~ Thank you, We've hit 300 Powerstones. This is the Bonus Chapter
New week, Let's Push!!
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Hey everyone, hope you're all having a great weekend. I've got some good news to share.
Starting from Chapter 57, the story will shift to longer chapters, with a standard length of 2,500 words or more. That's roughly the equivalent of two and a half chapters by Webnovel standards, and some chapters may even reach the length of three.
On top of that, this is also where the Jujutsu Kaisen world, and its characters, will begin to appear. You can expect to see figures like Gojo, Toji and more making their entrance.
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Yumiko Miura spoke with absolute certainty, without a single ounce of hesitation.
"WOO-HOO!"
Kakeru Tobe and the others on the sidelines started hooting and hollering, clearly enjoying the drama and eager to fan the flames.
"That's a massive bet!"
"Accept it, Kai!"
"Don't back down now, Kai!"
They were obviously just joking around. Everyone knew exactly what Kai's past grades looked like. Taking first place? That was absolutely impossible. That was exactly why they were being so incredibly vocal about it.
However—
Seeing Yumiko get so worked up, Hayato Hayama couldn't help but step in. "Yumiko, don't be impulsive. We're all friends here—there's no need to take things this far."
"It's exactly because we're friends that I'm saying this! Besides, do you honestly think Kai actually has the guts to take advantage of me?"
She had never minded it before.
But now, listening to Hayato Hayama's preachy tone, a sudden, subconscious wave of annoyance flared up in Yumiko's chest.
Teenagers were inherently a bit rebellious. Being lectured by her parents at home was one thing, but being lectured by a peer at school was entirely different. Why had she never noticed it before? Hayato Hayama's personality was exactly like a nagging mother's.
In truth, Hayato Hayama was just as perplexed.
In the past, Yumiko had almost never contradicted anything he said. But now, things were completely different.
"But..."
"You're really looking down on me, aren't you!"
Before Hayato could say another word.
Kai suddenly flared up, feigning indignation.
'Wow, so she's absolutely convinced I don't have the guts, huh?'
"Hmph! Let's see you try it if you're so capable!" With her hands planted firmly on her hips, Yumiko actually leaned in closer to Kai.
"I want to see if you..."
She absolutely refused to believe Kai actually had the nerve.
However.
Before Yumiko could even finish her sentence, Kai suddenly reached out and pinched her cheek.
"It seems if I don't show you what I'm capable of, you really won't know who you're messing with."
"Y-Y-You!"
Yumiko had genuinely never expected Kai to actually do it. She completely froze in sheer shock.
"Kai-kun, stop bullying Yumiko."
Finally, Yui Yuigahama stepped up from the side to diffuse the tension. She didn't misunderstand the situation, simply viewing it as playful banter between friends.
"Hmph, I'm only letting you go because of Yui!"
Saying that, Kai released his grip.
"..."
Staring at Kai, the usually fiery and outspoken Yumiko Miura fell completely silent for a rare moment.
"Just wait until I win. Didn't you say you didn't want to be a third wheel? When the time comes, I'll have you tag along on my date with Yui, and your only job will be carrying our bags."
Acting completely oblivious to the shift in Yumiko's mood.
Kai declared with a smug grin.
"Kai-kun!" Yui laughed, lightly slapping her boyfriend's arm.
She hadn't expected Kai to actually remember the joke Yumiko made last time and hold onto it until now.
Seeing that Kai's condition was just a harmless joke, Hayato Hayama finally relaxed.
"F-Fine!"
Snapping back to reality, Yumiko hastily agreed, immediately adding her own counter-condition.
"Then if you lose, you'll be the one carrying our bags."
"No problem!"
Her competitive spirit flaring up, Yumiko laid out her terms.
This childish, petty bet left the onlookers both amused and exasperated. They were high schoolers, yet they were acting exactly like kindergarteners arguing on a playground.
Soon enough.
The group moved on to other topics. As for the bet, hardly anyone actually took it seriously.
After all.
Absolutely no one genuinely believed Kai could take first place.
Only Yui looked at Kai with genuine concern.
"Are you going to be okay?"
"Don't worry. Just sit back and get ready to watch Yumiko carry our bags."
"That's not what I meant."
Yui obviously wasn't worried about the bag-carrying part.
Whatever. Seeing Kai looking so brimming with confidence, Yui decided not to say anything discouraging.
She simply whispered.
"Stop picking on Yumiko so much. She's actually a really good person."
Even though Yumiko could be incredibly bossy at times, Yui knew perfectly well that she had a great heart. Yui really didn't want her boyfriend and her best friend to constantly butt heads.
"Don't worry, I know exactly what I'm doing."
Knowing what was going through Yui's head, Kai offered a gentle, reassuring smile.
'Of course I know Yumiko Miura is a good person.' All those things he said earlier were purely calculated to deliberately provoke her competitive spirit, exactly like the psychological trap he had set for Utaha Kasumigaoka in the very beginning.
To say Kai didn't harbor any ulterior motives toward Yumiko Miura would be an absolute lie.
As for Hayato Hayama? Sorry, but Kai had never even considered him a legitimate rival. They simply weren't playing on the same level.
"Phew!"
On Yumiko's end, seeing that no one was dwelling on the topic anymore, she breathed a quiet sigh of relief. 'So weird... Why, for a split second just now, was I actually hoping Kai would win? No, no, that's impossible. I must just be sleep-deprived and overthinking things.'
Only Hina Ebina—who hovered on the fringes of the group with her eyes hidden behind thick glasses, let her gaze sweep silently across Kai, Yui, and Yumiko. 'Is it just my imagination? Why does it feel exactly like Kai is deliberately setting a trap for Yumiko?'
After all, regardless of whether he won or lost the bet, Yumiko Miura had implicitly agreed to tag along on a date with Kai and Yui.
'It must just be my imagination.' Thinking this, Hina subconsciously shook her head.
After all, no matter how incredibly smart a person was.
They could absolutely never guess that the "Kai" standing before them had been entirely replaced by a transmigrator.
The current Kai.
Was a true, unapologetic apex predator.
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Inside the Service Club room during lunch break.
When Kai arrived, Yukino Yukinoshita was practicing the guitar with Hitori Gotoh.
Even though Yukino had learned of Hitori's secret identity as "Guitar Hero" from Kai, she hadn't explicitly exposed it. She likely had her own plans, so Kai deliberately played along and didn't spoil the secret.
"Good afternoon, Little Yukino, Bocchi-chan!"
"G-Good afternoon!"
Seeing that it was Kai, Hitori was the first to joyfully return the greeting.
Yukino Yukinoshita, on the other hand, merely shot him an exasperated glare.
Yukino had complained countless times about the nickname he used for her, but Kai completely ignored her.
'Complain all you want, I'm absolutely not changing it.' By this point, Yukino had practically built up an immunity to it.
Kai obviously didn't care in the slightest.
With completely natural movements, he swiped the spare bento box resting in front of Yukino.
"Why is it so strictly vegetarian today?"
Looking down at the assortment of vegetable dishes in front of him, Kai looked up at Yukino in genuine surprise.
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