Ch.96 Curtain Falls, Behind the Scenes...

The Tokyo-Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event had concluded.

Yes, it was over.

Just like that, simply.

After Akira stepped out of the match, the competition entered garbage time.

It's not that the remaining contestants were lacking in strength, but compared to a monster like Akira who was at the sovereign level, the gap was still extremely vast.

Even if this was what the Exchange Event was supposed to be like, even though both sides took turns showcasing their abilities, testing strategies, and their battle tactics.

Panda's triple-core processing, Maki's mastery-level combat skills, the third-year students' battle understanding and use of cursed energy—all these would have been good highlights in the past.

But with Akira's brilliance preceding them, it was difficult for the audience to feel the same excitement.

Suddenly, there was some admiration for Gojo Satoru. He was a Special Grade sorcerer, yet he could watch these student matches, which were basically a bunch of amateurs pecking at each other, and still maintain enthusiasm throughout—it really wasn't easy.

As for the results of the match, there wasn't much to say.

Tokyo Jujutsu High's 2-0 victory was already decided.

Akira defeated four participants, including Kyoto's strongest, Todo Aoi, and Kamo Noritoshi. With five participants left, it would be impossible for Kyoto to win even with their eyes closed.

It basically turned into an "I send one, you send one," back-and-forth between kids—oops, wrong match, let's try again.

It was "You send one, I send one," alternating turns in a harmonious match.

Panda first sent the opponent out, taking advantage of his information advantage and his triple-core processing—the opponent was a third-year, and his cursed energy abilities had already been disclosed last year, whereas Panda was a new player with little revealed during the team battle, and he used sneak attacks to win.

Then Panda was taken down by the next participant.

It wasn't because Panda couldn't actually win. He was only using two of his cores out of three, and this seemingly honest-looking panda doll was actually quite cunning; knowing when to hold back and conserving his power were his strengths.

Next, Maki stepped up to conclude the match.

Tokyo Jujutsu High perfectly completed its assigned mission.

They crushed Kyoto Jujutsu High, the cradle of the conservatives. Each student showcased their own talents well, securing more opportunities for future promotions.

After the obligatory speeches from the two schools' principals, the Exchange Event officially ended.

Unlike the initial tensions between the two sides, the ups and downs of yesterday, during the final speeches, everyone remained quiet.

The reasons varied from person to person.

Some were due to family issues, others because they didn't perform well, and some simply because they hadn't fought enough.

But regardless, the Exchange Event had ended.

Both Jujutsu Highs, East and West, were returning to their normal routines.

Kyoto didn't try to keep them, and Tokyo had no intention of staying.

Formalities were completed here, and the send-offs and departures began there.

They were escorted all the way to Kyoto Station and returned by Shinkansen, just like how they had come. It was the same every year.

Anyone who wanted to stay for sightseeing would do so on their own, with no relation to the official trip.

By the looks of it, no one was splitting off from the group this year.

Yes, just by the looks of it.

As soon as the Kyoto students had left, Akira turned to his companions and said, "You guys go ahead, I'm staying for a couple of days."

"Right now?" Yuta Okkotsu asked, unable to hide his surprise. The tickets had already been bought, and they were about to board the train.

"That's exactly why it's now," Akira said.

Seeing Akira's smile, everyone knew he was up to something.

Panda analyzed, "You want Kyoto to think you've returned to Tokyo, which has to do with your unusual behavior earlier."

"Correct, but unfortunately, no prize for you," Akira nodded.

"Be careful," Gojo Satoru reminded him. "This kind of trick won't completely fool the Jujutsu Alliance."

"That's exactly what I want."

If the Jujutsu Alliance, or more specifically, the Kamo family, didn't take him seriously, that would be best—Akira could mess around for a couple of days, do some minor things, and leave with some local specialties.

But that probably wouldn't be the case. If the Kamo family made a move, Akira would respond accordingly.

Akira rarely fought without preparation. It wasn't his style to sit around in Tokyo waiting for Kyoto to make a move—he had to determine the Kamo family's stance as soon as possible and prepare accordingly.

Publicly beating up Kamo Noritoshi was part of this plan too. People might think he only had one layer, but he actually had at least three.

"Teacher, I'll leave the house to you, please keep an eye on things. Gardevoir, you go back with Maki, and spend some time with Mother."

"Garde~" Gardevoir nodded seriously.

Although she didn't want to be separated from her Trainer, she could sense Akira's determination.

"You're worried that someone might—" Maki's intelligence seemed to rise when it involved the dark secrets of the Big Three Families.

"Not necessarily, but one must stay vigilant."

Akira's third principle: Think comprehensively. Plan for victory, but consider failure first.

If his identity were exposed, Hayami would face the same—if not worse—situation.

After all, Akira's strength was known, while Hayami was easier to target, both in terms of temperament and strength.

Though Tokyo Jujutsu High and Gojo Satoru provided protection, that could only guard against open attacks, not hidden schemes.

Gojo was a busy man; he couldn't always be around Hayami. If someone had ill intent, it wouldn't be impossible for them to choose a time when Gojo wasn't there.

Especially Akira's birth mother, who would never accept Hayami rising again, threatening her position.

Of course, this was the worst-case scenario. The most likely situation was that the Kamo family would send someone to negotiate with Hayami.

Hayami was gentle by nature—kind-hearted if you wanted to put it nicely, but easy to bully if you didn't. Convincing her would make dealing with Akira much easier.

Since Akira didn't know how they'd act, he wanted Gardevoir to return.

First, she'd be a final barrier for his mother. Second, her ability to sense emotions would help support his mother.

If they came with goodwill, that would be fine. If they came with ill intent, Gardevoir would show them what "Tornado Decimates Trailer Park"1 truly meant.

"I understand," Maki acknowledged. "I and the others will also keep an eye out. Without Gardevoir, in Kyoto—"

"Don't worry about me. I've always taught you to have a trump card, for life-or-death situations. Do you really think I wouldn't keep some cards for myself?"

And considering the system, my trump cards just keep multiplying.

Altaria was noticed by Gojo Satoru, but there's still one he hasn't discovered.

That's a Trainer-exclusive module, my first non-protagonist module, in a way stronger than even the protagonist ones.

I obtained it before Altaria, randomly, while riding the train—just scanned and gained the meme, completely unprompted.

That's also one of the reasons I stayed behind.

I have some guesses based on the module's leanings.

However, Maki was thinking of something else entirely.

"I'm not worried about that. I mean, while you're in Kyoto, don't touch my sister, understood?"

Akira: "..."

Gardevoir: "Garde!!!" (I don't want to leave now.)

Everyone else: Pika~~~~~~~ (referring to their bright-eyed expressions)

Especially two of them.

First, Panda, the professional shipper: "What, what, Akira and Mai? When did that happen? Why didn't anyone tell me?"

Second, Gojo Satoru, who took Akira's hand: "You have to come back. Don't get whisked away by some wild woman."

Though Akira knew Gojo was worried he might be too impulsive, this display of Gojo's oily charm still made him exclaim—

"Damn!"