"Don't move." Gojo Satoru held him even tighter, his eyes still fixed on Sukuna.
Sukuna looked at the two of them and let out a sneer. "Childish."
He turned to leave.
Oh, right," Gojo Satoru said suddenly, his voice drawn out in that obnoxious tone, "I forgot, your Wife ran away. He doesn't want you anymore.
Sukuna's footsteps stopped.
The air suddenly turned cold. It wasn't a physical cold, but something far more dangerous, seeping off Sukuna like a winter wind.
"How pathetic," Gojo Satoru added.
Before Tu Bai could even react, Sukuna had already turned around. His movements were incredibly fast, so fast that Tu Bai only saw a blur. But Gojo Satoru was even faster; he pushed Tu Bai to the side and raised his hand to catch Sukuna's strike.
With a loud bang, the air around the two men exploded. Debris on the floor was blasted away, dust rose into the air. Tu Bai was pushed back two steps by the shockwave, watching with squinted eyes.
Gojo Satoru and Sukuna had already clashed twice. Gojo Satoru used Blue, the gravity caused Sukuna's fist to veer slightly off course. Something flashed on Sukuna's arm; it was a slashing attack condensed from Cursed Energy.
"Tsk." Sukuna withdrew his hand, looking at Gojo Satoru. Gojo Satoru also looked at him, the corner of his mouth still curled up, but his eyes were very serious.
The two men stood in a standoff for several seconds. Dust slowly fell, the pressure in the air remained.
Then Sukuna withdrew his hand first. He shook his wrist and glanced at Gojo Satoru. "Boring."
He turned around, this time he truly left. After taking two steps, his body swayed, then Itadori's face returned. Round eyes, with a somewhat dazed expression, as if he had just woken up.
Huh?" Itadori looked around. "How did I get here?
Tu Bai breathed a sigh of relief. "It's fine. You just—"
Gojo Satoru had already walked over and threw an arm around Tu Bai's shoulder. "Let's go, let's go home."
Tu Bai was being dragged forward by him, he turned back to look at Itadori. Itadori stood in place, scratching his head with a look of confusion. Tu Bai shouted to him, "It's fine now! You go back first!"
Itadori nodded and turned to walk away.
Gojo Satoru walked a few steps with Tu Bai in his arms, then suddenly leaned down and kissed him on the face.
"What are you doing!" Tu Bai pushed him.
It's a reward for you," Gojo Satoru said. "You weren't scared just now, were you?
I'm not a Child.
Then I'll reward myself," Gojo Satoru said. "That expression you had just now when you said thank you was very beautiful.
Tu Bai's face turned red again. "What expression?"
"That expression." Gojo Satoru mimicked it, pursing his lips and looking down, his eyelashes trembling.
Tu Bai kicked him. "I'm not like that!"
"Exactly." Gojo Satoru smiled as he dodged, then leaned in to wrap his arm around him.
The two of them walked out of the Abandoned Chemical Plant, the sunlight outside was beautiful. Tu Bai squinted his eyes against the sun, Gojo Satoru reached out to shield his forehead.
"Let's go, let's go home," Gojo Satoru said.
Tu Bai looked at his profile and suddenly smiled. "Were you jealous just now?"
No.
Yes. You saw him grab my wrist; his face went black.
Not black.
It went black.
That was a lighting issue.
A Light issue makes you bring up the fact that you lost your Wife?
Gojo Satoru said nothing. Tu Bai let out a laugh. "Senpai, you're so childish."
Gojo Satoru stopped in his tracks, looking at him. "I'm childish?"
Yeah.
Gojo Satoru stared at him for two seconds, then reached out and pinched his face. "Say that again?"
You—mmph—" Tu Bai's mouth was pinched into a pout, making him unable to speak. He slapped Gojo Satoru's hand away. "Let go!
I won't," Gojo Satoru said, taking his hand and interlacing their fingers. "Let's go.
Tu Bai looked down at their interlaced hands and did not pull away.
The two of them walked back slowly, the Sunlight behind them stretching their Shadows long.
Chapter 71
Tu Bai began to dream. It started after he met Sukuna that day. On Day 1, he dreamed of a Bamboo Forest, with dense bamboo that obscured the sky. Dried leaves covered the floor, crunching softly underfoot. He stood in the Bamboo Forest, not knowing where he was, nor where he was going. Then, he saw a person.
The Golden-haired youth was curled up under the bamboo. His hair was very long, scattered on the floor, his clothes were white and stained with mud. He buried his face in his knees, his shoulders trembling slightly. Tu Bai wanted to walk over, but his feet wouldn't move; he wanted to speak, but could not make a sound.
He just stood there, looking at that youth [male]. The youth [male] lifted his head, Red Eyes, Peach Blossom Eyes, very beautiful. But there was no light in his eyes, they were empty, as if something had been taken away.
Tu Bai suddenly felt a sharp pain in his heart. It wasn't physical pain, but that kind of ache where seeing others suffer makes you want to cry as well. He reached out his hand, wanting to touch the shoulder of that youth.
Then he woke up.
Opening his eyes, he saw the Ceiling. A little light seeped through the cracks in the Curtain; it wasn't light out yet. He lay there, staring at the Ceiling. What was he just dreaming about? It seemed to be a person with Light Gold hair, bamboo. But he couldn't remember the specifics. He only remembered that his heart felt terrible, that discomfort still lingered in his Chest, heavy and stifling.
“What's wrong?” Gojo Satoru's voice came from beside him, raspy, not yet fully awake.
Tu Bai shook his head. "Nothing. I was dreaming."
Gojo Satoru reached out and pulled him into his arms. "What kind of dream?"
I forgot," Tu Bai said, burying his face in his chest, "I just remember not being very happy.
Gojo Satoru patted his back. "Then don't think about it. Sleep a little more."
Tu Bai gave an mumble in response and closed his eyes. But that golden figure was still flickering in his brain, refusing to dissipate no matter what.
Day 2, he dreamed of it again. This time it wasn't in the Bamboo Forest, but by a river. That youth was sitting on the riverbank, his legs dangling over the water, swaying back and forth. He still had that same melancholic expression, chin resting on his knees, staring blankly at the water's surface. Tu Bai stood behind him, wanting to call out to him, but didn't know what to say. He wanted to walk over, but his feet wouldn't move.
Then the youth turned back. Looking at him, there was a glimmer of light in those Red Eyes, very faint, like a dying flame. "You're here," he said, his voice very soft, like wind blowing through bamboo leaves.
Tu Bai opened his mouth, wanting to ask who he was and where this was. But before he could ask, he woke up. He remembered a bit more this time—he remembered those Red Eyes and that phrase, "You've come." But most of it was still blurry, as if separated by a layer of mist.
Day 3, Day 4, Day 5. Dreaming every day. Sometimes in the Bamboo Forest, sometimes by the Riverside, sometimes in a very old Courtyard. That youth [male] would sometimes be sitting, sometimes lying down, sometimes leaning against a pillar in the Corridor, staring blankly. Always alone, always unhappy.
Every time Tu Bai woke up, he felt a heaviness in his chest. He didn't know why he dreamed of that person, but he instinctively wanted to be close to him, to comfort him. That feeling was very strange, as if they had known each other for a long time, yet also as if it were the first time they had met.
Gojo Satoru noticed that he was acting strange. "You've been spacing out a lot these past few days."
Do I?
Yes." Gojo Satoru reached out and felt his forehead. "No fever. Did you have a nightmare?
Tu Bai thought about it. "It's not exactly a nightmare. I just keep dreaming about a certain person."
Who?
I don't know him. Light Gold hair, Red Eyes, he looks unhappy.
Gojo Satoru raised an eyebrow. "A man?"
Tu Bai nodded.
Gojo Satoru's expression changed subtly. Seeing that look on his face, Tu Bai couldn't help but laugh. "You wouldn't even get jealous in your dreams, would you?"
"No," Gojo Satoru said, but his voice was muffled.
Tu Bai smiled and gave him a playful push. "Childish."
Gojo Satoru pulled him close and gave him a kiss. "Stop dreaming about others. Dream about me."
Tu Bai rolled his eyes, but the corners of his mouth curled up.
Weekend, Tu Ma and Tu Ba returned from their honeymoon trip. Tu Bao sent a message in the family group, saying that the family hadn't gathered for a long time and should find a place to have a meal. Tu Bai agreed, Tu also agreed. Tu Ma said then it would be Saturday Evening, to find a larger private room and bring those of yours along as well.
Tu Bai knew who she meant by "those few." Gojo Satoru, Dazai Osamu, Sawada Tsunayoshi. Three boyfriends, three sons, all gathered around one table.
Saturday Evening, Tu Bai and Gojo Satoru arrived at the restaurant. The private room was large, with a large round table in the middle that could seat over a dozen people. Tu Bao and Dazai Osamu had already arrived; Tu Bao was ordering food, while Dazai Osamu was leaning against the chair back, looking at his mobile phone.
Er Bao!" Tu Bao saw him and waved, "Sit here!
Tu Bai walked over and sat down beside Tu Bao. Gojo Satoru was sitting on his other side. After a while, Tu also arrived, followed by a man.
This was not the first time Tu Bai had met Sawada Tsunayoshi. He was quite tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, looked very gentle. Wearing a simple White Shirt and Dark Trousers, he looked a bit shy when he smiled. Tu held his arm, his Silver-white Long Curly Hair draped over his shoulders, his Peach Blossom Eyes curved into crescents.
"Second Brother, this is Tsunayoshi," Tu introduced.
Sawada Tsunayoshi bowed slightly. "Hello, I've heard Tu mention you often."
Tu Bai stood up and returned the bow. "Hello, I am Tu Bai."
Gojo Satoru remained motionless beside them, merely nodding. Sawada Tsunayoshi also nodded to him, saying nothing more. Gojo Satoru and Dazai Osamu exchanged a glance, neither of them speaking. The atmosphere was somewhat subtle.
Tu Bao whispered to Tu Bai, "Why are they like this every time they meet?"
Tu Bai asked, "Like what?"
Just like that," Tu Bao gestured, "like two cats, sizing each other up.
Tu Bai glanced at Gojo Satoru, then glanced at Dazai Osamu. They did indeed look like that.
Tu Ba and Tu Ma arrived last. Tu Ma was wearing a floral dress with his hair tied in a Ponytail, looking very energetic. Tu Ba was wearing a Polo shirt and casual trousers, wearing glasses, looking like an ordinary office worker.
Is everyone here?" Tu Ma sat down and scanned the room. "Let me see. Da Bao, Dazai. Er Bao, Gojo. Tu, Sawada." He looked at each of them one by one and nodded. "Not bad. You all look quite good.
The three boyfriends greeted each other. Dazai Osamu smiled most naturally, Sawada Tsunayoshi was a bit nervous, Gojo Satoru was the most casual.
Tu Ba pushed up his glasses and said nothing, but his Gaze swept over the three men.
After the dishes were served, the atmosphere became much more relaxed. Tu Ma was very good at making conversation, asking them how work was going, whether they were busy normally, if anyone bullied his son. Dazai Osamu said, "No, it's all Bao'er bullying me," and was stepped on by Tu Bao. Sawada Tsunayoshi said honestly, "Work is a bit busy, but I try my best to make time to accompany Tu," while Tu pouted beside him. Gojo Satoru said, "Whoever dares to bully him, he kicks really hard," and Tu Bai gave him a kick under the table.
Halfway through the meal, Tu Ma suddenly asked, "Xiao Bai, you haven't been looking very well lately. Have you not been getting enough rest?"
Tu Bai was stunned. "Do I?"
Yes," Tu Ma said. "You've even got dark circles under your eyes.