"Hashimoto Masayoshi" "X"

"Ring, ring, ring."

The bell signaling the end of class rang, and it was already lunch break. Although the morning's events had been a bit unpleasant, the thought of the afternoon swimming class had most people excited.

Watching the flood of classmates rushing out to the cafeteria or other places, Gojo Satoru pulled out the large stash of sweets he had prepared earlier.

"Huh? Gojo-kun, you're not going to the cafeteria?"

Looking at his first friend, Ayanokoji felt a bit puzzled. Could eating only sweets really provide enough nutrition?

"Mm-hmm, for me, sweets are enough for lunch. But don't worry, I won't forget about the points I owe you!"

"Ouch!"

Rubbing his side, which had taken another hit, he helplessly watched Horikita Suzune walk away.

'She did that on purpose, didn't she!? She only said that after seeing Horikita walk by, even though I didn't even ask.'

Turning back to glance at Gojo, whose face was full of mischievous glee, he spoke with a hint of bitterness.

"Well, I'm off to the cafeteria. I really hope Gojo-kun won't keep tattling on me in front of Horikita-san."

"Sure, go ahead. I just let that slip by accident, no need to worry!"

'As if I'd believe that.'

Without replying, he walked straight out of the classroom.

"Gojo-kun, could we exchange contact info? And thanks for today!"

Seeing that Gojo was finally alone, Sakura Airi timidly stepped forward and asked.

"Sure, but I won't reply to messages."

'Does he hate me?'

Watching Sakura Airi's spirits sink.

Afraid she might misunderstand, he quickly added an explanation.

"I just don't like looking at my phone. No other meaning."

"Okay! Gojo-kun, I look forward to working with you!"

Sakura Airi beamed, clutching her phone as she walked out of the classroom. Seeing this, Hasebe Haruka followed after her.

"Ahh... I forgot to bring a bottle of water again."

Walking toward the vending machine, Gojo Satoru felt a bit annoyed.

He'd already experienced that parched feeling last time, and yet he still hadn't learned his lesson.

Suddenly, he stopped at a corner, because the Six Eyes' perception had already detected someone coming around the bend. If he kept walking now, he'd definitely collide with them.

"Ah!"

"Bam!!"

"Hey, what's your deal?"

Blocking the girl's straight punch with his right palm, Gojo looked at her with confusion.

Even though Ibuki Mio was assertive and passionate about martial arts, she wouldn't just attack anyone on sight.

"So hard!"

Ibuki didn't answer. Instead, she quickly pulled back her right hand and kept blowing on her reddened knuckles.

As if relieved, she lowered her hand and glared angrily at Gojo, snapping, "Who told you to scare me on purpose, you jerk?!"

????

Gojo was full of question marks.

Scare her? Did he?

"Are you serious?"

"What else?! A big guy like you, wearing an eyepatch, hiding behind a corner—anyone would be startled seeing that all of a sudden! Or are you just that clueless?!"

Hearing her explanation, Gojo finally understood.

That was probably true. Though he was used to it, his appearance was still a bit strange to ordinary people. And at 185 cm, he towered over Ibuki, who was only 159 cm.

Imagine walking along and suddenly encountering someone much taller and weirder-looking than you right in front of you—it really would be frightening.

He'd only thought about avoiding a collision, but forgot that he might scare someone. Next time, he should just go around or step back a few paces.

But that explained it. Compared to an average girl, it made sense that the assertive Ibuki would instinctively attack after being startled.

"Sorry, sorry. I was thinking about something and stopped for a moment. I really am sorry for scaring you."

Realizing his mistake, Gojo smiled and apologized, then walked around her to leave. After all, having a dry mouth was just too uncomfortable.

But after just two steps, he sensed an attack coming from behind. He tilted his head slightly to dodge a fist, then turned to evade a straight kick, followed by his right hand slapping away a hook punch aimed at his stomach.

After doing all that, he leaped backward lightly to create distance.

With a face full of confusion, he asked, "I already apologized, didn't I? Classmate."

"Just as I thought, you're really strong! I knew something was off from the moment you blocked my fist. You're not like that lunatic Ryuen—you're a technical fighter!"

When his attack was first blocked, he was shocked by the abnormally hard palm. Then there was the defensive speed—he thought it was just a natural reflex from intense training, like his own instinctive attacks.

But after that probing exchange, it was clear the other party wasn't just physically strong; his technique was impressive too.

Even attacks from behind were reacted to instantly, each dodge minimal in movement. And when the final hook punch was casually deflected, he felt it—Force Nullification!

That large body jumping backward without making a sound!

This was the first time Ibuki had encountered such an expert, where physical ability and technique were perfectly aligned.

"Just because of that? What if I was weak? And the school rules clearly state that campus violence isn't allowed."

"With a body like yours, you don't look weak! Do you take me for an idiot? And my instincts are pretty sharp!"

Ibuki shot back with a look that said "are you stupid," sidestepping the sensitive topic of school rules.

"Yeah, yeah, you're right about everything. But I'm in a hurry, so I'm off!"

He waved with a smile and left directly.

"Hey, what's your name?!"

"Class A, first year, Hashimoto Masayoshi. Remember it well!"

He didn't look back, just shouted it out.

'Hashimoto Masayoshi from Class A, huh? I'll remember that.'

"Haah~, fully revived!"

After downing a high-sugar drink, Gojo Satoru let out a satisfied sigh.

Then he walked over to a big tree, sat down with his back against it, and enjoyed the warmth of nature.

A few minutes passed.

"Excuse me, can I sit next to you?"

A girl holding a book came to Gojo's right side and asked softly.

Without turning his head, he replied calmly, "Sure, go ahead."

Hearing his agreement, the girl sat down on his right, about one body-length away, and quietly read her book.

Neither of them spoke the whole time, until it was almost time for class. The girl finally emerged from the world of books.

She stood up, holding the book in her right hand, and used her left to pat down the skirt she'd been sitting on. Politely, she began to introduce herself, "I'm Shiina Hiyori from Class C, first year. What's your name, classmate?"

Hearing the question, Gojo didn't answer right away. Instead, he stood up, stretched, then glanced at the girl and replied with a smile, "X."

"Huh?"

Shiina Hiyori was stunned by the incomprehensible answer.

But Gojo ignored her reaction and looked at the book in her hands—The Devotion of Suspect X.

Noticing his gaze, Shiina Hiyori snapped out of it and asked excitedly, "Do you like reading too, classmate? And mystery novels at that! Same here! But why answer with 'X'? Could you be a math genius?!..."

A torrent of questions poured from Shiina Hiyori's mouth, as if she'd found a kindred spirit and couldn't stop.

"Alright, alright, let me interrupt."

"Ah! O-okay, sorry! There's no one in my class who shares my hobbies, so meeting you made me really happy, and I got carried away!"

Seeing that Shiina had finally stopped, Gojo answered, "I'm not just a math genius, you know! And that's not the point!"

"Then what is the point? In the book, X is clearly a math genius."

"Because I'd also devote myself to a beautiful mother and daughter!"

Watching Gojo say something so shameless with a completely serious face, Shiina Hiyori stood frozen in place.

"Hahaha~, you're so funny, classmate! Hahaha~"

Once she came to her senses, Shiina Hiyori couldn't stop laughing. She couldn't believe the young man in front of her called himself "X" for that reason.

By then, Gojo had already left. Watching the direction he went, Shiina Hiyori murmured softly, "Then I'll just have to investigate your identity like a detective!"