At the gates of Jujutsu High.
The atmosphere was tense.
Two groups of students in different uniforms stood face-to-face, the air thick with tension.
On one side stood the Tokyo school's assembly: the first-year trio (Itadori Yuji, Fushiguro Megumi, and Kugisaki Nobara) and their second-year seniors (Maki Zenin, Inumaki Toge, and Panda).
On the other side were the students from the Kyoto school who had just stepped off their bus.
"Hey, so this is the Tokyo school?"
A man as massive as a small mountain led the way. He was shirtless, his muscles bulging like jagged rocks, with a prominent scar across his face.
Todo Aoi.
A Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer.
The core ace of the Kyoto school.
He ignored everyone's stares, let out a yawn, and scratched his head with an expression of pure boredom.
"How disappointing. Is that monster Okkotsu not here? The rest of you... you all look like you'd blow away in a stiff breeze."
Todo's gaze swept over the crowd before finally settling on Fushiguro Megumi.
"Hey, you, the sea urchin head."
Fushiguro frowned. "What do you want?"
"Don't be so uptight. I just have one question for you."
Todo suddenly struck a bodybuilding pose, his muscles rippling as he unleashed a staggering pressure of cursed energy.
"You..."
"What's your type in women?"
Dead silence filled the area.
'This is the Kyoto school's ace? Is there something wrong with his head?'
"Well..." Fushiguro sighed, about to give his standard answer of 'as long as they have a good character.'
"Don't be in such a rush to answer."
Todo cut him off, his eyes turning sharp and dangerous.
"This isn't small talk. A man's preferences reveal his very essence. If your answer is boring..."
Boom!
The concrete beneath Todo's feet instantly fractured.
"I'll beat you half-to-death right here."
Fushiguro's gaze turned cold. He dropped into a combat stance, shadows swirling beneath his feet.
It looked as though a private brawl was about to break out before the event even began.
"Um, excuse me."
An abrupt voice cut through the tense atmosphere.
"To all our guests from the Kyoto school, thank you for making such a long trip."
Everyone froze and turned to look.
Underneath a large tree by the gates, an exquisite little stall had appeared out of nowhere.
A young man wearing a suit vest and gold-rimmed glasses stood behind the counter, looking at them with a smile.
"Would anyone like a bottle of water? New shop opening special—students from Kyoto get a twenty percent discount."
"Who are you?"
Todo Aoi turned around, his brow furrowed. He hadn't sensed this man's presence at all.
"I'm the new logistics consultant for Jujutsu High, and the owner of this little shop."
Hayashi En pointed to the sign behind him: [EXCHANGE NO. 8: JUJUTSU HIGH BRANCH].
Todo scoffed, clearly uninterested in someone acting so mysterious.
"Get lost, weakling. I'm not interested in men right now, unless you can answer my question."
With that, he turned back, ready to continue harassing Fushiguro.
"Oh my, quite impatient, aren't we?"
Hayashi En wasn't angry. He calmly pulled a photograph out from under the counter.
"I was planning on giving you this as a welcoming gift. But since Todo-kun isn't interested... I suppose I'll just have to sell it to a scrap dealer."
Hayashi En made a motion as if to toss the photo into a trash bin.
Todo Aoi's foot, which had already begun to move, suddenly froze mid-air.
As a hardcore, die-hard fan of Takada-chan, his sensitivity to her silhouette was on par with high-end radar. Even a glimpse from the corner of his eye—that familiar hair color, that iconic pose...
"Wait a minute!!!"
A thunderous roar erupted.
Violating the laws of physics, Todo Aoi instantly teleported to the front of the stall. His fierce face was now a mask of shock and disbelief.
"Is... is that..."
Todo's hand trembled as he pointed at the photo in Hayashi En's hand.
Hayashi En smiled. The fish had taken the bait.
He turned the photo around to face Todo.
It was a Polaroid. In the picture, a sweet-looking idol was making a finger heart at the camera. In the bottom-right corner, there was a line of elegant handwriting:
[To my dearest Aoi: Do your best at the Goodwill Event! —Love, Takada.]
Beside the signature was a bright red lipstick mark.
BOOM!!!
Todo Aoi's brain immediately short-circuited.
'Was that... Takada-chan's actual signature?! A personalized message?! And a lip print?!'
"This... this, this, this..." Todo Aoi stammered. The two-meter-tall brute was now blushing like a tomato. "Is this for real?!"
"Of course."
Hayashi En spoke calmly.
Of course, it was a fake.
It was just a forgery made with a system item.
"I obtained this through some 'special channels.' It's the only one of its kind in the world."
Hayashi En waved the photo, watching as Todo's eyes practically turned into hearts.
"So, Todo-kun? Interested in having a chat now?"
"Yes! Absolutely!!" Todo nodded violently, looking like he wanted to pounce on the photo and lick it. "How much?! I'll buy it!! I'll pay whatever it takes!!"
Hayashi En pulled the photo back and wagged a finger.
"Talking about money is so gauche. You're a future Special Grade Sorcerer; what I value is your 'friendship.'"
Hayashi En placed the photo gently on the counter and slid it toward Todo.
"This photo is yours."
"As for the price..."
Hayashi En leaned in and lowered his voice.
"I need you to do one thing for me at some point in the future—something within your power that doesn't violate your personal code."
Todo picked up the photo with extreme care, as if he were handling a holy relic.
"Of course, no problem."
Hayashi En paused, his gaze drifting seemingly by chance toward Itadori Yuji standing next to Fushiguro.
"Additionally..."
"I hope you'll 'take care' of someone for me during the upcoming Goodwill Event."
"Who?"
"Itadori Yuji."
Hayashi En pointed at the pink-haired boy.
"I think if it's you, the two of you could become very good... friends."
"Itadori Yuji?"
Todo followed the finger, his gaze locking onto Itadori.
Itadori felt a chill go down his spine. "Wh-what?"
As Todo watched Itadori, he suddenly felt that in the boy's eyes, there also hid a certain... longing for a 'specific type of woman.'
It was the scent of a kindred spirit.
"No problem!!"
Todo carefully pressed the photo against his chest, a look of pure ecstasy on his face.
"Since you're the one who gave me this divine artifact... that makes you my brother!!"
Todo suddenly reached out with a massive hand and slammed it heavily onto Hayashi En's shoulder.
"Don't you worry, brother!! I'll take real good 'care' of that Itadori kid!! Since he's my brother's friend, that makes him my best friend!!"
Hayashi En nearly coughed up blood from the impact, but he maintained his elegant smile.
[SYSTEM: TRANSACTION COMPLETE!]
[SYSTEM: ITEM OBTAINED: ONE FAVOR FROM TODO AOI.]
[SYSTEM: SYSTEM VALUATION: 3,000 POINTS.]
[SYSTEM: CURRENT BALANCE: 13,240 POINTS.]
'Done. The most troublesome wildcard was now on his side.'
Nearby, Fushiguro Megumi and Kugisaki Nobara watched, dumbfounded.
"What... is up with that guy?" Kugisaki's lip twitched. "He looked like he was ready to kill someone a second ago, and now he's suddenly a fanboy?"
"That shop owner..." Fushiguro watched Hayashi En with a complicated gaze. "He's terrifying, after all."
[Support the story with Reviews, Power Stones, and Comments—they mean a lot and keep me going! 30+ chapters waiting on patreon.com/elite_reads]