Footsteps echoed from the stairwell.
He suddenly turned around, gripping his sword tightly.
Two people ran up.
An Adult Man [male] in a Suit, with blond hair and wearing glasses, had a serious expression. He was tall, wearing a dark Suit, his tie was neatly tied, looking as if he had just come from the Office.
A boy in a school uniform, with pink hair and large eyes, looking to be in his teens. He wore a Jujutsu High Uniform, his face carrying the vitality unique to a youth, but at this moment, his expression was heavy.
Tu Bai knows them.
Nanami Kento. Itadori Yuji.
Tu Bai?" Nanami spoke first, frowning. "What are you doing here?
Tu Bai said nothing, merely staring at the corpse on the Floor.
Nanami walked over and knelt down to take a look. Then he stood up, his expression darkening.
It's like this again.
Itadori was by his side, staring at the corpse, his fist clenched tight.
Mahito.
Tu Bai raised his head.
What?
“Mahito,” Itadori repeated, his voice laced with suppressed rage, “A Special Grade Cursed Spirit, capable of reshaping a person's soul into this state. He has captured so many people, transforming them one by one.”
Tu Bai's face turned even paler.
Mahito?
It was that woman in the white dress—no, not a woman, but a Special Grade Cursed Spirit. In that room where he was imprisoned, she stared at him constantly, saying she wanted to see his soul.
He thought of those hollow eyes, thought of the hand it reached out, thought of how it only stopped when the man with the suture on his forehead called out "Mahito."
If it had acted back then..
If it had really touched his Soul..
Tu Bai pressed his hand against his abdomen; that warmth was throbbing.
"You fought before?" he asked.
Nanami nodded.
Fought him twice. He escaped both times." He paused, "That ability of his is too dangerous. Once you encounter it, your soul will be altered.
Itadori was nearby, his voice very low:
I have a friend who was changed by him.
Tu Bai looked at him.
Itadori didn't say much, but there was something very deep within those eyes. It wasn't sadness; it was hatred.
"And then?" Tu Bai asked.
He died," Itadori said. "After the modification, he became a Cursed Spirit and died. I couldn't save him.
Tu Bai fell silent.
He looked at the corpse on the Floor, thinking of that scream from just now.
Before that man died, did he also think of something? Family? Friends? How he used to be?
Nanami walked over and patted Itadori on the shoulder.
Let's go," he said. "Leave this to the cleanup crew.
Itadori nodded.
He looked at Tu Bai and forced a smile.
Tu Bai-ge, did you come here alone? Does Gojo-sensei know? It's too dangerous.
Tu Bai was stunned.
Why does Senpai have to know?
Itadori scratched his head. "Gojo-sensei said you two are together."
Tu Bai's face turned red.
Did he say anything else?
He said.." Itadori thought for a moment, "He said you are beautiful.
Tu Bai: ".."
Nanami cleared his throat beside him.
"Let's go," he said.
Itadori followed him downstairs, upon reaching the stairs, he turned back to take another look at Tu Bai.
Tu Bai-ge, that Mahito, have you seen him before?
Tu Bai fell silent for a second, then nodded.
Nice to meet you.
Itadori's gaze changed.
Where?
When I was captured before," Tu Bai said. "It tried to touch me, but it was stopped.
Itadori stared at him for a few seconds, then nodded.
That's good then," he said. "Don't let him touch That Mirror.
Then he turned and went downstairs.
Tu Bai stood where he was, listening to the Footsteps gradually fading away.
He looked down at his hands.
Those hands had just slashed the modified person.
Before that man died, he let out a cry.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
Then he opened his eyes, turned, went downstairs.
---
Stepping out of that building, the sky had already grown somewhat dark.
The streets of Shibuya were as bustling as ever, with people coming and going, the neon lights began to light up.
Tu Bai walked in the Crowd, looking like he belonged to a different world from that dark, abandoned building just now.
He kept his hands in his pockets, feeling his abdomen.
He thought of the gaze Mahito had fixed on him in that room. Hollow, curious, as if he were looking at some specimen.
If it had acted back then..
If he were to be modified..
Then what will happen to this Child?
Tu Bai did not dare to think about it.
He quickened his pace and walked toward home.
---
At eight in the evening, Gojo Satoru pushed the door open and walked in.
Tu Bai was sitting on the Sofa, staring blankly; the TV was on, but he clearly wasn't watching it.
“Xiao Bai?”
Tu Bai raised his head.
Gojo Satoru walked over and sat down beside him.
What's wrong? You look pale.
Tu Bai fell silent for a few seconds, then spoke:
I took a mission today.
Gojo Satoru frowned. "Wasn't I supposed to let you rest at home?"
I had nothing better to do," Tu Bai said. "A Grade 2 Cursed Spirit, I thought it was nothing.
Gojo Satoru looked at him, waiting for him to continue.
Tu Bai paused.
That thing is not a Cursed Spirit," he said. "It's a person. Someone was modified.
Gojo Satoru's brow furrowed even deeper.
Tu Bai looked up at him.
You knew all along?
Gojo Satoru remained silent for a few seconds, then nodded.
I know a little. I've been investigating it lately.
Tu Bai stared at him.
That Mahito," he said, "I've seen him.
Gojo Satoru was stunned.
Where?
When I was being captured," Tu Bai said. "That man in Kasaya told me to call it Mahito. He wanted to see my soul, but he was stopped by that person.