Chapter 113 : Gojo Kyufuin
Gojo Kyufuin with his pale blue eyes asked Little Sheep Jiang Lai if he was "alright" first, but still kept his attention on Mahito in front of him, steadily gripping that exquisite folding fan.
Jiang Lai was also silently observing the special-grade cursed spirit Mahito, but his focus was somewhat different from this Third Elder's.
The blue-haired, triple-braided cursed spirit had his attack blocked by the suddenly appearing folding fan. His already unpleasant expression became even more gloomy, his mismatched eyes flashing with malice.
But Mahito wasn't stupid. He was very good at assessing situations, understanding that his current injured state put him at a disadvantage, and persisting in the attack wouldn't yield much benefit.
Therefore, after being blocked, he didn't continue wasting time here. Instead, he decisively withdrew and left without entanglement.
Little Sheep Jiang Lai appeared to blink his eyes, looking like he was coming to his senses, but actually took in all the details before him, quickly analyzing calmly in his mind before reaching a conclusion.
Special-grade cursed spirit Mahito didn't seem to recognize Gojo Kyufuin.
This was quite interesting. Jiang Lai's thoughts stirred as he gently inserted his plastic spoon into the mousse cake.
Mahito's previous behavior of carrying a woven bag to collect fragments showed he had connections with the Supervisory Committee.
From the Thousand Year manga, he had seen that Kenjaku had connections with this Gojo family Third Elder, and Gojo Satoru had also said that Gojo Kyufuin was the Gojo family's contact person with the Supervisory Committee.
Yet when the two met this time, Mahito's attitude was the same unfamiliarity he'd show any ordinary jujutsu sorcerer, coldness mixed with disdain and killing intent toward humans. From this perspective, Mahito probably didn't know Gojo Kyufuin's true situation.
It seemed the Supervisory Committee's internal secrecy measures were quite good, with members not necessarily knowing each other. Jiang Lai thought. Or perhaps Gojo Kyufuin really didn't handle the Supervisory Committee's daily affairs, only playing a role at the core level.
As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Mahito's figure also disappeared from sight.
The Third Elder with his long hair tied low retracted his raised folding fan. Every gesture carried the natural elegance and composure cultivated by a great family.
Seeing Mahito leave, Little Sheep Jiang Lai didn't rush to speak. Instead, he held his plastic spoon, scooped some rich cream into his mouth, leisurely swinging his two legs while eating cake.
Jiang Lai planned to first see what this suddenly appearing Gojo family member's purpose was, so he wasn't in a hurry to speak and reveal his attitude.
Anyway, with his current young shell, acting on whims was perfectly normal.
Thinking this, he half-turned his face, his dark eyes looking directly at the person beside him.
Gojo Kyufuin beside him stood steadily in place. He wasn't wearing the Gojo family's characteristic elaborate wide-sleeved kimono, but simply wore small-sleeved casual clothes suitable for movement, with no distinctive patterns.
The man with pale blue eyes had his long hair not simply tied back, but had taken two strands from the sides to braid with the main hair, securing it with a white jade hairpin in a low ponytail.
The winter-spring midday sunlight was neither faint nor intense. The pale golden radiance fell on the warm, lustrous jade hairpin.
After making eye contact with Little Sheep Jiang Lai, he smiled lightly, his overall aura very gentle.
Little Sheep Jiang Lai also considerately returned a bright smile. After all, smiles were very useful things that didn't reveal inner thoughts while being an almost universally applicable response.
Before the two could have any exchange, a voice came from nearby: "Watanabe!"
Itadori Yuji's enthusiastic call came as he, Fushiguro Megumi, and Kugisaki Nobara ran over in a few quick steps, asking with concern: "Are you okay?"
Then he noticed Gojo Kyufuin standing nearby, smiled sheepishly and politely said, "Um, hello."
Gojo Kyufuin nodded slightly, his lips curved in a smile. He didn't say much, instead stepping slightly to the side to give the teenagers sufficient space.
Black wolf-dog Matsuda Jinpei also followed closely, the over two-meter-tall robust wolf-dog unceremoniously squeezing into the middle. He didn't brake in time and crashed directly into Little Sheep Jiang Lai's legs, nearly making Jiang Lai's hand shake and spill the cake.
"So heavy!" Little Sheep Jiang Lai raised one hand to ruffle wolf Matsuda's curly fur, then turned to smile at Itadori Yuji and the others. "I'm fine! After being thrown out of the domain just now, I couldn't find you all, so I found a dessert shop here to buy cake."
He opened the unopened box of cream puffs beside him, handing it over along with small forks, gesturing: "For you all, eat up!"
The teenage boys and girls were indeed tired after going through the domain. They thanked him and generously ate a few cream puffs.
After they put the cream puffs in their mouths, they heard the brown-haired boy's eyes flash with a hint of mischief as he smiled and added: "1,000 yen each, thank you for your patronage, much appreciated."
This statement nearly made the Fushiguro-Itadori-Kugisaki trio choke, their expressions instantly becoming highly unified.
Fortunately, Little Sheep Jiang Lai added: "Just kidding! But next time I might really charge."
Not far behind them, Nanami Kento and Haibara Yu also followed.
They had originally been walking at the front, but in the final stretch, seeing the brown-haired boy, the Fushiguro-Itadori-Kugisaki trio had quickened their pace and run over, leaving them behind.
Nanami Kento saw the standing man with pale blue eyes, paused slightly, then spoke first: "Kyufuin-san."
Haibara Yu beside him showed a bright golden retriever smile, waving: "Kyufuin-san!"
Gojo Kyufuin turned his face slightly, maintaining a smile like bathing in gentle light: "It's Nanami and Haibara. Long time no see."
Little Sheep Jiang Lai had just recalled Matsuda Jinpei, sending him back to the Detective Conan world, and was chatting with Itadori Yuji and the others.
Catching the adults' conversation with his ears, his expression remained flawless while his mind pondered.
He hadn't expected them to actually know each other. He wondered when they had met.
This question was quickly answered when he heard Nanami Kento say: "Thank you for the materials and explanations for the recent mission. After completing the mission, I've returned those documents to the auxiliary supervisors. Did you receive them?"
"Yes, I've already received them." Gojo Kyufuin nodded in reply, his manner humble. "No need for courtesy. The Gojo family has abundant books, and as one of the Three Great Families, we should provide some help in exorcising cursed spirits. This can be considered making the best use of resources. Moreover, you're all junior friends of the family head."
"Speaking of which, time passes so quickly. I feel like it wasn't long ago I was calling him 'little Satoru,' and now I have to address him as 'family head.' He curved his narrow pale blue eyes. "Watching him grow up brings me joy as well."
Hearing Gojo Kyufuin's words, the Fushiguro-Itadori-Kugisaki trio's gazes all turned over. Itadori Yuji looked somewhat surprised: "You're Gojo-sensei's..."
"Hello, I'm Gojo Kyufuin. I've heard about you all before, and seeing you now, you're indeed all very energetic, good children." Gojo Kyufuin turned toward the teenagers, elegantly yet approachably lowering his folding fan and nodding. "As the Gojo family's Third Elder, I can be said to have witnessed the family head's growth."
"Eh? But you look very young." Itadori Yuji spoke directly, expressing his surprise.
"Actually, I'm quite old, it's just the effect of my technique." Gojo Kyufuin didn't hide this point, naturally revealing it with a gentle expression.
Haibara Yu warmly asked: "Why did Kyufuin-san suddenly come to Kawasaki City? Is there anything we can help with?"
"I just heard that a certain village here possessed ancient books, so I came to look for some." Gojo Kyufuin smiled lightly. "I'm a book lover, and ancient books are fragile. Entrusting them to family servants and outsiders always makes me uneasy. Recently the family has been peaceful, so I came alone."
His words were natural, his manner gracious.
Jiang Lai had been observing him, sensing from these fragments that this Gojo Kyufuin was very leisurely and free within the Gojo family. As a member of the elder council, he could go out as he pleased.
No wonder he would appear on Kawasaki City streets... if he really was here for books.
But managing a library was indeed a relatively leisurely position within a family.
Just unclear whether his choice of this was due to ulterior motives or genuine love of books.
Gojo Kyufuin didn't seem to have any intention of staying longer. After replying politely to a few questions, he expressed his intention to leave.
Jiang Lai was somewhat surprised. He had thought the other would probe for more information through indirect questioning, at least asking about their recent situation or any mission details they might have noticed.
He hadn't expected such polite conversation. After greeting the Fushiguro-Itadori-Kugisaki trio, he decided to step away.
Could his appearance here really be for ancient books?
Before Gojo Kyufuin left, Little Sheep Jiang Lai sat up straight, as if suddenly remembering, and looked up: "Ah, right. Thank you, Kyufuin-san!"
He showed his usual deceptive little white rabbit smile. "I was still a bit dazed just now, only now starting to react..."
Everyone's gazes fell on him, and Little Sheep Jiang Lai puffed out his cheeks: "Just now there was this guy with stitched lines on his face who suddenly attacked me. It was really inexplicable, but fortunately Kyufuin-san protected my cake!"
Everyone: "?"
So the focus was actually on the cake?!
Their originally serious expressions upon hearing about the stitched cursed spirit were instantly shattered by that bizarre point of concern.
As if seeing through everyone's thoughts, Little Sheep Jiang Lai put on a serious face, saying with heartfelt pain:
"This mousse cake is very expensive! If it had been knocked over, it would have been the death of this sheep."
Everyone: "......"
But Gojo Kyufuin chuckled softly, showing no speechless expression at Little Sheep Jiang Lai's words. He still maintained his calm, gentle noble demeanor, following along: "Well then, it's good the cake is safe. I was just helping out in passing."
He didn't deliberately emphasize it, didn't try to get closer to show familiarity, didn't exaggerate his protection against the special-grade cursed spirit. Instead, he went along with Little Sheep Jiang Lai's words, casually placing it on protecting the cake.
Courteous and measured, he seemed to truly have no intention of using this for anything else.
Jiang Lai's thoughts flowed as he returned another smile on the surface, but inwardly didn't relax his vigilance. Instead, he raised it a level. Compared to those who openly showed their purposes and set traps, this type of flawless person was harder to deal with.
Currently, it was somewhat difficult to distinguish friend from foe.
After Gojo Kyufuin finished speaking, he politely paused for a moment before continuing his farewell and walking forward. Before leaving, he turned his head slightly, smiling gently at Little Sheep Jiang Lai:
"You're young, so be more careful when out and about. Don't let strangers get too close in the future."