Fujino stepped into Jujutsu High, rubbing her chin as she gave the little pink snake a peculiar look.

"Why are you staring at me with that sweet, dreamy gaze? Idiot!" the pink snake hissed in exasperation.

"I’ve thought of a nickname for you! Let’s call you ‘Pink-chan!’ Isn’t it cute?" Fujino batted her eyes flirtatiously at the snake, whose expression instantly froze.

"Oh, how happy I am—wait…"

"Who are you? A new student?"

"Never seen her before, Maki."

"Salmon roe, salmon roe."

Fujino stiffly turned her head and saw… three figures? No, two people and… a panda? One had green hair, the other white, and the last… a full-body coat of white fur?

"Idiot! Those are important characters—Zen’in Maki, Inumaki Toge, and Panda!" Pink-chan shook its head in disbelief.

Fujino seemed immune to the snake’s insults by now and replied slowly, "You really love the word ‘idiot,’ don’t you, Pink-chan?"

"What the heck is Pink-chan?! I may not be human, but I still have a gender! I’m male, okay? Male!"

Ignoring its protests, Fujino walked straight toward the group.

"Hello! I’m the beautiful and charming Jingyuan Fujino! Can you tell me where to find Master Yaga?"

"So, she’s definitely a newcomer," Panda muttered, scratching his head as he leaned closer to Fujino, gently tapping the sword on her back.

"You rely on cursed tools, huh?"

Fujino shook her head and replied, "Not entirely! I also rely on this!"

She pulled a white-backed card from her pocket and held it up in front of their curious eyes.

"Is this… card-based sorcery?" Maki asked, raising an eyebrow.

Fujino nodded and tucked the card away. Maki exchanged glances with Toge and Panda before saying, "Follow me."

"Of course~" Fujino quickly followed behind the trio as they walked off.

"You just showed your weapon to complete strangers. What if they turned against you and took it? Idiot!" Pink-chan hissed as it glanced back at the group, then at Fujino.

"Don’t be so dramatic, Pink-chan! Besides, didn’t you say they’re important characters?" Fujino waved dismissively.

Her nonchalance earned her another exaggerated eye roll from the snake, which ultimately gave up arguing and disappeared into her hair.

"Fujino’s sorcery must be pretty strong, huh?" Panda suddenly appeared beside her, catching her off guard.

Embarrassed, Fujino waved her hand. "Not really! Using the cards comes with a backlash, so I try not to rely on them."

"What kind of backlash?" Maki turned her head upon hearing this.

"Salmon roe, salmon roe!"

"It’s similar to how using powerful cursed energy drains stamina, but in my case, it’s a different trade-off. Instead of stamina, it consumes… my life force," Fujino explained nonchalantly.

Both Panda and Toge froze, their faces filled with shock.

"Life force?! That serious?!"

"Pickled mustard leaf!"

"Come on, it’s not a big deal if I don’t use them, right? Plus, I’ve got plenty of life to spare! No need to worry!" Fujino grinned carefreely.

"We’re here. Just go through this door," Maki said, pointing to the entrance behind her. Fujino nodded and pushed the door open.

Inside, Fujino spotted the man she had met before—Master Yaga. He seemed to be… making adorable stuffed dolls?

"How strange," she thought.

"Jingyuan Fujino?" Yaga Masamichi asked, looking at the girl before him. There was a faint hint of nostalgia in his gaze that Fujino couldn’t quite place.

"That’s me! Hello, Master Yaga," Fujino replied with enthusiasm, her lively personality tempered by an appropriate level of respect.

Yaga seemed pleased and nodded. "Very polite. Good."

"Now then… why do you want to join Jujutsu High?"

Fujino paused, rubbing her chin thoughtfully before answering, "To get rid of all those things."

The room fell silent.

Did she say something wrong?