Chapter 11 : Following me all the way to the apartment, may I ask what you want
The weather the next day is very good. Last night the wind howled wildly, but this morning is very peaceful. Winter's gentle sunlight shines through the windows into the house, adding a touch of warmth to the room.
Jiang Lai first walks several circles around the house, his eyes keenly scanning every corner of the room: not a trace of semi-transparent spirit forms.
Just like the scene when he came to view the house yesterday during the day. During daytime, the entire house is as normal as can be, as if the nighttime haunting phenomena were just a mentally confused illusion.
Could it be that one of the rules of ghostly life is to only appear when the atmosphere is right? Accompanied by night curtains and wild winds, television flickering, darkness emerging with thrilling scenes.
Jiang Lai jokes to himself in his mind, then straightens his thoughts.
Long-lasting persistent haunting phenomena necessarily indicate Fushiguro Toji's permanent residence here.
According to his speculation last night, then the other party either goes out wandering during the day and returns here at night, or sleeps within some object in the house during the day and only appears at night.
He leans more toward the latter speculation.
Jiang Lai ponders thoughtfully in his mind.
However, currently he has no intention of continuing to search in the house. After all, without any detection tools (seriously, are there really ghost-detecting tools?) and no judgment methods, finding the object where Fushiguro Toji sleeps would be very difficult.
Better to first search online for related information.
Having made up his mind, after eating, Jiang Lai opens his phone, preparing to look for news about Fushiguro Toji from over ten years ago.
Information that can be directly searched from web pages is quite limited. Jiang Lai isn't surprised by this. After all, bounty hunter isn't exactly an honorable profession, and his occupation involves the jujutsu world.
So he quickly uses his skills to dive into the dark web, writing a program to filter information.
News about Fushiguro Toji from back then isn't hard to find. After all, he was once called the "Sorcerer Killer," a famous bounty hunter, and was quite an outstanding high-appearance, good-physique pretty boy in the wealthy woman circles.
Jiang Lai browses through generally, the content basically the same as his feelings when reading "Jujutsu Kaisen" back then.
However, when searching for "Star Plasma Vessel" information, it becomes less easy to find.
Jiang Lai actually had mental preparation. He knows this belongs to internal jujutsu world information, already quite sealed, not to mention so many years have passed.
Piecing together the collected clues, he tries to extract useful information from them.
The Star Plasma Vessel, namely Amanai Riko, actually doesn't have a clear death confirmation, but exists in a state of not seeing the person alive or the corpse dead.
Of course, this state under the circumstances of encirclement at that time, though essentially missing, has long been officially assumed dead.
Actually no clear life or death? Didn't Toji shoot through Amanai Riko's temple at the time? Jiang Lai ponders.
According to the official bounty, since life or death doesn't matter, profit-seeking and convenience-pursuing Toji should logically directly kill the target then bring her back.
But since the original scene didn't happen, it means the Time Vessel Association behind might have added some hidden conditions, or there were certain unexpected accidents along the way.
The search content doesn't mention detailed death records of Fushiguro Toji. Jiang Lai pauses here. Since even Amanai Riko's situation has changed, don't know if Toji's death method in the new series is still the same as the original.
What caused this change? Is it due to butterfly effects under this world's unbalanced combat power situation, or are there forces interfering behind the scenes?
These detailed parts would be clearest by directly asking Fushiguro Toji, but they're not familiar yet. Moreover, Jiang Lai isn't sure if what Toji says is true.
As a bounty hunter plus strongest pretty boy (?), Fushiguro Toji naturally skillfully masters the art of speaking, which makes judging truth from lies difficult.
Jiang Lai: Indeed, adults who've rolled around in society and aren't proper are the hardest to deal with!! QAQ
After pondering for two seconds, Jiang Lai puts away his phone.
Forget it, let's take it step by step when the time comes. First record these confusion points, then dig into them one by one when the right timing comes.
Jiang Lai is quite satisfied with this rented house. Good location, convenient transportation, good indoor lighting, most importantly it comes furnished and fully equipped (this is really very rare in Japan's rental market).
But even so, on the second day of moving in, there are still many personal items that need purchasing. So after searching for Toji-related information, Jiang Lai goes downstairs to the nearby shopping mall.
When entering the mall, Jiang Lai specifically pays attention to the Regulatory Committee's approval logo that's supposedly posted above the entrance.
The black and white iris flower logo is elegant and generous, embedded at the top, its surface rippling with some inherent glow, as if breathing like a living thing.
...Alright. This kind of effect would indeed be somewhat difficult to imitate. Jiang Lai only glances a few times, then withdraws his gaze and steps into the shopping mall.
The moment he steps through the main entrance, he vaguely senses as if passing through something.
Jiang Lai: "?"
Jiang Lai's heart pauses slightly, but he doesn't stop walking. Only after walking into the crowd center does he slowly reduce his speed, falling into thought.
He knows he's not strictly an ordinary person now (after all, he can see cursed spirits, and due to forum speculation influence has gained some kind of Schrödinger's ability).
Though using the necklace to maintain an ordinary person's state in front of others, he can see and sense some special things. That feeling just now was somewhat like a barrier or scan.
Is this an effect under the logo issued by that Regulatory Committee? Thoughts stir in Jiang Lai's mind. Could it be cooperating with the jujutsu world for monitoring?
But this kind of whereabouts recording always feels uncomfortable (or maybe he's overthinking).
...Well, no matter what, fortunately he has the feather necklace. Cursed energy blurring, distorting, and hiding are all no problem. Whether that logo scans records or monitors reports, essentially it has no effect on him.
This mall has complete items and quite a bit of foot traffic. Jiang Lai also glimpses from afar a sea urchin-haired youth who looks very much like Fushiguro Megumi. Not sure if it's him personally.
But he doesn't investigate deeply, buying all the needed daily necessities before leaving the mall.
Jiang Lai walks home in a good mood carrying shopping bags. Along the way, he hears a message notification sound and casually takes out his phone to look.
It's a new email containing a customer service link sent by the rental agency, with content about housing experience consultation and attention to whether housing change service is needed.
The house Jiang Lai rented has a three-day temporary trial period. Though he's basically decided to rent this one, to be safe, he hasn't made final commitments.
Therefore, he clicks the link and gives customer service a simple reply: [Housing experience is good, but ghost gentleman's politeness level is average. Overall doesn't affect rest. Will stay temporarily for two more days, then feedback whether to rent.]
Customer service on the other end instantly reads it but doesn't reply for a while. Jiang Lai guesses it might be because he mentioned "ghost gentleman" (though this is indeed the truth).
Jiang Lai (Fujiya expression): Having fun with this bit of teasing.jpg
However, mentioning the ghost tenant in the room, Jiang Lai can't help but recall spirit forms Matsuda Jinpei and Morofushi Hiromitsu from back then.
At that time, they also met by chance, experienced a long period of testing, gradually getting to know each other and becoming "family." Finally with great difficulty using author consciousness and world consciousness to resurrect, achieving a happy ending big reunion.
Recalling the past, Jiang Lai shows a faint smile on his face.
Speaking of which, should he ask them about spirit form-related knowledge to use as reference? Though different worlds definitely have differences (like spirit forms in the Detective Conan world can't control external objects), there must be similarities too.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you'll never be defeated. Before further contact with ghost gentleman Toji, mastering more information is naturally more advantageous.
Thinking this way, Jiang Lai unconsciously opens the group chat. However, the moment he starts typing he hesitates again, his hand shake causing an unfinished sentence to be sent.
[#Good Luck Lai Coming#: I want]
[#Sunglasses Working Overtime Again#: ?]
[#Big Cat's Whiskers#: What's wrong]
Don't know what time it is in the Detective Conan world, but Matsuda and Hiromitsu can both see group messages immediately. Akira isn't online, probably busy in the lab.
[#Good Luck Lai Coming#: Originally wanted to ask a question, but feel like it might not be appropriate...]
[#Sunglasses Working Overtime Again#: What's appropriate or not, we're all so familiar, why be polite? Just say it directly (rainbow cool sunglasses push.gif)]
[#Big Cat's Whiskers#: Did you encounter some difficulty, Jiang Lai?]
[#Big Cat's Whiskers#: (hot ginger soup.jpg)]
Ginger soup??? Jiang Lai in front of the screen, who was still hesitating, immediately perks up unconsciously at this moment!
Ginger soup, ginger tea, ginger pieces, a type of food that Jiang Lai absolutely can't stand!
(#Big Cat's Whiskers# withdrew a message)
[#Big Cat's Whiskers#: Sorry, sent wrong emoji (^^) What did you want to ask just now? Ask away, don't shoulder things alone.]
Jiang Lai coughs and taps the phone keyboard to reply.
[#Good Luck Lai Coming#: It's fine, it's fine, I'm very safe, just have a small question I wanted to consult...]
[#Sunglasses Working Overtime Again#: Bomb disposal related? Are there also guys planting bombs everywhere over there?]
[#Big Cat's Whiskers#: Improvisation? Did you forget some sniping details? (^^)]
[#Good Luck Lai Coming#: ...Ah, no!!]
And what you mentioned above aren't exactly [small consultation questions] at all!!
After pausing for another two seconds, Jiang Lai types.
[#Good Luck Lai Coming#: Uh, actually I just wanted to understand... what's the experience of being a ghost like?]
[#Big Cat's Whiskers#: ?]
[#Sunglasses Working Overtime Again#: ?]
[#Sunglasses Working Overtime Again#: Are you really okay?! Don't have dark thoughts! Though the jujutsu world is somewhat cruel, there's no need to start thinking about the ghost route after death so early!!]
[#Good Luck Lai Coming#: I'm not having dark thoughts! My mental health tests are always excellent]
[#Big Cat's Whiskers#: Hmm... though I know your manga dark filter effect is very effective, Jiang Lai, but have you already become so dark in the new series that you've turned into a ghost?]
[#Good Luck Lai Coming#: Cough cough cough the dark filter effect isn't that extreme, really isn't]
To reassure the family in the Detective Conan world and prevent them from overthinking, Jiang Lai quickly explains.
[#Good Luck Lai Coming#: Just gained a ghost roommate, so I want to understand more spirit form information to gain advantage in tactical maneuvering.]
He also tells them the other party's identity: [And the ghost roommate is that legendary daddy Toji.]
After sending the message, Jiang Lai looks up to stretch his spine slightly, his peripheral vision catching a familiar figure reflected in a nearby shop window on the street diagonally behind.
Black sea urchin hair, standard Jujutsu High uniform. It's Fushiguro Megumi!
...Oh, really speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao's son arrives.
Jiang Lai raises an eyebrow slightly. Is the other party coincidentally passing through this area, or has he been trailing behind since the mall just now?
He first alertly observes the surrounding situation. Facts prove that Gojo-sensei, Itadori Yuji, and Kugisaki Nobara are all not nearby.
Shouldn't be some group mission to find him... no matter what, let's shake him off first.
He thinks for a moment, quickly replies [contact later] in the group, then puts away his phone.
Jiang Lai has already trained skilled anti-tracking and anti-surveillance skills in the Detective Conan world, so he smoothly shakes off the person behind him. Incidentally, at a nearby convenience store, he impulsively buys some things.
Walking out of the convenience store, crossing the road ahead, Jiang Lai again glimpses Fushiguro Megumi's figure. At this time, the other party has already walked ahead of him.
Still in the vicinity... but they should miss each other soon. Jiang Lai withdraws his gaze, calmly walking on the road home.
Turn right at the corner ahead, walk a bit further and it's the Asazawa Apartment where he currently lives.
At the corner, Fushiguro Megumi seems to sense something, slightly turning his head, yet as if sensing nothing, his feet naturally turn right.
Jiang Lai has no intention of tracking the other party in return. He just wants to go back to the apartment. Though somewhat surprised that Fushiguro Megumi ahead also turned right, he doesn't stop his forward steps.
After turning, this section of road has no cover. The street is clean and tidy with few pedestrians.
Jiang Lai thinks about how to communicate with Fushiguro Toji tonight after returning home, and subsequent script planning. However, all thoughts converge after stepping into Asazawa Apartment's main entrance.
The sea urchin-haired youth stands at the stairway entrance, body tense, lips pressed straight, gaze sharp, staring directly at the approaching person!
Jiang Lai: "?" Why is the other party here??
Jiang Lai's heart pauses slightly, but his surface still maintains an indifferent expression, brown eyes slightly lifting, revealing nothing.
At the same time, unconscious detailed analysis lets Jiang Lai see that the person before him is nervous.
Fushiguro Megumi's face shows no fluctuation. His lowered hand vaguely prepares for something. He speaks calmly: "...Following me all the way to the apartment, may I ask what you want?"
Who's following whom... Jiang Lai slightly raises an eyebrow, then quickly reacts.
Wait, does the other party mean he also lives here? (But now Fushiguro Megumi should live in Jujutsu High dormitories, right? Even if he has a house, it should be in former Saitama Prefecture?)
Thoughts flow through his mind. Jiang Lai maintains a calm expression on his face, preparing his next words and attitude.