The forest buzzed with cursed energy.
Trees swayed.
Birds scattered.
And for the younger students?
This was their first Sister Schools Goodwill Event.
For the older students and older versions though?
This was the second time.
And that made every step feel strange.
The clearing opened up as both schools gathered.
Kyoto students on one side.
Tokyo on the other.
The younger versions looked ready.
Competitive.
Curious.
The older versions?
They mostly looked like people trying not to think too hard.
At the center, both Gojos stood proudly.
Older Gojo clapped loudly.
"WELCOME EVERYONE!"
Younger Gojo pointed dramatically toward the forest.
"TIME FOR EDUCATIONAL VIOLENCE!"
Utahime immediately shouted from the side.
"STOP CALLING IT THAT!"
Hakari laughed loudly.
"…He's technically not wrong."
The younger students prepared themselves.
Then—
older Todo suddenly froze.
"…Wait."
His eyes locked onto something in the distance.
Younger Todo.
And immediately—
older Todo grabbed older Yuji and older Takeru by the shoulders dramatically.
"COME WITH ME!"
"WAIT WHAT—"
Before either could protest, older Todo dragged them through the forest.
Tiny Takeru and tiny Yuji followed out of sheer confusion.
Eventually—
they reached a clearing.
And standing there—
was younger Todo.
Massive.
Intense.
Menacing.
Younger Todo slowly turned toward the newcomers.
"…Who are you people."
Older Todo looked emotional already.
"…Brother…"
"…What?"
younger Todo replied immediately.
Then—
like fate itself had lined things up—
younger Todo pointed dramatically.
"WAIT!"
The air froze.
"What type of woman is your type!?"
Silence.
Older Yuji immediately sighed.
"…Here we go."
Older Takeru cracked his neck casually.
Tiny Yuji blinked.
"…What does that mean?"
Tiny Takeru looked thoughtful.
"…I think this is a ritual."
Then—
simultaneously—
older Todo.
Older Yuji.
Older Takeru.
Tiny Yuji.
Tiny Takeru.
All answered.
"A nice tall woman with a big butt, like Jennifer Lawrence."
The forest went silent.
Younger Todo's eyes widened instantly.
Older Todo looked like he was about to cry.
"…THEY REALLY ARE THE SAME…"
Older Yuji pointed immediately.
"YOU ASKED US THIS ALREADY."
"And your answer remained PERFECT!" older Todo yelled back emotionally.
Younger Todo stepped forward dramatically now.
"…Impossible."
He looked at older Yuji.
Then older Takeru.
Then their younger selves.
"…Even across time…"
A pause.
"…our souls are connected."
Tiny Yuji whispered:
"…This guy is intense."
Tiny Takeru nodded.
"…I kinda like him."
That was enough.
Younger Todo suddenly raised both fists to the sky.
"WE ARE DESTINED!"
Birds scattered from nearby trees.
"BESTO FRIENDOS!"
Older Todo was openly crying now.
"YES!"
Then younger Todo pointed dramatically at all four of them.
"I WILL PROTECT YOU WITH MY LIFE, BROTHERS!"
Older Yuji covered his face laughing.
"…Yep. Same Todo."
Older Takeru grinned slightly.
"…Honestly comforting."
Tiny Yuji looked inspired.
"…I want muscles now."
Tiny Takeru nodded seriously.
"…And schizophrenia confidence."
Older Todo slammed a hand onto both of their shoulders proudly.
"YOU TWO SHALL BECOME GREAT MEN!"
The younger duo almost got knocked over instantly.
And somewhere nearby—
the actual Goodwill Event had already started.
But honestly?
This somehow felt more important.