Alright," he said. "Let's go home.
Tu Bao stood at the Kitchen doorway, watching this scene with a complex expression.
Dazai Osamu approached at some unknown time and said in a low voice, "I told you so."
Tu Bao glared at him: "You knew all along?"
Know what?
“Know what—never mind.” Tu Bao rubbed his eyes, then couldn't help but glance at those two hugging on the Sofa, murmuring softly, “Er Bao seems.. quite happy.”
Dazai Osamu smiled and put his arm around his shoulder. "Alright, let them be for a while. Let's go to sleep."
But—
Let's go, let's go." Dazai Osamu pushed him toward the Bedroom. "Your Younger Brother is going back tomorrow; don't you want to sleep a little longer?
Tu Bao turned back to take one last look, but ultimately followed Dazai Osamu into the Bedroom.
The Living Room fell silent.
Outside the window, the night in Yokohama was gradually fading, the horizon was turning slightly white.
Tu Bai curled up in Gojo Satoru's arms, sleepiness surging once again. But he did not want to sleep.
He grabbed Gojo Satoru's clothes and said softly, "Senpai."
Hmm?
.. Sorry.
Gojo Satoru looked down at him.
Tu Bai buried his face even lower: "I shouldn't have run out, I shouldn't have refused to listen to your explanation."
Gojo Satoru said nothing, he just held him a little tighter.
After a while, Tu Bai said again, "But in the future.. you have to say it directly. You aren't allowed to be so hesitant like that anymore."
"Okay," Gojo Satoru said.
Tell me everything you're thinking about.
Okay.
Don't hide anything from me.
Okay.
Tu Bai raised his head and looked at him. His Red Eyes were bright; although they were still a bit swollen, he looked much more spirited.
You promise?
Gojo Satoru looked into his eyes and nodded seriously.
I promise.
Tu Bai stared at him for a few seconds, then satisfiedly buried his head back.
That's good, then.
Gojo Satoru chuckled.
He picked up Tu Bai, stood up, walked toward the doorway.
Tu Bao's door suddenly creaked open a crack, Tu Bao's head poked out: "You're leaving already—"
Tu Bai raised his head from his embrace and waved to Tu Bao, "Brother, I'm heading back first. I'll come again another day."
Tu Bao opened his mouth, but in the end, he only said, ".. Be careful on the road."
Mm.
Gojo Satoru nodded to him and carried Tu Bai out the door.
The door closed.
Tu Bao stood at the Doorway, stunned for a few seconds.
Then he heard Gojo Satoru's voice coming from downstairs: "By the way, Tu Bai isn't wearing shoes—do you have his?"
Tu Bao: ".."
Tu Bao looked down, only then noticing a pair of socks worn by Tu Bai on the floor at the Entrance.
White, the left toe area was a bit dirty.
He suddenly felt a bit like laughing.
And he felt a bit like crying again.
Dazai Osamu walked out of the bedroom and wrapped his arms around his waist: "What's wrong?"
Nothing," Tu Bao sniffled. "It's just that.. it feels like Er Bao has really found someone who can take care of him.
Dazai Osamu smiled, lowered his head, kissed him on the forehead.
That's not bad at all.
It was almost dawn outside the window.
The morning in Yokohama is quiet and gentle.
Chapter 55
On the tram from Yokohama to Tokyo, Tu Bai kept his head lowered.
There were not many people in the carriage. An old man sat dozing across from him, while two high school girls chatted quietly beside him. The light tubes overhead made a buzzing sound, outside the window, the sky was gradually brightening.
Tu Bai curled up in the seat, his two feet dangling—he hadn't put his shoes on yet.
Gojo Satoru sat beside him, one hand gripping his wrist, his thumb slowly stroking the back of his hand. He said nothing, just held him like that.
Tu Bai stole a glance at him.
Gojo Satoru looked outside the window, his profile appearing well-defined in the Morning Light. Nothing can be seen of his expression; the corners of his mouth were not upturned, nor were his brows furrowed; he simply looked very calm.
But Tu Bai knew that this man was not usually like this.
Usually, he talks a great deal, chattering on incessantly. Now, his silence is so profound that it makes one's skin crawl.
Tu Bai lowered his head again, staring at his toes.
The sock on the left foot was gone—he didn't know when it had fallen off. Now both feet were bare, stepping on the Tram Floor, feeling cold.
He thought about what happened last night.
Ran out, took a tram to Yokohama, crouched downstairs, beat up three thugs, was then picked up and taken back by Tu Bao. He cried, said so many things, scolded Gojo Satoru. Then Gojo Satoru chased after him, said those words, carried him home..
Looking back on it now, it was a bit embarrassing.
It wasn't just a little; it was very embarrassing.
Tu Bai buried his face even lower, wishing he could shrink into a ball.
By the time the Tram arrived at the Station, it was already light outside.
Gojo Satoru stood up and pulled him off the tram. As they walked out of the station, the morning breeze blew past, feeling a bit chilly. There were not many people on the street, the lights at the entrance of the Convenience Store were still on, with a Clerk putting out newspapers.
The two of them walked toward the Apartment.
Tu Bai walked barefoot on the Sidewalk, it hurt a little. But he didn't make a sound, instead followed obediently.
Gojo Satoru suddenly stopped.
Tu Bai almost crashed into his back.
"Wait," Gojo Satoru said.
Then he turned and entered the nearby Convenience Store. Two minutes later, he came out carrying a Plastic Bag in his hand.
He crouched down and pulled a pair of Slippers out of the Plastic Bag.
They were the very ordinary kind, Blue, with soft soles, the kind sold at a Convenience Store.
He placed the Slippers by Tu Bai's feet, looked up at him, said, "Put them on."
Tu Bai froze for a second, then obediently slid his feet into them.
It was a bit large, but much better than being bare.
Gojo Satoru stood up and continued walking.
Tu Bai followed behind, walking with a pitter-patter sound in those slippers that were half a size too large.
He watched Gojo Satoru's back, that slight sense of guilt in his heart seemed to grow a little heavier.
---
After entering the Apartment Building, while waiting for the elevator, Gojo Satoru pressed the Button, then leaned against the wall, watching the Elevator Door.
Tu Bai stood beside him, also looking at the Elevator Door.
The Elevator Door was silver, capable of reflecting a figure. Tu Bai saw himself inside—his hair was as messy as a bird's nest, his eyes were a bit swollen, his T-shirt was wrinkled, he was wearing slippers bought from a Convenience Store.
It was a sight not to be beheld.
He looked down at Gojo Satoru again. Although this man had not slept all night, he still looked the same—his hair was a bit messy, but it was a beautiful mess; there was a slight darkness under his eyes, but it couldn't be seen unless one looked closely.
Comparing oneself to others is enough to drive one mad.
The Elevator is here.
The two entered, the doors closed.
It was very quiet in the cramped space, with only the sound of the Elevator running.
Tu Bai couldn't help but speak up: "Senpai.."
Hmm?
Um.." Tu Bai didn't know how to say it, "Sorry.
Gojo Satoru turned to look at him.