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Dawn was just breaking over the Kyoto campus, tinting the traditional roof tiles with an orange light. The air was fresh, almost sharp, and a light mist still clung to the centuries-old trees lining the pathways. The morning silence was shattered by the sound of an ancient bell, resonating three times through the buildings.
The tournament was about to begin.
In the main hall, the teams were gathering. The Tokyo students stood on one side. On the other, the Kyoto team seemed more... motley.
Ryosuke observed his teammates out of the corner of his eye.
Six against nine. The numbers were in their favor, but numbers didn't tell the whole story. Not in this world.
Aoi Todo stood before him, arms crossed over his massive chest, a predatory smile on his lips. Beside him, Momo Nishimiya nervously adjusted her broom, her blonde hair tied in two pigtails. Noritoshi Kamo stood slightly apart, ramrod straight, his bow already secured on his back. Then there were the two third-years: Takuma Ino, a boy with an open face who wore a ski mask pushed up on his forehead, and Takeshi Fujiko, more discreet, constantly adjusting his glasses.
Todo suddenly burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Did you see their faces?" He pointed a finger at the Tokyo team. "They know they're gonna get slaughtered!"
Kamo frowned. "Todo, a little restraint."
"Restraint?" Todo turned to him, his smile widening even further. "Why? We're gonna crush them anyway!" He gave Ryosuke a big slap on the back, which Ryosuke instinctively dodged. "Right, Ryosuke? You and me, we'll knock 'em all out and go straight to the final day!"
Ryosuke remained silent, offering only a slight, lopsided smile. He felt the others' eyes on him. Yuta Okkotsu's gaze, in particular, weighed heavily. The black-haired boy was staring at him with a disturbing intensity, his hand resting on the scabbard of his katana.
Kamo cleared his throat, drawing attention back to himself.
"First things first, we need to elect a team leader."
Todo shrugged. "It's obvious, isn't it?" He thumped his chest. "Either me or Ryosuke. We're the strongest."
Momo rolled her eyes. "You're as subtle as ever, Todo."
"Subtle?" Todo laughed again. "Why be subtle when you have strength?"
Ryosuke felt all eyes converge on him. He shifted his weight slightly from one foot to the other, uncomfortable. It wasn't that he refused the responsibility – he'd seen worse. But something about this situation put him on edge. Perhaps it was Gakuganji's gaze, which he could feel weighing on the back of his neck from the stands.
Momo noticed his discomfort. She approached, gently placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Ryosuke. We're used to his temper." She shot an exasperated look at Todo. "By now..."
Ino, the first third-year, sighed loudly. He raised a hand casually.
"Listen, Todo. Do what you want, okay? We'll... think on our own over here."
Nitta, the other third-year, adjusted his glasses before turning to Ryosuke. His gaze was piercing, analytical.
"And you, Ryosuke? Are you following Todo in his... strategy?"
Todo tried to slap Ryosuke's shoulder again in a gesture of camaraderie, but the boy dodged with natural fluidity, moving slightly to the side. His smile widened imperceptibly.
"I prefer to... do my own thing."
Silence fell for a split second. Todo burst out laughing, apparently delighted by this response.
"Haha! You're really something else!"
Kamo shook his head, looking resigned. "So, no real coordinated strategy. Perfect."
Ino watched the two powerhouses of their team already mentally distancing themselves from the group. He sighed again, more deeply this time.
"Let's just hope Tokyo isn't better organized than we are..."
***
On the other side of the hall, the Tokyo team presented a striking contrast.
Kinji Hakari, with his blond hair and casual demeanor, stood at the front. Beside him, Kirara Hoshi, with an androgynous style and glittering stars in their hair, observed the Kyoto team with a detached air.
Behind them, the four second-year students formed a more cohesive block.
Hakari yawned ostentatiously, stretching his arms above his head.
"This is boring, honestly."
Kirara gave him a sidelong glance. "The principal said we couldn't boycott like last year."
"I know, I know." Hakari clicked his tongue. "But especially this year..." A predatory smile stretched his lips. "There's an interesting stake."
He turned to the second-years, sizing them up.
"So, kids? Your impressions?"
Panda was the first to answer, crossing his furry paws.
"We fought that Ryosuke when he was posing as Geto." His voice was deeper than one might expect. "I guess he has a technique that lets him take on the appearance and abilities of others."
Maki nodded, adjusting her glasses. "Mr. Gojo said he also has a technique that lets him transmute matter. Or something like that." She gripped the shaft of her spear. "It's vague, but dangerous."
Hakari whistled softly. "It's gonna be tight, then." He scratched the back of his neck. "And apparently, the other Kyoto students aren't really in his camp. That's what I heard."
Yuta took a step forward, his hand tightening on the scabbard of his katana. His gaze was fixed on Ryosuke, across the hall.
"I'll handle Ryosuke. You take care of the others."
A silence fell.
Then Hakari burst out laughing, a sincere, amused laugh.
"You've got guts, kid! I like it!" He gave Yuta a slap on the back. "But don't overthink it. It's the upperclassmen's job to bear the burdens, you get it?"
Kirara interjected, their voice slightly drawling.
"Hakari is just after the secret bounty on Ryosuke's head."
Hakari's smile froze for a fraction of a second. His eyes narrowed.
"It's decided. I'm handling this Ryosuke. You guys manage the rest."
Yuta made a move to protest, but Maki stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Let it go."
"But—"
"Let it go," she repeated, more firmly. Her gaze was hard but not without understanding. "The upperclassmen have their pride. And Hakari..." She sighed. "He has his own reasons."
Toge placed a reassuring hand on Yuta's other shoulder.
"Bonite." ("She's right.")
Yuta clenched his fists, his gaze still fixed on Ryosuke's figure in the distance.
Panda approached, placing a large paw on his head.
"Hey, don't worry. If Hakari messes up, you can always step in."
"Salmon," Toge added with a nod.
Yuta relaxed his fists slightly. "Yeah..."