Jujutsu Kaisen: I Can Manipulate Time.

The team battle ended in a hurry. The Second Grade Curse hadn't even been exorcised. The final score stood at 10–4—Tokyo Jujutsu High emerged victorious. Some of those ten points had come from Rika's sudden rampage, where she tore through several Cursed Spirits with frightening ease.

From Kyoto's side, Momo Nishimiya, Kamo Noritoshi, and Aoi Todo were eliminated midway. On Tokyo's side, Panda and Yuta Okkotsu were also knocked out. Thankfully, it seemed Gojo Satoru had contained the situation; Rika's outburst left no lasting consequences.

After Panda returned from Principal Yaga's workshop, his body had been almost fully repaired. With Ieiri Shoko tending to the rest, everyone made a swift recovery and soon regained their energy.

Aoi Todo, unfazed by his earlier encounter with Rika, was as fired up as ever. He approached Yuta with his signature enthusiasm.

"Our last fight was cut short, Yuta Okkotsu. I look forward to a proper rematch. You're stronger than I expected."

Yuta inwardly groaned. I could really do without that kind of acknowledgment…

Then Todo turned his attention to Kamihara Hajime. Though Hajime hadn't participated in the team battle's final stages, Todo had clearly heard what had happened.

"I thought this exchange event would be boring," Todo said, cracking his knuckles. "But I met Yuta, and now you. I'm already looking forward to tomorrow's one-on-one matches."

He paused, then looked up dramatically. "Hajime… what kind of women do you like?"

Hajime had only come over to deliver two ice cream bars to Yuta. But now, with Todo's sudden, familiar question, he could only sigh. He thought briefly of Yuta… and of Itadori's future ordeal.

Taking the wooden stick from his finished ice cream, he answered with a straight face, "White-haired, beast-eared girls. At least for now."

Todo blinked in stunned silence. Then his face twisted into something unreadable.

"Ah… what a shame. But I respect your tastes. Still, I hope I get to witness your strength tomorrow!"

At that moment, Maki entered. From her sharp stare, it was clear she'd overheard the entire conversation.

"Principal Yaga is calling everyone over to finalize tomorrow's match order. You…" Her eyes flicked toward Hajime with clear disdain. "Forget it."

She turned and left without another word.

Hajime scratched his head. "What's up with Maki? Never mind. Let's go, Yuta."

He walked off with Yuta toward the assembly point. Todo returned to Kyoto's side.

By the time Hajime's group arrived, students and teachers from both schools were already gathered. Principal Yaga stood at the center.

"Regarding tomorrow's individual battles," Yaga began, "two formats have been proposed. We'd like your opinions."

"The first option is a direct elimination format. Each side sends out a fighter, and the winner advances. One person can theoretically fight all the way to the end."

"The second is a series of one-on-one battles. Each team chooses who fights whom. Each win earns a point, and the total score determines the victor."

Maki raised her hand. "We only have five people. What happens with uneven matchups?"

Yaga nodded. "If we go with the second format, Tokyo will have one fighter compete twice. Kyoto will choose matchups first. If the score ends 3–3, the team battle result will be the tiebreaker—Tokyo wins overall."

Kamo Noritoshi then asked, "If we win the individual battles, and each team ends with one overall victory, how is the final winner determined?"

Before Yaga could reply, Gojo Satoru chimed in with glee, "In that case, we'll have a final decisive showdown!"

A strange silence followed.

No one commented, but everyone silently agreed that letting Gojo handle anything "decisive" was asking for trouble. They collectively ignored him.

Both schools formed discussion groups. Panda, rubbing his chin in mock thought, said, "Honestly, the first format favors us. Hajime alone could probably wipe their whole team."

Maki adjusted her glasses. "The second format is like that story— Horse Racing. If Hajime fights twice, we're almost guaranteed at least one win—maybe even two."

On Kyoto's side, the mood was more serious. Having already fought most of Tokyo, they had a clearer understanding of the enemy's strength.

Miwa Kasumi rested her chin in her palm. "If they go with the second option, they'll definitely make Hajime fight twice. How do we deal with that?"

Kamo answered, "He's easily their strongest. He overwhelmed me in seconds. His speed's abnormal—likely his Technique at work."

"We have two strategies. First, we let our weakest two fight him and waste his battle slots. But Tokyo probably won't let that happen."

"Second, we match our 'middle-tier' fighter against him first and try to win every other match. But that's… extremely difficult."

Aoi Todo crossed his arms, unmoved. "Don't overthink it. Those first-years are monsters, but so what? They won't play safe. They'll go full power—king vs. king, general vs. general!"

Mai stared at him blankly. She was sure Todo had overheard their strategy, yet all she heard were his dramatic mutterings.

"Why do you think that?" she asked.

Todo beamed. "It's a spiritual connection."

"…Right."

Everyone quietly skipped over him and resumed discussing tactics. Todo didn't mind—if anything, their lack of "friendship potential" was expected.

"All I want is to fight Yuta Okkotsu or Hajime. As long as my opponent excites me, that's enough."

Meanwhile, Tokyo decided on the second format. Because the team battle had ended so quickly, most hadn't gotten a proper fight—except Hajime, who had eliminated two opponents instantly.

Maki, eyes gleaming, said, "First-year? Low-grade? Doesn't matter—I'm going to knock them flat!"

Panda nodded with equal enthusiasm. Even Toge gave a confident "Salmon."

All eyes turned to Hajime, who yawned. He'd stayed up late gaming, and it was catching up with him.

"Wouldn't the first format be a guaranteed win?" he muttered. "But sure, if everyone agrees, I'll go twice."

Maki crossed her arms. "Our advantage is solid. They'll definitely try to sacrifice their weakest to burn one of your matches. We just need to pick the right order."

Both sides finalized their choices. Tomorrow's individual battles would begin at 10 AM in the school dojo.

Yaga announced, "Kyoto will select first."

Kamo stepped forward. "Miwa Kasumi challenges Kamihara Hajime."

Miwa looked nervous but determined. No one was surprised.

Tokyo's turn.

Yuta Okkotsu said, "I choose Kamo Noritoshi."

Back to Kyoto.

Todo grinned. "I'll fight Kamihara Hajime."

Some Kyoto students frowned. They would've preferred someone else take Hajime while Todo faced Yuta—or even Toge. But there was no changing Todo's mind.

Hajime didn't mind either. Fighting someone like Todo promised a more interesting match.

Panda then declared on Toge's behalf, "Inumaki Toge vs. Mechamaru."

"Tuna mayonnaise," Toge confirmed.

Kyoto's next choice was Momo Nishimiya vs. Maki.

Lastly, Panda would face Mai.

With the lineup complete, Yaga dismissed the meeting.

Hajime threw an arm over Panda's shoulder. "Let's hit my place. PUBG time. We'll dominate."

Maki sighed. "Don't stay up all night again. You've got real battles tomorrow."

Hajime chuckled. "Late nights mean nothing to me."

Panda added, "I'm just a panda. Sleep is optional."

Maki groaned. "Ugh, whatever."

She glanced back at Yuta and warned, "Don't end up like those two. It's a bad influence."

Yuta blinked. "Uh—okay?"

Toge muttered "Bonito flakes" in passing, which Yuta assumed was… encouragement?

Hajime and Panda were already walking off, now dragging Toge with them.

Hajime's voice echoed down the hallway: "I still haven't touched Breath of the Wild since I bought it, but I'm telling you—Zelda is heaven!"

Then, around the corner, Panda's head poked back out. "Yuta, you coming?"

"Uh… but—"

Panda zipped over and slung an arm around his shoulders. "Come on. Real strength is built day to day. But on the night before battle? Mindset matters. Let's unwind."

Yuta didn't resist as he was pulled into the chaos.

Together, the four vanished down the hallway, laughter trailing behind them.

---

Caught up? There's 50 more chapters on Patreon (≧︿≦)

[email protected]/Zphyr_

Change @ to a.