Utahime charged across the courtyard like accumulated rage given form.
Every person with survival instincts moved out of the way immediately.
Yuji vaulted a bench.
Panda rolled behind a tree.
Hakari grabbed Kirara and dove sideways.
Both Gojos abandoned each other mid-laugh and fled in opposite directions.
Takeru stood his ground.
Watching her approach.
Calm.
Too calm.
"…You're dead!" Utahime shouted.
"…Strong opener," Takeru replied.
She swung.
Fast.
Sharp.
Actually dangerous.
Takeru leaned back just enough to avoid it.
Pivoted.
Then with almost casual precision—
his heel flicked upward.
A light scorpion kick.
Just enough force to pop her off balance.
Tap—WHUMP.
Utahime landed seated in the snow-dusted grass.
Not hurt.
Just stunned.
Hair more ruined than before.
Pride critically damaged.
The courtyard went silent.
Everyone watching.
Takeru slowly bent down at the waist.
Hands on knees.
Face level with hers.
Peering like he was checking on a child after a fall.
"…Utahime?"
A beat.
He tilted his head.
"…You crying?"
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Young Nanami covered his face.
"…He chose death."
Higuruma whispered:
"…No defense possible."
Shoko nearly dropped her coffee laughing.
One of the Gojos shouted from a safe distance:
"…HE CAN'T KEEP GETTING AWAY WITH THIS!"
The other replied:
"…I HOPE HE DOES!"
Utahime's eye twitched.
Then both eyes.
Then the vein on her forehead.
"…I…"
She stood slowly.
Snow falling off her clothes.
"…AM GOING…"
She cracked her knuckles.
"…TO KILL YOU."
Takeru straightened immediately.
"…Ah."
Then pointed behind her.
"…Look, Mei Mei!"
Utahime did not turn.
"…That trick was bad."
"…Worth trying."
She lunged.
Takeru ran instantly.
"…DEJA VU!"
The chase resumed at full speed.
Everyone scattered again.
Takaba was commentating into a microphone.
Ryu rated the exchange an "8.5 flavor burst."
Kashimo looked entertained for the first time all morning.
And across Jujutsu High—
peace remained impossible.