CHAPTER 21: BASEBALL BRAWL

With the chaos of the Hanami attack still fresh, the Goodwill Event had no choice but to be suspended—temporarily.

But Aoi Todo, fists still sore from battle and ego still burning with passion, marched right into the higher-ups' meeting and slapped the table. "Let us finish the event!"

The old men blinked. "Most of the students are injured."

Todo smirked. "Then let's not punch each other. Let's hit balls. How about baseball?"

The elders exchanged confused looks.

"…Fine."

And just like that—the Baseball Match between Tokyo and Kyoto began.

The field was packed. A makeshift cursed energy stadium had been summoned on school grounds, surrounded by spectral seats. Gojo sat in the Tokyo dugout, eating popcorn through Infinity. Utahime glared at him from across the field on Kyoto's side.

"Why are you playing?" Gojo called.

Utahime tied up her sleeves. "Baseball is my passion. You are my irritation."

"Oh? That's a lot of emotion for someone who can't hit!"

Gojo floated to the pitcher's mound with a smug grin. "Let me show you how Satoru Gojo pitches. Watch and learn."

First pitch. Fastball.

Strike one!

Utahime blinked. "That was—fast."

Second pitch.

Strike two!

Gojo grinned. "Careful now, Utahime. One more and you're out."

Her eye twitched.

Third pitch. Slower this time.

CRACK!

Home run.

Utahime dropped the bat and flipped her hair. "Too slow."

Gojo stared. "You cheated."

"Nope. You just suck."

In the audience, Ui Ui watched quietly beside Mei Mei. The younger brother looked at Gojo's exaggerated theatrics and whispered, "That man is old."

Gojo turned around mid-popcorn bite. "I heard that, kid."

"I won't give you a lollipop."

Ui Ui stared back. "I don't eat lollipops."

"Then what do you eat?!"

Mei Mei responded coolly. "Protein."

Gojo blinked. "What kind of little kid eats protein powder?"

Ui Ui shrugged. "I'm not like you."

Gojo slumped. "What happened to childhood?"

Back on the field, the match heated up. Nobara tried bunting and failed gloriously, swearing under her breath. Panda smacked a double and slid across first base like a pro. Maki, wrist still bandaged, threw wild pitches with terrifying strength.

And then came Itadori's turn.

Two outs. Final inning. Tie game.

Gojo, who had taken over the commentary mic from thin air, shouted, "Let's go, Itadori! If you lose this, I'm cutting your food rations!"

Itadori wiped sweat from his brow. "This is for Tokyo!"

The pitch came—fast and cursed.

BOOM.

Itadori hit a massive home run. The ball flew so far it disintegrated midair from cursed energy.

Gojo screamed and ran across the field, arms wide open like a deranged cheerleader. "THAT'S MY BOY!!!"

He pointed at Utahime. "We win! Who's the man?! I'm the man!!"

Utahime shoved her cap down, fuming.

"You didn't even play," she hissed.

"I play with hearts," Gojo winked.

She picked up the bat again.

Gojo yelped and fled with Infinity barely activated in time.

The stadium burst into laughter.

It wasn't about curses. It wasn't about violence.

For once—it was just fun.