Dema stood, scowling. "You dare interrupt a sacred Fire Wedding?!"
"I dare a lot of things," Gojo said. "Like stealing your bride back."
Kuma cracked his knuckles. "You'll die this time."
Gojo smirked. "Let's find out."
To be continued