On the Night of Day 5, he sat on the Tatami in the Room, with several items spread out before him.
A mask. Silver, with fine Demon Wards on the surface; wearing it could temporarily change one's appearance. He had spent two nights on its Construction, consuming a significant amount of Demon Power, but it was worth it.
A few small items, each only a few palms in size. Some were Rabbit-shaped, while others were shaped like ordinary stones, all imbued with his Demon Power Aura. When the time comes, throwing a few in different directions will be enough to mislead anyone tracking him.
There was also a Small Doll.
Tu Bai picked up that Small Doll and studied it.
It was palm-sized with black fur and Red Eyes, looking exactly like his Rabbit prototype. The Ears hung softly, the tail was a tiny fluff ball, even the paw pads on the claws were crafted.
This was the thing he spent the most time constructing. Not just its appearance, but its interior also contained complex Demon Wards circuits that could store a short segment of information.
Tu Bai flipped the Doll over, looking into its Red Eyes.
Those Eyes were just like his own, Ruby Color and sparkling.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, infused the doll with Demon Power.
The Doll's Rabbit Ears twitched slightly.
Tu Bai spoke, his Voice very soft:
“Senpai..”
He stopped after only saying two words.
His throat felt as if it were blocked by something, making it impossible to produce any sound. He cleared his throat and tried once more:
Senpai, I..
Stopped again.
Tu Bai bit his lip and lowered his head, staring at the Doll. The room was very quiet, with only the occasional wind sound from outside the window.
He took a deep breath and spoke for the third time:
Sorry.
This time, it was spoken. Although the Voice trembled slightly, it was spoken.
And.. thank you.
He paused, his Finger stroking the Rabbit Doll's Ears. They were soft and fluffy, just like his own Ears.
Take care of yourself.
That was it.
He had originally wanted to say a few more words. He wanted to explain, to clarify, to pour out all those words hidden deep within his heart. But once they reached the tip of his tongue, only these three sentences remained.
Sorry. Thank you. Take care of yourself.
Tu Bai stared at the Doll, his eyes feeling a bit warm. He blinked hard, suppressing that warmth.
He put the Doll aside, leaned against the wall, closed his Eyes.
Enough. This is enough.
Light footsteps came from outside the door. Tu Bai opened his eyes and looked toward the doorway.
The door was pulled open a crack, Tu Bao's head poked in, his Pink curly hair a messy sight.
Er Bao, not asleep yet?
No.
Tu Bao slipped in, holding a mug of Milk in his hands. He sat down beside Tu Bai and handed the Milk over.
Drink something warm. It helps with sleep.
Tu Bai took the Milk. The Cup was warm, the heat passed through the Glass into his Palm.
He lowered his head and took a sip. The Milk was sweet, with Honey added.
"Where is Tu?" he asked.
Taking a bath," Tu Bao said, pausing, "Leaving tomorrow?
Mm.
Tu Bao was silent for a few seconds. Then he leaned over and rested his head on Tu Bai's shoulder.
"I will miss you," he said softly.
Tu Bai said nothing. He raised his hand and rubbed Tu Bao's hair.
The door was pushed open again. Tu walked in wearing Sleep Pants, his long Silver White hair draped over him, damp and wet. His peach-blossom eyes were red—it was unclear if it was from the steam of the bath or something else.
He walked over and sat down on Tu Bai's other side, squeezing himself in between Tu Bai and Tu Bao.
"It's so cramped," Tu Bai said, but he didn't push him away.
Tu said nothing. He reached out and took Tu Bai's hand.
The three of them squeezed together, just like in their Childhood.
Tu Bai lowered his head and took another sip of Milk. It was sweet and warm, flowing down his throat.
The night view of Yokohama outside the window was beautiful. The lights from the skyscrapers, the silhouette of the Ferris wheel in the distance, the occasional sound of passing cars.
But as Tu Bai looked at those lights, his heart felt empty.
He thought of the night view in another place. The one in Tokyo, by the Apartment Building, the back of That person standing by the Window making a Phone call.
He put down the Milk Cup and felt around under the Pillow for his Mobile Phone.
The Screen lit up. He swiped through the Photo Album and found the very last Photo.
He had taken this photo himself. That day at the Dessert Shop, Gojo Satoru was eating Strawberry Cake, with a bit of Cream on the corner of his mouth. He was holding a Fork, appearing to say something, his Eyes curved. Tu Bai sat opposite him and, while he wasn't paying attention, pressed the shutter.
In the Photo, Gojo Satoru's profile was very handsome. With white eyelashes and a high bridge to his nose, he looked like a Child when he smiled.
Tu Bai stared at that Photo for a long time.
Tu leaned over and took a glance: "Is it him?"
Yeah.
He's very handsome," Tu said. "Is he even more handsome than in the Photo?
.. Yeah.
Tu stopped asking questions. He leaned his head back against Tu Bai's shoulder and stayed there quietly.
The light from the screen gradually dimmed. Tu Bai did not turn it back on, but simply held the Mobile Phone in his hand, feeling that bit of residual heat.
Running was the right thing to do.
He told himself.
But what happens after he runs?
Will that "child," that Baby who exists because of Gojo Satoru, truly be happy in a future where he has lost his father, is far from his homeland, must hide his identity?
He looked down at his abdomen. It was still flat, but he could feel that warm presence. It rested there quietly, like a tiny life, waiting for an unknown future.
Tu Bai suddenly felt very lost.
From the moment he formulated his plan until now, he had never considered this question. He only wanted to run, only wanted to be safe, only wanted to give birth to the Child and raise him well.
But he had never considered what the Child [male] would ask once he grew up.
Where is Dad?
Why don't we have a home?
Who is that person?
He didn't know how to answer.
Tu suddenly spoke, his Voice very soft:
“Second Brother.”
Hmm?
No matter what decision you make, we will support you.
Tu Bai froze for a moment, then turned his head to look at Tu. His peach-blossom eyes were red, but his gaze was very serious.
Tu Bao also raised his head and looked at him: "Yes, we all support you. If you want to run, we will help you run. If you want to stay.. we will stay with you."
Tu Bai looked at them, suddenly feeling his eyes grow hot again.
He lowered his head, staring at the Milk Cup in his hands. The Milk in the Cup had cooled slightly, but it was still warm.
Mm." he said softly, "I know.
He picked up the Cup and took another sip.
It was very sweet.
Outside the window, the night view of Yokohama was still dazzling. The Ferris wheel turned slowly, the neon lights in the distance flickered with various colors.
And in this small Room, the three Rabbits huddled together, staying quietly.
Tu Bai leaned against Tu Bao's shoulder, while Tu leaned against his, the three of them huddling together just like in their Childhood.
He closed his Eyes.
I don't want to think about it tonight.
As for tomorrow, we'll talk about it tomorrow.
---
Meanwhile, in Tokyo.
Gojo Satoru stood by the window of the Apartment, holding his Mobile Phone in his hand.
The Screen showed the chat log with Tu Bai. The last Message was that Rabbit Nodding emoji sent by Tu Bai.
He stared at that Emoji for a long time.
The last thing Xiao Bai sent him was this Little Rabbit.
He remembered that on that day, he had sent a message saying, "I'll bring you some Limited Sakura Daifuku for you," and Xiao Bai had replied with that emoji. Looking at that Rabbit Nodding at the time, he was thinking that once he returned, he definitely had to take a Photo of Xiao Bai eating Daifuku.