"We will now begin the two-day Tokyo–Kyoto Sister School Exchange. Day one will be a team battle: an intense and thrilling Cursed Spirit exorcism showdown!"
On the day of the exchange, Masamichi Yaga stood on stage to deliver the opening remarks.
As the host, Principal Gakuganji followed:
"The rules are simple: exorcise the Grade 1 Cursed Spirits within the designated area. The first team to complete the exorcism wins… uh…"
Gakuganji glanced down at his script again. The words "Grade 1 Cursed Spirits" practically stabbed at his eyes. Wasn't it supposed to be Grade 2? That wasn't what was written when he memorized it yesterday.
He shot a quick look toward Akira Zenin among the teachers, then cleared his throat a few times. After confirming the rest matched his memory, he continued:
"There are also a number of Grade 3 Cursed Spirits placed in the area. If no winner is decided before nightfall, the team that exorcises the most will be declared the winner…"
"All Cursed Spirits will be marked in advance with special talismans linked to registered ones. Those exorcised by Kyoto will turn blue, and those by Tokyo will turn red."
Masamichi Yaga immediately added:
"The purpose of this exchange is to understand both your companions and yourselves through competition. Do not kill your opponents or inflict irreversible harm."
It was worth noting that while Gakuganji was speaking, Satoru Gojo had been whistling the entire time, deliberately making it sound as grating and off-key as possible…
Gakuganji's expression looked like he had just swallowed a fly. After forcing himself to finish, he glanced at Akira Zenin, hoping his school's Special Grade would at least help steady the atmosphere. But Akira Zenin was simply staring up at the clouds, lost in thought.
Both sides had their own plans, and everyone was already sizing up the opponents they had in mind. Of course, there were a few exceptions.
For example, Momo Nishimiya had been in a bad mood ever since she found out she wouldn't be going to Tokyo. She gripped her broom and kept sweeping the same spot until the ground was practically polished.
"I really wanted to visit Harajuku around Takeshita Street…"
Mechamaru scanned the Tokyo group and spoke quietly:
"Focus. The next period is a low-activity phase for Cursed Spirits. You can think about that after the match."
Kasumi Miwa shrank her shoulders slightly.
"I wanted to go shopping in Tokyo too…"
"Hmm… maybe we can bring it up with Akira-sensei. We can't change the venue, but we could organize something after it's over…"
Kasumi Miwa knew Akira Zenin thought highly of Mechamaru. If he brought it up, there was a good chance this kind of "outing" would actually happen.
"Yay!"
Noritoshi Kamo glanced around, not interrupting the others. He turned to Mai.
"Where's Todo?"
"How would I know?"
Mechamaru raised his hand. A faint glow appeared on the back of it, like a display screen, where a red dot was rapidly approaching.
"Todo is already very close."
As soon as he finished speaking, a muscular man, bare-chested, bounded up the stone steps and landed in the school plaza in a few strides.
Seeing everyone gathered, he didn't seem the least bit bothered about being late. He casually tossed a bag with a photo of idol Takada on it, along with his shirt, toward Momo Nishimiya and Mai.
Before anyone could react, Aoi Todo suddenly roared:
"Everybody, answer me one question!
…
What kind of women do you like?!"
The bizarre question left Kasumi Miwa and Mechamaru expressionless. One was completely stunned, the other simply incapable of showing emotion.
Momo Nishimiya and Mai looked openly disgusted, and even Noritoshi Kamo struggled to keep his composure.
Seriously, are you asking this kind of thing to everyone now, regardless of gender?
Wait, that's not the point… Is this even the time or place for that question?
Aoi Todo grinned broadly, his expression oddly comical.
"Your taste says everything about you. If someone's boring when it comes to the kind of person they like, then that person is definitely boring too. And the people I hate most are boring people.
This exchange meeting is where burning blood and the soul are meant to shine. So if you're boring, get the hell out. Answer me already. Even if the answer is the same sex, that's fine."
Nearly all the Tokyo students fell silent, staring at Aoi Todo like he was some kind of pervert. Only Yuji Itadori actually took a moment to think about it seriously.
"I don't really get why we're talking about this right now.
But if we're just talking personal preference, and I had to say…
I guess a tall girl with a big butt. Someone like Jennifer Lawrence."
As everyone instinctively looked toward the voice, Kugisaki and Megumi Fushiguro quietly edged a little farther away from Yuji Itadori.
Aoi Todo's eyes slowly widened.
In less than a second, countless scenes flashed through his mind, including but not limited to: The Story of Me and Takada-chan, My Bro Yuji Itadori from Our Middle School Days, and Beneath the Cherry Blossoms, Takada-chan Rejected Me.
"My... brother..."
Aoi Todo's voice shook like that of some cursed spirit. His hands trembled as he reached forward, unconsciously taking a step closer.
"So... you're the brother I've been separated from for all these years!!!"
"Uh…"
Yuji Itadori was usually good at rolling with things, but even for him, this was a first.
Aoi Todo suddenly thought of something.
"Where's Yuta Okkotsu?"
Nobara Kugisaki immediately shouted:
"Okkotsu-senpai went off on a Special Grade mission, but don't worry, he'll be back soon to beat the crap out of you, you perverted gorilla…"
Aoi Todo ignored Nobara Kugisaki's insult, rolled his wrist, and cracked his neck.
"Good. As long as he can make it back. Otherwise, it'd be a real regret during my time at Jujutsu High…"
Before either side could settle down, Satoru Gojo's voice suddenly rang out from above the whole area. At some point, the teachers and principals had apparently gone to the broadcast room…
"Ahem...Three minutes before the start~~.
And now, please welcome Utahime Iori-sensei, who will deliver a deeply moving and inspiring speech for us~~"
"Huh? Um…"
Utahime Iori genuinely hated Satoru Gojo, but being suddenly asked to speak to the students without any preparation left her visibly flustered, and she took a moment to think.
"Uh, while injuries are unavoidable…"
Before Utahime Iori could finish, Satoru Gojo suddenly cut in:
"Sorry, my mistake. I looked at the time wrong, and now it's already time. We can't waste our precious youth, so let's get started~~"
Satoru Gojo's voice suddenly shifted from relaxed to shouting:
"Go" [Five]
"jo" [Four]
"Sa" [Three]
"to" [Two]
"ru!" [One]
"Begin!"
The Tokyo Jujutsu High students, already used to Satoru Gojo, immediately rushed into the forest. The Kyoto Jujutsu High students were still trying to figure out why he was suddenly saying his own name, and only reacted a second after hearing the start signal, hurrying after them.
Whether Satoru Gojo did it on purpose or just forgot to switch off the radio, Utahime Iori's furious roar echoed through the entire forest.
"Go! Jo! Satoru! Honestly, show your senpai some respect!!!"