"I can walk by myself," Tu Bai said.
"You'd better be careful," Gojo Satoru said, not letting go.
The two went upstairs. Tu Bai had been to Gojo Satoru's Apartment a few times, but this time the feeling was different. As soon as Gojo Satoru entered the door, he headed straight for the Study, Tu Bai heard the sound of things being rummaged through from inside.
"What are you looking for?" Tu Bai walked over and stood at the doorway of the Study.
Gojo Satoru was squatting in front of a bookshelf, taking things out one by one: documents, cursed tools, old photos, all sorts of miscellaneous knick-knacks.
I remember I had a Parenting Book.." Gojo Satoru said without looking up, "Someone gave it to me before.. Ah, found it!
He pulled out a thick hardcover book; the cover was already a bit old, it had "Newborn Care Encyclopedia" written on it.
Tu Bai froze: "You.. how do you have this?"
Mei gave it to me." Gojo Satoru stood up and patted the dust off the book. "I helped his deal with some trouble a few years ago, she gave me this as a thank-you gift. I even laughed at his back then for giving me something so strange; I never thought..
He opened the book, his Eyes shining: "It's useful now."
Tu Bai watched him flipping through the pages, his Finger curling unconsciously.
That night, Tu Bai slept in the Guest Room—Gojo Satoru had insisted he sleep in the Master Bedroom, but Tu Bai refused. Gojo Satoru couldn't win the argument, so he could only change all the sheets and duvet covers in the Guest Room to new ones and replaced the pillows with two new ones as well.
Tell me if you're uncomfortable," Gojo Satoru said, standing at the doorway. "I'll be right next door.
.. Mm.
Tu Bai lay on the Bed, but he couldn't sleep. He listened to the faint sounds coming from the room next door—it seemed Gojo Satoru wasn't asleep either.
On the morning of Day 2, Tu Bai was awakened by a knocking at the door.
He opened the door, Gojo Satoru was standing outside in casual clothes, his black hair still a bit messy, holding a Mobile Phone in his hand.
Morning," Gojo Satoru said. "Ieiri Shoko replied to me.
.. What?
I sent his a message last night, asking what men need to watch out for during pregnancy." Gojo Satoru handed over the Mobile Phone, "He replied with a long string of text. I took a screenshot, look.
Tu Bai took the Mobile Phone. On the Screen was indeed Ieiri Shoko's Chat Window, containing a long passage of text that covered everything from diet to daily routines to Emotion management in great detail.
And finally, one last sentence: 【Is your Brain broken? How can a man get pregnant?】
Gojo Satoru's reply was: 【Xiao Bai is a Rabbit Demon, so it's possible for the Demon Race.】
Ieiri Shoko: 【.. Oh. Then forget I said that. But he still needs regular checkups; pregnancy in the Demon Race is different from Humans, many indicators are not applicable. Bring him to me next week.】
Gojo Satoru: 【Okay.】
Tu Bai returned the Mobile Phone: "Ieiri Shoko.. you don't find it strange?"
What's so strange about it?" Gojo Satoru said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "You are a Rabbit Demon, I am a Sorcerer; our child will definitely be special.
He spoke very naturally, as if he were discussing something perfectly normal.
Tu Bai didn't know what to say.
Breakfast was made by Gojo Satoru—if that could even be called "making" something. He ordered takeout, but plated it himself and even fried two eggs (one was burnt, the other was barely edible).
I'll prepare breakfast from now on," Gojo Satoru said. "As for lunch and dinner.. should I call a chef to come over? Or if there's something you want to eat, I'll go buy it.
It doesn't need to be that troublesome," Tu Bai said, "I can cook for myself.
No," Gojo Satoru shook his head, "cooking fumes are not good for pregnant men.
Tu Bai wanted to say, "I'm not that delicate," but he swallowed the words back before they could leave his mouth.
He now had to play the role of someone dependent.
"Then.. I'll have to trouble you, Senpai," he said softly.
Gojo Satoru smiled and reached out to ruffle his hair: "It's no trouble."
After finishing breakfast, Gojo Satoru said he was going out to buy some things and told Tu Bai to rest at home. Tu Bai sat on the Sofa, watching him head out, then stood up and wandered around the Apartment.
The door to the study was open. Tu Bai walked inside and saw several books spread out on the desk: "Rabbit Breeding Guide", "Prenatal Nutrition", "Selected Prenatal Education Music".
A Notebook was also placed beside them, the page that was flipped open had written on it:
Precautions for Xiao Bai's Pregnancy
·Cannot eat raw or cold food (weak stomach)
·Cannot stay up late (damaging to health)
·Cannot Take Dangerous Missions (Safety First)
·Must Keep a Good Mood (Important!)
The handwriting was very scrawled, but it was written with great sincerity.
Tu Bai stared at that line, "Keep a Good Mood," for a long time.
Then he walked out of the Study and took a stroll around the Living Room.
Then he saw it.
On the wall of the Living Room, a large Calendar was posted. It was the kind with cute animal patterns, Gojo Satoru had circled several Dates on it with a Red Marker.
Week 8: First Prenatal Checkup (Ieiri Shoko)
Week 12-27: Mid-pregnancy
Week 28: Entering late pregnancy
Week 40: Due Date
There were also a few reminders stuck to the side with Note:
·Buy Maternity Clothes (Men's style)
· Prepare the Nursery
·Learning Changing Diapers
·Naming
Tu Bai stood before the Calendar, his Finger lightly touching the circle around the Due Date.
Gojo Satoru even calculated the Due Date.
Although the pregnancy cycle of the Demon Race is not necessarily the same as that of Humans, he still calculated it.
Tu Bai turned around, intending to return to his room, but he saw a Box sitting on the Coffee Table.
He walked over and opened it.
Inside was a Fetal Doppler—the home-use kind, white, with a probe and headphones.
There was also an instruction manual inside the Box, upon which Gojo Satoru had underlined a few lines with a pen, with a note beside them: "This function might not be useful for the Demon Race, but give it a try."
Tu Bai picked up that Fetal Doppler; it was very light, the plastic shell felt cool.
He put it down, closed the Box, sat back on the Sofa.
His heart felt heavy with discomfort.
In the afternoon, Gojo Satoru returned, carrying large bags and small bags. Tu Bai went to open the door and saw him holding supermarket bags and several paper bags from clothing stores.
"You bought so much?" Tu Bai asked.
Not much," Gojo Satoru squeezed in. "The clothes are for you, a loose fit, they'll be comfortable to wear, this—
He pulled a plush Rabbit Doll out of the bag; it was palm-sized, with black fur and red eyes.
"Just like you." Gojo Satoru stuffed the Doll into Tu Bai's hands.
Tu Bai looked at the doll, his fingers pinching it; it felt extremely good, soft and squishy.
"Thank you," he said.
Gojo Satoru smiled, then began organizing the things he had bought. In addition to clothes and dolls, there was a pile of ingredients—mostly things Tu Bai liked to eat: mango, carrots, some nuts.
I also bought some Parenting Books," Gojo Satoru said, pulling several new books out of the bag. "The latest edition, too. They're more comprehensive than the one Mei gave you.
He placed the books on the Coffee Table, sat down beside Tu Bai, picked one up to flip through.
Tu Bai looked at his focused profile and suddenly asked, "Senpai, don't you think.. it's strange?"
What's strange?
It's just.." Tu Bai weighed his words, "A man getting pregnant, it's the child of a demon and a Human..
Gojo Satoru looked up at him, his Ice Blue Eyes very clear: "It's not strange."
But—
Xiao Bai," Gojo Satoru interrupted him, "anything is possible in this world. Cursed Spirits exist, Jujutsu exists, Rabbit Demons exist, so why couldn't a Rabbit Demon's pregnancy exist?
He spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
And besides," Gojo Satoru smiled, "it's our child, so there's even less to find strange about it.
Tu Bai fell silent.
At night, after Tu Bai finished his bath and came out, he saw Gojo Satoru sitting on the sofa in the Living Room, holding a book in his hands.
It was a Fairy Tale Book.
A colorful Cover, depicting a Prince and a Princess.
Senpai," Tu Bai walked over, "what are you looking at this for?
Prenatal education," Gojo Satoru said, patting the seat beside him. "Come sit.
Tu Bai sat down. Gojo Satoru opened the book, cleared his throat, began to read:
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful kingdom, in that kingdom lived a kind Princess..
His voice was low and gentle, completely different from his usual languid tone.
Tu Bai listened, unable to help but say, "Senpai, he can't hear yet, can he.."
He can hear me." Gojo Satoru said very seriously, "My child is definitely smart; he can hear me right now.
He continued reading.
Tu Bai leaned against him, listening to him read a story. Gojo Satoru's voice was very pleasant, low and magnetic. He read very slowly, occasionally pausing to say to Tu Bai's stomach, "Pay close attention here, the Prince is going to save the Princess."