"But wait--doesn't this mess up the teams?" Kamo asked. "It's uneven, isn't it?"

"Glad you can count," you jabbed dryly.

"We knew you were going to participate," Yaga said to you. "So to make the teams even, we recruited another first year."

"First year?" Maki repeated. "You approved of another first year?"

"Yes. Himari."
Your brows furrowed as the first year pushed themself to the front of the group.

"Introduce yourself," Gakuganji ordered.

"Hello there, my name is Himari. I'm a first year at the Kyoto location. Nice to meet you!" She bowed deeply.

"Ah, it's nice to meet you too..." Panda replied. Your eyes moved over her--up and down her body. Does she seem a little... familiar? Like a certain vengeful spirit. Shit.

~
"The Tokyo-Kyoto Sister School Exchange Event will be held over two days. The first day is a group battle... the Wacky Cursed Spirit Exorcism Race!"

You sat in the corner of the house, waiting until noon for the event to start. The others were talking amongst themsevles.

"Hey, Y/n!" Nobara yelled to you. "Why didn't you tell us Itadori was alive, dammit!" She pointed at you.

"I couldn't," you replied. "You heard Yuji. If it came out his assassination failed, it would've elicted a strong, unwanted response." No doubt that decayed donut is telling the others to kill Itadori. Probably telling them to try to kill me as well. And? You're gonna stand by and let it happen? Well, it depends who goes after us. Gakuganji should know from experience I will not be killed.

"Y/n-senpai," Maki called. "Do you have a plan? We didn't expect two additions to the strategy."

"Worry about yourselves more so than me," you replied, standing up. "I'm more than capable of killing whoever comes after me. Instead, pool your strengths to protect each other."

"But you're a part of this group," Itadori replied. "So we need to protect you too."

"You don't need to do anything for me," you interjected. "I'll back you guys up." What about 'Himari'? I'll deal with that later.

"They're gonna go after Itadori without a doubt," you went on. "Gallbladder is definitely telling the others to. So protect Itadori if you can and when you can."

~
Your group headed into the middle of the forest, huddled close together.

"We're starting in one minute," Satoru's voice came over the comm. I don't have the patience for this. Get over it, I hate it too. "Now, let's hear a few words of well-appreicated encouragement from Iori Utahime-sensei."

"... um... some degree of injury will be unavoidable, but um... now and then, help each other out... or something..."

"Time's up."

"Hey! Gojo, you little..."

"Now, let the sister school exchange event... begin!"
You all took off running forward.

"Respect your seniors!"
Ha! The only senior he probably respects is you. He fucking better. You all continued to run, with you at the back of the group. This is a waste of time. You could compete in this solo and win. Can't really go against what's laid out. The group in front of you slid to a stop when a loud bang rang out. Focusing back in front of you, you saw Todo, who had smashed his way through the forest. Your gaze went to the side. Without much thought, you ran in the other direction.

"Y/n-senpai!" Itadori called.

"Leave her!" Maki replied. You ran across the forest floor, destroying a curse on the way. You stopped at a more forested area and looked around.

"Come on out, Himari," you called. A branch snapped, and through the bushes, came the rose-gold haired woman. You turned to look at her. "Where's your half-baked vessel at?"

"Eh? What are you talking about?" She asked with a nervous smile. You glowered at her.

"Kuragari." You know damn well the teachers and principals are watching from their lounge room. There are cameras everywhere in the forest. Which why, when the curse appeared at your side, you held up your arm, making sure to accentuate your bare wrist.

"Kuragari Kanzaki..." Himari muttered, taking a subconscious step back. Kuragari grinned at her fear.

"Can I play with her?" She asked, licking her lips.

"You have ten minutes," you replied. "I'm gonna go destroy curses. Don't go overboard." You ran away.

"Yes, yes," Kuragari replied, eyes glowing in glee. You knew for a fact the spectators must be pulling at their hair right now--the fact that you released Kuragari to freely roam. They don't know about our Binding Vow, so I might get an earful. You searched around for the low-grade curses, finding each of their locations. Aight, let's get this done with. You basically teleported to one of them, startling it in the process. You just poked it with your finger and exorcised it. You moved again, appearing behind another curse that was resting on the back of a house.

"Geez, how mundane." You tapped it with your finger, and it was exorcised. You sighed. Should I start some shit? I feel like starting some shit. However, you didn't need to do anything. Because a shockwave blew through your area, almost pushing you over. Your clothes billowed violently. When the dirtscreen slowly settled, you turned around. Through the dirt and debris, you could see Kuragari's figure, outlined in dark cursed energy. Below her was Himari, looking worse for wear.

"I thought you were going to play with her, not completely decimate her," you said, walking closer to her.

"As much as I wanted to, I didn't have time," she replied, standing up.

"Why?"

"Mahito and others are here."
Your eyes widened for a split second.

"Here? Right now?"

"Yeah," she replied. "Not sure what for, but they are." You walked past the two women.

"Go back." The chain appeared, connecting your wrist to her neck. She disappeared back into her domain. What about Himari? You petrified her beyond her comprehension. She won't be a threat right now. Right now? You offered no explanation and negated the gravity around you. You flew up high above the area, looking down at it. What's going on over there? You noticed large branches grown and bent over the central houses. You looked up when a shadow fell over you. A veil was slowly cascading down, blocking off the entire area. A special grade is here, but it's not Hitomi. Is it with Mahito? Most likely. Your gaze went to the wooden branches. Hm. You let gravity return, and before you began to fall, you appeared on top of a roof. From the house to the right of the one you were standing on, Inumaki, Kamo, and Megumi all jumped over the balcony.

"Y/n-senpai!" Megumi called. You turned, placing your hands in your pockets.

"Oh, hey," you greeted back. The three of them ran a few feet behind you before turning. "What's uh, goin on--" The door to the balcony was ripped apart by branches, making a bridge. Hanami appeared.

"Oh, that's going on."

"Kuragari Kanzaki."
Your brow twitched.

"Oh, so you're starting on a bad foot too? Fine."

"I was told about you. You're a formiddable opponent."

"Good, maybe now you'll think twice and leave us the fuck alone."

"Not possible." Hanami appeared to your right, with every intention of punching you into the roof tiling. I can't tell if this one is dumb or brave. Both.

Ja ne!

{Ruby Red}