"Since Yuta has joined us, we'll divide into these groups for this afternoon's jujutsu practice." Satoru Gojo took his hand off Okkotsu's shoulder. "Mai, you're with Panda."
Panda clenched a fist in front of his chest. "Let's do our best."
The corners of Mai's mouth curled up. She raised her right hand, spread her index and middle fingers into a V, and waved the peace sign beside her face.
"Of course."
Satoru Gojo's gaze moved from Mai's face to Inumaki's.
"Toge, you'll have to work a little harder." Satoru Gojo asked, "Are you okay being a group of one?"
Inumaki looked at Satoru Gojo and nodded.
"Salmon."
Satoru Gojo gave Inumaki a thumbs-up.
"Toge's always reliable."
Then he turned to Okkotsu.
"Yuta, you'll be with Maki."
For an instant, the air in the classroom seemed to freeze.
"Huh?" Maki's face fell, and she gritted her teeth.
Okkotsu stiffened slightly. His gaze shifted to Maki's face, where her unwillingness was written all over it.
"That sounded disgusted..."
Satoru Gojo ignored Maki's displeasure and clapped his hands.
"All right, everyone, let's go."
They left the classroom, sunlight streaming in through the corridor windows.
He quickened his pace and caught up with Maki.
"Um, well-"
"I... I look forward to working with you."
After saying that, Okkotsu instinctively lowered his head, feeling uneasy.
Maki didn't stop walking. She didn't even spare Okkotsu a glance.
"You must have been bullied before."
Okkotsu's eyes widened slightly. Those words pierced him like a bullet. His body went rigid, and the fingers hanging at his sides curled tighter.
Maki stopped and turned to face him.
"I guessed right, didn't I?"
Her gaze swept over his faintly trembling body.
"It's too obvious."
Her tone was icy.
"If I were them, I'd want to bully you too."
Another knife