Chapter 29: Your Bro Only Plays Peak Matches (Patreon)

The scene was identical to their last meeting.

When Hanakain Fubuki received the message and came out of the school, the kendo girl stood quietly by the guard booth at the school gate during dusk, holding her sword bag containing a katana, gazing at the setting sun slowly dipping below the horizon.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Senpai."

"No, it's fine..."

Saeko Busujima gently shook her head, turning towards the young man who had just approached. A serene smile, calm as water, touched the corners of her lips.

"Actually, I only just arrived myself. I received the notification quite suddenly this time. I initially thought that without arranging it in advance, Acting Representative Hanakain might only see the message when he had free time, meaning I'd have to wait longer. I didn't expect you to come out so quickly; it was actually a pleasant surprise."

Acting... Representative?

A question mark slowly floated above the young man's head.

"If I remember correctly, the last time Busujima-senpai came, you addressed me as 'classmate'..."

They say familiarity breeds contempt... well, not quite, but it's our second meeting. Why does it feel more distant than the first?

"Ah, about that, actually..."

Mentioning this topic, a rare hint of embarrassment appeared on the kendo girl's otherwise composed and attractive features.

"Last time, we didn't know each other, and I wasn't aware of Hanakain... kun's identity. In fact, my father has always taught me to be polite to others since I was young, and this time, the Jujutsu Association specifically emphasized adopting a formal, official attitude."

...Why does this sound so awkward?

Hanakain Fubuki pondered silently for a moment, then scratched his head with a sigh.

"Eh, forget it, forget it. Let's not make it so complicated. I'm not like those old fossils in my family. Just be casual with me; I actually can't stand it when things get too formal. If Senpai doesn't mind, just calling me Fubuki is fine. No need for all the trouble."

"Mm, in that case, I'll graciously accept your offer."

Hearing the young man say this, Saeko Busujima instantly dropped her previously somewhat reserved demeanor. She nodded slightly towards the student street near the crossroads west of the school gate.

"Same as last time, then? Let's find a place to talk slowly."

"Yeah, let's go."

Though it wasn't the same time, it was the same place.

Ten minutes later, inside the familiar coffee shop.

Saeko Busujima ordered coffee again, while Hanakain Fubuki opted for orange juice and a slice of tiramisu this time.

The kendo girl took a sip of her coffee and got straight to the point.

"Regarding the matter of Fubuki-kun destroying Sukuna's finger previously, I reported it to the Jujutsu Association the day I returned to Jujutsu High. This afternoon, the Association provided a response."

"They're not going to ask me to pay for it, are they?" Hanakain Fubuki mumbled indistinctly through the straw he was biting.

"Of course not."

The kendo girl couldn't help but smile at his words. "The Association hopes that Fubuki-kun can discuss this face-to-face. Coincidentally, next month is the exchange event between the Tokyo and Kyoto sister schools. At that time, Principal Gakuganji of Kyoto Prefectural Jujutsu High School will come to Tokyo Jujutsu High along with the exchange students from Kyoto."

Oh~ So that's how it is.

Hanakain Fubuki thought to himself, Now I get it.

Although Saeko Busujima hadn't spelled it out completely, the underlying meaning was obvious.

To put it bluntly, the Jujutsu Association wanted to send the principals of the Kyoto and Tokyo Jujutsu High schools as negotiators to talk with him in detail.

There was nothing inherently wrong with this. Kyoto and Tokyo – the names of these two places together were enough to represent the better half of Japan.

It was like how the top-ranked university in Japan is the University of Tokyo, and the second-ranked is Kyoto University.

It wasn't necessarily that Tokyo and Kyoto themselves were inherently blessed places – especially Kyoto, which historically has been Japan's "demon capital" (Ōmagatoki), a fiercely contested land a thousand years ago for powerful yokai seeking lordship over spirits and monsters; the yin energy there was intense.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have built so many temples, making it look like someone spammed torches everywhere in Minecraft to prevent zombie spawns.

It was just that one is the current capital, and the other is the former capital, giving them natural political advantages.

In other words, it wasn't that Tokyo and Kyoto were so amazing, but rather that the amazing people were all transferred to Tokyo and Kyoto.

If Japan's total resources were ten parts, Tokyo takes four, Kyoto takes three, Osaka gets one and a half, and the remaining places share the last one and a half.

Of course, that was theoretical. In reality, the ratio might be even more exaggerated.

"But speaking of which," Hanakain Fubuki put down his tiramisu spoon, raising an eyebrow slightly.

"Since it's such an important occasion, discussing such an important matter, aren't those individuals from the Big Three Families planning to make an appearance?"

"That... I wouldn't know."

Saeko Busujima shook her head hesitantly.

Although theoretically, the principals of the Tokyo and Kyoto sister schools were enough to represent half the power of the Jujutsu Association, that was only in theory.

Essentially, the Jujutsu Association was still controlled by the Big Three Sorcerer Families.

Gojo, Kamo, Zen'in.

Compared to them, the two principals were merely representatives pushed to the forefront, like Jim Hacker... no, perhaps even less significant.

At least the position of British Prime Minister, if truly determined to do something, even the Cabinet Secretary could only comply.

But if the two principals were determined to do something, the Big Three Sorcerer Families had plenty of ways to melt them down and recast them.

In that case, there's only one answer: the Big Three are prepared to "lose power and face national humiliation."

Just like that episode in "Yes, Prime Minister" about redefining the border between Britain and France. Jim Hacker initially wanted to negotiate with France personally, but after a combo from Humphrey, he ultimately decided that if national humiliation was unavoidable, such drudgery was best left to the Foreign Office.

The Big Three are probably thinking along the same lines this time.

If they absolutely must bow their heads and lose face in front of an Onmyoji, then let the two principals handle such an embarrassing task.

Although it made no real difference, at least it looked better on the surface.

Having understood the situation, Hanakain Fubuki didn't press further. He took a large bite of cake and agreed.

"Got it. Then it's settled."

"In that case, I'll message you in advance to arrange a meeting time."

The kendo girl nodded with a smile.

...

Meanwhile, in another coffee shop far from the student street, in a deserted, quiet corner of Tokyo.

"Kenjaku, how strong would you say I am? Roughly how many of Sukuna's fingers?"

"Hmm~ At absolute most, probably around eight or nine fingers' worth, I'd say."

"Eight to nine fingers, huh? That's enough... Then it's decided. During next month's exchange event, I'll be responsible for killing Satoru Gojo. None of you are to interfere. After it's done, you give me the Prison Realm. I want it for my collection."

"Mm, of course. Provided you can actually do it."