The leader was a woman dressed in a miko outfit, with long black hair and a serious expression—it was Utahime. Following behind his were several students: a tall boy with a buzz cut (Todo Aoi), a boy with hair tied in buns and a gentle smile (Kamo Noritoshi), several other students that Tu Bai did not recognize.
Utahime saw Gojo Satoru, her brows immediately furrowed. "Gojo, what are you up to now?"
I brought my Rabbit here for a visit~" Gojo Satoru naturally draped an arm around Tu Bai's shoulder. "Look, Utahime, isn't he cute?
Utahime looked at Tu Bai, momentarily stunned. "Tu Bai-kun? You aren't a student from Jujutsu High, are you?"
Tu Bai nodded. "I am a Grade 1 Sorcerer, this time I am a Special Invited Observer."
Grade 1?" Utahime raised an eyebrow, then glared at Gojo Satoru, "Don't go ruining any more ordinary people—
"Is he still considered an ordinary person when he's already Grade 1?" Gojo Satoru laughed.
Utahime choked on her words. He scrutinized Tu Bai with a complex expression before finally sighing, "Forget it, do whatever you want. But don't cause any trouble during the Exchange Meeting, do you hear me?"
When have I ever caused trouble~
Utahime rolled her eyes and left with the students.
But that tall, buzz-cut boy—Todo Aoi—did not leave. He walked over and stood in front of Tu Bai, towering more than a head above him, looking down at him.
You," Todo spoke, his voice deep, "what type of women do you like?
Tu Bai was stunned.
What kind of question is this?
He subconsciously looked toward Gojo Satoru, who was watching him with a squinty-eyed smile, looking as if to say, "I want to know, too."
Tu Bai's mind was a bit cluttered. He had never thought about this question before. What type of women did he like? He..
A face suddenly flashed through his mind.
White hair, sunglasses, beautiful ice-blue eyes, a mouth that always held a smile but looked extremely obnoxious.
That was Gojo Satoru's face.
Tu Bai's face flushed bright red in an instant.
I, I.." he stammered, "should, maybe.. like.. tall people.. right?
As soon as he finished speaking, he regretted it. What kind of terrible answer was that?
But Todo's eyes lit up: "Tall? How tall?"
"Just.. a bit tall.." Tu Bai wanted to slap himself.
Specifically? One meter seventy? One meter eighty? Or—" Todo looked toward Gojo Satoru, "As tall as Gojo-sensei?
Tu Bai's face grew even redder: "A-about that.."
Todo slapped his thigh: "Not bad! You have taste! I also like tall women!"
He was about to say something more when Kamou Noriki called out to him from behind, "Todo, it's time to get ready."
Only then did Todo stop, but he nodded to Tu Bai: "Let's talk after the Exchange Meeting." Then, he strode away.
Tu Bai immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
But before he could even finish catching his breath, Gojo Satoru leaned in again.
He wrapped his arm around Tu Bai's shoulder and leaned against him like a large, boneless cat, resting his head atop Tu Bai's head—this position forced him to bend over, but he seemed to enjoy hanging there.
So Xiao Bai likes tall guys?" Gojo Satoru's voice rang out from above, laced with amusement. "Then why are you so cold to me? I'm already 1.9 meters tall; am I not tall enough?
Tu Bai felt his shoulders sink under his weight: "Senpai, you're really heavy, okay.."
Really?" Instead of getting up, Gojo Satoru pressed down with even more weight. "I think it's just right~
Tu Bai pushed him, but he wouldn't budge. Gojo Satoru was like a piece of sticky candy, clinging to him.
In the end, he could only resign himself to fate and carry him away.
Utahime looked back from ahead, her expression becoming even more complex.
Zenin Maki walked beside him and said in a low voice to Panda, "Gojo-sensei is getting more and more out of hand."
"Okaka." Inumaki nodded.
Panda rubbed his chin. "But that Tu Bai.. he's quite interesting."
I hope he doesn't get corrupted by Gojo-sensei.
The group walked into the Main Building. The architecture of the Kyoto School was more ancient than that of the Tokyo School, featuring wooden floors, paper sliding doors, a faint scent of incense in the air.
The Exchange Meeting does not start until the afternoon, so the morning is free time. Gojo Satoru was called to a meeting by Utahime, Itadori was pulled away by Todo to "exchange feelings," and Fushiguro and Kugisaki went with the Second Year students to familiarize themselves with the grounds.
Tu Bai stood alone in the Corridor, feeling a bit lost as to what he should do.
Panda walked over: "Bored? Shall I take you for a stroll?"
Is that okay?
Of course~ I've got nothing to do anyway." Panda walked forward with pigeon-toed steps, "The Kyoto School is a bit larger than the Tokyo School; there's a training ground and a shrine in the back..
Tu Bai followed along. Panda was a very talkative guide, introducing things as he walked and occasionally sharing gossip about the students of Kyoto School.
That Todo likes an idol named Takada; he attends every single concert.
That one from the Kamado Clan is a bit old-fashioned, but he's not a bad person.
And Miwa, he's a hardworking girl, it's just that his luck isn't very good..
Tu Bai listened, finding it quite interesting. He rarely had contact with other Sorcerers, especially those not from Tokyo School.
As they walked into the Courtyard, they saw Zenin Maki and Inumaki talking to a female student from the Kyoto School. The girl had short hair and looked very capable.
That's Miwa Kasumi," Panda said. "A Second Year from Kyoto School, she uses a blade.
Miwa saw them and nodded in greeting. His gaze lingered on Tu Bai for a moment, then she asked Panda, "And who is this?"
A guest from Tokyo School, Tu Bai-kun, a Grade 1 Sorcerer.
Grade 1?" Miwa was surprised. "At such a young age?
"I'm self-taught~" Panda laughed.
Miwa looked at Tu Bai with a hint of admiration in his eyes: "Impressive."
Tu Bai was flattered into embarrassment: "It's nothing.."
Tu Bai-kun's Cursed Technique is Construction," Panda added. "He can create all sorts of things.
Oh?" Miwa became interested. "Can you perform Construction on a sword?
.. Yes.
Then, if you have time, could we spar a bit? I want to see what the difference is between a blade from Construction and a real blade.
Tu Bai nodded, "Sure."
They chatted in the Courtyard for a while, until Gojo Satoru returned after finishing his meeting.
Yo, having a good chat, I see~" Gojo Satoru walked over and naturally rested his hand on Tu Bai's shoulder again, "Xiao Bai, Utahime said you can be a Special Invited Observer. You don't need to participate in the competition; just sit next to me and watch.
.. Oh.
The matches start at two this afternoon; let's go eat first." Gojo Satoru put an arm around him and led him toward the cafeteria. "The food at the Kyoto School is quite good, especially the tempura~
Being led away by him, Tu Bai turned back and waved to Panda and Miwa.
Panda smiled and waved back.
Miwa whispered to Zenin Maki, "Gojo-sensei and that Tu Bai.. they have such a good relationship."
Zenin Maki pushed up his glasses: "Who knows."
Inumaki watched their retreating figures and uttered two words:
Salmon.
Chapter 17
The Viewing Room was located on the Third Floor of the Kyoto School Main Building. It was a Japanese-style Room covered in Tatami, with a Long Table placed in the middle. Several Large Screens were mounted on the walls, displaying various angles of the Mountain Forest Barrier—these were Real-time Images sent back by Mei's Crow.
When Tu Bai followed Gojo Satoru inside, several people were already seated.
Yaga Masamichi sat in the head seat with his arms crossed, his expression serious. Beside him sat a bald old man wearing a kimono and leaning on a cane, his gaze sharp—he must be Gakuganji Yoshinobu, the principal of the Kyoto School.
Ieiri Shoko sat by the window, looking at her Mobile Phone; she glanced up at Tu Bai and gave a nod as a greeting. Utahime sat opposite her, her expression looking rather poor, she clearly rolled her eyes when she saw Gojo Satoru walk in.
Ijichi Kiyoshi was huddled in a corner, a laptop in front of him as he adjusted the equipment. On the other side of the room, a woman with long silver hair was standing against the wall, holding a tablet—it was Mei.
Yo, everyone's here~" Gojo Satoru pulled Tu Bai over to the Long Table and sat down naturally, then patted the seat beside him. "Xiao Bai, sit here.
Tu Bai sat down, feeling everyone's eyes focused on him.
Yaga spoke: "Tu Bai, welcome. I'm afraid I must trouble you to serve as the observer this time."
"It's no trouble," Tu Bai said.
Gakuganji looked him over, his voice low: "So you are that Grade 1 who didn't come from a formal training background? Construction Technique?"
Yes.
"Hmph." Gakuganji said nothing more, but the scrutiny in his eyes was intense.
Mei walked over and handed him an earphone: "Tu Bai, right? This is a Communicator; you can hear the sounds from the scene. I am Mei, I am in charge of the broadcast."
Tu Bai took it. "Thank you."
Mei smiled, his right eye curving upward: "You're welcome. Gojo, this 'Special Invited Observer' you brought this time is quite interesting."
Gojo Satoru put his arm around Tu Bai's shoulder: "Right? My Rabbit is cute, isn't he?"
Tu Bai wanted to dodge, but Gojo Satoru's grip was very strong. She could only lower her head and fiddle with her headphones, pretending he hadn't heard.
Utahime let out a cold laugh. "Control yourself, this is a formal occasion."
"I'm being very formal~" Gojo Satoru said innocently, but he let go nonetheless.
The images on the screen began to move. As a Crow flew over the Mountain Forest Barrier, it became clear that the students from both schools had already entered the Barrier, standing on the east and west sides respectively. On the Tokyo School side, Itadori, Fushiguro, Kugisaki stood in the front row, with the three Second Year students behind them. On the Kyoto School side, Todo and Kamado led the group, with the other students following behind.
Ijichi finished adjusting the equipment and looked toward Yaga. "Principal, you may begin."