Chapter 65
Tu Bai was woken by the Sunlight.
He squinted his eyes and shrank back into the Pillow. The Pillow was very warm, there was something even warmer pressed against his back, an Arm wrapped tightly around his waist.
He froze for a few seconds.
Then he remembered—he had changed back. Last night, Gojo Satoru used his abdomen to seduce him, he couldn't resist; with a flash of White Light, he turned back into a human. Then he was tossed around until the early hours of the morning.
His waist was sore.
His legs were also sore.
Sore all over.
Tu Bai kept his eyes closed and remained still. The person behind him had heavy breathing and was not awake. An arm was wrapped around his waist, as if afraid he would turn into a Rabbit and run away again.
Tu Bai tried to move slightly, that arm immediately tightened.
"Don't move," Gojo Satoru said indistinctly, his voice hoarse, clearly not fully awake.
Tu Bai did not move. After a few seconds, Gojo Satoru's breathing grew heavy again.
Tu Bai slowly turned over, facing him.
Gojo Satoru was sleeping deeply. His hair was scattered messily across the pillow, his blindfold was off, his blue eyes were closed, his eyelashes long. The corner of his mouth was slightly upturned, as if he were having a wonderful dream.
Tu Bai was looking at him.
After watching him for a while, he reached out and gently touched his eyebrow. Not awake. He touched the tip of his nose again. Still not awake. His fingers slid toward the corner of his mouth, just as he was about to touch it, Gojo Satoru suddenly opened his mouth and lightly bit his fingertips.
Tu Bai was startled.
Gojo Satoru opened his eyes, his Blue Eyes hazy from just waking up, with his Finger still caught in his mouth, he mumbled, "Morning."
Tu Bai blushed and pulled his finger out.
Gojo Satoru smiled, leaned in, kissed his forehead.
Morning, Xiao Bai.
Tu Bai let out an "mm" in response, not pulling away.
Gojo Satoru kissed him again, this time on the tip of his nose. Then he kissed his lips, very lightly, like a dragonfly skimming the water.
"Did you sleep well last night?" he asked.
Tu Bai nodded.
Gojo Satoru reached out and rubbed his hair, his movements very gentle, as if he were stroking some precious treasure.
Tu Bai looked at him for a few seconds. Then, he spoke.
Senpai.
Hmm?
The matter of the False Pregnancy.. you knew about it long ago?
Gojo Satoru's hand paused.
Tu Bai stared into his eyes: "Correct or not?"
A few seconds of silence.
Gojo Satoru pulled his hand back, looking at him, nodded.
Yeah," he said. "Shoko told me a long time ago.
Tu Bai's eyes instantly turned red.
Then why didn't you tell me?
Gojo Satoru reached out, using his thumb to gently wipe away the tears seeping from the corner of his eyes.
Because during those three months, you were truly happy," he said. "Every day you would stroke your belly and talk to the Baby, give him a Name, make him Baby Clothes. You smiled so much, so happily.
He paused.
I don't want you to know that it's fake. I want you to be happy for a little while longer.
Tu Bai was stunned.
He was looking at Gojo Satoru.
Those Blue Eyes were always sparkling, but at this moment, they were filled with tenderness and heartache. It wasn't that lazy smile, nor was it his usual joking manner; he was looking at him very seriously.
Tu Bai suddenly understood one thing.
From beginning to end, this person has never cared about that "Child," but about him.
That care, that indulgence, those days of playing along with his act, those cautious, probing words, those gazes staring at his abdomen in the middle of the night—
Not because of responsibility.
It was because she liked him.
Tu Bai buried his face in Gojo Satoru's chest and said muffledly, "Idiot."
Gojo Satoru laughed, his arms tightening as he pulled him closer into his embrace.
Yes, yes, yes, I am a fool," he said, "But isn't it this fool you like?
Tu Bai said nothing, he just held him tightly.
At this moment, the knot in his heart was finally and completely untied.
The two of them just held each other like that, neither saying a word. Sunlight shone through the gaps in the Curtain, pulling a golden Light Belt across the Bed. Dust drifted in the light, very, very slowly.
After a long time, Tu Bai spoke.
“Senpai.”
Hmm?
Those three months.. I was very happy too.
Gojo Satoru looked down at him.
Tu Bai did not look up, his face buried in his chest, his voice muffled.
Even though Baby is fake, I am happy every day. Thinking about becoming a Dad, thinking about how to raise him in the future, thinking about whether you will be a good Dad. Even though it's all fake, those feelings are real.
Gojo Satoru said nothing, he only held him tighter.
After a while, Tu Bai spoke again, his voice even softer.
And.. sorry.
Hmm?
I ran away back then, I even yelled at you. I ran off without listening to a word of what you said.
Gojo Satoru laughed and rubbed his hair.
It's nothing. Anyway, I chased you down and caught you.
Tu Bai raised his head, looking at him with Red Eyes.
So you're not angry?
I'm not angry," Gojo Satoru said. "I'm just a little worried. You didn't even have shoes on when you ran out.
Tu Bai was stunned, then he smiled as well.
I'm wearing socks.
“Socks count too?”
It counts.
Gojo Satoru smiled and pinched his cheek.
The two of them fell silent again.
Outside the window, there is birdsong, far away, one chirp after another.
Tu Bai curled up in Gojo Satoru's arms, listening to his heartbeat.
Senpai.
Hmm?
No matter what happens from now on, I won't run away.
Gojo Satoru looked down at him.
Tu Bai also looked at him, his Red Eyes shining and very serious.
"I promise," he said.
Gojo Satoru looked at him for a few seconds, then smiled.
"Okay," he said.
Then he lowered his head and kissed the top of Tu Bai's head.
---
One month later.
University of Tokyo, Faculty of Letters.
Tu Bai walked into the classroom carrying a backpack, wearing a simple White T-shirt and jeans; his Black hair had grown a bit longer than before, his Red Eyes were as bright as ever.
There were already many people sitting in the classroom.
Tu Bai!" The girl in the front row saw him first. "You're back! It's been a long time!
"Yeah, long time no see," Tu Bai greeted them with a smile.
Where have you been? You've taken such a long leave of absence!
My Body wasn't in good shape, so I took some time to recover.
Are you feeling better now?