The two of them went inside and sat down. The shop was decorated in a very cozy style with warm yellow tones, every table was adorned with a small vase holding fresh daisies.
Gojo Satoru ordered a whole bunch of things: Mango Pudding, Strawberry Cake, Chocolate Lava Cake, a Puff Tower. Tu Bai only ordered Mango Pudding and a cup of Warm Water.
After the dessert arrived, Gojo Satoru ate with great joy, but Tu Bai just held his Spoon, not moving for a long time.
What's wrong?" Gojo Satoru asked. "Didn't you say you wanted to eat it?
Tu Bai looked at the Pudding in front of him; the golden Mango Sauce poured over the snow-white Pudding looked very tempting.
But he had no appetite.
Not only did he have no appetite, but he also felt a bit nauseous.
He put down the Spoon, took a deep breath, then looked up, staring at Gojo Satoru.
Senpai.
Hmm?
I have something to tell you.
Gojo Satoru stopped what he was doing and looked at him. "What is it?"
Tu Bai kept his hands under the Desk, clutching the hem of his clothes. He felt his palms sweating, his heart was racing.
I.." he spoke, his voice trembling slightly, "I'm pregnant.
The smile on Gojo Satoru's face froze.
He blinked, as if he hadn't heard clearly: "What?"
I'm pregnant," Tu Bai repeated, his voice a bit steadier this time. "Your child.
Gojo Satoru's sunglasses slowly slid down from the bridge of his nose, hanging from the tip of his nose. His Ice Blue Eyes were fully revealed, staring straight at Tu Bai.
Then, the pupils of those Ice Blue Eyes constricted slightly—Six Eyes activated.
Tu Bai could feel a powerful perception sweeping over his body, focusing on his abdomen. That feeling of being seen through made him very uncomfortable, but he did not move.
Gojo Satoru stared at him for a long time, the Emotion in his Eyes shifting from shock to confusion, then to Confirm.
He saw it.
Deep within his abdomen, that faint but definitely existing life energy. It had a slight resonance with his Cursed Energy, a symbiotic circulation with Tu Bai's Demon Power.
It was real.
Gojo Satoru stood up abruptly.
The legs of the Chair scraped against the floor with a piercing sound, causing the customers at several nearby tables to look over.
He grabbed Tu Bai's hand, gripping it very tightly.
"Mine?" Gojo Satoru asked, his voice a bit hoarse.
Tu Bai nodded.
Gojo Satoru stared at him, his Eyes wide open, his Ice Blue Eyes shimmering under the light. He opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again.
.. I'm going to be a father?
The question was asked very softly, as if he were talking to himself.
Tu Bai nodded again.
Gojo Satoru released his hand, then—he smiled.
It was not his usual lazy smile, nor was it the smile of someone whose prank had succeeded; it was a smile Tu Bai had never seen before, one tinged with a hint of bewilderment and a hint of pleasant surprise.
He walked around the Desk, went to Tu Bai's side, pulled him up abruptly, then held him tightly in an embrace.
He held him so tightly that Tu Bai felt his ribs aching from the pressure.
Give birth to it," Gojo Satoru whispered in his ear, his voice trembling, "I'll raise it. No, we'll raise it together. I'll give you whatever you want, you can live wherever you like, whatever you want to eat—
Senpai," Tu Bai interrupted him, "let go first, I can't breathe.
Gojo Satoru finally let go, but he still held onto his shoulders. He looked down at Tu Bai, his Eyes shining with startling brightness: "When did you find out? Why didn't you tell me sooner? Is your discomfort because of this? How many times have you vomited? Are you feeling unwell? Do you want to go to Ieiri Shoko right now for a check-up—"
Senpai," Tu Bai interrupted again, "Sit down first, everyone is watching.
Only then did Gojo Satoru notice the gazes from those around him. He scratched his head and gave an embarrassed smile, but he still pulled Tu Bai down to sit, his hand never letting go.
"So it's true?" he asked, as if to Confirm.
It's true.
A boy or a girl?
.. It's only been a month, Nothing can be seen.
Oh, right." Gojo Satoru nodded, then began to laugh again, "I'm going to be a father.. I never thought this would happen..
He released Tu Bai's hand, picked up his Mobile Phone, began typing rapidly: "I have to tell Yaga that there needs to be a Mission Adjustment, also about your Course.. Oh right, do you want to move in with me? My place is big, there's a Guest Room—Incorrect, you stay in the Master Bedroom, I'll stay in the Guest Room. Also, regarding diet, what should a pregnant woman—pregnant man? eat? I need to look it up—"
Senpai," Tu Bai interrupted for the third time, "calm down first.
Gojo Satoru put down his Mobile Phone and looked at him, his Eyes still bright: "I can't calm down."
Tu Bai looked at his excited expression, a part of his heart softened.
But soon, that bit of softness was suppressed.
He leaned against Gojo Satoru's shoulder and closed his eyes.
Mm," he said, "let's raise it together.
Gojo Satoru held him, his hand resting gently on his back, avoiding the area of the spine.
Don't worry," Gojo Satoru said softly, "As long as I am here, there is nothing to fear.
Tu Bai leaned against his shoulder without saying a word.
He kept his eyes open, staring at the fabric texture on Gojo Satoru's shoulder, his gaze clear and calm.
The child does not belong to just one person; Gojo Satoru also has responsibility.
Besides, he has so much money; what's the harm in tricking a little bit out of him?
I can't let my heart soften.
Once I've swindled enough money and prepared a fake identity, I must run immediately.
Thinking this, he placed his hand gently on his abdomen.
The tiny mass of energy inside pulsed weakly.
It was like a response.
Chapter 24
After leaving the Dessert Shop, the first thing Gojo Satoru did was take out his Mobile Phone and call Yaga Masamichi.
Tu Bai sat in the passenger seat, watching him.
The Phone connected, Gojo Satoru turned on the speaker.
Yaga." Gojo Satoru's voice sounded different than usual, somewhat tense, "For the next three months, I can't take any missions that require me to leave Tokyo.
There was a silence on the other end of the Phone for two seconds, then Yaga's low voice came through: "Reason?"
My pregnant husband needs me," Gojo Satoru said quite naturally, as if he were saying, "The weather is nice today.
An even longer silence.
Tu Bai could even imagine the frowning expression on Yaga's face on the other end of the Phone.
Satoru," Yaga finally spoke, "Are you serious?
Dead serious," Gojo Satoru said. "Xiao Bai is pregnant, with my child. The first three months are unstable, so I need to be by his side.
“..”
So, decline all remote missions. I can take the local ones, but it depends on the situation," Gojo Satoru continued. "Also, can the review for Xiao Bai's Sorcerer grade be expedited? He is currently Grade 1, but considering the special circumstances, I suggest giving him a special approval for—
Gojo." Yaga interrupted him, "Calm down first.
I am very calm.
You don't sound calm at all." Yaga sighed, "Is Tu Bai-kun nearby?
Gojo Satoru looked toward Tu Bai, Tu Bai nodded.
Present.
Let him answer the Phone.
Gojo Satoru handed over the Mobile Phone. Tu Bai took it, feeling a bit nervous: "Principal."
Tu Bai, is what Gojo said true?
.. It's true.
Yaga fell silent again. This time, Tu Bai could hear the sound of his deep breath.
I understand," Yaga said. "I will handle the mission adjustment. As for the grade review.. I'll find a way. But Gojo, don't go too far.
I wasn't acting recklessly~" Gojo Satoru took back his Mobile Phone, "Then it's a deal, thanks Yaga!
He hung up the phone, tossed the Mobile Phone onto the center console, then turned to look at Tu Bai, his Eyes shining: "Done."
Tu Bai looked at his excited expression, that bit of guilt rose up in his heart again.
But he quickly suppressed it.
Senpai," he said, "actually, you don't need to—
I must," Gojo Satoru interrupted him and started the car, "You aren't alone anymore, so I have to take good care of you all.
He said "you all" quite naturally.
Tu Bai pursed his lips and said nothing more.
The car drove to the bottom of the Gojo Satoru Apartment Building. Gojo Satoru got out of the car, walked around to the passenger side, opened the door for Tu Bai, even reached out to support him.