Okkotsu contacted me!" Tu Bao let him go and cupped his face, looking at him. "He said you've locked yourself away without eating or drinking! Do you know how worried I am!!
Tu Bai looked at his brother crying like that, wanting to say something, but unable to speak.
Dazai Osamu walked over and looked down at Prison Realm.
"Is it this?" he asked.
Tu Bai nodded.
Dazai Osamu crouched down and stared at that cube for a long time.
Then he reached out his hand and touched it.
My Ability," he said, "can make the Voice inside it come out.
Tu Bai suddenly looked up.
What?
No Longer Human," Dazai Osamu said. "It can nullify all abilities. Although it can't open this thing, it can interfere with its Barrier, allowing the voice of the person inside to be heard.
Tu Bai looked at him, his eyes brightening for a moment.
But it quickly faded again.
But.." he said, "He's inside, so he won't be able to hear the sounds from outside, right?
You can't hear him," Dazai Osamu said. "But you can hear him.
Tu Bai froze.
Dazai Osamu smiled. "Shall we try?"
Tu Bai nodded.
Dazai Osamu placed his hand on the Prison Realm.
Esper Ability activated.
Black Light spread from his palm, covering the surface of the cube.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Then—
—Xiao Bai?
A Voice came from That cube.
Hoarse, exhausted, but carrying a hint of a smile.
Tu Bai trembled all over.
Xiao Bai? Are you outside?
It was Gojo Satoru's voice.
It really was his Voice.
Tu Bai covered his mouth with his hand, preventing himself from crying out.
But the tears had already welled up.
Don't be afraid, I'm fine," Gojo Satoru continued, his tone as lazy as usual, "It's just a bit boring in here, there isn't even any Dessert. You'll have to make it up to me when we go back.
Tu Bai knelt there, tears streaming down his face.
Gojo Satoru was still saying, "Don't worry about me, I'm incredibly strong. As for you, have you been eating well? You are not allowed to stay up late researching me, do you hear me? If you starve yourself thin, I'm going to be angry when I come out."
He paused.
Xiao Bai, are you listening?
Tu Bai nodded, nodding desperately.
But he couldn't speak.
Gojo Satoru continued to chatter on as he usually did, "Were you scared these past few days? It's okay, I'll be out very soon. Don't worry about that thing, it's nothing!"
By the way, how is the Baby in your belly? Is he causing you trouble? If he is, I'll beat him up once he comes out.
Tu Bai's body shuddered suddenly upon hearing this.
The tears flowed even more fiercely.
Gojo Satoru continued, "Xiao Bai, you need to eat well. I know you might not be able to eat much, but try to eat at least a little. You're so thin; if you get any thinner, you won't be pretty—though even if you aren't, I'll still like you."
And also, no crying. Your eyes will swell if you cry too much. Even though you're quite cute with swollen eyes, it would still make my heart ache.
Xiao Bai, I've thought about a lot of things while I was in here. I thought about the first time we met, the way you looked when you were slashing Cursed Spirits with your eyes closed during a Mission, the way you look when you're angry, the way you look when you smile. The more I think about it, the more I want to come out and hug you.
Xiao Bai, wait for me.
“Xiao Bai..”
He kept on talking.
Non-stop, without a single moment's pause.
Using those everyday, trivial, warm words, he comforted his lover outside.
Because he knows.
He knew his Xiao Bai must be afraid, must be blaming himself, must be fighting desperately.
Tu Bai knelt there, holding Prison Realm, weeping silently.
Every word was like a knife, cutting into his heart.
Senpai is suffering so much inside, yet he is still comforting him.
But he..
He couldn't even provide protection for Baby.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something. He wanted to say, "Senpai, I'm sorry," he wanted to say, "Baby is gone," he wanted to say, "I miss you so much."
But he could not make a sound.
Only tears continued to flow.
Tu Bao watched from the side, his heart aching with distress, wanting to go over and hold him. Dazai Osamu held him back and shook his head.
Let him cry.
---
Tu Bai finally began eating.
Okkotsu brought the food, he ate a few bites. Although he couldn't eat much, he finally ate.
Then he continued researching the Prison Realm.
Gojo Satoru's Voice would drift out from time to time. Dazai Osamu would come by once every day to maintain the Esper Ability for a while. Gojo Satoru would take that opportunity to speak, saying many, many things.
Xiao Bai, how is the weather today? I guess it's sunny, because I feel warm even in here.
Xiao Bai, have you had Breakfast? Remember to drink some Milk.
Xiao Bai, I dreamed of you. I dreamed that you made something delicious for me. Even though the things you make might be terrible, I would definitely eat it all.
Xiao Bai..
Tu Bai listened to those words, weeping as he listened, researching as he wept.
By the time Day 6 arrived.
He finally grasped the final structure of the Prison Realm.
It was an extremely tiny keyhole, hidden deep within countless Cursed Wards. It could only be opened with a specific "Key."
He began the Construction of the Key.
It was small, exquisite, just the right size to fit into that peephole.
Demon Power condensed bit by bit.
The first attempt failed.
Second time, failure.
Third time, almost.
His Demon Power was running low. His hands were shaking severely, his vision was going black.
But he refused to stop.
Day 7.
Evening.
Tu Bai opened his eyes.
In his palm lay a small key.
Success.
Silver-white, with fine patterns engraved upon it, it could just fit into that keyhole.
He stared at the Key, looking at it for a long time.
Then he stood up.
His legs were so weak he almost fell; he steadied himself by leaning against the wall, stabilizing his Body.
He walked up to the Prison Realm and knelt down.
Reach out a hand.
The Key was inserted into that invisible Keyhole.
A gentle turn.
The Light exploded.