Flat, nothing can be seen.
But inside..
Tu Bai closed his eyes, took a deep breath, then picked up his Mobile Phone and dialed his Eldest Brother's Phone.
The phone was picked up after only a single ring.
Er Bao?" Tu Bao's voice was heavy with sleep, likely having been woken up. "It's so late.. what's wrong?
Brother.." Tu Bai spoke, his voice trembling violently, "I think.. something happened to me.
There was a second of silence on the other end of the Phone, then Tu Bao's voice immediately became alert: "What happened? Are you injured? Or—"
I think I.." Tu Bai interrupted him, every word sounding as if it were being squeezed from his throat, "am pregnant with Gojo Satoru's child.
Dead silence.
There was no sound at all on the other end of the Phone; even the sound of breathing could not be heard.
Three seconds.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
And then—
What!!
Tu Bao's scream almost pierced Tu Bai's eardrums. Tu Bai held the Mobile Phone a little further away, only after the voice on the other end quieted down did he press it back against his ear.
Er Bao, say that again? What did you just say? Did I mishear you? You're pregnant with what? Whose? Gojo Satoru? That white-haired guy? When did you two—
Brother," Tu Bai interrupted him, his voice soft but steady, "It's true. I used my Demon Power to look inside.. There really is something inside.
But.." Tu Bao's voice broke with a sob, "But there are very few cases of males being pregnant within the Demon Race, are you sure you haven't made a mistake?
Impossible." Tu Bai interrupted again, his tone decisive, "That mass in my stomach has life fluctuations.. I can sense it.
The sound of sniffing came from the other end of the Phone; Tu Bao was crying.
Then.. then what should I do.." He was crying so hard he could barely speak. "How could you.. weren't you guys not.. doing that yet..
Demon Power Fusion," Tu Bai explained simply. "His Cursed Energy and my Demon Power, that time our backs touched, it might have triggered something.
So what do you plan to do now? Tell him?
Tu Bai fell silent for a moment.
I don't know," he said. "My Brain is a mess.
"Then.. then do you want to come back? Back to Yokohama? I'll take care of you," Tu Bao said, sobbing.
No need." Tu Bai shook his head, even though Tu Bao couldn't see it. "Brother, don't tell Tu yet, don't tell Mom and Dad either. I want to.. think about it by myself first.
But—
"Let me think about it," Tu Bai repeated.
There was silence on the other end of the Phone. After a moment, Tu Bao said softly, "Okay. But Er Bao, you have to promise me that no matter what decision you make, you will tell me, okay?"
.. Mm.
And also, if you feel unwell, you must go to the hospital—no, wait, go find that Ieiri Shoko, isn't she a doctor?
I will.
After saying a few more words, Tu Bai hung up the phone. He tossed his mobile phone to the side, leaned his back against the wall, looked up at the Ceiling.
The ceiling light in the Bathroom was very bright, making his Eyes ache.
He raised his hand to touch his abdomen, then the first thought popped into his brain:
Run.
Must run.
But..
Tu Bai lowered his head, looking at his flat abdomen.
Can I.. afford to raise one on my own?
He thought back to when he was a child; milk powder, diapers, medical bills—everything required money. His parents used to say that raising children was expensive, that they almost couldn't afford to raise their three sons.
He was still a student, the income from Sorcerer missions was unstable. His savings.. He glanced at his Mobile Banking balance: over three million Yen. It wasn't enough, it wasn't nearly enough.
Tu Bai pushed himself up from the floor, his legs feeling a bit weak. He walked out of the Bathroom, sat down at the Desk, turned on the Computer.
He created a new Document and encrypted it.
"Single Parent's Plan to Run Away with the Kid".
The cursor was flashing. Tu Bai stared at the Screen, his fingers resting on the Keyboard, motionless for a long time.
Then he began to type.
1. Funds
From birth to adulthood, it is estimated that a child requires at least fifty million Yen. This includes: prenatal checkups, childbirth, milk powder, diapers, Clothes, education, medical care, the initial Funds needed to run away.
He only has three million two hundred thousand right now. It's not nearly enough.
2. Identity
New passports, household registration, educational certificates are required. There are channels within the Demon Race, but they are very expensive and require an appointment three months in advance.
3. Location
A small Nordic country, friendly to the Demon Race, with few Cursed Spirits. Sweden or Norway. I need to research which specific city is suitable for raising a child, looking into schools, medical care, Demon Race communities..
Tu Bai typed quickly, listing them one by one, as calm as if he were planning someone else's affairs.
But when he reached the last line, he stopped.
The Cursor stopped on the line "4. Gojo Satoru's Disposition" and blinked for a long time.
Tu Bai stared at those words, his Finger slowly tightening.
He turned on his Mobile Phone, the Screen lit up, displaying the default Starry Sky Wallpaper. He swiped open Line and tapped on the Chat Window with Gojo Satoru.
The last message was sent last night, Gojo Satoru said: 【Shall I take you to that newly opened Dessert Shop tomorrow? I heard the Mango Pudding is delicious.】
He hadn't replied yet.
Tu Bai looked at that Chat Window, looking at Gojo Satoru's profile picture—it was a goofy selfie, with Sunglasses pushed up onto his head, making a funny face.
He bit his lower lip, biting down hard.
Then he typed:
[Sure~ What time?]
Sent.
He stared at the Smiley Face he had sent, feeling his stomach churn again.
I can only use him.
First, keep him steady, get the resources, save up enough money.
Then run.
The light from the Computer Screen illuminated his face, casting a cold white glow. Beneath the line "Gojo Satoru's Treatment" in the Document, he slowly typed out a line of text:
Play the role of being dependent, gain trust, demand resources.
Deadline: Three months.
The Mobile Phone vibrated.
Gojo Satoru replied instantly: 【Twelve o'clock? I'll come pick you up.】
Tu Bai looked at this message, his finger hovering over the Screen.
Then he replied: [Mm. I want to eat Mango Pudding.]
Gojo Satoru sent a Cartoon Rabbit jumping emoji.
Tu Bai turned off his Mobile Phone, leaned against the back of his chair, closed his Eyes.
I'm sorry, Senpai.
But I cannot afford to gamble.
---
At twelve noon on Day 2, Gojo Satoru appeared punctually below the Apartment Building. As Tu Bai walked downstairs, he was leaning against the car playing on his Mobile Phone; seeing Tu Bai come out, he immediately put away his Mobile Phone and waved with a smile.
"Looking a bit better today?" Gojo Satoru studied him.
Tu Bai wore a loose white hoodie and gray sweatpants, his black hair casually tousled, his face lacked any color. He nodded: "Mm."
"Let's go, that shop is very crowded; if we arrive late, we'll have to wait in line." Gojo Satoru helped him open the car door.
The car drove toward Ginza. Along the way, Gojo Satoru kept talking, mentioning yesterday's mission, some embarrassing stories about Jujutsu High students, the new games released recently. Tu Bai listened quietly, occasionally letting out a soft "mm-hmm."
He hadn't really taken much of it in. His Brain was filled with that escape plan and the.. Baby in his stomach.
Upon arriving at the Dessert Shop, there was indeed a queue. Gojo Satoru went to take a number, while Tu Bai sat on a chair in the waiting area, his hand unconsciously stroking his abdomen.
Wait fifteen minutes." Gojo Satoru sat down beside him and turned his head to look at him. "Are you really okay lately? Your complexion hasn't been good.
.. I'm fine," Tu Bai said. "I just don't have much of an appetite.
Then why do you insist on having Dessert?
I want to eat something sweet.
Gojo Satoru laughed, reaching out to ruffle his hair: "Fine, I'll buy you whatever you want to eat."
Tu Bai did not dodge, allowing him to rub his hair. Only when Gojo Satoru withdrew his hand did he say in a low voice, "Senpai, in the future.. I might not be able to go on dangerous missions anymore."
Why?
.. Physical reasons.
Gojo Satoru frowned, just as he was about to ask, when the waiter called their number.