He lay on the Desk, his face buried in his arms.
The Mobile Phone rang; it was a Message from Gojo Satoru.
[What are you doing?]
Tu Bai did not reply.
After a while, another note: 【What's wrong?】
Still no reply.
Gojo Satoru called directly.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Tu Bai said gloomily, "Makeup Exam."
What's wrong with a Makeup Exam?
I forgot to review.
It was silent on the other end of the Phone for two seconds.
When?
Next Wednesday.
But isn't there still one week?
What can I even review in one week!" Tu Bai's Voice rose, "I haven't even opened my books!
Gojo Satoru was quiet again for two seconds.
Then he said, "I'll help you review."
You're helping me?" Tu Bai said irritably. "A graduate of Jujutsu High like you is helping me review university courses?
There was silence on the other end of the Phone.
This silence lasted quite a while.
".. Jujutsu High also has academic classes," Gojo Satoru said.
Tu Bai couldn't help himself and let out a laugh. But he quickly suppressed it.
I'm finished," he said. "I'm truly finished.
It's not over," Gojo Satoru said. "I'll come back now to help you review. One week is enough.
Tu Bai wanted to say something, but Gojo Satoru had already hung up.
He lay propped up on the desk, staring at the Mobile Phone Screen.
Messages were still scrolling through the Class Group, Classmates were discussing the Makeup Exam. Some said it was easy, some said it was hard, some said they would have to stay up all night reviewing.
Tu Bai couldn't read a single word.
Outside the window, the sky was gray and gloomy, as if it were about to rain.
He sighed, burying his face in his arms.
It's over.
Chapter 67
On the day of the Makeup Exam, Tu Bai was incredibly nervous.
He woke up at five-thirty in the morning, lying in bed staring at the ceiling, his brain filled with nothing but literary history.
Gojo Satoru rolled over, his arm draped over, pulling him by the waist.
So early?
Can't sleep.
Nervous?
Yeah.
Gojo Satoru closed his eyes and patted his waist. "Don't be afraid, you've been reviewing for one week."
What if I don't pass?
It won't happen.
What if?
Gojo Satoru opened his eyes, looking at him. "If you fail, just take the makeup exam again. I'll support you anyway."
Tu Bai glared at him. "Who needs you to take care of him?"
Then why are you nervous?
Tu Bai ignored him, pried his hands off his waist, sat up, put on his clothes. Gojo Satoru leaned against the headboard watching him, after watching for a while, he also sat up. "I'll drive you."
No need.
I'll give it to you.
Tu Bai did not refuse again.
It was just dawn when the two of them left. There were not many people on the street, the air was cool, carrying a hint of spring. Gojo Satoru held his hand as the two of them walked slowly toward the school.
When they reached the school's Main Gate, Tu Bai let go of his hand.
I'm going in.
Yeah," Gojo Satoru said, "Send me a message after the exam.
Tu Bai nodded and turned to walk inside. After a few steps, he turned back to take one last look. Gojo Satoru was still standing there, waving at him. Tu Bai smiled and turned to enter the Teaching Building.
There were over a dozen people sitting in the examination room, all of whom had failed their previous exams. Tu Bai found his seat and sat down, arranging his pen and ID Card. Sitting next to him was a boy wearing glasses, who was flipping through his notes while muttering to himself. Tu Bai took a glance; he had also been looking at this yesterday.
The proctor walked in and handed out the exam papers. Tu Bai received his paper and flipped through it once. There were three large questions and twenty small questions, similar to the format of final exams. He took a deep breath and began answering the questions.
As he wrote, he became less nervous. The reviewed content surfaced from his brain, his writing became smoother and smoother. The last Major Question was an Analysis Question, he filled an entire page. After finishing, he checked it twice, corrected three typos, then handed in his paper.
As he walked out of the Examination Hall, the sunlight was beautiful. He took out his Mobile Phone and sent a Message to Gojo Satoru.
[Finished the exam.]
Replied in one second: 【How was it?】
Tu Bai thought for a moment and typed: 【It should be fine.】
Of course, I'm tutoring him.
Tu Bai smiled slightly but didn't expose him. The tutoring was actually him reviewing on his own; Gojo Satoru was sitting nearby looking at a Document, occasionally looking up at him and saying, "Keep it up." But Tu Bai didn't say it out loud, only replied with a Rabbit Nodding emoji.
On the day the scores were released, Tu Bai stared at the screen for ten seconds. On the academic affairs system page, Modern Japanese Literary History: 72. He checked it three times, confirming it wasn't 27 or 52, but 72. He passed. Leaning against the chair back, he let out a long breath.
Gojo Satoru leaned his head in from behind. "How much?"
Seventy-two.
See, I told you could do it.
Tu Bai didn't say anything, but the corner of his mouth was curled up. Gojo Satoru leaned down and kissed him on the face. "Congratulations."
Tu Bai tilted his head and leaned against him. "No more playing games from now on."
Hmm?
Being addicted to games is bad. If you hadn't been watching me review this time, I definitely would have failed again.
Gojo Satoru laughed. "So you do realize it."
Tu Bai ignored his teasing and said seriously, "I'm really not playing anymore. I've uninstalled the Game."
Actually, playing every once in a while is fine—
I'm not playing anymore," Tu Bai said. "I'm going to study.
Gojo Satoru looked at his serious expression and smiled, rubbing his hair. "Fine, go study."
Tu Bai was a man of his word. That evening, he uninstalled the game from his Mobile Phone and left the game group. Tu Bao sent a string of question marks on We Chat.
【Er Bao, you left the group?!】
[Yeah, I'm done playing.]
Why??
[Need to study.]
Tu Bao was silent for a while, then sent a voice message. Tu Bai clicked it open, Tu Bao's voice was filled with a sobbing tone: "Er Bao, do you not want your Brother anymore.."
Tu Bai was speechless and typed: 【I'm just not playing games anymore, it's not like I'm disowning you.】
Tu Bao sent another string of crying faces.
Tu Bai ignored him, set his Mobile Phone aside, opened his textbook. A new semester had begun; he had to attend classes properly and could not fail any more subjects.
---
Spring has arrived.
The Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo have not yet bloomed, but the scent of Spring can already be smelled in the air. The wind has become warmer, the Daytime has grown longer, the colors on the Street have become more vibrant. Tu Bai has adjusted his routine; he goes to class every Morning, returns home in the Afternoon to do homework, occasionally takes a Mission. His life has become regular and fulfilling.
Gojo Satoru has also been busy lately. The reforms in the Jujutsu World are not yet finished, he has to attend meetings every few days. But no matter how busy he is, he returns every evening. Sometimes he brings dessert, sometimes he brings late-night snacks, sometimes he brings nothing at all, simply sitting on the sofa to watch Tu Bai do his homework.
That evening, Tu Bai was curled up on the Sofa reading a book, while Gojo Satoru sat beside him, scrolling through his Mobile Phone. The TV was on, having switched to the Animal World channel at some point. The Narrator's Voice was low and steady, talking about animal migration. Tu Bai didn't notice, focusing intently on his book.
Gojo Satoru was actually engrossed. He put down his Mobile Phone and stared at the Screen. On the screen, a group of Antelope were running across the Grassland, the Narrator said, "Every Spring is the Breeding Season for animals." Tu Bai turned a page of his book and didn't hear it.
The scene cut to a group of rabbits. Grey-brown hares were hopping around on the grass, the Narrator continued, "Rabbits enter their mating season in Spring; males will compete for mates through chasing and fighting. The estrus cycle of female rabbits is approximately once every two weeks, lasting one to two days each time. During this period, they become exceptionally active and more receptive to mates." Gojo Satoru's eyes slowly turned toward Tu Bai.
Tu Bai was still reading, completely unaware of the gaze beside him. Gojo Satoru watched him for a few seconds before turning back to the Screen. The rabbits in the image were chasing each other, one male rabbit jumped up, performing a mid-air flip. The Narrator said, "This is a courtship dance unique to rabbits, using leaps to demonstrate their health and vitality."
The corner of Gojo Satoru's mouth slowly curled up. He looked at Tu Bai again, his gaze traveling from top to bottom, then from bottom to top, finally resting on the top of his head. Two ears were hidden within his hair, ones that usually do not appear. But sometimes, when Tu Bai's emotions get intense, they pop out—like when he is shy, when he is angry, also..
Gojo Satoru cleared his throat.
Tu Bai did not react.