And then, he never saw Xiao Bai again.
Gojo Satoru closed his Eyes.
He has done many things these past few days. He purged a group of conservatives involved in the attack and sent several of the most vocal old men straight to the hospital. The Jujutsu World is currently in a state of high tension, no one dares to mention the word "Repatriation" anymore.
But what of it?
Xiao Bai still hadn't found it.
The Mobile Phone vibrated. It was a Message from Ieiri Shoko.
[I was interrogated by people from Jujutsu Headquarters again today. Regarding Tu Bai's checkup records.]
Gojo Satoru frowned and typed a reply: 【What do you mean?】
【Medical confidentiality. They can't do anything to me.】 Ieiri Shoko paused before sending another message, 【But I must warn you, his physical condition is unique. Prolonged instability in Demon Power and intense fluctuations in Emotion are not good for that "state." You must find him as soon as possible and stabilize him.】
Gojo Satoru stared at that Message, his Finger slowly tightening.
That "status." That Child [male].
Xiao Bai is all alone outside, his Demon Power is unstable, his Emotion is fluctuating, then there are those people who want to catch him..
He didn't dare think any further.
He exited the chat with Ieiri Shoko and returned to the chat interface with Tu Bai.
That Rabbit Nodding emoji was still there, its little head nodding repeatedly, as if it were saying "Okay."
Gojo Satoru looked at it, suddenly feeling a slight sting in his eyes.
He closed his Eyes and took a deep breath.
When he opened his Ice Blue Eyes again, a certain sense of resolve surged within them.
He opened his Contact List, found a number, dialed it.
——
Tu Bai woke up before dawn.
He opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling for a few seconds. It was an unfamiliar ceiling, not the one in Gojo Satoru's apartment. The roof of this small room in Yokohama was made of wood, with a few cracks, a bit of spiderweb had formed in the corner.
Tu Bao was still sleeping. His Pink curly hair was a messy tangle, his face buried in the Pillow, his Breathing very light. Tu had returned to his own Room last night, saying he needed to pack his things, but in reality, he was afraid that sleeping all squeezed together would prevent him from sleeping well.
Tu Bai sat up quietly, got out of bed, stepped onto the Tatami with bare feet.
He walked to the Window, pulling aside a bit of the Curtain.
It was still grey outside, with only a thin sliver of pale white on the horizon. The streets of Yokohama were very quiet, with only the occasional car passing by.
He has to leave today.
Tu Bai took a deep breath, turned around, began packing his things.
There wasn't much. A Backpack, a change of Clothes, identification—the False Identity was already prepared, with the Name "Bai Chuan You," nationality Sweden, so perfect that no issues could be found. There was also some Cash, a few cards, and..
He picked up that Black Rabbit Doll and took a look at it.
It was palm-sized with black fur and red eyes, looking exactly like him. Its Rabbit Ears hung softly, its tail was a small fluff ball.
He flipped the Doll over and felt its small Belly. A Recording was hidden there, consisting of three sentences.
Sorry. Thank you. Take care of yourself.
Tu Bai stared at the Doll for a few seconds, then put it into his Backpack along with some other things.
He took the Black Card out of his Pocket again.
The one Gojo Satoru gave him had no limit. There was still a lot of money in the card, but he didn't touch it. The funds transferred out over these past few months were already enough, enough for him to live comfortably in the Nordic region for several years.
He didn't want to take this Black Card with him.
Tu Bai placed the card on the Low Table, right next to that Rabbit Doll.
He looked at these two things and stood there for a long time.
Then he put on his Backpack, took one last look at this Room where he had lived for Five Days, pulled open the door, walked out.
In the Living Room, Dazai Osamu was leaning against the Sofa reading a book; seeing him come out, he lifted his eyelids slightly.
So early?
Yeah," Tu Bai said, "to catch the early bus.
Dazai put down the book and stood up. He picked up an envelope from the Coffee Table and handed it to Tu Bai.
Take it. Use it on the Road.
Tu Bai froze for a moment, took the Envelope, opened it to find a stack of Cash inside, a significant amount.
This..
Don't mention it," Dazai said, his鸢色 eyes looking at him, "just consider it.. a gift for my Younger Brother.
Tu Bai opened his mouth, not knowing what to say. Finally, he nodded and stuffed the Envelope into his Backpack.
"Thank you," he said.
Dazai waved his hand. "Bao'er is still sleeping, do you want me to wake him up?"
Tu Bai shook his head: "Let him sleep. He'll just start crying again if he wakes up."
Dazai smiled slightly and said nothing.
Tu Bai walked to the Doorway and pulled open the door. Outside was the early morning Street, the air fresh and carrying a hint of moisture.
He glanced back.
Dazai stood in the Living Room, his Sand-colored Trench Coat not yet worn, wearing only a black White Shirt and Trousers.
"Take care," Dazai said.
Tu Bai nodded, turned, walked into the Morning Light.
---
The Taxi was driving on the Road.
Tu Bai sat in the Back Seat, watching the street view rapidly receding outside the window. The streets of Yokohama, then the viaduct, then the Tokyo Suburbs.
He was going to the Airport. Under his False Identity, he had booked a flight to Stockholm for this afternoon.
The Driver was a middle-aged man, taciturn and silent throughout the entire journey. Tu Bai did not speak either, merely gazing outside the window.
The car drove to an intersection, while waiting at a red light, he saw a Shrine by the Roadside.
It was very old and remote, hidden behind several old trees, even the Torii was crooked. It looked as if no one had visited for a long time.
Tu Bai stared at that Shrine and suddenly spoke:
Master, can you stop ahead?
The Driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror: "Here?"
Just pull over at the Roadside, I'll be back soon.
The Driver nodded and pulled the car over to the roadside. Tu Bai paid the fare, pushed open the door, stepped out.
He didn't even know why he wanted to stop. It was just.. he wanted to offer a prayer.
He walked through the Torii and ascended the stone steps. Moss grew upon the steps, making them a bit slippery to step on. The old trees on both sides blocked the Sunlight, allowing only a few stray beams to leak through.
He stopped walking when he reached the main hall.
It was very dark inside the hall, a shrine could only be seen faintly. A stone mirror was embedded in the center of the shrine, its surface gray and hazy, making it impossible to see clearly.
Tu Bai stood outside the hall, pressed his hands together, closed his eyes.
Bless the Child [male] with health and safety.
He muttered silently in his heart.
Please, gods.. let him not hate me too much.
After finishing his prayer, he opened his Eyes and was about to turn to leave.
A Voice came from behind him.
“Xiao Bai.”
That voice was too familiar. It was so familiar that Tu Bai's heart skipped a beat in a moment, then began to beat wildly.
He spun around abruptly.
Gojo Satoru stood under the Torii, backlit by the light, making his expression unclear. But those Ice Blue Eyes shimmered in the shadow, staring straight at him.
He wasn't wearing a blindfold. He wasn't wearing Sunglasses. There was nothing covering that face, only those Eyes, like two clusters of cold fire, locking onto Tu Bai.
He was panting, his chest undulating, as if he had used every means possible to rush over.
Tu Bai froze in place, unable to move.
Gojo Satoru walked up the stone steps step by step, his footsteps exceptionally clear in the silent Shrine.
Where are you going?" he asked, his Voice hoarse, "Taking our Child, where are you going?
Tu Bai took a step back, his back hitting the door frame of the main hall.
I..
Do you know how long I've been looking for you?" Gojo Satoru took a step closer, his Voice still hoarse, "Do you know how worried I was?
Tu Bai took another step back, retreating into the hall.
Gojo Satoru followed him in, standing before him and looking down at him from above. Too many things surged within those Ice Blue Eyes—regret, anger, worry, something even deeper, something that almost overflowed.
You don't trust me that much?" he asked, his Voice very low, "Not even a chance to explain?
Tu Bai bit his lip and remained silent. His hands protected his abdomen, his eyes darting away, not daring to look into those eyes.
Gojo Satoru reached out his hand, wanting to pull him.
Tu Bai stepped back, his back slamming into something—the shrine. The shrine vibrated, the stone mirror emitted a faint hum.
Gojo Satoru's hand gripped his wrist.
Come back with me," he said. "We can talk about whatever it is once we get back.