He rolled over and buried his face in the cushion.
It's over, he thought.
This time, it's truly over.
Chapter 8
Three days after the mission at the chemical plant, Tu Bai returned to his normal routine. His Demon Power had been replenished, but that slight sense of unease in his heart remained. He tried his best not to think about Gojo Satoru taking off his sunglasses to reveal those eyes that day, nor that phrase, "Thank you."
He had classes on Wednesday morning. Sitting in the back row of the classroom, he kept his phone on silent. At ten-thirty, the screen lit up.
It was a message from Gojo Satoru.
[Xiao Bai, Jujutsu High Training Ground at two in the afternoon. Don't be late.]
Tu Bai stared at that name and froze for a moment.
Xiao Bai?
He typed a reply: 【Senpai, my name is Tu Bai.】
Gojo Satoru replied instantly: 【I know, Xiao Bai.】
Tu Bai frowned: 【Can you not call me that?】
Gojo Satoru: 【Why? Does it not sound good?】
Tu Bai: 【Like calling a pet.}
Gojo Satoru sent a rabbit emoji: 【Aren't you just a rabbit?】
Tu Bai was speechless and shoved his phone back into his pocket.
At 1:50 PM, he arrived at the Jujutsu High Training Ground on time. Gojo Satoru was already there, sitting on a bench playing on his phone. Seeing Tu Bai enter, he raised a hand to greet him: "Yo, Xiao Bai, you're quite punctual."
Tu Bai walked over and stood still: "Senpai, please call me Tu Bai."
No," Gojo Satoru stood up. "Let's begin. Today, we practice Construction precision.
The training content involved using Demon Power to construct a needle and then threading it through a hole of a specified size. The holes grew smaller and smaller, from five millimeters down to one millimeter. Tu Bai focused his mind, condensing a silver fine needle at his fingertips, manipulated it with extreme care.
Gojo Satoru watched from the side, offering critiques from time to time: "It's crooked." "Your hand shook." "Again."
Halfway through the training, Ijichi came by to deliver some documents. After Gojo Satoru finished signing them, Ijichi prepared to leave when Gojo Satoru said, "By the way, Ijichi, if there's an Application Adjustment for the next mission time, just notify Xiao Bai directly."
Ijichi nodded, "Understood, Mr. Tu Bai—"
"Just call him Xiao Bai, he doesn't mind," Gojo Satoru said with a smile.
The needle in Tu Bai's hand snapped with a "snap."
"I care," he said.
Gojo Satoru pretended not to hear.
---
Friday, the Jujutsu Headquarters monthly mission report meeting.
As a Grade 1 Sorcerer, Tu Bai was required to attend. He sat in a corner in the back row, trying his best to minimize his presence. Gojo Satoru sat in the front row, adjacent to several Special Grade Sorcerers. The meeting was long-winded, with the old men taking turns to speak, leaving Tu Bai feeling drowsy.
During the intermission, Tu Bai went to the corridor to get some fresh air. He had only been standing there for two minutes when Gojo Satoru came out of the Meeting Room, saw him, waved.
Xiao Bai, come here for a moment.
The voice wasn't loud, but it was very clear in the quiet corridor. A few passing Sorcerers looked over.
Tu Bai braced himself and walked over. "Senpai, what is it?"
Gojo Satoru pulled a small box from his pocket: "This, for you."
Tu Bai took it and opened it; inside were several exquisitely wrapped candies.
A token of appreciation for the last mission," Gojo Satoru said. "It's unnecessary, but it's the thought that counts.
Tu Bai wanted to say "no need," but Gojo Satoru had already turned around and headed back to the Meeting Room. Holding the candy box, he stood in place, hearing someone whispering nearby.
It was Utahime and Mei.
That Gojo guy.." Utahime lowered his voice, "Is he raising a pet?
Mei laughed. "Maybe. Look at how easily he says it."
That Tu Bai.. he's Grade 1, right? Doesn't he get angry being called that?
“Who knows.”
The two of them walked away. Tu Bai looked down at the candy in his hands, suddenly feeling that the box was a bit too hot to hold.
---
The most outrageous part is the Weekend.
Tu Bai was at home organizing his notes on Construction Technique practice when his phone rang. It was a video call from Gojo Satoru.
He hesitated for three seconds, then answered.
Gojo Satoru's face appeared on the screen, with a background that looked like his living room. He wasn't wearing sunglasses, his hair was a bit messy, he was wearing loose loungewear.
Xiao Bai, what are you doing?
Organizing my notes." Tu Bai leaned his phone against his water cup. "Do you need something, Senpai?
Can't I come to you if nothing is wrong?" Gojo Satoru said, resting his chin in his hand. "By the way, I've been thinking, 'Xiao Bai' is indeed a bit ordinary.
Tu Bai felt a bad premonition rising in his heart.
How about calling him 'Tu'?" Gojo Satoru's eyes curved into crescents. "It's more fitting. You are a rabbit, after all.
Tu Bai took a deep breath.
Senpai," he said, word by word, "I am not a pet.
But you're very much like one," Gojo Satoru said. "Look, your ears—" He pointed at the screen, as if Tu Bai's ears were actually visible, "Even if they're hidden for now, they're definitely there, when you get angry, your cheeks puff out, like this—
He puffed out his cheeks and made an exaggerated face.
Tu Bai gritted his teeth. "I'm not angry."
You're angry," Gojo Satoru laughed. "And right now, you're thinking, 'this white-haired bastard,' aren't you?
Tu Bai was speechless after being called out.
See, I was right," Gojo Satoru said smugly. "Tu is so cute, cuter than Xiao Bai. I'll just call you that from now on. Tu~ Tu~
Senpai!
Hmm?
"Please, don't, scream, like, that." Tu Bai squeezed out every word through his teeth.
Gojo Satoru leaned closer to the screen, his icy blue eyes widening: "Then how will you stop me? By hitting me? You can't beat me anyway."
Tu Bai fell silent.
He knew Gojo Satoru was right. He couldn't fight him, couldn't argue with him, couldn't hide from him. This man could call him whatever he wanted, he was completely powerless to stop him.
Alright, I'll stop teasing you." Gojo Satoru sat back, "Tomorrow's mission, same time, same place. Don't be late, Tu.
He ended the video call.
Tu Bai stared at the black screen, his chest feeling stifled by a surge of anger.
He grabbed the cushion beside him and punched it fiercely twice.
White-haired bastard!!
---
On Day 2, Tu Bai decided to strike back.
Since he couldn't win with words or strength, he would express his dissatisfaction in another way. For example—by being late.
The mission assembly time was 3:00 PM on the rooftop of a commercial building in Shinjuku. Tu Bai did not arrive until 3:10 PM. He climbed the stairs leisurely, as he pushed open the rooftop door, he was already prepared to be questioned by Gojo Satoru.
But the scene on the Rooftop left him stunned.
Gojo Satoru sat in the shadow beside the Water Tank, holding an exquisite Dessert Box in his hands. Seeing Tu Bai enter, he looked up and smiled.
Ten minutes late," Gojo Satoru said. "I was counting.
Tu Bai walked over. "There was a traffic jam on the way."
Liar." Gojo Satoru opened the Dessert Box. "You did it on purpose. You're trying to express that you're 'unhappy,' aren't you?
Tu Bai remained silent.
Gojo Satoru took a piece of cake out of the Dessert Box; it was the Mango Mousse that Tu Bai loved most, even garnished with gold leaf.
This shop is having a limited release of a new item today, so I stood in line to buy it." Gojo Satoru handed the cake over, "I originally intended to give it to you after the mission, but since you're late..
He made a move to pull it back.
Tu Bai's hands moved faster than his brain and he caught it in one motion.
If you're late, this belongs to me~" Gojo Satoru mimicked his earlier tone. "But never mind, you can have it. Just get to work once you've finished eating.
Tu Bai looked at the cake in his hands, then looked at Gojo Satoru.
……You're not angry, Gojo-senpai?
What is there to be angry about?" Gojo Satoru stood up and patted the dust off his pants. "Your being late won't affect the mission outcome anyway. I end up taking care of everything in the end, regardless.
He spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Tu Bai lowered his head to eat the cake. The sweetness of the mango melted on the tip of his tongue, the texture was rich and dense. It was indeed delicious.
If you want to protest next time, just say it directly." Gojo Satoru walked to the edge of the Rooftop and looked down. "Being indirect doesn't suit you.
.. Would it even matter if I did?
It's useless." Gojo Satoru turned back, his sunglasses sliding down to the bridge of his nose. "But at least I know what you're thinking. It's better than you keeping it all bottled up.
Tu Bai finished the last bite of cake and tossed the Dessert Box into the trash can.