The first-year students had been running into their upperclassmen more frequently around school.
November was an exceptionally leisurely time for Tokyo Jujutsu High students, everyone waiting for winter break to arrive at the end of the month.
Asou Akiya did his utmost to avoid any seeds of conflict, but Iori Utahime and Gojo Satoru still ended up meeting face-to-face at school in a one-on-one encounter. And like thunder striking earth, igniting wildfire, Iori Utahime was unilaterally infuriated by Gojo Satoru.
"Well, if it isn't Utahime? Still so weak~"
"Gojo-kouhai? What gives you the right to call me weak? I'm your senior—use respectful language with me!"
"A Grade 2 sorcerer with a support-type technique? Your mastery of cursed energy is so pathetic. Utahime really needs to work harder."
"Don't you walk away, Gojo Satoru! Explain yourself clearly!"
"Didn't I make myself clear? Suguru, Akiya, and I all learned 'Black Flash' this year."
"You all—?!!"
"That's right, including Akiya who's only Grade 3 level~ I'm the one who taught him."
Gojo Satoru had been dying to show off his teaching achievements and seized upon Iori Utahime to prattle on endlessly.
Iori Utahime's huffing expression transformed, becoming envious beyond measure.
That was Black Flash!
Any jujutsu sorcerer who mastered Black Flash was inevitably an elite of the jujutsu world, capable of breaking through their own limits.
Moreover, no one could deliberately execute Black Flash at will, making it a gateway qualification for the elite class. There was a saying in the jujutsu world: "A Grade 1 sorcerer who hasn't learned Black Flash cannot be called a qualified Grade 1 sorcerer."
For the sake of earning money and her future after graduation, Iori Utahime's goal was to become a Grade 1 sorcerer.
"Gojo-kouhai, how did you teach him?" Iori Utahime suppressed her anger and humbly sought guidance, believing her own strength and talent surpassed Asou Akiya's. If Asou Akiya could learn Black Flash, that meant she could accomplish it too.
"First you go whoosh, then you go swoosh, and it works!" Gojo Satoru imitated Ieiri Shoko.
"..." Iori Utahime's shoulders trembled faintly as veins bulged on her forehead.
"It really is that simple." Gojo Satoru wore an expression that said 'trust me, I'm right.' "If I absolutely had to add a prerequisite condition—Utahime, make a 'Binding Vow' with yourself. I guarantee it'll increase your success rate by eighty percent."
"What kind of Binding Vow? Are you going to pass on your experience to me and make me swear not to share it with others?" Iori Utahime was surprised. If obtaining Black Flash experience was this simple, then Gojo-kouhai wasn't so detestable after all.
"You're so stupid." Gojo Satoru's desire to lecture surged. Remembering Akiya's personality of not wanting to stand out, he took credit for everything and showed off freely. "Why would I restrict sharing Black Flash experience? I despise those stuffy old geezers who hoard their knowledge the most. Besides, Akiya gave me permission to share the method. Utahime, prick up your ears and listen carefully. The content of the one-sided Binding Vow is—if you don't learn Black Flash within the month, then you'll die."
Iori Utahime finished listening.
The third-year upperclassman in her shrine maiden outfit turned to stone on the spot.
Gojo Satoru cleared his throat. "Stupid Utahime, this is the fastest learning method. Isn't it super useful?"
Iori Utahime exploded. "Do you think toying with me is entertaining? Who would use that kind of method to learn Black Flash?!"
Iori Utahime clenched her fists and chased after Gojo Satoru, only to have her braids pulled and her head knocked full of bumps. Her mental state completely collapsed.
"Gojo Satoru! Don't call me stupid! Use respectful language, you bastard!"
Tokyo Jujutsu High echoed with the upperclassman's hysterical screams.
Thanks to Iori Utahime's publicity, Gojo Satoru became famous at school once again. This guy told everyone he met about his Black Flash learning experience, boasting extensively about how he had taught his classmates, shocking everyone senseless.
They deeply sympathized with Asou Akiya, misunderstanding Gojo Satoru's meaning. They thought Gojo Satoru had forced Asou Akiya to make a Binding Vow, causing him to learn Black Flash within a month's time limit and barely save his own life.
Gojo Satoru's version of Black Flash teaching experience—a freshly minted, horrifically brutal method of death.
Even though everyone now knew about this method, no one wanted to use it at all!
In the classroom, Geto Suguru heard about the commotion Gojo Satoru had caused at school with an attitude of watching a comedy unfold. He found it entirely unsurprising—would it even be called "Gojo Satoru" if he didn't make himself universally despised? After all, Gojo Satoru had demolished two rooms of their boys' dormitory. Ieiri Shoko, who rather liked Iori Utahime, sympathized with the upperclassman's plight and asked Asou Akiya, "Why does Gojo enjoy teasing Utahime so much?"
Asou Akiya replied helplessly, "He's never encountered a girl who dares to argue with him and throw hands."
There were women among curse users, but they were generally at the Granny Ogami level. Young, beautiful, and capable female jujutsu sorcerers were rare creatures. The moment they showed even a hint of promise, they might have their marriage arrangements decided by the Big Three Families. Then, dazzled by the benefits offered, they would hastily marry into jujutsu clans.
Iori Utahime was firstly not from a clan family—no "old hag" smell about her. Secondly, she wasn't someone who coveted vanity—she was independent and self-reliant.
And thirdly... Iori Utahime was three years older than Gojo Satoru, a standard mature older woman.
Gojo Satoru had a favorable impression of girls like her.
Asou Akiya said quietly, "Iori Utahime-senpai can't out-argue him, can't beat him in a fight, yet refuses to give up. Because of her persistent spirit, Gojo thinks she wants to play with him and is probably quite touched inside."
After mulling it over from every angle, Asou Akiya felt this was the reason. Later, Amanai Riko would be a similar case. Obviously just a pampered little girl raised by the higher-ups who knew nothing about jujutsu, yet she dared to slap Gojo Satoru and didn't get hit back. This was all because Gojo Satoru had interacted with too few people his own age, and among them, girls with such distinct and flamboyant personalities were even fewer.
Ieiri Shoko cupped her shocked jaw.
What kind of elementary school behavior was this? Hitting is caring, scolding is love, and when love runs deep, kick with your feet?
Geto Suguru, catching the scent of gossip, rushed over at lightning speed. "Tell me, do you think Gojo's heart might be stirring with young love?"
Asou Akiya: "..."
Ieiri Shoko glanced at both of them. "Highly unlikely."
Geto Suguru was purely discussing jujutsu world matters. "Doesn't Senpai meet the Big Three Families' standards for choosing a spouse?"
Ieiri Shoko replied languidly, "I'm referring to Gojo's personality. No girl could tolerate it. If there were one, she'd definitely have been deceived by Gojo's face and family background, and would spend the rest of her life in tears."
Asou Akiya: "...It can't be that bad."
Geto Suguru disagreed with his female classmate's prejudice. "Gojo has quite a few good points too."
Ieiri Shoko: "Geto, I don't know why you've also been blinded by Gojo lately, but let me tell you straight—there's one thing that's extremely difficult to tolerate in romantic relationships between men and women."
Ieiri Shoko gave an example. "For instance, Gojo is on a date with a girl when he suddenly receives a phone call from you two asking him to hang out. He'd cancel the date without a second thought and leave."
Ieiri Shoko pressed on relentlessly. "Another example: the Gojo family arranges a marriage. The woman has only heard of the 'Six Eyes' reputation but has never met him in person. Gojo, indifferent to marriage matters, agrees. After they marry, the woman wants a child, but Gojo says children are too troublesome and refuses."
Geto Suguru was confused. "That... doesn't sound particularly wrong."
Asou Akiya caught the implication—Gojo could basically make his wife a widow. He laughed dryly. "Gojo isn't that willful."
Ieiri Shoko asked Gojo Satoru directly, "What do you think?"
Gojo Satoru pursed his lips, feeling slandered by Shoko, and raised one finger. "Listen up. I won't marry some strange woman I don't know. Anyone who dares arrange a marriage, I'll kick them out of the Gojo family." He raised a second finger. "I have no interest in carrying on the family line. As long as I'm alive, my direct descendants can't possibly have the Six Eyes. The probability of inheriting the Limitless technique through bloodline is relatively high, and I don't plan on having an unlucky descendant."
What kind of treatment would someone receive who possessed the Limitless technique as a legitimate bloodline heir but without the Six Eyes?
Gojo Satoru had never considered such clan members before, but now he understood.
—After age six, their mental state would completely collapse.
Gojo Satoru was an extremely conceited and proud person. Though he might look forward to campus romance through anime works, even feeling shy and excited about it, he fundamentally couldn't accept having worthless descendants.
Regarding marriage matters, fifteen-year-old Gojo Satoru thought more comprehensively and more cruelly than his classmates.
"I'm looking forward to romance, but as for marriage..."
"Unless the woman can convince me otherwise, I won't consider marriage and children."
This was Gojo Satoru's view.
Ieiri Shoko's assessment: "Mm, scumbag."
Geto Suguru opened his mouth. "Gojo, dating without marriage... you'll become a scumbag."
Asou Akiya relaxed, saying nothing more, smiling as he watched everyone's reactions.
He knew his own "relaxation" was wrong.
A person who didn't even accept conventional marriage between men and women, who placed himself above all else, who looked down on all suitors, who pursued romance purely on a whim, who trampled on the marriage rules of great families—how could such a person possibly accept his own future desire to go further? But... his own happiness was uncontrollable. The person he cherished wouldn't marry or have children. There would be no romantic third party between them. There would be enough time to face the future...
[I can't be like this.]
[Love is about making yourself better, teaching love, and receiving love's response in return.]
Asou Akiya felt distressed by his base and dark thoughts from just moments ago. His smile faded as he began doodling aimlessly on paper.
It was a large white cat wearing bandages around its eyes.
Surrounding it were a black fox, a black cat, a brown cat... small animals clustered around it as it wore a crown, looking immensely pleased with itself.
The class bell rang, and they returned to normal campus life.
Yaga Masamichi walked in carrying his lesson plan and announced the good news at the start: "To compensate for Tokyo Jujutsu High's lost summer vacation, we'll begin winter break half a month earlier than regular high schools."
Gojo Satoru had been staring at Asou Akiya's draft paper, but now he whooped and hollered in the classroom.
"Yaga, does vacation start tomorrow?"
"Shut up, Gojo! You clueless fool. Normal high schools have winter break from mid-December to early January—shorter than summer vacation, usually two to three weeks. Our winter break will be somewhat longer."
Yaga Masamichi stopped Gojo Satoru's interruption.
Yaga Masamichi continued, "This year's vacation notice has come down. Based on the frequency of natural disaster outbreaks, year-end is relatively safe, so Tokyo Jujutsu High's winter break will run from November 30th until February 1st next year."
Below the platform, the four students applauded together, celebrating a respite from their corporate slave status.
"However—!"
Yaga Masamichi's tone shifted sharply, his expression darkening, unable to tolerate their cheering. "There will be cultural course exams and physical technique exams in the latter half of this month. Students who fail must stay at school for makeup exams."
Yaga Masamichi stood on the platform, looking down at the class's "poor students."
"Gojo Satoru, you must cram historical knowledge."
"Geto Suguru, you'll help Gojo with tutoring. If you don't understand something, ask your classmates."
"Asou Akiya, you'll undergo the Semi-Grade 2 Jujutsu Sorcerer evaluation this month. Success is mandatory—failure is not an option."
"Ieiri Shoko, Tokyo Jujutsu High has arranged for you to audit medical courses at the University of Tokyo. At Tokyo Jujutsu High, you only need to take the cultural knowledge exam, but you must also participate in their in-class quizzes at the University of Tokyo."
As soon as he finished speaking, three of the four students fell apart.
Gojo Satoru: "History class..."
Geto Suguru: "I'm supposed to tutor him? Won't he just drag me down with his warped understanding?"
Ieiri Shoko: "You're all overestimating me!"
The only one who didn't fall apart was Asou Akiya, whose eyes lit up. Still feeling it wasn't competitive enough, he asked, "Sensei, can I use Tokyo Jujutsu High's connections to apply to audit finance courses at the University of Tokyo?"
Yaga Masamichi declared resolutely, "As long as you succeed in your promotion, I'll help you apply."
To motivate his students, Yaga Masamichi didn't mind such a small request, especially since Asou Akiya genuinely had ambition.
"Alright, I'll have the assistant supervisor come in. Everyone listen to the lecture seriously."
Yaga Masamichi stepped down, and an assistant supervisor entered to teach cultural knowledge.
Amidst his classmates' wails of despair, Asou Akiya pulled out his phone and created a new interest group.
[Jujutsu High DK Trio]
He invited the two of them.
[Gojo Satoru: Woaaaah! I'm so damn excited! Is it finally Shoko's turn to be excluded by us?]
[Geto Suguru: You're reading too much into it, Gojo.]
[Geto Suguru: Asou, what happened that you need to hide from Shoko? Are you hoping we'll help Shoko cheat on her exam? While I can manipulate cursed spirits to pass notes, neither Gojo nor I understand medical knowledge.]
[Asou Akiya: Hold it right there. Stop letting your imaginations run wild.]
[Asou Akiya: November 7th this year—Shoko's 16th birthday. Everyone clear your schedules.]
[Gojo Satoru: But that's a Monday. Are we all skipping class together?]
[Geto Suguru: Shoko isn't the type who likes cutting class. Last time was only because of Asou.]
[Asou Akiya: Don't make it sound so suggestive. If you're jealous that Shoko won't do your makeup, Geto, just say so directly.]
[Geto Suguru: I'm not jealous~.]
[Asou Akiya: I'm planning to rent out an entire bar in Ginza. Everyone splits the cost.]
[Gojo Satoru: My card's with you anyway, so whatever.]
[Geto Suguru: Can minors under 20 get into a bar...? No, what I mean is—do you have a way to make it work?]
[Asou Akiya: You need to have faith in the power of money.]
[Asou Akiya: Forgot to tell everyone—I'm the one who wrote the history exam. Please study hard.]
[Gojo Satoru:Ahhhhhhh! ! !]
[Geto Suguru: Asou, you're so cruel! I'm done for! Don't tell me I'm going to fail too!]
Over the following days, the Gojo family's construction crew hammered and banged away at the renovations during the day, while at night the three of them squeezed together to sleep. To avoid repeating the first night's cramped situation, Geto Suguru moved his dorm bed over and pieced together what became a truly massive bed.
At night, Geto Suguru held down Gojo Satoru's head, drilling him on history. The two frantically flipped through ancient texts, committing key points to memory. Meanwhile, Asou Akiya gave up on studying and did push-ups on the floor, building muscle mass in hopes of passing the practical examination for Semi-Grade 2 Jujutsu Sorcerer this month.
The images of the brains and the brawn among their classmates had completely reversed.
From a distance, the boys' dormitory radiated an intense atmosphere of academic dedication, forming a stark contrast with the cheerful laughter echoing from the girls' dormitory.
Ieiri Shoko asked, "Do you hate Gojo, Utahime?"
Iori Utahime slapped her thigh, laughing uproariously while watching a TV program. "Even if every man in the world dropped dead, I still wouldn't like Gojo Satoru!"
Mei Mei chimed in, "I'm different—I only love money. Whoever has the most, that's who I like."
Ieiri Shoko remarked, "Gojo isn't short on cash."
Mei Mei said with interest, "Only after he becomes the head of the family will the Gojo family's money truly count as his money."
Until that time came, Mei Mei was firmly resolved not to get close to Gojo Satoru—she refused to play the role of a punching bag like Iori Utahime.
The first-year DKs at Tokyo Jujutsu High didn't have as much money as she did at this stage!
So she loved herself the most, after all.