Amusement Park

Finally, after emerging from the Haunted House, with no more darkness to shield her, Mori Nening finally let go of her tightly wrapped arms.

Her face flushed red as she lowered her head, not daring to meet his gaze.

Gojo Satoru sat on a bench drinking orange juice, and Mori Nening did the same.

Most passing students couldn't help but glance at the pair—or rather, at Gojo Satoru.

The school wasn't short on handsome guys or pretty girls, but someone as tall, imposing, and strikingly good-looking as Gojo Satoru was rare.

Just then, a student, encouraged by her friends, shyly walked over.

"Hi!"

But Mori Nening wasn't happy about it. Her eyes turned dangerous, and she crushed the empty cup in her hand.

"Can I help you?"

Gojo Satoru leaned back on the bench, crossing his legs and draping one arm over the backrest, like a delinquent asking the question.

Probably because it was her first time asking for contact info, and only after being pushed by her friends, the girl blushed deeply and stammered, "Um... could you give me..."

"Nope!"

Before she could finish, Mori Nening cut in angrily.

As if staking her claim, she wrapped both arms around Gojo Satoru's, pressing her chest against him, glaring at the girl, and spoke again with a smile, "Can't you see he already has a girlfriend?"

"I'm so sorry!"

The girl bowed once and immediately ran off, looking utterly dejected.

The two of them had left so much space between them at first that she thought they just happened to share a bench—she never expected this.

She returned to her friends, who comforted her as they quietly left.

"Hmph! Gojo-kun's appeal is way too high. I was sitting right next to you, and she still came over to ask for your contact info."

She didn't let go of his arm, still a little angry.

But Gojo Satoru didn't reply. He just kept smiling, quietly watching her.

Noticing he was staring at her, Mori Nening finally snapped out of it and quickly let go.

She pulled away, waving her hands up and down frantically as she stammered, "No... it's not like that... I just... I just..."

Her words trailed off, and she placed her hands on her thighs as she sat up straight, her face bright red. She couldn't look at Gojo Satoru anymore, staring instead at her own hands.

Seeing her like this, if she hadn't just been clinging to him, Gojo Satoru might have thought she was a proper, well-behaved girl.

"Phew!"

Sitting at a table in front of a drink shop, Mori Nening took a gulp of juice and let out a heavy sigh.

"I'm so tired, but it was fun! Still, why isn't Gojo-kun tired at all?"

After the Haunted House, they'd hit up tons of rides in the amusement park—the Roller Coaster, the giant pendulum swing, everything.

But he seemed completely unchanged, while she was utterly exhausted.

She'd also shifted from her initial shyness, slowly easing into the role of girlfriend.

Gojo Satoru, sitting across from her, didn't seem bothered. Hearing her question, he just smiled and replied, "Why would I get tired when I'm having fun with someone I like?"

"Whoa!"

As expected, it was no use!

Even if she could relax normally, the moment he looked at her or teased her, she couldn't keep her cool!

That face was just too unfair!

"Gojo-kun seems really good at making girls happy. Is that why you managed to have two girlfriends?"

"That's only part of it. When you're with someone you like, there's a lot to consider. If you only have one thing going for you, it's bound to fall apart."

Asked like that, he couldn't help but feel a little reflective.

Bang!

He caught a water bottle flying from behind.

Mori Nening jumped at the sudden commotion. Just as she looked past Gojo Satoru, she saw a short-haired girl running over.

Hearing the footsteps, Gojo Satoru's smile faded, and a helpless expression crept onto his face.

"If possible, I really wish you'd stop with the surprise attacks every time."

But the instigator didn't seem to care, explaining with a grin instead.

"Tch~

It's not like anything would happen to you anyway. You can always react in time."

Hearing Ibuki Mio's annoying voice, Gojo Satoru warned her.

"Next time I'll just not dodge, take the hit, and report you directly."

But instead of backing down, she only laughed harder and shamelessly said.

"That'd be great. This level of damage just costs a few points anyway. If I could actually land a hit on you, I'd be thrilled."

"How strong is your obsession with this, anyway?"

He hadn't expected her to say that. Sure enough, every half-baked martial arts nut had a screw loose.

"Who told you to keep dodging me! You promised a one-on-one fight!"

"I never agreed to that. And tomorrow's the Midterm Exam—are your grades fine? You're out here at an amusement park."

As far as he remembered, she was in the average-grade bracket too. With time this tight, she still had leisure to play around.

"Don't worry about me, I'm pretty amazing.

But you're such a jerk, aren't you? You've already bagged another girl!"

Staring at Mori Nening sitting across from Gojo Satoru, Ibuki Mio couldn't hold back. What was so great about this bastard anyway?

Just a decent face, good grades, off-the-charts physical ability...

Wait... that actually sounds pretty good!

No, no!

Even if he's good, he's still a jerk!

Mori Nening's expression shifted when she was called out. The other girl seemed to be Gojo's friend. She was about to explain, but Gojo Satoru pressed a hand on her shoulder.

"That's a rude thing to say. We're true love, you know."

Coming up behind Mori Nening, Gojo Satoru said it with a full smile.

And because of those words, Mori Nening lowered her head, a blush creeping across her face again.

But his words didn't win Ibuki over.

"Tch, you call that true love?

Anyway, you're free now, right?

Come with me to the Karate Club. If we fight there with witnesses, it won't count as school violence."

'How thoughtful of her.'

Nice idea, but his schedule was already packed. After resting a bit, he'd be back to having fun.

"Nope. Which eye of yours sees me as free?

I've got a girlfriend to hang out with—why would I go fight you?"

Hearing that, Ibuki was left speechless.

He wouldn't leave, and she couldn't force him. She talked big about not caring about punishment, but that was just hot air.

But after a moment's thought, she quickly said.

"Then I'll just tag along with you guys!

I'll be a third wheel if I have to. No one's having a good time!"

Faced with such shameless talk, both Gojo Satoru and Mori Nening were at a loss.

What kind of girl acts like this?

Still, to enjoy their outing in peace, he tossed her a fake promise.

"Fine. We'll spar after the exam. I'm really busy right now."

"And who says you're not messing with me again this time?"

Ibuki Mio wasn't about to trust him again. Nine out of ten of his words were lies. Since they couldn't fight, she might as well annoy him.

But Gojo Satoru's next words actually made her believe him.

"If I don't spar with you after the Midterm Exam, I'll break up with her."

He patted Mori Nening's shoulder as he said it.

Catching on, Mori Nening nodded. Reluctant as she was, the outcome wouldn't change either way.

After all, that had been the agreement from the start.

In that case, I might as well have fun today—it'd be a waste if I got interrupted.

Seeing Mori Nening nod as well, Ibuki Mio found it hard to argue, but she still left a harsh parting shot.

"You really are a scumbag, joking about something like this.

But remember this! After the exam, when I come find you, don't you dare back out!"

After saying that, she shot Gojo Satoru a fierce glare before finally leaving.