Chapter 119 : The Advantage is Mine.jpg
Jiang Lai briefly explained the upcoming script to the liquid fox.
Given that he was somewhat worried the childish nightmare fox might slip up, and with the fox's clumsy way of speaking, it probably wouldn't be able to deliver lines clearly even if given any.
So Jiang Lai didn't assign any lines to the liquid fox, only asking the nightmare fox to return to Geto Suguru's side as usual and not be overly affectionate toward him.
The nightmare fox seemed to read from Jiang Lai's expression his assessment of its clumsiness, slapping the ground with its tail to express displeasure. Then it was instantly appeased by Jiang Lai casually feeding it a handkerchief and patting its head.
The nightmare fox stretched lazily, its red eyes with spiral patterns like mosquito coils blinking to indicate it remembered. Then it began running, leading the way back to where Geto Suguru was.
Following the liquid fox running ahead like a shadow, Jiang Lai adjusted his facial expression in advance.
Beyond his usual indifference, he mixed in some natural curiosity, as if interested in the nightmare fox as a fellow special-grade cursed spirit, following behind it.
From afar, Jiang Lai saw the man-bunned youth with medium-length hair and the blue-haired, triple-braided cursed spirit with stitched lines.
Before Geto Suguru turned to look over, Mahito was the first to notice him. Those mismatched eyes sparkled with strange light as he opened his mouth to say something to the man-bunned youth.
Mahito deliberately lowered his voice, maintaining a volume only Geto Suguru could hear.
But Jiang Lai, having been tempered through the Detective Conan world's red-black confrontations, could roughly judge the other's words through his expression and lip movements.
Very good. Jiang Lai thought. It seemed he had arrived at just the right time.
As the distance shortened, he stopped after a few steps, watching the nimble liquid fox leap onto Geto Suguru's shoulder.
The little fox adjusted to a comfortable position as usual, yawned, and began to sleep.
Just then, Geto Suguru raised his narrow eyes and made eye contact with Jiang Lai for a moment.
At this moment of long-separated reunion, Geto Suguru felt no joy in his heart. His mind trembled as he placed his raised hand on the liquid fox.
Why would Lai come over? Had the nightmare fox conveyed wrong information, or had the memory-confused Lai failed to understand those words and followed the nightmare fox here on instinct?
Emotions surged like tides in his deep purple eyes. The next second, Geto Suguru lowered his eyelids to conceal his expression, trying to remain calm to avoid revealing emotional fluctuations inappropriate for his position.
Jiang Lai also naturally shifted his gaze away, understanding in his heart that this moment wasn't suitable for reminiscing or clarifying facts.
So he focused his gaze on Mahito, who was staring at him.
"Oh, what a coincidence." Mahito curved his eyes, showing just the right amount of enthusiasm. "We meet again."
Jiang Lai deliberately maintained some distance from Geto Suguru, with slight vigilance surrounding him. Hearing Mahito's words, he glanced at Mahito, then at Geto Suguru, showing subtle hesitation.
"Oh, no need to be nervous. Though he's human, he's a curse user, so he's also our companion." Mahito spoke first, offering reassurance.
"Companion...?" Jiang Lai slightly opened his mouth, as if contemplating the meaning of this word.
"More precisely, a cooperation partner." Mahito further explained, his hands lightly clasped together as he smiled slightly at Geto Suguru. "Right? Though our ultimate goals differ, we can advance the process together."
This statement had double meaning. On the surface, it was explaining to Jiang Lai why they cooperated with humans, but actually, it was secretly reminding Geto Suguru of their previously agreed plan targeting Jiang Lai.
Geto Suguru naturally heard the content beneath the surface meaning. He didn't want to smile, but his face, accustomed to disguise, had already skillfully formed an appropriate smile.
Mahito was very satisfied with this. He turned again to the black-haired, brown-eyed youth, saying warmly: "Since we've met and there's nothing urgent, why don't you travel with us this time?"
As Jiang Lai hesitated, Mahito added with a smile: "After we complete this mission, we can take you to meet other special-grade cursed spirit companions. We special-grade cursed spirits are very friendly to our companions."
"......" Jiang Lai didn't speak.
"Wandering alone must be too boring. Why not join us all." Mahito's mismatched eyes appeared sincere in the moonlight. "Even if you still prefer acting alone, at least you'd have a mutually supportive companion group behind you."
These words were spoken skillfully. Mahito constantly watched Jiang Lai's facial expressions, and seeing the other's expression finally soften, he was certain that continuing along the "companion" line of thought was correct.
Finally, the black-haired, brown-eyed youth nodded slightly. Though his expression remained indifferent, his words gave a positive response: "Alright."
This answer pleased Mahito greatly, while Geto Suguru's mood sank again.
"Welcome, my friend," Mahito enthusiastically made a virtual hugging gesture. "Last time was too urgent, I didn't have time to introduce myself. You can call me Mahito."
Then he gestured toward Geto Suguru: "This curse user's name is Geto Suguru, and the fox on his shoulder is the nightmare fox."
Geto Suguru nodded as usual, but his hands under his wide sleeves clenched tightly.
Jiang Lai's gaze swept over the figures before him, blinking slowly. After half a second, he said: "......Lai."
"Ah, good. Now that we've formally introduced ourselves, we're friends." Mahito smiled and stepped forward, walking to Jiang Lai's side and raising his hand to rest on Jiang Lai's shoulder, but was steadily blocked by a layer of spatial barrier.
Mahito didn't seem embarrassed. He naturally patted through that thin barrier, then lowered his hand.
As if suddenly remembering, Mahito suddenly asked: "By the way, I recently lost something. I wonder if you, my friend, have seen it?"
Jiang Lai turned to face him.
Mahito continued: "It's a special-grade cursed object that looks like a dark purple-red finger. That thing is Ryomen Sukuna's finger, quite important to me. It was stolen by a cursed spirit whose technique is simulating illusions."
Hearing this, Jiang Lai raised an eyebrow slightly in his heart.
The other had cleverly used a lie, changing actively handing over the finger to use the illusion cursed spirit into having it stolen by the illusion cursed spirit.
This way, if he truly had amnesia and viewed Mahito as a companion, he would surely tell the other that the finger was in his possession, then return it to its original owner.
In that case, he wouldn't detect Mahito's secretly harbored resentment and preparation for revenge. He'd probably even think the other would be grateful, since he helped recover the finger.
Thoughts flowed through his mind, but Jiang Lai's expression remained unchanged. He didn't respond with any words.
Actually, he had no intention of discussing this topic further.
Jiang Lai had taken the finger to trade with Ryomen Sukuna later. He had no intention of giving it up, not even temporarily.
The two had no need to maintain good relations. Beneath surface harmony, both were thinking about how to harm the other.
Moreover, the finger was currently with Hiroki, so he couldn't possibly produce it on the spot.
So he simply remained silent, only smiling lightly with an expression of knowing nothing.
Seeing the black-haired youth's attitude, Mahito's expression imperceptibly froze for a second, but he quickly adjusted, his face no longer showing any hesitation.
Mahito's mismatched eyes curved: "Never mind, it's better not to mention it. After all, it's in the past."
He waved his hand, looking ahead: "Let's focus on the current mission first. When it's over, I can introduce you to everyone~"
Jiang Lai adjusted his sleeves, asking casually: "What is it?"
"Similar to when we met last time, searching for those fragments and collecting them." Mahito said cheerfully. "Perfect timing, you can sense those things too, right? We can act together now."
"I'm not sensing anything currently." Jiang Lai said calmly.
"Right, it's not time yet." Mahito replied, crossing his hands. "We can scout routes first, then retrieve them promptly when the time comes."
Not time yet? Jiang Lai's thoughts flowed. Was there some reason for the fragments to be detected?
That made sense. If fragments constantly emitted energy, they would have already attracted the attention of nearby cursed spirits and sorcerers. It was precisely because they remained dormant most of the time and only occasionally manifested that previous peace was maintained.
But it wasn't clear what triggered the fragments' activation.
Speaking of which, both Geto Suguru and Mahito had gathered in Kawasaki City. Could there be other fragments here besides the one from Satozakura School?
Jiang Lai: Really? This Kawasaki City is truly blessed with talented people and beautiful scenery.jpg
But then again, this Mahito guy really planned to use him to the extreme, squeezing every drop of value.
That guy deliberately mentioned the mission, probably planning to have him contribute to their mission before using schemes to harm him.
After quickly analyzing in his mind, Jiang Lai's expression showed slight contemplation, then he nodded: "Alright, I'll go with you."
He'd go along with their plan for now, which would also let him explore the fragment situation. Jiang Lai thought.
"That's wonderful." Mahito beamed with a brilliant smile. Indeed, he was very pleased with this progress.
Jiang Lai also slowly smiled, quite satisfied with this script development in his heart.
Only Geto Suguru, witnessing everything and thinking his old friend was stepping into a trap, wore a smile that was merely a false mask.
His mood was heavy. At one moment, he even considered disregarding everything to make Lai leave this place, or directly strangle and exorcise Mahito.
What pulled Geto Suguru from his absorbed thoughts was Mahito's call.
The blue-haired, triple-braided cursed spirit passed by Geto Suguru standing in place, looking up at him with a smile that pulled at his stitched lines.
Mahito silently said: Let's cooperate with each other later, pleasant cooperation.
"......" Geto Suguru superficially raised his narrow fox eyes to indicate understanding.
Then Jiang Lai caught up from behind, following Mahito forward. When passing Geto Suguru, he also turned his face to look over.
Jiang Lai planned to secretly reveal some truth to the other, lest Geto Suguru, accustomed to internal suppression, do something due to his heavy mood.
Behind Mahito's unnoticing back, the black-haired youth suddenly showed Geto Suguru a familiar smile. Those upturned eyes dispelled the previous indifferent alienation. His brown eyes no longer looked at him like a stranger, but contained the same trust and tolerance as before.
Geto Suguru was stunned.
Jiang Lai silently said: Let's cooperate with each other later, pleasant cooperation.
Geto Suguru: "?"
Faced with this scene, he was momentarily bewildered, his brain suddenly going completely blank!
Wait, this from Lai was...!? Could the situation here be...?
Too much information flooded in instantly. Geto Suguru fell into brief cosmic fox thinking transcendence.jpg