The training was moderately hard. Or rather, Haruto was sure to make it hard for you. The three months were almost over, only a week until you come back to Tokyo with the others, who probably started their training for the event a month ago.

You heard from Haruto that the third-years were suspended, therefore they wouldn't be able to attend the exchange event. The reason was not mentioned by Haruto, but you decided not to pry over the topic when you saw the distasteful look on his face as he mentioned their suspension to you. You just felt lucky that you'd be able to join, seeing that the third-years would most definitely miss the event.

But then, how would Tokyo survive with just second-year contenders? You hoped that there would be a replacement, and perhaps Megumi could join in. But you knew that they probably already found a solution to that problem.

Over the course of two months and three weeks that you were held at the clan estate, you admittedly learned a handful of new things.

During the first month, you were taught to practice your speed by going on sparring sessions with Haruto. He was good, not to mention extremely fast and versatile, it was evident that he wasn't hailed a first-grade for nothing.

Like your training days with Maki, you stood no chance against Haruto, who was physically almost as fast as Maki, but with the aid of his cursed energy, he can enhance his speed. You usually just ended up tiring yourself from running around and trying your best to cope with his speedy set of movements, only to be outrun and hit back many times, and you thought it to be almost useless and a waste of energy. If the two of you would go on hours of a match of violent tag filled with attacking and defense, only for the same outcome of you losing your breath with a shaky tired body, what was the point?

"When you'll have to go face to face with a curse, or when you'll need to use your speed in the exchange event, trust me you'll see the point of what we're doing. It's not like I enjoy chasing a turtle for hours on end." He replied lazily when you asked.

Since he was focused on training your speed, another exercise he would let you do is to run on thick mud, which was set up almost like a mud relay or race of some sort. You could not express how much you loathe this training. Not only was it difficult to run half-sunken on thick mud (and it wasn't even running, it was almost like trying to walk inside a pool filled with water, the difference is the heavy weight you have to resist), but it was also a very disgusting experience to have mud all over your face, body, while your clothes were dirtied beyond recognition.

During the second month, he taught you how to wield a pole.

"You're really, extremely, naturally, terrible at this." he always remarked.

Yes, you get it. Wielding a polearm wasn't your thing, nor did you really want to master wielding it anyway. But since he insisted for that same reason as well, you would have to learn anyway.

And when the third month started, which was almost three weeks from today, Haruto introduced you to a Kyoto student.

________________________

It surprised you how strikingly similar Kyoto Jujutsu High is from the one in Tokyo. Though there are a few differences, the design was almost exactly the same, which sometimes made you wonder if you were really in Kyoto.

"This is Kamo Noritoshi. Kamo-kun, this is Hitomi [y/n]." Once he said that, both you and Kamo looked at him with a confused look. Well, you guessed it was part of the agreement that you were officially a Hitomi now, but you couldn't get used to it.

"Er... [y/n] is fine, Kamo-san. Pleased to meet you." You bowed a little.

"Pleased to meet you too, [y/n]." He returned the gesture and bowed.

Once you finished with introductions, Haruto spoke again. "So as I requested last week, would it be okay for you to train [y/n] in archery? She could use some advice from someone as skillful as you, Kamo-kun." Haruto smiled a little, but it almost felt as if his tone was raised a little, pressing that he agree to be your mentor in archery.

"I'll agree to it, Hitomi-senpai, but only once a week. You must know how busy we third and second years are with all the preparation for the exchange event." Kamo replied, to which Haruto nodded in agreement.

"Yes of course. Once a week is already much generous."

So for three sessions, you would go to Kyoto to meet with Kamo, while he would teach you a thing or two about archery.

You wondered why he agreed to train you. Were he and Haruto close friends? You didn't see the reason as to why he would agree to train you even once a week, especially since he knew that you'd probably be facing each other on the battlefield for the exchange event.

"Why did you agree, Kamo-san?" you once asked during the first session, taking an arrow from your holder, while placing it on the arrow rest while aiming with utmost concentration.

"It was requested by Haruto-senpai, so I couldn't refuse." He briefly replied.

"Is that it?" You pressed on before releasing the arrow that was skillfully shot at the very center of the practice target.

"I was also interested in seeing the future head of the Hitomi clan. Although your clan is not part of the special three, I must applaud the Hitomi for acting almost as useful to the Jujutsu society as the top three. If only they were a little more powerful, they could step up to our ranks. Nonetheless, as a future clan head myself, I must remain on good terms with other clan heads. And seeing you would be the future one for the Hitomi clan, we should come on terms of fellowship."

You hummed in response, seeing he had a valid point. But you knew something was off.

"You're disappointed, aren't you, Kamo-san?" You asked, firing another shot towards your target, while he stopped in slight shock as he looked at you.

He let out a small chuckle.

"You're quite perceptive, aren't you?" He sighed, preparing to fire an arrow himself.

"I admire Haruto-senpai. He's someone absolutely worthy of inheriting the clan, seeing his passion to make sure he does only the best for the clan. So I was a little disappointed to know you would replace him just like that. But not to fret, I understand the reason why. And it's fine with me since I shouldn't be meddling with the Hitomi clan's business. I also see myself a little in you, so I sincerely do want to form a sort of fellowship between us." He replied.

You only hummed in response. He did look like the type to take his clan inheritance seriously.

____________________

And finally, after about three months of that routine, it was finally almost time to go back to Tokyo— your home.

In a week, you'd finally be able to see your friends again, and this time, you'd come back more prepared than ever.

Ah yes, you were reminded of the scolding you'd have to go through once Gojo sees you. Only a week until then, and you're admittedly very excited (and nervous) to go back.