Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical College
Morning sunlight pierced through the thin mist surrounding the campus.
Golden rays illuminated the ancient school buildings and training grounds.
A few first-year students were gathered on the playground.
But the atmosphere was slightly awkward.
"Huh? A new classmate?"
Nobara Kugisaki stood with her hands on her hips, glaring at the boy behind Yagami Sora.
Her voice was filled with irritation.
"And another boy?!"
"Is this place a monastery or something?"
"Can't they send a cute girl for once? Preferably someone who makes bento boxes, has a sweet voice, and admires me!"
She aggressively ruffled her hair.
"I've had enough of hanging around with smelly guys!"
"My youth is being wasted!"
Standing behind Yagami Sora was Junpei Yoshino.
He wore a freshly issued black school uniform.
His pale complexion contrasted sharply with the dark fabric.
Although he still looked slightly nervous—his fingers unconsciously tugging at the hem of his jacket—his eyes no longer avoided contact like before.
His long bangs still cast shadows across half his face.
But if one looked closely—
There was a spark of life burning behind them.
Hope.
"Hey! Don't scare him off."
Yuji Itadori stepped forward enthusiastically.
He clapped Junpei on the shoulder with the friendliness of an overly excited golden retriever.
"Yo!"
"My name's Yuji Itadori! We're classmates now!"
"Nice to meet you!"
"By the way, do you like movies?"
"I've been watching horror movies recently. They're terrifying, but super exciting!"
"I-I'm Yoshino Junpei."
Junpei flinched slightly at Yuji's overwhelming friendliness.
He instinctively took half a step back.
Then subconsciously glanced toward Yagami Sora.
Almost like seeking a familiar anchor.
"I… also like movies."
"Relax."
Yagami Sora spoke lazily, hands buried in his pockets.
His posture looked casual enough to lean against the sky if it collapsed.
"No one here will bully you."
"If someone does, fight back."
"If you can't win…"
"…call me."
"Or call Itadori."
"He's durable and thick-skinned."
"Perfect as a human shield."
"HEY!"
Yuji protested immediately.
"I'm not a shield!"
Megumi Fushiguro watched quietly from the side.
Then he raised an eyebrow.
"Teacher?"
His gaze shifted between Junpei and Sora.
"Yagami… since when did you start taking students?"
"And that title seems a little exaggerated."
"Picked him up on the way."
Sora shrugged casually.
As if he had simply adopted a stray cat.
"This kid has some potential."
"He's a shikigami user."
Megumi's interest immediately sharpened.
"A shikigami user?"
His eyes brightened slightly.
"What's your summoning medium?"
Junpei hesitated for a moment.
But before he could answer—
Sora spoke first.
"A jellyfish shikigami."
"It secretes poison."
Megumi nodded thoughtfully.
"Interesting."
"Different from my Ten Shadows Technique, but the combat concept is similar."
At that moment—
A tall figure strolled out of the school building.
Blindfold.
White hair.
Carefree posture.
Satoru Gojo.
"Morning, everyone!"
Gojo waved cheerfully while carrying a bag of souvenirs.
"Have all the admission procedures been completed?" Sora asked.
"Of course~"
Gojo answered lazily.
"Although the higher-ups had some complaints."
"Especially since we're recruiting someone right before the Kyoto Sister-School Goodwill Event."
He grinned mischievously.
"But I simply explained things to them."
Junpei blinked.
"…Explained?"
Gojo smiled even wider.
"I told them that if they didn't approve it…"
"…I'd send Sora to discuss it with them personally."
"And since Sora has been in a bad mood recently…"
"…he might accidentally demolish a few buildings."
Junpei: "..."
The higher-ups had immediately approved the request.
In fact—
They even politely asked if the school needed additional funding.
"Right now you're what we call a non-registered trainee," Gojo explained casually.
"You can attend classes and train with the others."
"But you probably can't officially participate in the upcoming exchange event."
"There are limited slots."
"You arrived a little late."
"It's okay."
Junpei shook his head firmly.
His expression remained calm.
"As long as I can learn from Yagami-sensei…"
"…that's enough."
"Even watching from the sidelines is valuable."
"Good attitude."
Sora casually patted his head.
"Still."
"You should observe carefully."
"These so-called elite jujutsu schools aren't anything special."
"Remember."
"Rules only exist to restrain the weak."
Junpei nodded instantly.
"Yes, sensei."
His tone carried absolute conviction.
If Sora ordered him to blow up the school building—
Junpei would probably ask which explosives to use.
"Alright!"
Gojo clapped his hands loudly.
"Training time!"
"Even with the exchange event approaching, practice can't stop."
He pointed around the group.
"Yuji — teach Junpei basic hand-to-hand combat."
"Megumi — show him how to coordinate with his shikigami."
"Nobara…"
Gojo paused.
"You're in charge of looking pretty."
"Or teaching him how to insult people."
"GO TO HELL, YOU BLINDFOLDED IDIOT!"
Nobara immediately hurled a rock at him.
Gojo casually sidestepped.
The rock smashed harmlessly into the dirt.
The training field quickly filled with noisy laughter.
Sora watched the scene quietly.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
In the original fate—
Junpei Yoshino would have died tragically.
But now—
He stood here.
Alive.
Part of this chaotic little group.
Changing destiny felt surprisingly satisfying.
Like turning a disposable pawn into a decisive piece on the board.
"However…"
Sora's gaze suddenly shifted toward the school gate.
His eyes turned slightly colder.
He seemed to look through the forest beyond the campus.
Through the trees—
Toward something approaching.
"That unpleasant aura…"
He muttered quietly.
"…has arrived."
Visit patreon.com/ShiroTL for more chapters.