Temporary Partner

A few minutes later, the wounds on Satoru Gojo's face disappeared, restoring his delicate, endearing looks.

Masamichi Yaga's smile faded, and he said gravely, "Before class begins, there's something I need to tell the four of you."

The four exchanged glances, confusion filling their differently colored eyes.

Satoru Gojo raised his hand first and blurted out, "Sir, why do you look so serious? Are you getting married again?"

The other three immediately covered their mouths, struggling to hold back their laughter.

Few people had originally known that Masamichi Yaga was divorced, but thanks to Satoru Gojo broadcasting it at the top of his lungs, the entire school now knew.

Masamichi Yaga's face darkened. Humiliated and furious, he punched Satoru Gojo on the crown of his head, giving him a taste of his teacher's guidance.

His ex-wife had had little choice but to divorce him. After all, he only had eyes for his dolls, and Satoru Gojo never missed a chance to mock him over the divorce.

Even so, Masamichi Yaga still wanted to say, Dolls are the best!

"Hmph!"

Masamichi Yaga withdrew his fist with a snort. "What I'm about to discuss isn't about me. It's about Tsukasa."

About Tsukasa?

Everyone turned toward Tsukasa Hatayama in unison. Even Satoru Gojo, sporting a large lump on his head, gave him a puzzled look.

Tsukasa Hatayama spread his hands in bewilderment, indicating that he had no idea either.

"Don't look at Tsukasa. Right now, he's probably even more confused than you are."

Masamichi Yaga drew their attention back to him and said slowly, "Under orders from the higher-ups, Tsukasa will start taking missions tomorrow."

At those words, the classroom fell utterly silent.

After a few moments, Suguru Geto asked in confusion, "Aren't new students supposed to study for six months before taking missions?"

"Why does Tsukasa only get one month? Has Jujutsu High already run out of people to send?"

Masamichi Yaga shook his head. "New students do get six months to study, but Tsukasa is different from you. He entered the school as a Special Grade Sorcerer."

Even Satoru Gojo could only purse his lips in silence at that bombshell.

With Tsukasa's Dark Manipulation, he certainly had the potential to become Special Grade, but entering Jujutsu High at that rank was just too enviable!

He himself was only a Grade 2 Jujutsu Sorcerer. Comparing yourself to others really could drive you mad!

Suguru Geto was delighted at first, then turned a reproachful gaze on the close friend beside him.

"You kept that pretty well hidden. Were you going to keep it from me forever if our teacher hadn't said anything?"

Tsukasa Hatayama smiled wryly. "I wasn't hiding it from you. I thought you were Special Grade Sorcerers like me, so I didn't mention it."

Suguru Geto snapped, "Do you think Special Grades grow on trees? I'm only Grade 2 right now, and Shoko is Grade 4 at most!"

Shoko Ieiri rolled her eyes lazily, offended by Suguru Geto's words.

What's wrong with being Grade 4, anyway? Did a Grade 4 eat your food?

Without this Grade 4, Jujutsu High's support services would fall apart!

"That's enough, Geto."

Masamichi Yaga stopped him and said calmly, "Tsukasa will be taking missions early. You should know his strength better than anyone."

"From what I understand, the higher-ups have no choice but to send him out. For some unknown reason, large numbers of curses have appeared in several areas."

"The upperclassmen and this year's graduates are already overwhelmed trying to exorcise cursed spirits, and casualties are rising sharply."

"They have no choice but to deploy him."

He rested his gaze on Tsukasa Hatayama's face and asked with a faint smile, "If you don't want to do it, I can cover for you for six months."

Tsukasa Hatayama shook his head and declined. "There's no need, sir. I have faith in my strength. Besides, what kind of student hides behind his teacher?"

Masamichi Yaga smiled. "Although this is out of necessity, the higher-ups have assigned an upperclassman to guide you for a while."

Then he added meaningfully, "She's a beautiful young woman, and her hand-to-hand combat is better than mine. You can ask her for pointers."

"Can't they assign a guy instead?"

"Exactly! If his partner turns out to be Utahime, she might just hold Tsukasa back."

Before Tsukasa Hatayama could speak, Suguru Geto, who sat beside him, voiced his displeasure. Satoru Gojo was no happier, practically radiating jealousy.

The thought of their close friend, whom they spent every day with, suddenly teaming up with another woman soured both their moods.

We were here first! What gives her the right?

For a moment, both wanted to charge over to the higher-ups and reason with them, making them understand just how powerful friendship could be.

"Uh... well..."

The two left Masamichi Yaga speechless. He thought a man and a woman made a good team and could avoid unnecessary arguments between two men.

How could Tsukasa enjoy exorcising cursed spirits if I paired him with a guy?

After considering it, Masamichi Yaga gave each of them a punch to help them accept the arrangement wholeheartedly.

He had not intended to hit them, but these two really were far too unruly!

The next day.

A light drizzle fell as Tsukasa Hatayama walked to the school gates beneath a black umbrella. He looked around, searching for the temporary partner Yaga had mentioned.

Behind him, out of his line of sight, two figures in raincoats were spying on him.

"Satoru, what do we do if it's Utahime?"

Suguru Geto looked up uneasily at Satoru Gojo, who was draped over his back.

Satoru Gojo furrowed his white brows behind his sunglasses and said irritably, "What else? We beat Utahime up and send her packing!"

"Utahime's so weak. Wouldn't teaming her up with Tsukasa just make her dead weight?"

"But the higher-ups arranged this. Wouldn't doing that be a slap in their faces?"

Unlike Satoru Gojo, who was ready to roll up his sleeves and get straight to it, Suguru Geto had his reservations.

"The higher-ups?"

Satoru Gojo scoffed disdainfully and stuck out his tongue. "So what if we slap them in the face? They're a bunch of parasites hogging positions and doing nothing!"

"If they piss me off, I don't mind taking their heads off."

Suguru Geto nodded in agreement. Although he had never met the higher-ups, people at Jujutsu High had heard plenty about how they enjoyed the good life behind the scenes.

Still, being a good student, Suguru Geto reminded him, "Satoru, you can say that stuff to us, but don't say it elsewhere. You'll tarnish the Gojo Clan's reputation."

"I know, I know. How are you even more of a nag than my mom?"

Satoru Gojo reluctantly muttered his agreement, then resumed spying with Suguru Geto.

"What... are you two doing?"

As the two furtively watched, a sultry, puzzled voice suddenly came from behind them.

Suguru Geto stumbled in fright, then fled without a second thought, carrying Satoru Gojo on his back.

He already knew who Tsukasa's partner was. If he had heard correctly, the newcomer was Mei Mei, the strongest third-year student.

Behind them.

With a rectangular case strapped to her back and a black umbrella in hand, Mei Mei watched the two flee, then turned her gaze toward Tsukasa Hatayama, who was waiting outside the gates.

After a moment of silence, her red lips parted. "An enviable friendship. Sadly, it lacks the tangibility money brings, let alone the security."

With that, she walked slowly toward her temporary partner waiting outside the gates.