“Ari and I thought the same, but when it comes to technical tricks, you can’t beat us. One through six on all faces, a complete set. I don’t even feel like counting the points. This is the cap. I win. Kinji Hakari, you’re paying for lunch.”

  “Damn it, again. Again!”

  “All Simples!”

  “Perfect timing. All the terminals you don’t need are right here. Thirteen Orphans!”

  “I don’t have such flashy titles, so I’ll just stack more patterns. Full Flush, Three Concealed Triplets, Four Kans. In some manga they call this Baltic Fleet. Oh, so Makoto can pull it off too.”

  “Bastards. You must be cheating!”

  “That kind of thing doesn’t matter. We were just helping you test if your luck could turn. Getting this far is pretty good, right?”

  “Exactly. We don’t make a living by gambling anyway.”

  “If I ever play this with you again, I’m an idiot!” Kinji Hakari ground his teeth at the two black-hearted jerks.

  Satoru Gojo and Akira exchanged a smile. The pressure around them was dark enough to make people uneasy.

  On the other side of the car, four other passengers were also doing something that matched the theme. Their game was much simpler, and the mood was calmer, just a way to pass time. It lacked the flashy noise of the group in the center.

  “Your turn, Yuta.” Panda drew a card and discarded one in a smooth motion.

  They were playing the most basic game of Old Maid.

  Yuta Okkotsu also drew a card from the hand next to him. “Is that really fine over there? Gambling so openly. Satoru Gojo is one thing, but Hakari-senpai and Akira aren’t even adults.”

  “It’s fine. Whether it’s illegal depends on the stakes. Betting a meal just counts as entertainment.” It was Maki Zenin’s turn. “Still, I want to say this. That loser really chose the wrong table. One has Six Eyes, and the other is definitely using Pokemon to cheat.”

  “Sha.” The card-drawing target, Gardevoir, protested.

  “I didn’t mean you. Don’t get mad.” Maki Zenin could argue with anyone else, but she could not stay tough in front of Akemi Aki and Gardevoir.

  “Sha, sha.”

  Gardevoir puffed her cheeks and drew a card. Her face lit up, and she threw it down together with her last card. She was out.

  Beside her, her other half Rika Orimoto copied her movements. The result was exactly the same, and she also made it out safely.

  Seeing this, Panda said, “Beginner’s luck isn’t completely baseless.”

  “That kind of thing doesn’t matter.”

  Megumi Fushiguro took over smoothly and repeated his adoptive father’s words. He was not a member of Tokyo Jujutsu High and could not compete, but observation rights for the exchange event were open to internal Jujutsu Sorcerer of the Jujutsu Society. Because of his agreement with Satoru Gojo, he had registered early and came along.

  “More than that, I’m curious about the competitors on the Kyoto side.”

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  “I looked into that specifically. For the past few years, Kyoto Jujutsu High has had the advantage, which is why we’re the ones going to Kyoto.”

  One of the exchange event rules was that the winning side would host the next year.

  “That’s just because they have more people.” Maki Zenin did not care.

  “Numbers are only part of it. Their strength can’t be underestimated.” Reliable Panda analyzed calmly. “Last year, they won the individual matches, and this year they also have two opponents worth watching.

  Aoi Todo became a Special Grade Jujutsu Sorcerer earlier than Yuki Tsukumo and is her direct disciple. He’s only missing the final evaluation to become a provisional Grade One Jujutsu Sorcerer. I heard he rarely uses Cursed Technique in combat, so there’s very little data.”

  “Oh?” Maki Zenin grew interested. “So they’re not all trash over there. The second one must be that heir of the Kamo Clan.”

  “That’s right. Like Megumi, he inherited the signature Cursed Technique of the Three Great Clans. Like Toge, he’s a Grade Two Jujutsu Sorcerer.”

  “Blood Manipulation. A Cursed Technique that controls blood for all-around combat. It’s well balanced in every aspect.”

  “If you get the chance, how about challenging him? Before you reach that goal, using a future head of the Three Great Clans as practice sounds like a good idea.”

  “We’ll see when the time comes.”

  The most battle-hungry Maki Zenin did not agree right away, which surprised Panda.

  “What’s wrong? Did you eat something bad?”

  “Mustard?” Cursed Speech. Are you okay?

  “No. You idiots!”

  Maki Zenin shot Panda a look of disgust, then glanced toward Akira behind them. Coming from the Three Great Clans herself and having been taken care of by Akemi Aki, she sensed a familiar feeling from the mother and son of the Ake Clan. They were very likely connected to the Kamo Clan.

  If that was the case, then Akira had to settle that grudge personally. That was Maki Zenin’s way.

  “Alright. The idiot is out too. You’re not an idiot, so you lose.”

  “Huh?” Maki Zenin’s casual mood stopped cold.

  The rounds of Old Maid kept going as they talked. After Gardevoir and Rika Orimoto, the newcomers, both Toge Inumaki and Megumi Fushiguro got out one after another. The final showdown was between Panda and Maki Zenin, a classic one-on-one.

  With a single draw, Panda ended the game.

  “Your expression is too easy to read. Be careful in real fights too. Lunch is on you today.”

  Coming in last and getting lectured by Panda made Maki Zenin slam the final Old Maid onto the table. Her mood completely collapsed.

  What made it worse came right after. They finally held on until the Shinkansen arrived, escaped the unlucky car, and took a breath. Then a familiar voice full of dislike came from behind.

  “Well, if it isn’t the runaway dead last.”

  The one who spoke was a young girl. She was the same age as Maki Zenin, fifteen, with the same face and a similar build. At first glance, the resemblance was unmistakable.

  But there were also many differences. Maki Zenin wore a long single ponytail, while this girl had short hair cut to her ears. Maki Zenin went without makeup and only cared about being clean and neat, while this one was clearly more polished and better matched the image of a Japan high school girl.

  The most eye-catching part was her outfit. She had altered the loose uniform into a sleeveless, fitted long dress with a slit on the right side, paired with dark high heels that showed off her figure. Judging by looks alone, she left a stronger first impression than Maki Zenin, which suited how most people judged by their eyes.

  Once she spoke, though, it felt familiar. Her tone matched Maki Zenin almost exactly, sharp and direct, a true Minefield Dance King when it came to talking back.

  “Who’s that?”

  “Sisters?”

  More students stepped out of the train car, their attention drawn to the girl. Maki Zenin gave a short hum.

  “My younger sister, Makoto Yi. Why are you here, and what is that uniform?”

  “It fits pretty well, doesn’t it?” Mai Zenin raised an eyebrow. “I altered it myself. After all, Tokyo Jujutsu High doesn’t have a summer uniform.”

  That part was true. Tokyo Jujutsu High only issued jackets and track pants, with plenty of spares if they wore out. As for why there was no summer version, Akira guessed it was because of the nature of a Jujutsu Sorcerer’s job, since lighter clothing made accidents far too likely.

  “That’s not what I’m asking,” Maki Zenin said with a frown.

  After months apart, a reunion should have been happy. Yet Makoto Yi’s attitude felt wrong, nothing like the sister who used to follow behind and call her name every step.

  “I know,” Makoto Yi said, clearly reading her thoughts. “You want to know why I’m wearing this uniform. It’s simple. I’m also a student at Tokyo Jujutsu High, a first year at Kyoto Jujutsu High. Mai Zenin. Nice to meet you, everyone from Tokyo Jujutsu High.”

  While speaking, Makoto Yi tossed a flirtatious wink, clearly skilled at using charm in a way completely different from Maki Zenin. That kind of behavior was exactly what Maki Zenin disliked, and her voice turned colder.

  “Makoto Yi.”