Chapter 33 : Can You Play with Me
"Why don't I guide you instead?" Jiang Lai smiled, saying this to Yuikawa Kurisu—his series of actions naturally had reasons.
Not long ago, Yuikawa Kurisu had been standing at a not-too-close, not-too-far distance behind the few of them, while the chatting group's vision was all focused ahead.
Because this was inside Jujutsu High, and everyone were close classmates, no one was alertly monitoring the surrounding situation at all times.
Only Gojo Satoru, who possessed Six Eyes, could notice the situation behind them 360 degrees without having to deliberately stay alert.
Jiang Lai had sensed something was off earlier when listening to Geto Suguru speak—Gojo Satoru's lips had pressed straight for an instant, a discordant impatient expression faintly appearing. This impatient emotion naturally couldn't be directed at Geto Suguru.
Noticing this detail, Jiang Lai's heart paused. He naturally adjusted his posture afterward, as if attracted by what he was hearing, changing his sitting position to lean sideways and listen, while glancing behind with his peripheral vision.
Sure enough, at just the right distance, stood a light brown-haired figure.
Yuikawa Kurisu couldn't possibly not know about Six Eyes' omnidirectional vision, so him standing in a position where only Six Eyes could see was very likely intentional.
Yuikawa Kurisu had been standing there all along, but not rigidly standing still. He occasionally moved his feet, moved his wrists, his posture quite natural, and these dynamic movements would feedback even more information to Six Eyes.
After finishing those few exchanges with Geto Suguru, Gojo Satoru finally couldn't stand Yuikawa Kurisu who had been listening from behind, directly turning around and speaking in a very impolite tone.
Actually, Jiang Lai felt Gojo Satoru was quite restrained. If Yuikawa Kurisu weren't a direct underclassman, but rather jujutsu higher-ups or other unrelated personnel, the extremely arrogant Gojo Satoru of this age would have eliminated the other party with one strike long ago.
Thoughts flashed through Jiang Lai's mind.
From these details, Yuikawa Kurisu had always been annoying Gojo Satoru, while Geto Suguru and others had no direct feeling of it.
High school period Gojo Satoru wouldn't delve too deeply into things, and was too lazy to explain anything about such small matters, so he would directly blurt out disgusted words in front of everyone without explaining the reasons or process in detail.
This way, on the surface, it made Gojo Satoru appear unruly and impatient, with a poor attitude toward underclassmen.
Jiang Lai silently watched the development of events. Listening to Yuikawa Kurisu's speech, he could feel that uncomfortable aura—it was a kind of low-level tea art.
Low-level tea art was easily detected as awkward, but the irritation effect was also very quick.
Geto Suguru probably wasn't really siding with Yuikawa. He trusted Gojo Satoru, so even if Satoru's targeting seemed somewhat sudden, he was listening to what Satoru was saying, wanting to know what exactly had happened.
What seemed like final concern and guidance for the underclassman was essentially trying to make Gojo Satoru's image better, mediating the atmosphere here.
However, the heaven's chosen Gojo Satoru would never follow such steps down. For people he found annoying, he would either eliminate them or ignore them.
Since he couldn't use the former with a direct underclassman, Gojo Satoru got up to leave.
At this crucial moment, the quick-thinking Jiang Lai reached out and grabbed Gojo Satoru!
The atmosphere between the two had just been building up, and Geto Suguru, who harbored concerns, was hesitating whether to confide in his close friend.
At such a critical moment, if Gojo Satoru left, there would be nothing left.
Jiang Lai's heart was clear as a mirror. He controlled the situation, saying gently: "Weren't you two still not finished talking just now? If there's something to say, it's better to say it all at once. I can go help answer the underclassman's questions."
At this time, Ieiri Shoko, who hadn't spoken before, also spoke flatly: "It's rare for you two to sit and have a proper conversation. Continue, I'm listening too." Her eyes lifted slightly, "Mm... As for first-year training issues, Lai-senpai should be better at teaching than you two idiots."
"Hey hey, what kind of evaluation is 'two idiots'? Only Suguru should count, right? I'm obviously the super invincible genius who knows everything!"
Gojo Satoru pouted, speaking arrogantly and complaining, but his actions followed Jiang Lai's gentle pull, sitting back down in his original position.
Geto Suguru's body, which had stiffened for an instant when his friend got up to leave, now relaxed again.
He curved his lips with some helplessness, half-jokingly saying: "Satoru... your way of speaking really makes people angry as always."
"So what, no one can control me." Gojo Satoru's tone rose arrogantly, eyebrows raised high, humming: "Alright, let's continue the previous topic—Suguru, what did you want to say earlier?"
At this point, the atmosphere between the two returned to normal.
And Jiang Lai had already silently walked over to Yuikawa Kurisu's side, eyes slightly curved: "Shall we go? They're too noisy, let's go somewhere else to answer questions."
He guided the other to leave. Although it was a suggestive tone, he didn't give room for the other to change his mind.
"......" The light brown-haired teenager lifted his head slightly, his reddish-brown eyes blinking slightly. He showed the same shy big boy smile as before, "Then thank you, senior, sorry for the trouble."
Although it wasn't clear what this Yuikawa underclassman's specific purpose was, obviously it should be related to Gojo Satoru or Geto Suguru. Jiang Lai thought.
Maybe it was to eavesdrop on the thoughts of the two future strongest, or maybe to interrupt further conversation between Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru.
In any case, taking this teacup dog (?) away from those two would be good.
Speaking of which, if the tea art just now was his true level, then this level didn't seem very high—his behavior and language were too obvious.
Jiang Lai couldn't help but think of Komiyama Yu from the Detective Conan world, a pervert skilled in tea art who firmly believed brainwashing brought permanent friends.
He had dealt with that guy for a long time back then, and now he was completely immune to this kind of tea-scented operations, feeling no ripples at all.
Going through the conversation he'd just heard in his mind, Jiang Lai casually asked: "Do you know Komiyama Yu?"
Yuikawa Kurisu blinked: "? Uh, who might that be?"
Jiang Lai: "An acquaintance of mine from before. I think you're a bit like him."
"Is, is that so..." The dog-eyed underclassman scratched his face with his fingertips, looking somewhat shy, "I'm like senior's acquaintance? That's quite a coincidence."
Jiang Lai: "However, you two have one big difference."
The light brown-haired teenager smiled shyly: "What's that?"
Jiang Lai: "He's already dead, you're still alive."
Yuikawa Kurisu: "......"
For a moment, the doggy underclassman fell silent. Jiang Lai didn't continue the conversation, stepping forward with a smile: "Let's go over there, follow me."
Jiang Lai led the direction, planning to teach under the shade of trees on the other side of the field. Jujutsu High's field was very large, with the two ends quite far apart. This arrangement would prevent Yuikawa Kurisu from continuing to disturb the second-years' conversation.
During the not-too-distant journey, Yuikawa Kurisu wandered around nearby.
The light brown-haired teenager would sometimes run to nearby bushes to fiddle around, sometimes return to walk properly beside him, but was quite quiet throughout—Jiang Lai finally understood the evaluation of "shy, active doggy Yuikawa."
It seemed this underclassman, though appearing gentle on the surface, had good stamina. Moving back and forth in circles like this, he wasn't even red-faced or out of breath.
When they reached the shade of trees on the other side of the field, Yuikawa Kurisu took a few steps to stand in front of Jiang Lai, steadying himself. His somewhat round dog eyes looked up, pursing his lips in a bashful smile: "Senior."
Jiang Lai's expression was calm: "What questions do you want to ask?"
"Just some confusion from training earlier, generally—" Yuikawa Kurisu lifted his face and began expressing his questions quite clearly.
At the same time, when Jiang Lai began answering, he showed a very serious listening attitude, even taking out a small notebook and pen he carried to record.
The light brown-haired teenager's politeness was impeccable throughout. If not for that strange scene earlier, Jiang Lai might have had a decent impression of him.
After all the confusion was explained, Yuikawa Kurisu closed his notebook: "Thank you, senior. I didn't expect senior to really take my questions so seriously." His innocent reddish-brown dog eyes contained laughter.
The words "didn't expect" and "really" indicated this sentence's purpose was no longer surface-level. This way of speaking should have a second half. Jiang Lai showed no ripples on the surface, didn't respond, and waited for this person's second sentence.
"After all, you're Satoru-senpai's friend." The teenager in front said mildly, "And Satoru-senpai doesn't seem to like me much, probably it's my problem..."
Jiang Lai smiled brightly: "Don't hesitate, it's definitely your problem."
Yuikawa Kurisu: "?"
He paused for a few tenths of a second, continuing: "But I don't really understand why Satoru-senpai dislikes me so much..."
Jiang Lai: "Then you should reflect on yourself properly."
Yuikawa Kurisu: "?"
The light brown-haired teenager paused, then continued: "Maybe it's because Satoru-senpai thinks I always disturb them..."
Jiang Lai: "Seems you at least have self-awareness."
Yuikawa Kurisu: "?"
The light brown teenager lowered his head slightly, tongue slightly moistening his lips before continuing: "Actually, I don't have any malicious intent, I just, just want to consult the seniors about some questions..."
Jiang Lai: "Make good use of Google search."
Yuikawa Kurisu: "..."
Jiang Lai, who smoothly responded to everything, always wore a smile mask on his face—probably similar to Amuro Toru's standard business smile when working at the coffee shop in the Detective Conan world.
Facing bowl after bowl of low-quality green tea, Jiang Lai really didn't want to taste it. His operation was to overturn each bowl that came, while also testing this person's patience level.
Yuikawa Kurisu's reddish-brown eyes turned toward Jiang Lai. After a second, he suddenly smiled: "Senior's way of speaking is really interesting."
Jiang Lai calmly: "Interesting? I charge for that."
"Sure." This time Yuikawa Kurisu didn't pause, but agreed without hesitation.
Jiang Lai's heart paused slightly as his gaze swept over.
At this moment, the light brown-haired teenager had already put away his previous innocent and pitiful expression. Light filtering through leaves dappled around his reddish-brown eyes.
Under the light, those eyes' color leaned more toward deep red: "...I'll pay. Senior, can you play with me?"
Jiang Lai internally raised an eyebrow slightly. Was this advanced rhetoric—or was he serious?
The air condensed for a moment, even the floating wind held its breath when it reached this area.
However, this scene lasted only a few seconds before the brown-haired teenager quickly returned to his previous timid posture, standing at attention and bowing while stammering: "Sorry, sorry senior, I was presumptuous—I just wanted to learn to joke like you, but it seems, not very, not very successful."
His pair of round eyes looked at Jiang Lai: "Please forgive me, senior."
A joke? Jiang Lai's warm brown eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression didn't reveal his internal analysis. He just responded with the same business smile as before: "I don't mind at all."
Distant calling voices came from far away. Haibara Yu from the other side of the field ran toward them while waving and calling out to his classmate Yuikawa Kurisu.
Because of the distance, even shouting, the voice couldn't be heard clearly, but the general meaning was "time to assemble."
The light brown-haired teenager stepped forward a few paces, raising his hand high toward his companion, waving to signal he understood.
Then he turned around, pursing his lips and saying softly: "Thank you for your guidance, senior." His dog eyes curved slightly, hands straight behind his back, "If, if possible... that, I'd like to ask for your advice again in the future."
Jiang Lai said lightly: "Since this isn't a current issue, there's no need to answer now." He didn't give a definite reply.
Yuikawa Kurisu didn't seem to mind much either. He bowed again in thanks, then stepped away running toward the classmate calling him.
Jiang Lai's gaze fell on the departing figure of doggy Yuikawa, thoughts flowing in his mind.
That momentary change just now revealed that this person wasn't the surface-level low-grade green tea—meaning the obviously awkward low-grade tea art in front of Gojo-Geto-Shoko was intentionally showing awkwardness?
But Jiang Lai couldn't think what such an operation could accomplish besides annoying Gojo Satoru.
If really trying to sow discord, obviously more subtle instigation would be better.
He squinted slightly.
Combined with the doggy underclassman's sudden "Can you play with me" just now—could this person think annoying Gojo Satoru was fun? So it was intentional?
Really bold. Jiang Lai thought. Wasn't he afraid that the Six Eyes divine child, pampered and willful since childhood, would get angry and no longer care about senior-junior relationships, directly hitting him with a [Blue]?
Could it be that doggy underclassman thought being targeted and criticized was fun... found manipulating others' emotions interesting? Even anger and disgust? Being scolded seemed to bring him joy, coming forward again and again.
Jiang Lai silently complained internally: What a vast world with all kinds of wonders. What kind of pervert is this?
But maybe it wasn't simply being a pervert, but having other more hidden purposes. Jiang Lai's expression focused again. He still needed to pay more attention to this odd doggy Yuikawa Kurisu.
When Jiang Lai returned to his original position, the others' conversation had also reached its end. They similarly got up, preparing to assemble.
His gaze swept over the three people passing before him, instinctively analyzing from details.
Ieiri Shoko's expression was calm, revealing nothing. Gojo Satoru still had that [I'm the boss] arrogant cat expression, not looking like he'd heard any secrets—probably Geto Suguru hadn't revealed much about what was deep in his heart.
However, even so, Geto Suguru's condition seemed somewhat better.
Some of the gloom between the topknot teenager's brows had dissipated. When his friend beside him laughed heartily, he also showed genuine smiles.
Principal Yaga, who arrived late, organized everyone to assemble, saying the first-year teacher had gone on a mission, so first and second years would have class together today.
Gojo Satoru casually shouted from below things like "since the weather's nice today, second years don't need to study" and "since the first-year teacher isn't here, second years should get a holiday"—completely illogical but obviously purposeful remarks that made Principal Yaga's forehead veins throb.
"Enough, Satoru!" Principal Yaga rubbed his temples, waving his hand, "You second years can rest if you want, just prepare for tomorrow's mission—Shoko can stay at school to rest."
"Ah?" Gojo Satoru asked lazily, "What mission?"
"...Having you be teachers for three days." Principal Yaga coughed, "Train the Zenin family children."
"Zenin??" Gojo Satoru's blue eyes lifted behind his sunglasses, "They're still looking for outsiders to be teachers??"
"Precisely because everyone at home has already practiced together, they need to practice with outsiders to know what the outside situation is like." Principal Yaga said, "This mission was assigned by the higher-ups, probably the Zenin family approached the jujutsu higher-ups."
"They still need to know about outside situations? Haven't they already closed their doors and ignored external affairs? They're rarely seen at Big Three family meetings normally." Gojo Satoru hummed, his tone slightly mocking, "A bunch of stupid cowards."
Jiang Lai listened quietly, his heart pausing slightly. The Zenin family's situation seemed different from the original.
The original Zenin family, though also very feudal, wasn't isolated. Now hearing Gojo Satoru's description, the new series' Zenin family seemed like an excessively reclusive group.
"Alright, Satoru, still watch your words." Principal Yaga crossed his arms over his chest, sighing and continuing, "The higher-ups specifically designated you and Suguru to go to the Zenin family."
"Aren't they afraid we'll beat people to death? Still making specific designations? Don't want to go, don't want to go—" Gojo Satoru grinned and said.
"The senior grades' recent business trip locations are very far, and first years are too young to be used to test the Zenin family children. Only you and Suguru are suitable." Principal Yaga said, "That's why the higher-ups specifically designated you two for this mission. After all, your strength is there."
Gojo Satoru snorted, arrogantly lifting his head, acknowledging the "strong" implication in Principal Yaga's words.
Geto Suguru beside him hadn't spoken until now: "Are there any specific requirements for this mission?"
"Generally just train them. Anyway, don't let anyone die." Principal Yaga nodded slightly, "More specifically, when you get to the Zenin family, the person in charge will inform you."
"So annoying—" Gojo Satoru drew out his tone, extending his hand to point at Jiang Lai diagonally behind him, "Can I bring someone along to play?"
"...Don't treat missions with a playful attitude, Satoru!" Principal Yaga rubbed his temples again, "And normally that wouldn't be allowed. You know the Zenin family's situation yourself—outsiders have difficulty entering."
"Fine, then forget it." This time Gojo Satoru didn't seem persistent, casually dropping his arm.
The hand he had behind his back was frantically making gestures toward Jiang Lai diagonally behind him.
Jiang Lai: "......" Although, but, I really can't understand sign language!!.jpg
Although he couldn't understand, Jiang Lai, who understood Young Master Gojo's thinking, could generally guess—the other was probably wanting to drag him along to play.
When they returned to the dormitory, he was even more certain of this guess.
Gojo Satoru, who came visiting, said cheerfully: "Let's go, Lai! Let's go play together tomorrow! I only went once when I was little, never been to the Zenin family area since—I heard there are quite a lot of weirdos there, we can go witness human diversity."
This kind of description... High school Gojo Satoru was completely unsuited for sales! Jiang Lai internally displayed emojis while nodding on the surface: "I'll go with you."
He was also very interested in the Zenin family's current situation, so he planned to go with Gojo and the others to gather some intelligence clues.
Then Jiang Lai asked: "What did you and Geto Suguru talk about at the field earlier?"
"Mm?" Gojo Satoru blinked, recalling for a few seconds, "Ah... seemed like the previous topic, movies, games, stuff like that."
Jiang Lai: "Didn't you continue talking about that letter?"
"That letter was just a blank piece of paper." Gojo Satoru tilted his head, "Suguru folded it up and put it in his pocket, said he couldn't litter."
It shouldn't be that simple. Seems Geto Suguru indeed still didn't share his real concerns. Jiang Lai was silent for a few seconds, thoughts flowing in his mind.
"But Suguru asked something kind of strange." Gojo Satoru made a fist with his right hand, knocking it into his left palm, making an enlightened expression.
Jiang Lai blinked: "What?"
"He asked me—'Do you think people should be ranked in different classes?' Something like that." Gojo Satoru tried hard to recall, saying.
Ranking people in different classes...? Jiang Lai was somewhat puzzled in his heart. This statement had different meanings from different angles.
Earlier, Jiang Lai had asked Gojo Satoru whether he had mastered Reverse Cursed Technique, using this to judge whether the Star Plasma Vessel incident had occurred.
Gojo Satoru's reply was that Reverse Cursed Technique was very mystical, currently only Shoko knew it. But presumably when the time came for him to know it, he would.
The white-haired teenager was carefree about it, seemingly not particularly concerned, with no worries or gloom between his brows.
From this, Jiang Lai determined they hadn't reached the Star Plasma Vessel incident yet.
The current Geto Suguru should still be in the period of upholding absolute justice to protect all the weak, so what was he thinking asking this?
Was it his own contemplation, or had someone else communicated with him?
Jiang Lai's mind was full of thoughts as he blinked slightly, warm brown eyes lifting: "...How did you answer?"
"Me? Of course I answered according to my own thoughts." Gojo Satoru leaned gracefully against the cabinet, spreading his hands: "I said, 'No particular thoughts, anyway everyone looks the same to me—equally weak.' Something like that."
This Gojo Satoru was still the heaven's chosen who hadn't experienced any setbacks or suffering.
Jiang Lai: "..." Geto Suguru asking Gojo Satoru this question was really asking for nothing...!
Indeed, high school Gojo Satoru couldn't possibly keenly perceive something and then deliver some meaningful output.
"Next time, why don't you try searching online and answering according to mental health education?" Jiang Lai said half-jokingly, half-seriously, "Or tell Suguru that he can share any thoughts with you, you'll listen seriously no matter what, because you're best friends."
"Hah??—No way." Gojo Satoru rubbed his arms, "So mushy."
High school period Gojo Satoru's mouth was harder than stone. Even if he cared deeply inside, having him say such direct caring words was impossible.
"Friends are much more important than face—alright, never mind." Jiang Lai pushed Gojo Satoru, "Go back and rest early, we'll depart tomorrow morning."
Jiang Lai pushed Gojo Satoru into his dormitory, then didn't hurry back to his own room, planning to go out for a walk—if he could run into Geto Suguru, he'd chat briefly with him.
As he walked outward, he happened to meet two approaching figures.
The taller one was Geto Suguru, the shorter one was Yuikawa Kurisu. The two were quietly conversing about something.
Jiang Lai's steps paused slightly.
Noticing Jiang Lai ahead, Geto Suguru was startled, then smiled: "Lai."
The light brown-haired teenager blinked, showing a somewhat shy expression: "Good evening, senior."