"The reason I called you all here today is for this."
Masamichi picked up a piece of chalk and quickly wrote a line on the blackboard.
Then he turned around, slammed his right fist into his left palm, and struck the board with force, declaring,
"The Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event that you are about to participate in!"
Silence filled the room.
Just as Masamichi's impassioned expression was about to crumble, Suguru finally spoke up.
"Excuse me, Yaga-sensei."
"Is there a problem, Geto?"
These young people today have no enthusiasm at all.
Masamichi sighed inwardly.
"What is the Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event?"
As the only sorcerer from a non-sorcerer background, Suguru was unfamiliar with the traditional events of the school.
"Ah, I know this one."
Satoru, standing nearby, raised his hand to interrupt.
"The Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event is basically a big free-for-all with the Kyoto students."
Bang.
"Completely wrong!"
"Sumimasen, Sensei."
After retracting his iron fist, Masamichi returned to the podium.
"The Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event is a two-day Jujutsu exchange event between the Tokyo and Kyoto campuses of Jujutsu High, based on agreements made by the principals."
"During this event..."
He's already acting like the principal.
Eichi looked at Masamichi, who was explaining the procedures and precautions in detail, and sighed with emotion.
The old principal was already semi-retired, and in just over a year, Masamichi would officially take over as principal.
"But I thought it was only for second and third-year students?"
Shoko raised her hand to ask.
"There was only one third-year student, and that student died during a mission not long ago."
Masamichi's tone grew heavy.
"Therefore, I plan to have the first-years participate this time to make up for the numbers."
"Leave it to me, I'll beat the Kyoto School into the ground."
"Wrong."
Masamichi corrected loudly.
"The Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event is a Jujutsu exchange, not a street fight."
"I know, I know, it's not like there's a difference..."
Satoru's voice made Masamichi's blood pressure rise again.
"Anyway, the second-year students will return soon. You'll get to know them and prepare for the Exchange Event."
"What kind of people are the second-years?"
"Their names are Iori Utahime and Mei Mei. You can ask the others for details later. Meeting adjourned."
After class, the group gathered.
"Have you seen the second-year students?"
Suguru spoke first.
"Never even heard of them, so they probably aren't that strong."
Satoru replied indifferently.
"That's not true, Satoru."
Eichi disagreed.
"Oh? So they're strong?"
Satoru's interest was piqued.
"Utahime's technique is a support-type. It's not useful for direct combat, but its effects are strong and can even enhance your abilities."
"Mei Mei... that sounds like a codename."
Was the name Mei Mei a pseudonym, and Usami her real name, as Kusakabe mentioned?
"Although Mei Mei's technique isn't powerful, she's a genius. Her future potential is considered very high."
"What about now?"
"...Even if both of them came at you, they wouldn't be able to beat you."
"Boring."
Eichi was speechless.
If everyone you meet has to be able to fight you, what would the point be?
This wasn't the time of 2.5 Satoru yet.
But Mei Mei, huh.
To be honest, Eichi found it hard to imagine such a perfectly happy woman existing in Jujutsu Kaisen, a story that had been growing darker and darker.
Just compare her to other female characters.
First, the pseudo-protagonist Kugisaki Nobara.
She's beautiful and cool, no doubt.
However, in this world, Nobara's appearance isn't considered top-tier.
This was clear from how other characters and even a talent scout reacted.
Second, Nobara's strength couldn't keep up with the demands of the plot.
Her last moment of glory was at 88 Bridge during the Shibuya Incident. It was cool, but not long after that, she went offline until the final battle.
Look at Naruto.
Hinata wasn't particularly strong?
No problem. She could still be the female lead, and when the protagonist came to save her, they could have a powerful romantic moment.
But Nobara? She just went offline.
And later, the one waiting to be saved by the protagonist... was actually Megumi.
So Megumi is the real female lead?
And the others too.
Utahime has a good personality, is attractive, and dependable.
But she was disfigured.
Miwa Kasumi, one of the rare normal people in Jujutsu Kaisen.
After making a Binding Vow that almost ended her Jujutsu Sorcerer career, her strongest slash was blocked barehanded by Kenjaku.
Zen'in Mai.
A painful childhood. Eventually thrown into a pile of Cursed Spirits to be fed on.
Before dying, she sacrificed herself to empower her sister.
Zen'in Maki.
Her tragic past goes without saying.
In the end, she was disfigured, her clan was wiped out, and her bright eyes became as lifeless and detached as Toji's.
Tsukumo Yuki.
Strong, beautiful, with a perfect figure.
But she was deceived by Tengen, and even when she self-destructed, she held back to avoid collateral damage.
As a result, Kenjaku said, "If you had been a little more ruthless, I might have died."
It felt like she was forced into being a joke.
The female characters in this world always seem a little off.
Either overdone, like Maki.
Or giving up too easily, like Mai.
But there is one woman who is different. One who stands out brilliantly in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Mei Mei.
Her technique, Black Bird Manipulation, isn't particularly strong.
Because of that, Mei Mei focused on Body Refining for many years, relying on physical strength and cursed tools to exorcise Cursed Spirits.
That's why she later wielded that oversized axe as her primary weapon.
Honestly, the first time Eichi saw a beautiful older woman swinging such a ridiculous weapon, he was completely stunned.
The contrast was amazing.
The killing move of Black Bird Manipulation, Kamikaze, was also developed later.
But both her physical strength and technique development prove one thing.
Mei Mei is a genius.
According to the logic of this world, someone like her should not have a good ending.
But Mei Mei understands the Way of moderation better than anyone in the story.
She pursues money, but not greedily. She enjoys saving more than spending.
She is powerful, but still constantly seeks growth.
For example, when her own ability hit a ceiling, she used Ui Ui to make up for her weakness in escape and Domain confrontation.
She also has social intelligence.
After escaping from Kenjaku and recovering, the first thing she did was handle her assets in Japan.
She even notified her allies and business partners.
In terms of strength, appearance, career, and lifestyle, Mei Mei might be the most clear-headed Jujutsu Sorcerer in this world.
It's hard to imagine such a perfectly happy woman existing in Jujutsu Kaisen.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)