The team battle ended rather abruptly.
The Grade 2 curse hadn't even been exorcised yet, and the final score stood at 10–4, with Tokyo Jujutsu High claiming victory.
Some of those ten points, notably—
Came from Rika's brief loss of control, where she quite literally tore curses apart with her bare hands.
On the Kyoto side, Momo Nishimiya, Noritoshi Kamo, and Aoi Todo were eliminated mid-match.
On Tokyo's side, Panda and Yuta Okkotsu were taken out.
No one was quite sure how Gojo Satoru handled things afterward—
But it was almost as if Rika's rampage had left no lasting consequences at all.
After Panda returned from Masamichi Yaga, his body was nearly fully repaired.
With Shoko Ieiri around—
Everyone else quickly recovered as well.
As for Todo—
He hadn't been intimidated in the slightest.
Instead, he approached Yuta again—
Still brimming with fighting spirit.
"Our fight was interrupted earlier," he said.
"I look forward to finishing it."
And just like that—
He acknowledged Yuta's strength.
Yuta thought to himself:
I'd really rather not have that kind of recognition…
Then—
Todo turned his attention to Tokiya Shingen.
He hadn't witnessed the final clash personally—
But he knew enough.
"What I thought would be a boring exchange event…"
"Turned out to bring me both you and Okkotsu."
He grinned.
"I'm already looking forward to tomorrow's individual matches!"
Then—
He asked the same question again:
"Tokiya Shingen…"
"What kind of woman is your type?"
Shingen had originally come to check on Yuta—
Even brought two ice creams.
Now, holding only a wooden stick—
He paused.
Thinking about Yuta.
Thinking about someone else from the future—
Then answered seriously:
"My type?"
"A white-haired beast-eared girl."
"At least… for now."
Todo froze.
"…Ah."
"What a shame."
Then nodded solemnly.
"But I respect your preferences."
"I look forward to seeing your strength tomorrow, Tokiya Shingen!"
At that moment—
Maki Zenin walked in.
Judging by her expression—
She had clearly heard everything.
And the way she looked at Shingen—
Was no different than looking at trash.
"Principal Yaga is calling everyone."
"We're deciding tomorrow's format."
She paused—
Looked at Shingen—
Then gave up.
"…Never mind."
And left.
Shingen scratched his head.
"What's her problem?"
Then shrugged.
"Anyway, Yuta, let's go."
Completely oblivious—
He headed off with Yuta.
Todo returned to Kyoto's side.
Discussion: Match Format
Both schools gathered.
Shingen and the others were the last to arrive.
Once everyone was present—
Yaga began:
"For tomorrow's individual matches…"
"We have two possible formats."
"First—"
"A gauntlet."
"Each side sends out fighters one by one. Winners continue until one side is eliminated."
"Second—"
"One-on-one matches."
"Each side alternates selecting opponents. Winners earn points."
Maki raised her hand.
"But we only have five people."
"How does that work?"
Yaga nodded.
"If the second format is chosen—"
"Tokyo may allow one student to fight twice."
"However—"
"Kyoto chooses first."
"If the result is 3–3—"
"The individual matches are a draw."
"Tokyo wins overall due to the team battle."
Kamo spoke up:
"And if we win the individual matches?"
"What then?"
Before Yaga could answer—
Gojo jumped in excitedly:
"Then we enter the FINAL SHOWDOWN!"
Everyone paused.
Then collectively—
Ignored him.
Strategy DiscussionsTokyo Side
They gathered in a circle.
Panda stroked his chin.
"I'm thinking…"
"The gauntlet favors us, right?"
"Shingen alone could probably sweep them."
Maki adjusted her glasses.
"The second format is like strategic pairing."
"If Shingen fights twice—"
"We're guaranteed at least one or two wins."
"Our odds are already high."
Kyoto Side
Their mood was noticeably heavier.
They had already gauged Tokyo's strength.
Kasumi Miwa sighed.
"If we pick the second format…"
"They'll definitely send Shingen out twice…"
"How do we deal with that?"
Kamo replied:
"He's their strongest."
"Our fight ended quickly."
"His speed is abnormal—likely his technique."
"We have two options."
"First—send our weakest fighters to burn his matches."
"But they won't let us do that easily."
"Second—"
"We challenge him first."
"They'll likely match strong against mid-tier."
"Which means we must win all other matches."
"…It's difficult."
Todo suddenly spoke:
"Don't worry."
"Those first-years are monsters."
"But they won't choose that strategy."
"They'll fight head-on."
"King versus king."
"The most intense battles possible."
Mai frowned.
"…How do you know that?"
Todo grinned.
"Because we understand each other."
Silence.
Everyone ignored him again.
Final Decision
Both sides—
Chose the second format.
The team battle had ended too quickly—
Most fights remained unfinished.
Maki smirked.
"First-years? Lower grade?"
"I'll beat them until they're crawling."
Panda cracked his knuckles.
Even Yuta and Toge Inumaki nodded.
All eyes turned to Shingen.
He yawned.
Pulled an all-nighter gaming.
"I mean…"
"Gauntlet guarantees a win."
"But whatever."
"I'll probably fight twice, right?"
Maki nodded.
"They'll send weak fighters first."
"We just need to decide order."
Matchups Announced
Yaga declared:
"Kyoto selects first."
Kamo stepped forward.
"Kasumi Miwa vs Tokiya Shingen."
No one was surprised.
Miwa looked nervous.
Tokyo's turn.
Yuta stepped forward.
"I'll fight Noritoshi Kamo."
Kyoto again.
Todo stepped out.
"I will fight Tokiya Shingen."
Some Kyoto students looked disappointed.
They had hoped to counter differently.
Shingen, however—
Didn't mind.
At least it won't be boring.
Todo… good at hand-to-hand, right?
Let's start with that tomorrow.
Next:
Panda spoke for Inumaki.
"Toge Inumaki vs Mechamaru."
"Salmon tuna!"
Kyoto:
Momo Nishimiya vs Maki Zenin.
Final match:
Panda vs Mai Zenin.
After the Meeting
With everything decided—
Yaga dismissed everyone.
Shingen immediately threw an arm around Panda.
"Panda!"
"Come play games at my place!"
"I need a PUBG partner—we'll dominate!"
Maki, walking away, snapped:
"Don't you dare pull another all-nighter."
"You've got matches tomorrow."
Shingen laughed.
"Relax, I don't need sleep."
"We won't stay up all night."
Panda nodded seriously.
"I'm a panda."
"I don't need much sleep."
"…Tch."
Maki left—
Then turned to Yuta:
"Don't follow them."
"You'll regret it."
"…Uh…"
Yuta hesitated.
Inumaki gave him a cheerful:
"Salmon tuna!"
Meanwhile—
Shingen had already dragged Panda and Inumaki away.
His voice echoed down the hallway:
"I still haven't finished The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild—"
"But let me say this—"
"Zelda is peak!"
Moments later—
Panda's head popped back around the corner.
"Yuta, come too!"
"But I—"
Too late.
Panda pulled him in.
"Hard work is for everyday training."
"Right before battle?"
"You relax."
"Mental state matters too!"
And just like that—
Yuta was swept away—
Into chaos.