A little while later, Takeru came back from his shower.
His hair was still slightly damp, and he looked considerably more awake than before.
He walked into the medical room, towel draped around his neck, and sat down on the bed.
"Much better."
Yuji looked over.
Then paused.
"…Do you smell that?"
Nobara sniffed the air.
"Wait."
One of the Shoko's looked around.
"What is that?"
A pleasant scent had filled the room.
It wasn't overpowering.
It was soft and clean, with something floral mixed with a faint citrus note.
Everyone started looking around.
Yuji sniffed again.
"It smells really good."
Nobara nodded.
"Yeah, but where's it coming from?"
One of the Gojo's, who had apparently wandered into the medical room, looked around.
"Did someone bring perfume?"
"No."
"Air freshener?"
"No."
Everyone looked toward the doorway.
Nothing.
Yuji sniffed again.
"It's definitely coming from somewhere."
Takeru sat quietly on the bed.
His damp hair rested against his forehead.
He seemed completely unaware of what everyone was doing.
Nobara looked at him.
Then sniffed.
"…Takeru."
"Hm?"
"Did you use something in the shower?"
Takeru thought about it.
"Shampoo."
Yuji blinked.
"What kind?"
"Four-in-one."
Nobara stared.
"Four-in-one what?"
Takeru shrugged.
"Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and volumizer."
Everyone looked at each other.
"…That's it?"
"Yep."
Yuji sniffed the air again.
"Whatever that stuff is…"
He smiled.
"It smells really good."
Takeru looked confused.
"Really?"
Nobara nodded.
"Yeah."
Takeru shrugged.
"I've been using it for a while."
One of the Shoko's leaned slightly closer.
"It smells like…"
She paused.
"I can't quite identify it."
The other Shoko nodded.
"Me neither."
Takeru ran a hand through his damp hair.
"Well, whatever it is, I like it."
Yuji looked at him.
"Your hair smells good too."
Takeru blinked.
"Thanks?"
Nobara laughed.
"This is weird."
Everyone agreed.
Something about the scent was strangely pleasant.
Nobody could quite figure out what it was.
Nobody seemed to realize the simplest answer.
The scent wasn't coming from the room.
It wasn't coming from perfume.
It wasn't coming from an air freshener.
It was coming from Takeru.