Second day in Kyoto.
Woke up in the morning.
After a shower, Eiji was on his way to the restaurant when he saw Maki and Toge walking in the corridor.
"Where's Panda?" He asked casually.
"Kelp." Toge shook his head, and his words were still hard to understand.
"You also know Panda's appearance doesn't suit eating in public. If he just walks around, people will think there's someone in that costume, but it would be a different story if others see him eating."
Earlier, Toge came knocking on her room door and invited her to breakfast together. After that, the two went to Panda's room and invited him. However, Panda refused and would use the hotel's service to have food delivered to his room.
"I see."
Eiji understands Panda's issue, but there's nothing he can do.
Then the three of them headed to the restaurant.
Considering this is a five-star hotel, not many people eat in the restaurant. Anyway, the ratio of rich and poor people is unbalanced.
The food in the restaurant is served in a buffet style, so hotel guests can choose their favorite food.
With an empty plate in his hand, Eiji put shrimp, crab, abalone, and seafood as his breakfast menu.
Maki and Toge preferred Japanese cuisine like sushi.
After filling their plates, the three of them sat at an empty table and started eating.
"Ittadakimasu."
"Salmon."
While cupping their hands, Maki and Toge utter typical Japanese phrases before eating. Only Eiji doesn't do that; instead, he peels shrimp.
"Hm? Kamiki, you're not saying Ittadakimasu?"
"No, I'm not used to it."
"It's table manners. It's a form of respect for the food."
"Oh."
Seeing Eiji not caring and putting the shrimp in his mouth, Maki stopped lecturing him.
"Never mind, consider I didn't say anything."
Shaking her head, she also ate.
"It's delicious."
"Salmon."
Toge nodded in agreement with Maki's praise.
"Hey, does anyone know what kind of opponent we'll face?"
Feeling the silent atmosphere, Maki started a conversation.
"Fish Flakes." Toge shook his head as a sign of not knowing.
"What about you, Kamiki?"
She shifted her gaze to Eiji.
"I don't know. I'm not interested. Even if second or third-year students participate, it won't change that Jujutsu High Tokyo will win."
Eiji's tone is not arrogant or boastful, as if stating an undeniable truth.
Except for a few special individuals like his cousin, Master Tengen, Ryomen Sukuna, Kenjaku, and Mahoraga, not many people Eiji takes seriously.
"You sound confident, Kamiki. Be careful, or your arrogance will be your downfall. Don't underestimate others before knowing them."
"I'll remember your words."
No need for Maki to tell him this; Eiji always remains humble. At least in front of those stronger than him or when in another world without information.
"Do you really listen..."
Seeing no change in his expression, Maki doesn't know whether the other party accepted her advice or simply didn't care.
(Whatever, why should I care about a nonchalant guy like him? The most important thing is to become stronger and show the Zenin Family that I can be a Jujutsu Sorcerer!)
No longer caring about him, she wants to prove that her family will regret their mistreatment of her.
"Salmon roe."
Toge sighed because the two of them didn't argue.
...
After breakfast at the hotel, Eiji and the others didn't go out to play like yesterday but waited for their pick-up. Today is the School Goodwill Event's beginning. Their irresponsible homeroom teacher, Gojo Satoru, asked them to wait in front of the hotel at 8:30 AM because someone would take them to Jujutsu High Kyoto.
Similar to Jujutsu High Tokyo, the location of Jujutsu High Kyoto is hidden from public view, and its existence is highly confidential. Except for alumni, staff, teachers, and students, outsiders don't know the specific location of both Jujutsu High schools.
Moreover, even affiliated Jujutsu Sorcerers may not necessarily know its location. After all, among Jujutsu Sorcerers, there are both good and evil.
"Still not here?"
Looking at the time on her phone, Maki started to get impatient.
"Patience, Maki. Maybe the person got stuck in traffic. This is Kyoto; there are many tourists from Japan's regions. It's no wonder the traffic is heavy in the morning."
Panda tried to calm her down.
"Don't treat me like a troublemaker, Panda. I'm just a little annoyed."
"That's just your feeling."
Avoiding her sharp gaze, Panda shrugged.
*🚗*
A jeep stopped in front of the four of them.
From the driver's seat, a woman wearing traditional miko attire but with modern brown boots stepped out of the car and approached them.
The woman had long, dark purple hair flowing down her back, with some strands tied behind her head, thin eyebrows, brown eyes, and a scar on the right side of her face, marring her beautiful visage.
"Good morning, Utahime-san."
Stepping forward, Eiji greeted the other party without changing his cold expression.
Iori Utahime, a high school student from Kyoto, in the same year as Gojo Satoru, Geto Suguru, and Ieri Shoko. Just like Satoru, who became a teacher at Jujutsu High Tokyo, Utahime devoted herself as a teacher at Jujutsu High Kyoto.
She is a key figure who will buff Satoru up to 120% in the future battle against Sukuna.
Given Satoru and Utahime's relationship in high school, Eiji has known her since a young age, and she often brought him sweets from Kyoto as a gift. However, due to Utahime's busy schedule as a teacher, he rarely encounters her.
"Morning, Eiji. Long time no see. You've grown into a handsome young man."
Utahime observed him from top to bottom and gave a nod of appreciation.
'Eiji is not Gojo's illegitimate child, right? If I didn't know the not-so-far age difference, I'd really think that guy would have a child at a young age, considering his brash personality; it's not impossible.'
The more she observed, the more she felt the similarity between Eiji and Satoru.
"Utahime-san is also getting older; wrinkles are starting to show on your face."
Hearing her compliment, Eiji honestly conveyed his thoughts after observing the other party.
Six Eyes gave him extraordinary vision, so he could see age changes in Utahime.
*💢*
Veins bulged on Utahime's forehead, a forced smile, and her eyes glared sharply.
"It seems Gojo's bad habits have infected you after not seeing each other for a long time. Just your short words easily make people angry."
She doesn't understand why Satoru knows exactly how to press her buttons and make her mad in almost every exchange they have. Now, another person is added, and the worst part is that it's Satoru's cousin.
"...?"
Eiji doesn't understand her intention.
Isn't he just stating facts?
Why is the other party scolding him?
"Hurry, get into the car; I don't want to talk to you anymore."
Suppressing her anger, Utahime glanced at the Jujutsu High Tokyo student and returned to the driver's seat.
"You're really daring, Kamiki. Do you know, no woman likes to be called old? You've triggered three statements that shouldn't be stated to women."
Patting Eiji on the shoulder, Maki enjoyed watching his misfortune, then she got into the car.
"What are those three statements?"
Eiji turned to Panda and Toge.
"Ah, I've heard this. If I'm not mistaken, those statements are about age, weight... um, the last one, I don't know."
Panda scratched the back of his head and admitted he didn't know.
"Fish flakes." Toge shook his head.
"Never mind; it's not that important."
Quietly noting age and weight as forbidden questions to women, Eiji sat in the front seat, while Panda and Toge sat in the back.
"Use your seatbelt. It's going to be a 'little' fast."
Seeing everyone on board, Utahime reminded them, then stepped on the gas pedal.
The jeep sped on the highway at a speed approaching the maximum speed limit on the road.