The following evening, orange sunset light spilled over the rooftops of the old residential neighborhood. Qingxiao and Satoru Gojo parked their car at the entrance to an alley.
The Grade 2 Jujutsu Sorcerer Jujutsu Society had sent to make contact the day before had been badly injured by Rika and rushed back to Jujutsu High's Medical Room overnight. Only Shoko's Reverse Cursed Technique had kept him alive.
"You go talk to him later. I'll wait off to the side."
Satoru Gojo held a strawberry lollipop between his teeth and spun his sunglasses around one finger. "I don't want my brand-new uniform getting scratched up."
"Cut it out." Qingxiao pushed open the car door, the evening breeze lifting the hem of his white shirt slightly.
"If the people the higher-ups sent had any sense, things wouldn't have gotten this bad.
"They gave Shoko extra work for nothing. She's barely gotten any sleep on her night shifts these past two days."
A boy in a school uniform huddled at the foot of the wall by the alley entrance. It was Yuta Okkotsu.
The residents passing nearby deliberately gave him a wide berth, whispering about yesterday's strange events.
At the sound of footsteps, he jerked his head up. Seeing Qingxiao approach, he instinctively shrank back.
"Yuta Okkotsu?" Qingxiao stopped in front of him, his tone calm.
"I'm Guyue Qingxiao, a teacher at Jujutsu High. I'm here to take you to school today."
Okkotsu hurriedly stood and bowed, his voice trembling.
"I-I'm sorry! The person yesterday... I didn't mean to. I'll keep Rika under control. You don't have to-"
"I'm not blaming you." Qingxiao cut him off, his gaze passing over the cursed energy faintly churning beside him without lingering.
"Let's talk in the car. Stay here too long and you'll scare the ordinary