Really?
Really." Tu Bai covered his face. "My dad laughed at me for three months, saying we wouldn't need to buy groceries anymore. My mom even pulled a few stalks back to cook in a soup.
Gojo Satoru laughed so hard his shoulders shook: "So, were the carrots tasty?"
.. It was alright.
And then?
It took half a month to withdraw the Demon Power, the Carrot slowly withered," Tu Bai said softly. "That mountain remained barren for several months, it wasn't until the following year that new grass began to grow.
Gojo Satoru was still smiling, but his laughter gradually faded. He looked at Tu Bai, his eyes filled with a hint of.. envy?
"Your parents are quite good," he said.
Hmm?
I didn't scold you; I even smiled for three months," Gojo Satoru leaned back against the chair. "If it were those old men from my clan, they'd probably keep me under house arrest until I could perfectly control the Six Eyes.
Tu Bai was stunned for a moment. "Is the Six Eyes difficult to control?"
"It's difficult," Gojo Satoru said casually, then paused, as if hesitating whether to continue.
A few seconds later, he spoke: "In the past, my Six Eyes saw too much. The amount of information was so vast that my brain couldn't process it, I would often get headaches. The kind of pain that kept me from sleeping."
Tu Bai did not expect him to say this and was momentarily at a loss for words.
Back then," Gojo Satoru continued, his voice very calm, "it was Suguru—Geto Suguru, my classmate from Jujutsu High—he would sing to me. The kind that was out of tune, terribly unpleasant. But as I listened, my headache would get a little better, I could fall asleep.
After he finished speaking, he picked up his Americano and took a sip, his movements as natural as if he were simply commenting on the pleasant weather.
But Tu Bai noticed.
This was the first time Gojo Satoru had ever proactively mentioned the name "Geto Suguru." Tu Bai had seen it in the files before, knowing that he was Gojo Satoru's close friend during his student days, who later defected to become a Curse User and eventually died. But he had never asked, Gojo Satoru had never mentioned him before.
The air fell silent for a few seconds.
He.." Tu Bai asked cautiously, "sings terribly?
Extremely terrible," Gojo Satoru laughed. "But he thinks he sounds great, he insists on singing the whole song every time, never letting me interrupt.
What songs?
Children's songs. Something about an 'Elephant,' something about a 'Little Puppy Policeman'." Gojo Satoru shook his head. "Even now, I still think they're terrible.
But when he said those words, his expression was very gentle.
Tu Bai didn't ask any more questions. He lowered his head and took a bite of the mousse; the sweetness seemed a bit lighter than before.
Alright." Gojo Satoru clapped his hands. "Now that you know my secret, I know yours, we're accomplices.
.. Who says I'm your accomplice?
Whether you like it or not," Gojo Satoru said righteously, "now that we've exchanged secrets, we're in the same boat.
Tu Bai wanted to argue, but he didn't know how. He suddenly thought of a question: "Why are you telling me this?"
Which one?
About Geto Suguru.
Gojo Satoru fell silent for a moment, then said, "I don't know. Maybe because.. you don't look like the type to go around blabbing?"
I wouldn't anyway.
Then that's that," Gojo Satoru smiled. "Besides, you mentioned a mountain of Carrots to me; I have to say something of equal value in return.
This explanation was a bit far-fetched, but Tu Bai did not press further.
The two continued eating dessert. Gojo Satoru ordered two more Puffs, while Tu Bai focused on finishing his Mango Mousse. Pedestrians passed by the window, the afternoon sunlight washed the street in a bright, pale light.
Just as Tu Bai was about to say, "It's time to go," a commotion erupted at the entrance.
Itadori, stop pushing me—
It was Kugisaki who stopped first!
Fushiguro, say something!
Tu Bai turned his head and saw three familiar figures crowded at the shop entrance, peeking their heads inside.
Itadori Yuji with pink hair, Fushiguro Megumi with black sea urchin hair, Kugisaki Nobara with short orange hair. All three were wearing casual clothes; Itadori was in sportswear, Fushiguro was in a black hoodie and trousers, Kugisaki was in a fashionable short jacket and skirt.
They had clearly seen Tu Bai and Gojo Satoru as well, their movements froze.
Gojo Satoru also turned his head and then smiled: "Yo, what are the three of you doing here?"
Itadori was the first to react, pulling the other two over. "Gojo-sensei! Gojo-senpai! What a coincidence!"
Coincidence?" Gojo Satoru raised an eyebrow. "How long have you been following me?
We weren't stalking you!" Itadori said immediately. "Kugisaki dragged us out shopping, then we saw you, Teacher.. I mean, no, we were just passing by!
Kugisaki elbowed him: "Idiot, you let it slip!"
Fushiguro sighed and nodded to Tu Bai, "Tu Bai-senpai."
"Hello." Tu Bai felt a bit awkward. He was dressed very casually today, in a white T-shirt and jeans, his hair wasn't even combed properly.
Itadori's eyes darted back and forth between Gojo Satoru and Tu Bai before he asked a blunt question: "Teacher, are you two on a date?"
Gojo Satoru: "Yes."
Tu Bai: "No."
The two spoke at the same time, their answers being complete opposites.
The air froze for a second.
Itadori blinked: "Huh?"
Tu Bai glared at Gojo Satoru and then explained, "It wasn't a date, it was just.. Gojo-senpai said I owed him for what happened yesterday, so he asked me to accompany him for dessert."
Yesterday's matter?" Kugisaki asked curiously, "What happened?
It's nothing," Gojo Satoru said, preempting him. "It was just Xiao Bai's brother coming to see him, so I hosted him for a bit.
"Xiao Bai?" Itadori repeated.
"Tu Bai-senpai's brother?" Fushiguro looked toward Tu Bai.
Tu Bai wanted to cover his face.
Kugisaki's focus was completely off track: "So, is Gojo-sensei dating Tu Bai-senpai?"
This time, the two spoke in unison: "No."
Tu Bai breathed a sigh of relief after speaking, but after Gojo Satoru finished, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, as if he were somewhat displeased with his own answer. Although he didn't know why he was displeased.
We are just partners," Tu Bai added. "In terms of work.
"It's more like a relationship between a pet and its owner," Gojo Satoru said.
"It is not!" Tu Bai turned his head and glared at him.
Gojo Satoru laughed. "Is it not? Then who was it that said yesterday, 'I will take good care of your younger brother'?"
"That was.. that was.." Tu Bai stammered.
Itadori looked at this and then at that, suddenly laughing, "It feels like you and sensei have a really great relationship!"
Fushiguro nodded silently. Kugisaki, meanwhile, rubbed his chin, his eyes darting back and forth between the two, as if he were analyzing something.
"So you're really not dating?" Kugisaki asked.
"No," Tu Bai said firmly.
"Not for the time being," Gojo Satoru added.
Tu Bai glared at him again.
Itadori noticed the desserts on the table at that moment: "Wow! They look delicious! Sensei, can I have one?"
No way." Gojo Satoru pulled the plate closer to himself. "This is for me and Xiao Bai.
So stingy—
But you can order more," Gojo Satoru said, waving to the Waiter. "You three, order whatever you want, it's on me.
"Yay!" Itadori cheered.
Kugisaki and Fushiguro were not being polite either. The three of them sat down and ordered a heap of desserts. The table instantly became crowded.
Itadori asked while eating, "Tu Bai-senpai, is your brother also a Sorcerer?"
No," Tu Bai said. "He is just an Esper.
Then why did Gojo-sensei host him?
Tu Bai was speechless. He couldn't exactly say, "Because my brother suspects Gojo Satoru is bullying me, so he came here to demand answers," could he?
Because Xiao Bai's brother is very cute," Gojo Satoru answered for him, "it's especially interesting when he cries.
Senpai!
Itadori and Kugisaki both laughed. Fushiguro quietly ate his Chocolate Cake, occasionally looking up at Gojo Satoru and Tu Bai.
The conversation gradually shifted to daily life.
The cookies I make are delicious too," Itadori said. "Next time, I'll bring some for Tu Bai-senpai to try.
"Sure," Tu Bai smiled.
Gojo Satoru listened from the side without saying much, but his hand rested naturally on the back of Tu Bai's chair, forming a half-embrace.
Kugisaki noticed, raising an eyebrow, but said nothing.
The desserts were almost finished. Itadori rubbed his stomach: "I'm so full.. Thank you, sensei!"
You're welcome~" Gojo Satoru stood up, "I've settled the bill, you guys have fun. Xiao Bai and I have something to attend to.
"What is it?" Itadori asked curiously.
"It's a secret," Gojo Satoru said, blinking his eyes.
Tu Bai didn't actually know if there was anything else, but he also stood up and said goodbye to the three students.
Walking out of the dessert shop, the afternoon sunlight was a bit dazzling. Gojo Satoru put on his sunglasses and asked Tu Bai, "Shall I take you back?"