Itadori Yuji asked curiously, "Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event? What's that?"
Fushiguro Megumi explained, "It's an exchange event between us and the Kyoto branch of Jujutsu High. But... isn't it usually something for second- and third-years?"
Maki said impatiently, "That third-year loser is suspended, so you guys are going to take his place."
"Huh?"
Everyone looked confused. Itadori quickly asked, "So, what's the purpose of this exchange event?"
Panda said, "The exchange event is hosted by the principals of the Tokyo and Kyoto schools. Each principal decides on the competition format. It lasts for two days—one day per school."
"They call it an exchange, but it's basically a showdown. First day is a team battle, second day is individual fights. Happens every year."
"Salmon."
"Team battles and individual fights? We actually have to fight?"
Maki nodded, "That's right. Aside from killing, anything goes—it's an all-out jujutsu brawl."
Panda added, "To make sure you don't get totally wrecked, we'll give you some special training beforehand."
"But do you guys even have time for this kind of event? Aren't Jujutsu Sorcerers always short on manpower?"
"That's a good question. Right now—this transition from winter to early spring—is the time when people's gloom builds up and then explodes in early summer, creating curses. So yeah, it's our busiest season."
"Even though it's the most hectic time of the year, things will eventually settle down."
Paimon said, "So basically, we're sneaking in some fun while things are crazy?"
"Yeah, something like that. So, you guys will participate, right?"
Since Itadori didn't "die" like he did in the original series, the others weren't that motivated. Everyone turned to look at Zephyr.
Panda put his hands together in a pleading gesture. "Please, we're counting on you—especially you, Senior Lumine and Senior Paimon. If we lose this time, it'll be so embarrassing."
"Senior Paimon!"
Paimon's eyes lit up. "Traveler, Traveler! Let's join the event!"
Lumine looked speechless. "Calling you 'senior' is all it takes to win you over?"
"Ehe~."
Zephyr sighed. "I'd rather not, but I guess Gojo and the principal wouldn't let me refuse anyway. Alright, I'll join."
"If Big Sis is in, then of course we're in too!"
"Yay, awesome!"
Panda and Maki clapped their hands.
"Phew, good thing Lumine's joining. Otherwise, I wouldn't have a clue what to do."
"Yeah, that guy from Kyoto isn't easy to handle."
"That guy?"
Panda said, "Todo. He's a special-grade jujutsu sorcerer. Rumor has it he doesn't use any cursed techniques—just his physical strength alone is enough to defeat Grade 1 cursed spirits. There's even talk that he recently took down a special-grade curse all by himself."
"I was honestly worried for a while, but now that Senior Lumine's with us, Todo's just a little kiss on the cheek!"
Zephyr wasn't that arrogant. After thinking for a moment, he figured his strength was probably around the same level as Todo's—maybe even a bit weaker.
In the original storyline, Todo had held back when fighting Itadori Yuji. But now, Zephyr highly doubted that Todo would show any mercy to Lumine, that little girl.
He might underestimate her at first, thinking she's just a kid, but once he realized Lumine was a powerhouse on his level, there's no way he'd hold back. He'd go all out.
"This sucks… I might not even be able to beat Todo, and the main quest wants me to kill Mahito? Are you kidding me? I can't even beat Hanami!"
Suddenly, Maki twitched her nose and said, "Ugh, it stinks. Don't you guys smell that?"
"Smell? What smell?"
Maki sniffed again, then narrowed her eyes at Panda.
"So stinky."
"Not stinky."
"So stinky."
"Not even a little."
"I'm serious! You really stink! Go take a shower already. You smell like a wild animal."
"Ouch, that's just mean. Why would you say something like that?"
"Because you are a wild animal."
"I'm not listening, I'm not listening!"
"Go take a shower."
"No way. I don't wanna get wet. Besides, I'm not like you guys. I don't sweat, and I use deodorant spray every day. There's no way I smell."
Maki glanced over at Fushiguro and the others. "You guys smell him and tell me."
Itadori Yuji stepped closer to Panda and sniffed. "Nope, nothing."
Kugisaki Nobara said, "Yeah, I don't smell anything either."
Fushiguro added, "Actually, I'd say Panda-senpai smells kinda like Mr. Sunshine."
"Mr. Sunshine? Pfft—Hahaha! Fushiguro, how old are you, still using words like that?"
Itadori burst out laughing, clutching his stomach.
Maki chuckled and said, "Aww, Fushiguro, I misjudged you. You're not just a cold-hearted jerk—you've got a soft side too."
A vein popped on Fushiguro's forehead. "Zen'in-senpai, if you keep spouting nonsense, I'll deck you, even if you are a senpai."
Nobara grinned and said, "Fushiguro~ okawaii koto~."
After chatting for a bit, Panda dragged Itadori and the others off for training. They didn't seem too excited about it, but with their senpai's fists hanging over them, they didn't really have a choice.
Meanwhile, Zephyr went back to his daily tasks, farming Ley Line Blossoms. The day passed quickly.
"Finally found another Jujutsu Cursed Eye… This thing is such a pain to find since you can't just look it up online."
The location of the Jujutsu Cursed Eyes would only show up on the map after the player reached the surrounding area.
Otherwise, the map showed nothing at all.
That night, back at the school, they ran into a familiar figure.
Gojo Satoru greeted them with a smile, "Yo, good evening, Lumine-chan, Paimon-chan."
"Huh? Gojo-sensei, you're back? When did you get back?" Paimon asked in surprise.
"About half an hour ago."
Zephyr asked, "Where were you during the day?"
"Ah, during the day? Nowhere special, just went on a little business trip and exorcised a few special-grade curses, that's all."
Just exorcised a few special-grade curses?"
That casual "just" really had a vibe.
"Okay, fine, so you were out on a mission. But why did you come back in the middle of it?"
"Oh, that—well, during the mission, I accidentally used a bit too much strength and tore the roof off someone's house."
"The homeowner was so devastated, they started crying. I felt kinda guilty about it, so I thought, why not help them fix it?
But I didn't have any tools with me… and then it hit me—Nobara's hammer!
Since she's a jujutsu sorcerer, maybe her hammer's even better than regular tools?
So I came all the way back just to borrow her hammer. While I was here, I happened to overhear you guys talking, so I listened in for a bit. Yup, that's all."
The two of them stared at him, utterly speechless.
"Hahaha! That's the same face Fushiguro and the others made when they heard it too."
Lumine muttered, "…I thought you ran into a curse you couldn't beat and came back to grab a weapon or something."
"Haha, come on now, don't be silly. A curse? I could one-shot those with one hand. Why would I ever need to come back for a weapon?
And even if I did need one, why would I come back for Nobara's tiny little hammer?"
Zephyr nodded thoughtfully. "Logically speaking… fair point."
//END