In the blink of an eye, nearly a year had passed. It was now April of 2007.
In just the first few months of this new year, after Mukuro's promotion, both Satoru and Suguru had also advanced to the rank of special grade sorcerers.
Among the younger generation, there now stood four individuals, also the only four, at the very peak of the jujutsu world. It was a sight rarely seen in history, a true golden age for sorcerers.
Because Satoru had still been beaten up by Mukuro even after awakening the Reverse Cursed Technique, he didn't develop the belief that "he alone was the strongest." And since only a few people knew about that incident, the legend of Jujutsu High's "Strongest Duo" continued to grow.
The "bitter summer" never came.
At this moment, inside the Tokyo Jujutsu High.
"Today, we welcome our only new first-year student of the year."
After a year, Masamichi had officially become the principal of Tokyo Jujutsu High. But with that new role came new problems.
Even something as simple as announcing a new student still had to be done by him personally.
There was no helping it. The number of sorcerers was far too small. Only a handful enrolled each year, and many of them came from established sorcerer families.
On top of that, most students without family backgrounds, after graduating, chose to become freelance sorcerers for the sake of convenience and income.
As a result, aside from the students and assistant managers, Masamichi was the only sorcerer on campus. He had to serve as both teacher and principal.
"Come in, Ijichi."
As his voice fell, a nervous-looking "boy" wearing a uniform, a tall hat, and a shoulder bag stepped hesitantly into the room.
Pop!
Colorful ribbons fluttered through the air.
"Welcome to Tokyo Jujutsu High!"
Satoru, as always, was as energetic as a child during such occasions.
The others joined in, clapping warmly to greet the newcomer.
"H-Hello everyone! My name is Kiyotaka Ijichi. It's… it's a pleasure to meet you all!"
The boy, who looked much older than his peers, bowed deeply. His slight trembling showed just how nervous he was.
'So this is Jujutsu High… Everyone looks so young, but they all seem really strong…'
Though he seemed timid, Ijichi was brimming with excitement inside.
Ever since discovering his ability to see curses, and learning about the world of jujutsu, his dream had been to become a strong sorcerer and protect the weak.
"Kiyotaka Ijichi, during a curse incident, protected one of his classmates. He was evaluated as a grade 4 sorcerer and recommended for admission," Masamichi read from the papers in his hand.
The resume wasn't much different from when Utahime and Shoko first enrolled, but to the current group, he was a complete newcomer, a true "freshman."
After all, last year's first-years had all entered at semi-grade 2 or higher.
"Ijichi, right? Don't be nervous. Your senpais will take good care of you!"
Seeing the boy's anxious look, Haibara slammed the desk and stood up, throwing his arms around Mukuro and Nanami with a big grin.
"Th-thank you so much!"
Ijichi hadn't expected to be accepted so quickly. His nose stung, and he nearly burst into tears.
"Perfect timing," Masamichi interrupted, shattering the cheerful atmosphere. "We've got a mission. You all will take Ijichi with you."
"Huh?"
The trio froze.
"No time to waste. Head out now! Mukuro, you're going too!"
Masamichi clapped his hands, and the assistant manager waiting outside gestured for them to follow.
"Me?" Mukuro pointed at himself, confused. He was a special grade sorcerer now.
"This mission's a bit strange. The threat level's unclear; it could be anywhere from grade 3 to special grade. You'll oversee it. If it's above their level, handle it yourself," Masamichi said, pointing a finger at Mukuro to emphasize he hadn't misheard.
"Huh?"
The group exchanged bewildered looks.
A mission ranked "grade 3 to special grade"? None of them had ever heard of such a wild range.
"What are you standing around for? Move out."
Masamichi's tone left no room for argument. The assistant manager outside also urged them onward.
"Well then, I suppose this is goodbye," came a calm voice from the back of the room.
Everyone turned. It was Mei Mei and Utahime, both standing up.
"Goodbye? Senpais, where are you going?" Haibara asked, confused. Were they heading out on a mission too?
"As you all know, Jujutsu High is a four-year program," Masamichi explained. "But most fourth-year students usually choose to leave the school and follow their own path."
Students in their final year were considered to be on the boundary between school and society. Almost all of them left to gain real-world experience and decide their futures.
Now, Utahime and Mei Mei had reached that point.
"Where are you going, Utahime-senpai?" Shoko inquired softly. Though she already knew, she couldn't help feeling sad.
Her only close female friend at school was leaving.
"Probably Kyoto! I've always wanted to go there, and Mei-san's home is there too."
Utahime followed behind Mei Mei like a loyal shadow.
"Take care!"
The two girls hugged tightly before parting. This temporary farewell marked the beginning of different paths in their lives.
"Shoko, you take care too! Just don't turn into a scumbag like Gojo, Geto, or Fushiguro!"
Even at the end, Utahime couldn't resist taking one last jab at the three boys.
"Utahime! I'm gonna curse you!" Satoru stuck out his tongue and made a face, pretending to lunge at her, sending the girl squealing out of the classroom.
"Satoru, stop bullying the weak," Suguru sighed.
To this day, he still hadn't realized the reason Utahime disliked him was because he saw her as "weak."
"Well then, everyone, until next time."
Mei Mei waved and walked toward the door.
"Let's go too," Mukuro said.
"Right!"
The second-years stood up, guiding Ijichi toward the exit.
* * *
Outside the gate, two black cars were waiting.
"Utahime!"
Just as the girl in her shrine maiden outfit was about to get into the car, Mukuro called out to her.
"Ha?"
She turned, frowning slightly at the not-so-annoying troublemaker.
"Good luck! You might be weak, but your singing's actually pretty good!"
"You're so annoying! Don't act like that idiot Gojo, you moron!"
Her face flushed red as she shouted back, then slammed the car door behind her.
"Honestly, even now, you boys still have to tease Utahime…" Mei Mei let out a sigh, but her smile betrayed her amusement. She found the girl's angry reactions quite adorable, like a little cat puffing up.
"Let's go."
"Mei-san," Nanami suddenly called out as she turned to leave.
"Hmm?"
"Safe travels."
When she looked back in mild surprise, Mukuro and Nanami spoke together.
"Safe travels, Mei-senpai, Iori-senpai!"
Haibara, realizing belatedly, quickly grabbed Ijichi and joined in.
"The same to you," Mei Mei replied with a light smile.
Then, they each got into their cars and drove off, heading toward different crossroads in life.
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