He thought for a moment and added, "Of course, I'll pay you overtime. How about calculating it as a Special Grade Mission?"
Tu Bai's mind was in a mess.
His identity had been exposed, with his secrets in someone else's hands, he had no choice. But the conditions Gojo Satoru had laid out.. weren't harsh. One could even call them preferential treatment. Cooperating with the research would yield high compensation, he could continue to team up with the strongest, which actually offered a higher safety margin.
That was on the condition that Gojo Satoru would actually keep the secret.
Why?" Tu Bai heard himself ask. "Why is Senior helping me keep this a secret?
Gojo Satoru blinked.
Because it's interesting," he said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "A rabbit sneaking into the Jujutsu World and even making it to Grade 1—how much fun is that? Besides, your Cursed Technique really is useful; I wasn't lying to you today. If I analyze your Demon Power, I might actually be able to come up with something new.
He patted Tu Bai's shoulder.
Don't be so nervous. It's not like I'm going to eat a rabbit.
Having said that, he turned and walked toward the building. After a few steps, he looked back: "Next Wednesday, Jujutsu High Training Ground, two o'clock in the afternoon. Don't be late."
He waved a hand and entered the building.
Tu Bai stood in place, the shadow of the Pine Tree falling upon him. He slowly slid down to the ground, leaning his back against the trunk, raised his hand to cover his face.
His ears were still burning.
He touched the base of his ear, the contour of the cartilage beneath his skin more prominent than usual. If this continued, his ears would truly start to burn.
The phone vibrated.
Tu Bai pulled it out to check; it was a message from Gojo Satoru.
[I forgot to mention, I've finished filling out the research application and already submitted it. I signed your copy for you, no need to thank me~]
A photo was attached at the end, which was a scanned copy of the application form. In the applicant's signature column, the three characters for "Gojo Satoru" were signed in a wild, flowing script. In the research subject's signature column.. it was also the two characters for "Tu Bai," and the handwriting was seventy percent identical to the original.
Tu Bai stared at the screen, unsure whether to be angry or to laugh.
Another message came in.
【Oh, by the way, are your ears burning right now? I suggest applying a cold towel. Remember to control your emotions next time, little bunny~】
Tu Bai shoved his phone back into his pocket.
He sat there for ten minutes, waiting for the burning sensation in his ears to slowly subside. Then he stood up, brushed the dust off his pants, walked out of the Jujutsu Headquarters Courtyard.
Outside, the streets were bustling with heavy traffic, the sunlight was beautiful.
Tu Bai stood by the roadside and gave his elder brother a call.
The phone rang three times before the call was connected.
Hello, Er Bao?" Tu Bao's voice came through, with some background noise that sounded like a cafe, "What's up? Is the mission going smoothly?
.. It went smoothly," Tu Bai said. "Brother, I have something to ask you.
Hmm?
If.. I mean, if a human discovered our identity, but didn't expose us, instead said they wanted to 'study' my Demon Power, asking me to cooperate with them for three months.." Tu Bai paused, "Is this person trustworthy?
There was a silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds.
Who is it?" Tu Bao asked. "A Sorcerer?
Yeah. Special Grade.
Name?
Tu Bai remained silent.
Tu Bao gasped, "It couldn't be.. that Gojo Satoru, could it? The one you said you were collaborating with last time?"
.. Yeah.
Tu Bai!" Tu Yi's voice rose, "Are you crazy? That's Gojo Satoru! The Strongest in the Jujutsu World! He could—with just a flick of his finger—
He didn't move a finger," Tu Bai interrupted him. "He even helped me sign it.
What signature?
A Research Application. He applied to research my Demon Power, Jujutsu Headquarters approved it.
Tu Bao fell silent.
The sound of a coffee machine drifted from the background, along with someone's voice: "Tu Bao, is my coffee ready yet—"
Wait a minute!" Tu Bao shouted toward that side, then lowered his voice, "Er Bao, listen to me. This Gojo Satoru person.. his reputation is complicated. Some say he is willful and reckless, while others say he actually has principles. But regardless, he is too strong, so strong that no one can restrain him. Now that you've been targeted by him..
I know," Tu Bai said. "But there is no choice. He already knows.
Another bout of silence followed.
"Three months?" Tu Bao asked.
Mm.
How many times a week?
Once or twice.
.. Be careful," Tu Bao sighed. "Keep in touch at all times. If things go wrong, we'll immediately—
Run," Tu Bai interjected. "I know.
After hanging up the phone, Tu Bai stood by the roadside, watching the passing vehicles.
The phone vibrated again.
This time it wasn't Gojo Satoru, but a notification from the Mission Dispatch Division.
[Next week's mission assignment: Grade 1 Sorcerer Tu Bai will partner with Special Grade Sorcerer Gojo Satoru to travel to Chiba Prefecture to handle a suspected Special Grade Cursed Spirit incident. The meeting time and location will be announced separately. Please confirm.]
There are two options below: [Confirm] and [Research Application].
Tu Bai stared at the screen for a long time, his finger hovering over 【Research Application】.
Finally, he pressed 【Confirm】.
The screen switched: 【Confirmed. Good luck with your mission.】
Tu Bai put away his phone and looked up at the sky.
The sky in Tokyo was very blue, with very few clouds.
He thought, it was only three months.
He just had to endure it, then it would be over.
Chapter 4
The day after the Research Application was approved, Gojo Satoru's "troublemaking" began.
At seven in the morning, while Tu Bai was still sleeping, his phone rang. He groped for it in a daze and answered, only to hear Gojo Satoru's energetic voice on the other end: "Morning, little rabbit! The weather is great today; how about some morning exercise?"
Tu Bai glanced out the window; dawn was just beginning to break.
Senior.. I have class at eight..
Skip it," Gojo Satoru said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Come to the Jujutsu High Training Ground, I'll wait for you. Oh, right, grab me some breakfast on your way—that sandwich shop by the station, the egg salad flavor.
The call ended.
Tu Bai stared at his phone, wanting to call back and say, "I'm not going," but his finger hovered over the dial button for a long time before he finally sighed and got up.
He bought a sandwich and arrived at Jujutsu High at 7:40. Gojo Satoru was already waiting at the training ground, having changed into sportswear, his white hair tied in a small bun at the back of his head, his blindfold replaced by sunglasses.
Too slow." He took the sandwich and took a bite. "Let's begin. Today, I'll test the limit of your Construction Technique's speed.
The so-called test meant that Gojo Satoru would suddenly call out the name of an object, Tu Bai had to construct it within three seconds. It ranged from simple swords, shields, blades to complex mechanical structures, even to replicas of Cursed Tools he had never seen before. Tu Bai was kept busy running in circles, his Demon Power consumption was like a faucet left wide open.
Halfway through, he was half a second slow in constructing a spear, Gojo Satoru leaned over to poke his cheek.
Distracted?" Gojo Satoru's fingers were cool as he pinched his cheek. "What are you thinking about?
Tu Bai shrank back, "I-I wasn't thinking anything.."
“Your ears are red.”
Tu Bai hurriedly touched his ear, only to find he had been tricked—they weren't red at all, just a little hot. Gojo Satoru laughed very happily.
This was the first time.
---
The second time was on a Friday afternoon.
Tu Bai had just finished class and was planning to head to his part-time job at the convenience store when his phone rang again. This time, it wasn't a call, but three consecutive messages.
Where?
Jujutsu Headquarters has a document that needs your signature. Come over here for a moment.
Now.
Tu Bai replied: 【Senior, I have work at six..】
Gojo Satoru: 【Cancel it.】
Tu Bai: 【I can't turn it down, I've already been scheduled.】
Gojo Satoru: 【What is the hourly wage?】
Tu Bai was stunned for a moment, then replied: 【1,200 yen.】
Gojo Satoru transferred fifty thousand directly, with a note: 【I've paid today's wages, come over.】
Tu Bai stared at the transfer interface, his fingers twitching. He thought about returning it, but felt there was no need to fight against money. In the end, he accepted it and sent a message to the shop manager to ask for time off.
Upon arriving at the Jujutsu Headquarters, he discovered there were no important documents at all. It was just an ordinary mission report that required his signature. Gojo Satoru was leaning against the office sofa playing on his phone; seeing him enter, he waved him over.
Right here.
Tu Bai walked over to sign, Gojo Satoru suddenly reached out to ruffle his hair.
Hey, your hair is so soft," Gojo Satoru said, his palm rubbing his head haphazardly a couple of times, "just like rabbit fur.