Meanwhile, in the girls' pair, Miwa Riona clearly had more on her mind.
Shoko Ieiri was not good at fighting, so she mostly strolled along, stopping here and there to take photos like an ordinary high school girl.
The pink-haired girl wore a sweet, gentle smile, and Shoko Ieiri thought she was at least better company than those two noisy guys.
But gradually, Shoko Ieiri noticed something was off.
This girl really liked bringing up Miwa Chisei.
"Are you close with Miss Qianxing, Ieiri?"
Shoko Ieiri did not give the question much thought and simply answered in an indifferent tone.
"We know each other, I guess. She's closer to Geto and Satoru."
At that, a hint of sympathy actually appeared in Miwa Riona's eyes, leaving Shoko Ieiri utterly baffled.
"You're the only girl among the second-years, Ieiri. You shouldn't be left out."
What an unpleasant thing to say.
"Oh, please. My life's been much quieter since Miwa showed up. I'm grateful she takes some of the heat off me."
A flicker of resentment passed through Miwa Riona's eyes at those words. High school girls ought to be interested in topics like how much attention they received. She had thought she would hear Shoko Ieiri complain, but instead, she was enjoying it.
Everyone at Jujutsu High was strange, after all. Miwa Riona had yet to grasp that truth.
"Then I misunderstood. Miss Qianxing is very free-spirited, and she's close with Gojo, too."
With a cigarette between her fingers, Shoko Ieiri leaned against a utility pole outside the convenience store and smiled at Miwa Riona.
"Close with him, too? I think you've got the wrong idea, Miwa."
"Besides, what does it matter to me whether they're close? Are you so bored you want to have some high school girl talk with me,