Chapter 5
The dessert shop was very quiet. It was a little after three in the afternoon, yet there were no customers, the sunlight streaming through the window seats was just right.
As soon as Gojo Satoru entered the door, he greeted the staff familiarly, clearly a frequent visitor. He found a booth in a corner and sat down; Tu Bai hesitated for a moment before sitting opposite him.
"I've booked this whole place," Gojo Satoru said.
Tu Bai was stunned: "Book the whole place?"
Yeah, from three to four, just the two of us." Gojo Satoru took off his sunglasses and placed them on the table, his eyes scanning the menu. "To save us from being disturbed.
Tu Bai did not know how to respond. Renting out the entire venue sounded expensive, but he didn't want to worry about that right now.
A shop assistant walked over, a smiling middle-aged woman: "Gojo-san, the usual?"
I'll order a few extra things today." Gojo Satoru pushed the menu toward Tu Bai. "What do you want to eat?
Tu Bai lowered his head to look at the menu. It was in French, which he couldn't understand, but there were pictures and Japanese annotations. Mont Blanc, Strawberry Cake, Chocolate Tart, various Puffs.. every single item was marked with a price that made his heart ache.
"I.." Tu Bai wanted to say "whatever," but Gojo Satoru had already decided for him.
One of everything," he said to the shop assistant. "And two cups of black tea, with the sugar and milk served on the side.
Alright, please wait a moment.
After the shop assistant left, Tu Bai said softly, "Senpai, it's too much.."
It's not much, it's just right." Gojo Satoru leaned back against the chair, observing him, "I want to see which flavor you like.
Tu Bai's heart tightened.
It's coming. The test. There might be differences in the sense of taste between demons and humans, especially regarding sensitivity to sweetness. The Rabbit Demon has a craving for sweets; he usually exercises deliberate control, eating only normal levels of sweetness and never daring to show such an obvious preference.
But Gojo Satoru was observing him.
Soon, the desserts were served. Over a dozen plates filled the entire table. The Mont Blanc's chestnut cream was piled high like a small mountain, the bright red fruits on the Strawberry Cake glistened, the surface of the Chocolate Tart was as smooth as a mirror. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of sugar and cream.
Tu Bai swallowed hard.
Eat," Gojo Satoru said, taking a spoonful of Mont Blanc himself first. "Start from the top left corner, try one bite of each, tell me what you think.
Tu Bai picked up the small spoon, his hands trembling slightly.
The first one was a Lemon Tart. He took a small bite; the sourness was sharp, but the aftertaste was a refreshing sweetness. He tried his best to keep his expression calm: ".. It's delicious."
How delicious? Rate it, on a ten-point scale.
Eight.
Why deduct two points?
"Too sour," Tu Bai said, immediately regretting it—the Rabbit Demon didn't like overly sour things. Did that count as exposing himself?
But Gojo Satoru merely nodded, noting something down on his phone.
The second one was a Strawberry Cake. The cream was light, the strawberries were fresh, the sweetness was just right. Tu Bai took a bite and said honestly, "Nine out of ten."
Why?
It is well-balanced.
The third portion was a Chocolate Lava Cake. Once sliced, the thick chocolate sauce flowed out, bittersweet in flavor. Tu Bai took a taste, his eyes widening slightly—this was good.
"9.5," he said.
Oh? You like chocolate?
.. Yeah.
Tu Bai lowered his head and continued tasting. He took only a small bite of each, followed by a brief evaluation. He tried hard to control his expression, but when he tasted something that perfectly suited his palate—such as that Caramel Pudding topped with gold leaf—his eyes would still shine uncontrollably.
Gojo Satoru watched him while eating his Mont Blanc. He didn't say anything, but Tu Bai could feel his gaze.
After tasting everything in a full circle, Tu Bai's spoon came to a halt on the last portion of Mango Mousse.
"What is it?" Gojo Satoru asked.
This.." Tu Bai hesitated, "Can you finish it all?
If you want to finish it, then finish it.
Tu Bai took a large bite. The sweetness of the mango was intense, the mousse had a silky texture; he ate with his eyes squinted shut. By the time he realized what had happened, one portion was already finished.
He put down the spoon, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Gojo Satoru smiled.
You like mangoes?
.. Mm.
You also like Caramel Pudding, chocolate, that Raspberry Tart," Gojo Satoru counted off. "You don't like sour things, you don't like strong alcoholic flavors, you don't like things that are too greasy. In short: you like pure, high sweetness and hate complex, stimulating flavors.
Tu Bai froze.
Was I right?" Gojo Satoru asked, resting his chin in his hand as he looked at him. "Your expressions are very easy to read. When you eat something you like, your eyes light up and your ears twitch—even if it's not obvious, I can see the skin at the base of your ears twitching. When you eat something you don't like, you frown slightly and stir your spoon a few extra times.
Senpai..
That's normal," Gojo Satoru said. "Everyone has different tastes. I'm just curious, why did you pretend to like everything at first?
Tu Bai could not answer.
The clerk came over to refill the tea. Gojo Satoru ordered another Mont Blanc, once the clerk had left, he suddenly asked:
Why are you afraid of Cursed Spirits?
Tu Bai was drinking black tea and nearly choked.
You're clearly very strong," Gojo Satoru continued. "That time in the B2 Parking Lot, you could have hit the core even with your eyes closed. That level of skill is considered top-tier even among Grade 1s. But your first reaction when you see a Cursed Spirit is to dodge, to close your eyes, to scream. Why?
Tu Bai set down his teacup. The bottom of the cup hit the saucer, making a soft clinking sound.
He was thinking about how to fabricate an excuse. Insufficient training? Psychological trauma? Just his personality?
But Gojo Satoru looked into his eyes, those ice-blue eyes that seemed capable of seeing through all lies.
Tu Bai heard himself say:
Because they are ugly.
After saying that, he wanted to bite his tongue off.
Gojo Satoru was stunned.
Then he burst out laughing. It wasn't the light chuckle from before, but a boisterous laugh; he leaned back, slamming his hand against the table, causing the cups and plates to rattle loudly. There were no other customers around, but the staff all looked over.
Hahaha—what?" Gojo Satoru laughed until tears came to his eyes. "Ugly? Just because of that?
Tu Bai's face flushed red: "Is it not okay?"
Yes, of course it's okay!" Gojo Satoru wiped the corners of his eyes. "That's the first time I've heard a reason like that. Everyone else says things like 'Cursed Spirits are evil' or 'they harm humanity,' but you.. 'they're ugly'.. Hahaha!
Tu Bai lowered his head and stirred his black tea, wanting to bury himself in his cup.
And what if the Cursed Spirit is good-looking?" Gojo Satoru asked, having laughed enough. "For example.. the kind that turns into a handsome guy or a beautiful woman? Then you wouldn't be afraid?
I'd be afraid," Tu Bai said in a low voice. "If it's beautiful but distorted, it's even more terrifying.
What if it becomes a Carrot?
Tu Bai glared at him.
Gojo Satoru laughed again.
The desserts were mostly finished. Gojo Satoru called the shop assistant over to settle the bill. As Tu Bai glanced at the amount while signing the receipt, his eyelid twitched—it was enough to cover his living expenses for an entire month.
As they stepped out of the shop, the afternoon sunlight was still beautiful. Gojo Satoru stretched his limbs and took a small box out of the bag, handing it to Tu Bai.
“This is for you.”
Tu Bai took it and opened it, finding six edamame cream Kikufuku inside.
It's the signature item from this shop, in a takeout container," Gojo Satoru said. "Take it back and eat it. Oh, by the way, are you free tomorrow?
.. Yes. What is it?
Accompany me to watch a movie," Gojo Satoru said. "A horror movie, to build up your courage. Isn't the reason you're afraid of Cursed Spirits just because they're ugly? Watch more horror movies to get used to them, you won't be afraid in the future.
Tu Bai wanted to refuse, but Gojo Satoru had already waved him off and left.
Tomorrow at two in the afternoon, Shibuya Cinema. I'll buy the tickets. Remember to come~
He vanished in an instant, leaving Tu Bai standing alone at the entrance of the dessert shop, holding that box of Kikufuku.
---
Upon returning home, Tu Bai put the Kikufuku into the refrigerator and then slumped onto the sofa.
The phone vibrated; it was a message from Gojo Satoru: 【Tickets are bought. See you tomorrow.】
An electronic ticket screenshot was attached below, the movie title was "Ju-on: The Final Chapter."
Tu Bai replied with a ".". Then, he tossed his phone aside.
He lay there for a while, then got up to call his eldest brother.
The call connected, it was very noisy on Tu Bao's end, as if they were discussing a case. He remembered that the floor above the cafe where his brother worked part-time was a Detective Agency; it was likely people from the Detective Agency coming in for coffee.
Er Bao? What's up?
Brother," Tu Bai said, "I want to ask you something.
Mhm, go ahead.
Gojo Satoru.. doesn't seem that scary?
There was a five-second silence on the other end of the phone.
Then Tu Bao's scream nearly pierced Tu Bai's eardrums: "Have you been bewitched by him?! Last time you said he wanted to study your Demon Power! It's only been a few days!"
But he treated me to dessert today, even gave me Kikufuku..
That's a sugar-coated bullet! Tu Bai, wake up! He is a Special Grade Sorcerer! Special Grade! And from the Gojo Clan! Do you think a person like that would just be kind to others for no reason?
Tu Bai fell silent.
Tu Bao panted, his voice dropping low: "Er Bao, listen to me. Humans are very complex, especially those at the top. They might smile at you or be kind to you just on a whim, or.. or for some other purpose. Don't trust people so easily."