It had been a while since Kinji Hakari's Cursed Technique "Idle Death Gamble" was expanded, and Yuta had a bewildering explanation of pachinko mechanics forced into his mind.
Yuta didn't quite understand it, but Kinji—who had apparently hit a jackpot—was coming at him in close-quarters combat while radiating an incredible amount of cursed energy. In response, Yuta was sticking to a primarily defensive strategy.
Whenever a punch or kick came his way, he would parry it with a circular block, moving like an out-boxer to maintain a constant distance while throwing out distracting strikes. To an outside observer, his actions might have seemed passive, making him look like the kind of "cold guy" Kinji despised.
But—!
"I see! She's the offense and you're the defense! If I push too hard and make one wrong move, I'm instant prey! Scary, scary... but that's exactly why I'm going to—attack!"
"Ugh! Even though I'm blocking and parrying, it hurts! It shouldn't be that kind of technique!"
Indeed, Yuta was not alone. By his side was his overprotective "girlfriend," who was so furious that Yuta was feeling pain while trying to fend off Hakari's onslaught.
"Don't you dare hurt Yuta!"
"Wait, Rika, that's too much—?! Senior?!"
Enraged by Yuta's cry of pain, Rika activated Projection Sorcery on herself, unleashing a massive, vicious punch at the speed of sound. The devastating attack tore through the left side of Kinji Hakari's body, yet despite being a direct hit, it wasn't a finishing blow.
"Man, if I wasn't mid-jackpot, I'd be dead!"
"You regenerated?! ...Um, are you okay?"
"I'm immortal during a jackpot! Injuries like this are—well, honestly, they're a thing! It hurts like hell. Normally, that would have killed me, so let's just say you won this sparring match, Okkotsu. —Hey, Kirara, do you think old man Yaga will be satisfied with this?"
"I don't know, maybe not? You should probably teach him a few more things properly."
As Kinji dropped his stance and began to speak, Yuta did the same, calming the fuming Rika. "It was just training, so it's okay, Rika. Thank you." Taking the opportunity, Yuta decided to ask Kinji for advice.
"Um, Hakari-senior."
"Yeah! What is it?"
"I'm having a bit of a problem—"
What Yuta brought up was the ultimate choice: whether he should let Rika pass on, or if he should curse her even more strongly.
Surprisingly, Hakari listened to the dilemma intently, but once Yuta finished, he let out a hearty, boisterous laugh.
"Okkotsu! Don't worry about what society thinks! When you were telling that story, there was clearly a 'fever' inside you! A positive passion to change your current situation and change your life! Bet on the side you want to bet on! Otherwise, it's not your life, is it? —Old man Yaga says things like 'There is no such thing as a death without regret for a jujutsu sorcerer,' but if you live your life betting everything on every single moment, your regrets will be minor! You might think, 'Ah, I missed out on that cutlet curry for dinner,' but that's about it!"
"Yeah, that sounds just like you, Kin-chan. But I agree. I'm the same way, but staying true to what you want to do is cooler and feels better, right? Even if I ended up being the one on the receiving end."
"Ah, haha... Um, well. Thank you. Both of you."
"Yeah! ...Kirara, surely old man Yaga will be satisfied this time?"
"Well, he probably will be. You did give him some pretty good advice, Kin-chan. —By the way, are the first-years free after this?"
"Panda is free! Actually, Kirara, weren't you saying some dirty jokes even worse than Panda earlier?"
"It's fine if I'm the one saying them! So, what about Maki and Togepi?"
"Salmon. Eel over rice."
"I don't really have anything to do either. What, is Kinji going to treat us to sushi?"
"Oh, Maki, you're sharp!"
"Wait, for real?"
"Yeah! I got chewed out by old man Yaga, but I made a lot of money as a bookie. While I was getting scolded, Fushiguro-sensei, who was in the faculty office, ended up becoming my backer. It has to be a membership system on the premise of keeping jujutsu a secret, but it means I can run the gambling den just like before! So, I've got the cash!"
"Ah... Toji does love gambling, after all..."
"Salmon, salmon. Amberjack. Horse sashimi. Boat platter."
"Oh, looks like Toge is in the mood for sushi too. Alright then, let's head to Ginza for some sushi! It's on me!"
Through this lively, student-like scene, Yuta was able to confront his own heart and determine his conclusion—the desire within him that carried an even stronger fever.
And then, a few days later.
"Um, Naoya, I have something I want to talk to you about—"
With those words, Yuta Okkotsu chose his crossroads in life and began to move forward.
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