The first voice said: He is Gojo Satoru; even if he catches a cold, he can use Reverse Cursed Technique to cure it.
The second voice said: But he isn't using a Cursed Technique right now; he's just standing there in the rain.
Tu Bai gripped his arm, his fingernails digging into his flesh.
Why does it feel so uncomfortable?
Why does looking at that soaked figure make my chest feel so tight that I can't breathe?
Why.. did I want to rush down there and pull him inside so badly?
Another ten minutes passed.
Gojo Satoru still hadn't moved. The rain hadn't stopped either.
Tu Bai suddenly turned around, rushed to the door, grabbed the umbrella from the shoe cabinet, pushed open the door, ran downstairs.
He ran so urgently that his slippers nearly fell off. The sound of his thumping footsteps echoed through the stairwell.
Pushing open the unit door, the sound of the torrential rain rushed in a Moment, deafening.
Tu Bai opened his umbrella, rushed into the rain, ran up to Gojo Satoru.
The rain was too heavy, the umbrella could not block it at all; his pant legs and sleeves were quickly soaked.
Gojo Satoru saw him and froze for a moment.
Tu Bai raised the umbrella high to cover Gojo Satoru's head, then shouted at him, "Are you an idiot?! Can't you use a Cursed Technique to block the rain?! Do you think standing here standing in the rain is cool?!"
Although his voice was half-drowned out by the sound of the rain, it was still very loud.
Gojo Satoru looked at him, his face covered in rainwater, his eyelashes clumped together in wet strands. He raised a hand to wipe his face, then he smiled.
That smile—Tu Bai couldn't quite describe the Feeling. It was like a sigh of relief, yet.. like being very happy?
"You're finally willing to see me," Gojo Satoru said, his voice a bit hoarse.
Tu Bai shoved the umbrella into his hands and turned to leave. "Here, take the umbrella. Go back quickly."
Gojo Satoru did not take the umbrella; instead, he reached out and grabbed his wrist.
His hand was very cold, covered in rainwater.
Tu Bai froze.
Xiao Bai," Gojo Satoru said, his voice very soft, yet clearly audible amidst the sound of the rain, "let's talk.
There is nothing to talk about.
Yes," Gojo Satoru gripped him tightly, "I want to apologize for what happened that day, also.. for everything these past few days.
Tu Bai wanted to pull his hand back, but Gojo Satoru wouldn't let go.
The two of them stood in a stalemate in the rain. The umbrella fell to the ground, rolling a few times as the wind blew it.
Tu Bai was soaked to the bone. Rainwater ran down his hair and into his eyes, stinging so much that he had to blink.
Then Gojo Satoru suddenly sneezed.
It was a very loud sneeze.
After finishing, he sniffled, his eyes a bit red.
Tu Bai was stunned.
Gojo Satoru.. sneezing?
The Strongest Sorcerer, did he really catch a cold?
Gojo Satoru sneezed again; the sound was a bit quieter this time, but the tip of his nose was clearly red. He released Tu Bai's hand, rubbed his nose, wore a somewhat awkward expression.
"Sorry," he said.
Tu Bai stared at him.
Gojo Satoru's hair was completely wet, clinging to his forehead and cheeks, with water still dripping from the ends. His eyelashes were sodden, his eyes were slightly red from being washed by the rain. The tip of his nose was red, his lips were a bit pale.
He looked.. quite disheveled.
And very.. pitiful.
The slight anger in Tu Bai's chest suddenly dissipated.
He grit his teeth, bent down to pick up the umbrella, shoved it back into Gojo Satoru's hands, then turned to walk toward the building entrance.
After taking two steps, he turned back and shouted to Gojo Satoru, who was still standing in the rain, "Come in! Don't catch a cold and pass it to me!"
Gojo Satoru's eyes lit up.
He quickly caught up and followed Tu Bai into the building.
---
The hallway was very quiet, with only the sound of water dripping from their wet clothes. Tu Bai walked in front, Gojo Satoru followed behind; neither of them spoke.
After reaching the Third Floor, Tu Bai opened the door and entered the room. Gojo Satoru stood at the doorway, hesitating slightly.
Come in," Tu Bai said, turning back to glare at him. "Do I have to invite you?
Gojo Satoru quickly came in and closed the door behind him.
Tu Bai tossed him a towel: "Dry yourself off."
Gojo Satoru took the towel and wiped his hair. His gaze swept across the Living Room before coming to a halt.
In the most prominent position on the cabinet sat that Chibi Gojo Satoru doll.
The one Tu Bai made himself had white hair, small Sunglasses, a mini Jujutsu High Uniform, was holding a Kikufuku in his hands.
The doll was wiped very clean and placed right in the center of the cabinet, with nothing else around it, as if it were being displayed as some kind of treasure.
Gojo Satoru looked at the doll, the corners of his mouth curling upward involuntarily.
Tu Bai followed his gaze, his face flushed red in an instant.
"What are you looking at!" He rushed forward, trying to hide the Doll, but Gojo Satoru was faster, picking up the Doll before he could.
"You're still keeping it," Gojo Satoru said, his voice laced with amusement.
"Give it back!" Tu Bai reached out to snatch it.
Gojo Satoru held the Doll high—the height difference became apparent at this moment, Tu Bai couldn't reach it.
It's quite cute," Gojo Satoru smiled. "So you like me that much, after all?
Who likes you!" Tu Bai jumped up to snatch it away. "I made that myself!
But this is my likeness," Gojo Satoru said, taking the Doll down and holding it in his arms. "You've placed my likeness in such a conspicuous place, yet you still claim you don't like me?
Tu Bai was so angry he was speechless, he turned to enter the Kitchen.
Gojo Satoru followed him to the kitchen doorway, leaning against the doorframe as he watched Tu Bai rummaging through everything to find something.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
Making Ginger Tea," Tu Bai said without looking back. "Don't pass your cold on to me.
Gojo Satoru smiled: "No need, I—"
Shut up," Tu Bai interrupted him, "If you don't want to drink, then get out.
Gojo Satoru shut up.
Tu Bai found the ginger and brown sugar, boiled water, sliced the ginger. He kept his back to Gojo Satoru throughout the entire process, without saying a single word.
In the Kitchen, there was only the sound of water boiling and the "thud" of slicing Ginger.
Gojo Satoru stood at the doorway, watching Tu Bai's back. Tu Bai's clothes were also wet and clung to his body, revealing the lines of his back. Water was still dripping from his hair, splashing onto the floor.
He gripped the towel in his hands, walked over, gently draped it over Tu Bai's head.
Tu Bai paused for a moment.
Your hair is still dripping," Gojo Satoru said softly, "Wipe it.
Tu Bai didn't say anything, but he didn't take the towel away either.
The Ginger Tea was ready. Tu Bai poured a cup and pressed it into Gojo Satoru's hands: "Drink."
Gojo Satoru held the cup, which was very hot. He blew on it, took a small sip, frowned at the spiciness.
"Drink it all," Tu Bai said.
Gojo Satoru finished drinking obediently. Once he was done, he set down the cup and looked at Tu Bai.
Tu Bai still had his back to him, washing the pot.
"Xiao Bai," Gojo Satoru spoke.
Tu Bai's movements paused, but he did not turn around.
I'm sorry about that day," Gojo Satoru said. "I didn't know that place was so.. important to you.
He paused for a moment before continuing, "I just thought your reaction was very interesting, I wanted to see what else you would react with. But I didn't take your feelings into account. I'm sorry."
Tu Bai said nothing.
It was very quiet in the Kitchen, with only the sound of the running faucet.
After a long time, Tu Bai turned off the Faucet, turned his back to Gojo Satoru, said softly, "It's not just important."
“Hmm?”
That place.. is the Rabbit Demon's energy core," Tu Bai's voice was very soft. "The spinal line, from the nape to the tailbone, is the main pathway for the circulation of Demon Power. It is equivalent to.. equivalent to your humans having their souls touched directly.
Gojo Satoru froze.
So," Tu Bai continued, his voice trembling slightly, "that day.. it wasn't just a normal physiological reaction. It was Demon Power running wild, it was instinct, it was..
He couldn't continue.
Gojo Satoru finally understood completely.
Why Tu Bai's reaction was so intense.
Why was she so ashamed, so furious?
It wasn't because a sensitive area had been touched, but because his most core, most private place had been touched.