"Run!"
Hanami turned, pushed off the ground, and shot deeper into the forest in a blur.
But someone was faster than her.
A figure walked out from the edge of the forest, both hands in his pockets.
Satoru Gojo, the street loafer.
"Yo."
He tilted his head, looking at Hanami.
"Why are you running?"
Hanami slammed to a stop, her body leaning backward as she looked at Satoru Gojo.
Then she turned her head and glanced at the man with long, silvery-white hair behind her.
Caught between them.
"Kugisaki!"
Itadori's shout came from behind, filled with irrepressible excitement.
"Gojo-sensei's here!"
Nobara Kugisaki gripped her nails, grinned from ear to ear, and jumped up with a shout.
"Gojo-sensei! Over here, over here!"
Seeing her idol, Kasumi Miwa joined in the shouting.
"Gojo-sensei's here!"
Satoru Gojo turned toward the students, raised his right hand, and lightly tapped his joined index and middle fingers against his temple in a casual salute.
"Hi."
"Miss me?"
Maki Zenin pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Sensei, could you be serious for once?"
"Nope."
Satoru Gojo put his hand back in his pocket and looked at Hanami again. Light slowly swirled in his azure eyes, cold and utterly unlike the smile on his lips.
"Yo! Weed, we meet again."
"Gojo..."
"Your luck doesn't seem too good today, though."
Hanami said nothing.
She backed away, but Wangchuan was behind her. The man with long, silvery-white hair stood there, watching her without any expression.
"Satoru Gojo in front, Wangchuan behind."
"..."
Satoru Gojo thought for a moment.
"You're dead whichever one you choose."
"But I'd suggest Wangchuan."
"Why?"
Satoru Gojo smiled.
"Because he's quicker."
Hanami's pupils contracted.
Satoru Gojo stepped forward and raised his foot. His black boot gleamed in the sunlight before he lashed out with a kick.