JJK Seven Sinful Curses Chapter 53: Sister Event I (Patreon)

“Okay, okay, okay!” Satoru’s excited voice blasted through the loudspeaker, catching both teams' attention from their respective starting points, “The Spirit Race Bash is about to begin. You all know the deal: first to kill the second-grade spirit wins; if time runs out before then, the team with the most exorcisms wins. There’s only one rule, and that is no killing. Otherwise, feel free to let loose and give it your all!” 

“Please, someone shut him up,” Maki grumbled under her breath, much to the amusement of her teammates. 

“And one more thing!” Kiniro’s voice suddenly took over, only serving to aggravate Maki further, “Don’t be boring, I didn’t break out my good popcorn for nothing!” 

With that final announcement, an airhorn blared out, signaling the start and sending both teams off at a sprint as they raced off into the forest. 

In the viewing room, Kiniro gave up the microphone to Masamichi, who sent him a disapproving look that Kiniro promptly ignored as he sat back in his seat and turned to stare at the video and audio being fed through a set of screens. Though, surprisingly, instead of security cameras, the information was being provided by a set of loyal birds. 

“I never knew that your technique could be used like this, Mei Mei,” Kiniro commented as he glanced over at the blue, silver-haired beauty who was sitting in the chair beside him, “Very impressive.” 

“I’m happy that you approve of my capabilities Kiniro,” Mei Mei replied coolly as she flashed him a charming smile, “You should have my number in case you ever need to hire my services in the future.” 

“Fuck the future, I’ll give you 1,000,000 yen if you’ll sit in my lap right now,” Kiniro offered making everyone else in the room balk at his shamelessness while Mei Mei looked on with interest, “Really, just to sit in your lap?” 

Instead of responding, Kiniro just held out his hand and a stack of bills appeared. Taking the band, Mei Mei briefly rifled through the bills before giving a satisfactory nod and pocketing the cash.

Then, with a small smile,e Mei Mei stood up, walked over, and promptly sat in Kiniro’s lap, her legs draped over one arm of the chair while her head rested against his forearm, “Hmmm, this is more comfortable than I expected.” 

“Unbelievable,” Gakuganji muttered with a disapproving shake of his head, “Do either of you have any shame?” 

Kiniro scoffed with disbelief, “Don’t act like you have the moral high ground in this situation. You probably tried to have your students gang up and try to kill Itadori.” 

Gakuganji fell silent, and Kiniro’s eyes widened in disbelief. “No way? I was just joking, but you actually tried, didn’t you?”

“Killing is prohibited during the Exchange Event,” Gakuganji said solemnly.  

“Hey, answer the question, old man,” Satoru suddenly chimed in, a dangerous air rising from his being as he turned his head to look back at Gakuganji, “Are your students trying to kill Yuji?” 

For a moment, no one dared breathe as Satoru’s presence pressed against everybody with its suffocating weight. 

“Don’t worry,” Kinrio spoke up as he tossed a handful of popcorn into his mouth while his other hand came to rest on Mei Mei’s thigh, “Even if he asked them, the Kyoto students wouldn’t go for it. At least the three I invested in won’t, and those are the only three who are capable of killing Itadori to begin with.” 

In an instant, Satoru’s demeanor changed, and his hostile presence vanished as if it had never existed, “Well, if that’s the case, then they’re more than welcome to try; it’ll be good practice for him.” 

There was a silent but collective sigh of relief as a catastrophe was avoided, and subtly Masamichi sent Kiniro a thankful look that he answered with a slight dip of his head, “Hey Mei Mei?” 

“Yes, Kiniro,” The greedy sorcerer purred as she looked up at him through her thick eyelashes. 

“Make sure you keep a couple of crows on the first years…that’s where all the action is gonna be,” Kiniro advised as his hand started gently massaging Mei Mei’s thigh, though she didn’t seem upset about it in the slightest. 

“Very well,” Mei Mei agreed after a second, “Did you give them cursed tools as well?” 

“Of course I did,” Kiniro answered as if it was a foregone conclusion, “Made them myself just last night.” 

“So you do create the cursed tools yourself,” Mei Mei replied as her eyes gained an interested gleam, “Many believe that you’re simply tracking down long-forgotten relics.” 

“I’ve found a few, but I usually just end up selling them.” Kiniro admitted, “And even then It’s not often that I come across a cursed tool that can even begin to compare itself to my creations.” 

“Incredible,” Mei Mei said, honestly, “I don’t suppose that you’re looking for commissions?” 

Kiniro grinned, “What, you want me to make you a cursed tool?” 

“It would be dishonest to say otherwise,” Mei Mei admitted.

“I’ll think about it, if  only because I find your soul refreshing,” Kiniro said, making Mei Mei pause for a second before simply accepting the compliment for what it was, “Very well.” 

---

“We should be closing in on the first curse,” Megumi announced as he ran alongside his divine dog. 

“Good, securing one point at the very least will leave us the possibility of taking the event,” Maki voiced, repeating their strategy, “Now everyone remember their assignment, Kugisaki  you-” 

“Iai”

Maki was interrupted by a quiet but forceful incantation that served as the only warning before two blades of cursed energy suddenly cut through the forest, causing trees to topple in their wake. 

Despite the surprise attack, Maki was the first to react, as with a sudden burst of speed she dashed ahead of her group while drawing Dragonbone. 

Cursed steel met cursed energy, and Maki effortlessly deflected the two blades, sending them flying off into the surrounding forest, where they continued to carve a path of destruction before finally dissipating. 

“He wasn’t wrong, you are far stronger than Mai said you would be.” 

In an opposing scene, Kasumi calmly walked down the path of destruction she had carved while returning her sword to its sheath, fearlessly confronting all of Tokyo High, “While I believed him, I must say that I am surprised that you managed to combat my ranged attack using pure brute force.” 

“Oh yeah,” Maki said unimpressed as she stared Kasumi down, “And I’m surprised that you think some fancy sword and some flashy tricks are enough for you to act all high and mighty.” 

A small smile graced Kasumi’s lips, “It may seem that way, but I assure you that even with Nagi, I am more than a match. In fact if I had it my way we would fight with nothing but our blades.” 

“Sorry but this isn’t some honorable duel it’s a competition that we plan to win,” Maki grumbled already fed up with Kasumi’s tranquility, “So don’t act surprised if we gang up on you right now.” 

Kasumi frowned, “Shame I was hoping that you would agree to a spar. It’s fortunate then that I have such good friends to look out for me.” 

A crisp clap echoed through the air and suddenly Maki felt a gust of air as the space behind her was suddenly displaced. 

“Maki behind you!” 

Even before Panda could call out Maki was already turning around to find a massive fist headed straight towards her. However instead of moving to defend against the surprise Maki countered swing her sword as unfamiliar voice rang through the air, “Freeze” 

The fist stopped moving as Todo’s ear rang with Toge’s cursed speech froze him in place, but even with Maki’s sword ready to slice open his chest he didn’t panic in the slightest. 

The ground in front Todo erupted as thick thorny vines emerged from the earth causing it to heave throwing Maki off balance and causing her to abandon her attack. 

Meanwhile the effect of Toge’s cursed speech wore off and Todo was free to move and before anyone from Tokyo could react clapped once more causing him to disappear replaced by a rock infused with cursed energy. 

Landing back on solid ground Maki’s jaw was clenched tight as she looked around only to find that both Todo and Kasumi were gone, “Damnit where did they go!?” 

“We’ve got bigger issues!” Nobara called out, “They took Fushiguro!”