“That person,” he said, his Voice sounding hoarser than usual, “is not Suguru.”
Tu Bai said nothing.
I saw Geto die with my own eyes," Gojo Satoru said, his voice flat, so flat it was somewhat abnormal. "December 24, 2017. In Sendai. I personally..
He paused.
Tu Bai could feel his breathing hitch for a moment before continuing.
“That person is not Geto,” Gojo Satoru repeated. “He is just a demon that has possessed his body.”
He paused, his voice dropping low.
I won't let him off easy.
Tu Bai heard the meaning behind those words.
It was not anger, nor was it sadness; it was something deeper, something unspeakable. It was like hatred, but more than just hatred. It was like pain, but heavier than pain.
He thought of the Young Geto Suguru he had seen in the parallel world, the brief words occasionally mentioned by Gojo Satoru, those unspoken pasts.
He suddenly felt a pang of heartache.
It wasn't that faint, superficial kind of heartache, but a dull, heavy ache welling up from deep within his chest.
He wrapped his arms around Gojo Satoru from behind, burying his face in his chest.
Gojo Satoru was stunned, then looked down at him.
Tu Bai didn't look up, he just held him a little tighter.
"Senpai," he said muffledly.
Hmm?
That person is not him," Tu Bai said. "Your friend does not want you to be like this.
Gojo Satoru fell silent for a few seconds.
Then he laughed, a very light laugh.
How did you know?
A guess," Tu Bai said, "but it should be correct.
Gojo Satoru reached out and rubbed his hair, saying nothing.
The two of them held each other like that, remaining silent for a long time.
Then Tu Bai raised his head.
Senpai, I have a plan.
Gojo Satoru looked down at him.
That person wants to catch me, I can act as bait," Tu Bai said, his Red Eyes shining, "to lure him out.
Gojo Satoru's expression changed in a moment.
"No," he said directly.
“Why?”
Too dangerous," Gojo Satoru said. "That person can plan so many things from behind the scenes; he is not easy to deal with. You, a—
“What about me?” Tu Bai interrupted him. “I am also a proper Grade 1 Sorcerer.”
Even a Grade 1 Sorcerer won't be enough.
So what do you plan to do?" Tu Bai looked at him. "Do you know where he is? Do you know what he's going to do next?
Gojo Satoru said nothing.
Tu Bai continued, "He caught me once before, so he'll definitely still be interested in me. If I act as bait, there's a high chance he'll take the bait."
No.
Senpai—
I said no." Gojo Satoru's voice sank, "This is non-negotiable.
Tu Bai looked at him, remaining silent for several seconds.
Then he sat up straight, pulling away from Gojo Satoru's embrace, looked at him earnestly.
So you want to let him continue using Geto Suguru's body to commit evil?" he asked, "To keep doing those things, keep harming people, keep causing you pain?
Gojo Satoru's brow furrowed.
Tu Bai didn't wait for him to answer, continuing, "He will definitely cause trouble again. What will you do then? Wait for him to show up on his own? Wait for him to come after you? Or wait for him to—"
"Enough," Gojo Satoru interrupted him.
Tu Bai fell silent, but his eyes remained fixed on him.
Gojo Satoru met his gaze.
There was no fear in those Red Eyes, no hesitation, only something very steadfast.
Gojo Satoru suddenly remembered the Little White Rabbit he first met, who had been cowering in a Corner, terrified to death, yet would still close his eyes to strike down a Cursed Spirit.
So much time has passed; it feels as if he has changed, yet also as if he hasn't changed at all.
Listen to me," Tu Bai said, his tone softening. "I'm not going to rush in there to die. I'm acting as bait, you'll be lying in ambush nearby. As soon as he appears, you make your move.
Gojo Satoru said nothing.
Tu Bai continued, "You are so powerful, Senpai, you will definitely be able to protect me. Isn't it because I trust you that I dare to say this?"
Gojo Satoru still said nothing.
Tu Bai waited a few more seconds, then sighed.
He stood up and walked toward the Bedroom.
"What are you doing?" Gojo Satoru asked.
Sleeping," Tu Bai said without even turning back. "I'll go by myself tomorrow.
Gojo Satoru was stunned, then he stood up and chased after him, grabbing his wrist.
Tu Bai.
Tu Bai turned back to look at him.
Gojo Satoru looked at him, his expression complicated.
Tu Bai did not struggle, simply letting him hold on.
If you won't let me go," he said, "I'll just go in secret. You won't be able to stop me.
Gojo Satoru stared at him for a few seconds.
Then he smiled.
It was a smile filled with helplessness and doting, mixed with a hint of "there's nothing I can do about you."
"You've learned how to threaten me now?" he asked.
Tu Bai said righteously, "I learned it from you."
Gojo Satoru couldn't help himself and let out a laugh.
He pulled Tu Bai back into his arms, holding him tightly, his chin resting on the top of his head.
"When did you start being so bad?" he asked, his voice tinged with laughter.
Always this bad," Tu Bai said sullenly. "You just didn't notice.
Yes, yes, yes, I didn't notice." Gojo Satoru rubbed his hair. "So my Little Rabbit turns out to be a little fox.
Tu Bai did not refute him.
After holding him for a while, Gojo Satoru let out a sigh.
Fine," he said. "I'll cooperate.
Tu Bai's eyes lit up.
But—" Gojo Satoru continued, looking down at him, "you must stay within my line of sight at all times. You are not allowed to run around, you are not allowed to act on your own, if I say retreat, you must retreat.
Tu Bai nodded vigorously.
Gojo Satoru stared at him for a few seconds before saying, "If you dare to act recklessly, I'll lock you in the house and won't let you go anywhere."
I won't act recklessly," Tu Bai promised. "Really.
Gojo Satoru looked at his sparkling eyes and sighed again.
He found that he seemed to be becoming more and more unable to deal with this Rabbit.
"Come here," he said, pulling Tu Bai back to the Sofa and drawing him into his arms once more.
Tu Bai curled up obediently, a triumphant smile on his face.
Seeing him like that, Gojo Satoru couldn't help but pinch his cheek.
What are you laughing at?
"Laughing because you can't do anything to me," Tu Bai said.
Gojo Satoru raised an eyebrow. "Who said that?"
Tu Bai shrugged his shoulders, but he was still smiling.
Gojo Satoru lowered his head and took a small bite of his ear.
It wasn't heavy, he just lightly nipped at it.
Tu Bai's body stiffened, his face turned red in a moment.
Senpai!
Hmm?
You!!
"What about me?" Gojo Satoru looked at him innocently.