The young man before him was still wearing a Jujutsu High Uniform, still sporting a half-bun, still believed that "the Strongest should provide Protection to the Weak."
But his Eyes already held exhaustion.
Tu Bai took a deep breath.
I have seen many people," he spoke, his voice very light, "good ones, bad ones, kind ones, wicked ones.
Geto Suguru looked up at him.
I have lived in human society for a long time," Tu Bai said. "I am not a human; I am of the Demon Race.
Geto Suguru's gaze shifted.
Humans have done many things to me," Tu Bai continued. "Good things, bad things. Some wanted to kill me, some helped me escape for my life. Some discriminated against me, some..
He paused.
There is someone willing to protect me, even if he himself will get hurt.
Geto Suguru said nothing.
Tu Bai looked at the distant Sky.
I am also a Sorcerer, I have thought about this question before," he said. "Is it worth it? Why protect those who hurt me?
He placed his hand on his abdomen.
Later, I realized.
Geto Suguru looked at him.
The meaning does not lie in whether the other person is worthy," Tu Bai said. "It lies in what kind of person you want to become.
Geto Suguru froze.
Tu Bai turned back and looked at him.
Powerful strength can be used to draw lines—who is worthy of Protection, who is not. It can also be used to..
He thought about it.
To create connections and choices.
Something stirred in Geto Suguru's eyes.
That junior you just mentioned," Tu Bai said, "Hai Village. He wants to become a Sorcerer who can provide Protection to others. Regardless of whether the person being protected is worthy, he wants to become that kind of person. That thought itself has meaning.
Geto Suguru was silent for a long time.
Tu Bai stood up.
I should go back," he said. "Senpai will be looking for me.
He walked a few steps, then turned back.
I don't have answers to the questions you just asked," he said. "Different people have different thoughts. Perhaps you can try to find them yourself—find an answer of your own.
Geto Suguru looked at him, his gaze complex.
Tu Bai turned around and slowly walked away.
---
In the distance, in the shadow of a tree, Teacher Gojo stood there.
Tu Bai walked up to him and stopped.
You heard everything?
Teacher Gojo nodded.
Tu Bai lowered his head and said softly, "I can only say this much."
Teacher Gojo reached out and took his hand.
That's enough," he said, his Voice a bit hoarse, "Thank you.
Tu Bai looked up at him.
In those Blue Eyes, complex Emotions surged—gratitude, regret, a hint of something indescribable and soft.
"That Geto Suguru.." Tu Bai spoke.
Teacher Gojo shook his head.
It might not be able to change much," he said. "But perhaps.. it can leave behind a sliver of light.
Tu Bai said no more.
The two walked back side by side.
Behind them, Geto Suguru was still sitting on the stone stool, gazing at the distant Sky.
His gaze was a bit clearer than before.
Chapter 49
Tu Bai stayed at Jujutsu High for seven days.
For the first three days, he was almost entirely asleep. The consumption of Demon Power was too great; his body was like a device automatically shutting down to recharge, sleeping for over ten hours at a time. He would wake up to eat something, say a few words to Gojo Satoru, then fall back asleep.
Gojo Satoru had been staying by the bedside the whole time.
During the Daytime, he sits in a Chair, at Night, he lies by the Bedside to sleep. Sometimes when Tu Bai wakes up in the middle of the night, he can see That person leaning over the edge of the Bed, his Silver Hair scattered, his Breathing very light.
He would stare at that face for a while, then close his eyes and continue sleeping.
From the beginning of Day 4, his spirit improved a little.
He has been awake for longer now and can get out of bed to walk. Gojo Satoru accompanied him, taking slow strolls through the Campus.
Every time they went for a walk, he would run into Teacher Gojo.
That person seems to be everywhere. Walking on the road, he is leaning against a tree; going to the Cafeteria to eat, he is sitting at the next table; sunbathing in the Courtyard, he passes by, his "passing by" is incredibly deliberate.
And every time he saw Tu Bai, he would flash that obnoxious smirk.
Tu Bai didn't care at first. Later, as it happened more frequently, he couldn't help but ask Gojo Satoru, "Is that young version of you just idle?"
Gojo Satoru glanced at his younger self in the distance, his lips twitching.
He's got too much time on his hands.
On the afternoon of Day 5, Tu Bai woke up and found two people sitting by his bedside.
Two Gojo Satorus.
The same silver hair, the same blue eyes, the same face. Even the clothes were identical—both wearing the black Jujutsu High Uniform.
Tu Bai was stunned.
He looked at the one on the left, then looked at the one on the right.
The one on the Left was smiling, the one on the Right was also smiling.
Xiao Bai." The one on the left spoke, "Awake?
Xiao Bai," the one on the Right also spoke, "Are you hungry?
Tu Bai's brain stalled.
Two voices, exactly the same. Two smiles, exactly the same. Both were sitting there, both were looking at him, both were waiting for his answer.
You.." He pointed at the one on the Left, then pointed at the one on the Right, "You two..
The one on the Left laughed even more happily. The one on the Right also laughed even more happily.
Tu Bai was suddenly a little angry.
He stared at the one on the left, looking into his eyes. In those Blue Eyes, there was something small and familiar—that softness that only appeared when he was looking at him.
He looked at the one on the right again. In those Blue Eyes was pure curiosity and the smugness of a successful prank.
Tu Bai raised his hand and slapped the back of the head of the one on the Right.
Ow!" High School Gojo clutched his head, glaring at him, "How did you know it was me?
Tu Bai ignored him and looked at the one on the left.
Gojo Satoru—the tall one—was laughing so hard his shoulders were shaking.
"You did that on purpose," Tu Bai said.
Gojo Satoru nodded. "Yeah."
Tu Bai looked at High School Gojo again. That young man was clutching his head, his expression both aggrieved and defiant.
Why are you only hitting me? He's wearing one too!
He is my senpai," Tu Bai said. "You are not.
High School Gojo was stunned.
Then he hummed, stood up, walked out. Upon reaching the doorway, he turned back to take another look at Tu Bai.
There is curry in the Cafeteria tonight," he said. "You love that, don't you?
Tu Bai was stunned.
Teacher Gojo had already walked out.
He looked at Gojo Satoru.
Gojo Satoru was also looking at him, a hint of a complex smile in his eyes.
He's already checked," Gojo Satoru said. "What you've liked eating these past few days, what you haven't liked, what time you wake up, what time you go to sleep—he has inquired about it all.
Tu Bai fell silent; he couldn't understand why High School Gojo was asking about this.
---
On the night of Day 6, Tu Bai could not sleep and went out for a walk.
The Moonlight was beautiful, shining on the Path in a wash of Silver White.