Itadori swung his sword with precision, the air around him shimmering with the energy of his every move. In the quiet of the abandoned dojo, the only sounds were the clashing of wooden swords and the distant chirping of cicadas. Maki stood before him, her stance firm and eyes sharp, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "You're getting better, but you still hesitate," she teased, parrying his next strike with ease. The sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the floor. Itadori wiped the sweat from his brow, grinning back at her. "Maybe I'm just trying to impress you," he replied, his tone light but his eyes sincere.

There was a pause in their sparring, the world around them seeming to hold its breath. Itadori's heart raced, not just from the exertion of their practice, but from the proximity to Maki. Her presence was electrifying, and he often found himself lost in the moment, wondering if she felt the same. Maki broke the silence, her gaze softening. "Focus, Itadori. We've got a mission coming up, and you need to be ready," she said, though her voice held a warmth that belied her stern words. "I know," he replied, his resolve firming. "But I can't help but think about... us."

As night fell, the dojo was transformed, the starlight casting a silvery glow on the wooden floor. They sat together, their swords laid aside, the silence between them comfortable yet charged with unspoken words. "Us?" Maki echoed, her eyes flickering with curiosity and something else, something deeper. Itadori took a deep breath, the weight of his feelings pressing against his chest. "Yeah, us. I don't know where this path will lead, but I want to find out. With you."

Maki's expression softened, a small smile breaking out as she met his gaze. "I guess we're both figuring things out, aren't we?" she said, her voice a gentle caress. Itadori nodded, feeling a sense of relief and joy wash over him. Their bond had grown stronger, each sparring session and shared glance weaving them closer together.

Maki stood up, offering him her hand. "Let's make sure we're ready for whatever comes next," she said, a determined glint in her eyes. Itadori took her hand, feeling the solid connection between them. "Together," he affirmed, standing by her side as they faced the unknown future.