Jujutsu Kaisen: I Have A Gardevoir

Zen'in Maki, her ponytail fluttering, with a clean, makeup-free face.

She was as heroic as always, that goes without saying. Yet the smile, half real, half teasing on her face now carried a touch of gentleness.

Akira had to admit, his DNA stirred again. He was just about to follow his instincts and utter that classic catchphrase, when suddenly, another voice rang out:

"Ah, did I come at a bad time?"

The same words, but said by a different person, and it felt entirely different.

Maki's voice was natural and pleasant.

But as for the newcomer's voice—no matter how you listened, it was disgusting. Especially since he was deliberately pinching his throat to sound like a girl.

Within Tokyo Jujutsu High, only one person would do such a thing—Satoru Gojo.

Not only was he pinching his voice, he even posed flamboyantly, swaying his hips like a catwalk model, pinky finger raised. Thus, he flounced over to Akira, acting all delicate and artificial: "You cheating cat, you finally know to come back…"

Luckily it was noon and breakfast had already been digested, otherwise there'd be vomiting on the spot.

Of course, before Akira could feel nauseated, Maki had already lost her patience. She threw a hidden weapon straight at Gojo, which was naturally blocked by "Sacred Shield Technique."

Gardevoir (Hayami) didn't remain idle either. With a "Teleport," she took Akira, Snivy, and the backpack-housed Swablu along, instantly moving behind Maki.

She took the elegant-lady route and wouldn't fight Satoru Gojo, but she could run like no one else. If she had been present during the battle against Suguru Geto, they might have made him lose a few hundred more Curses.

At this point, Akira had recovered. He first handed Snivy over to Gardevoir to hold, then let out Swablu—originally intending for it to fly around on its own.

Unexpectedly, after one lap in the air, it landed directly on Maki's head.

Maki glanced upward. Perhaps she recalled how Mai had once held Swablu, so she said nothing and allowed the Swablu to treat her head as a nest.

After doing all this, Akira leisurely took out a gift box from his luggage. Its color scheme resembled Snivy's somewhat. He waved it in front of Satoru Gojo:

"Guess what this is?"

"This is—" Satoru Gojo's body trembled, "Sendai's specialty… 'Kikufuku' from Kikuusuian, and it's my favorite 'Edamame Fresh Cream' flavor."

As he spoke, he reached out to grab it, but Akira, in a move of lightning speed, tossed it backward—straight into Maki's hands.

"I got the sudden whim to visit Sendai on my way back. I intended this as a souvenir for you, but not anymore. Maki, share it with everyone during lunch as a dessert."

"Got it." Maki made an OK sign, which aligned perfectly with Tokyo School's consensus: everyone beats down on Gojo, "Everyone gets some, except Gojo."

"Noooo!" Satoru Gojo reeled as if struck by lightning, his entire face going pale, "I was wrong! Don't take my Kikufuku away! My Kikufuku, my 'Edamame Fresh Cream'…"

Right at that moment, the others who rushed over saw this scene.

"Yare yare, it's noisy as soon as you get back."

Panda made his usual quip. Soon he started bumping rears with the domineering panda (himself) in a fun interaction.

"So embarrassing, can't they stop clowning around?" Megumi Fushiguro covered his face, unable to bear watching. How shameful that he was raised by this guy.

"Salmon." Toge Inumaki kept acting as a living tape recorder.

"Ma, ma, you'll get used to it."

Yuta Okkotsu actually enjoyed such interactions. He'd never experienced these kinds of carefree daily antics at school before. Now he could indulge freely in laughter and play.

Hayami, who arrived late, wore a similar gentle smile.

To be able to welcome the children home like this, to spend every day happily—she was very satisfied.

Once the two biggest mischief-makers in the school, Akira and Satoru Gojo, had almost finished their ruckus, Hayami stepped forward to fulfill her motherly duty:

"Welcome back, Akira. And congratulations."

"I'm back, Mom." Akira responded skillfully, though somewhat puzzled. "Congratulations for what?"

"Congratulations on your promotion to Special Grade. This is your new student ID."

Hayami handed him a card encased in a plastic sleeve.

The student ID's style was the same as before—standard photo, school name, grade, and basic information.

The only difference was that the corner where "4" once was now read "特" (Special). Probably a reminder that regardless of your rank, you remain a student—don't forget your duties.

With Yuta Okkotsu as a precedent, Akira didn't think it strange. He casually slipped it into his pocket and said:

"Though about ten days have passed since the Exchange Event, the Jujutsu Alliance is pretty efficient?"

"Normally, no way." Satoru Gojo had recovered by now, "But if the Three Great Families all agree, it's hard not to be quick."

"All in agreement?" Akira's eyes flashed.

"That's right." Satoru Gojo's lips curled upward.

This indicated that Akira's series of actions in Kyoto were correct: heavy deterrence, light casualties, and especially not truly killing anyone conveyed a clear message to the Kamo and Zen'in clans—"We do not intend a fight to the death."

Of course, the key factor was definitely the battle against Suguru Geto and the subsequent Special Grade meeting, which allowed Akira to make a triple leap straight to Special Grade, emerging as the biggest winner of the Exchange Event.

They exchanged a meaningful glance, both speaking in unison:

"Seems beating them up is the most effective method."

"I proposed it, wasn't I great? Doesn't that deserve at least a box of Kikufuku?"

Akira: "..."

Gojo: "..."

One believed it was his fist that made the difference; the other believed it was his reputation. In truth, everyone knew that both Akira's hard strength and resolute attitude and Satoru Gojo's vocal support were indispensable. But seeing their diametrically opposed claims was simply hilarious.

Harmonious understanding—where did such harmony come from?

Compared to that, Gojo still eyeing the Kikufuku was a minor detail.

Fortunately, both men were shameless and didn't fear being laughed at.

Akira said: "A whole box is too much. One piece."

"Two pieces," Satoru Gojo haggled. "Kinji's been called away by Kusakabe, so I'll take his share."

"Deal."

"Besides me, who else got promoted?"

"Everyone, of course, except Yuta."

After all, Special Grade is the highest level; he can't be promoted any further.

Then everyone showed their student IDs.

Inumaki was now Quasi-Grade 1, Panda and Maki were Grade 3, and Fushiguro Megumi—though without a direct ID—had passed the test for Grade 3 as well.

The outcome was as expected: Inumaki Toge progressing step by step, Fushiguro Megumi bearing the expectations for his "Ten Shadows Technique."

Panda and Maki, due to their identities, had been suppressed. But this was also within expectations. As long as they weren't stuck at the bottom Grade 4 level, the blockade was considered broken. With their strength and attention level, advancement was just a matter of time.

Only now, in 2017, can it be said that the Tokyo-Kyoto Exchange Event had reached a perfect conclusion.

Akira's spirits soared: "What are we waiting for, let's have a celebration party!"

"We've been wanting to. We were just waiting for you." Everyone spoke in unison.

Their efforts had finally paid off.

Every little bit of happiness converged into a flowing stream, coloring the entire campus. Someday, it will spread throughout the decaying Jujutsu world.

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