Chapter 193 : We've agreed, see you again in the future
Jiang Lai remained silent on the surface, silently giving Gojo Satoru a thumbs up in his heart - he had to admit, the other's acting had improved considerably, he actually didn't break character!
However, as the strongest who would never go out of character, even if he couldn't help but laugh, it would probably be interpreted as something else by others anyway.
At this moment, the space-time reversal had already been completed, and it was time for Jiang Lai to leave.
A hesitant gesture often sparks more imagination than specific words, so he half-lowered his eyes, his lips moving slightly, as if wanting to reveal something, yet ultimately leaving nothing behind.
He only paused in place for a second, then turned and walked away with the wind, disappearing into the forest in one smooth motion, leaving only the faint arc traced by his fluttering garments.
The group of people standing on the other side also fell into silence, each with their own different thoughts.
Zenin Maki's gaze followed that departing figure in the distance. She desperately hoped he would say something, but also knew that perhaps saying nothing would leave more hope.
She couldn't help but think of Nanako and Mimiko, who had recently gone abroad. Previously, they had asked the Zenin sisters about details regarding that "great demon."
Mimiko and Nanako had been brought back to the school by Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru, but when chatting with the Zenin sisters, they had murmured that in their half-conscious moments at night, their memories would occasionally flash with a different dream.
In that dream, the one who led them back to the school included another figure in a dark blue kimono.
The unclear dream didn't show that person's face clearly, but through the haze, they seemed to glimpse the upward curve of his lips.
A stranger they had never met in reality, yet in dreams brought them immense comfort.
It sounded like the same character as the mysterious great demon from her own childhood, but why would Nanako and Mimiko, who had never seen him, have such dreams?
Actually, Zenin Maki had pondered this question long ago, especially when vague memories began to surface, and when she noticed that Teacher Gojo seemed to be waiting for someone every Christmas.
She boldly speculated whether time had once flowed backward and reset, and their lives were missing someone who should have existed during this period.
It's just that these thoughts sounded like nonsense. Zenin Maki had never mentioned them to anyone else, at most chatting about it briefly with her sister during evening walks.
Now, she watched that person's departure, catching a glimpse of Gojo Satoru's silent profile from the corner of her eye, thoughts slowly flowing through her heart.
If time had indeed flowed backward and restarted as she suspected, then perhaps losing those memories like herself, Mimiko, and Nanako was fortunate.
Because the person with complete memories would be the one suffering the most.
Teacher Gojo rarely exposed emotions that shouldn't belong to the strongest in front of them. Zenin Maki withdrew her gaze. She didn't know what to say, so she remained silent.
Nearby, Itadori Yuji still looked somewhat dazed, as if he hadn't yet recovered from the earlier transition.
Gojo Satoru casually tucked one hand in his pocket. After that figure departed, he showed no intention of pursuing.
He waved the blindfold in his hand and said to the crowd: "Alright, I've already taken care of everything. Time to sleep."
His azure eyes curved upward, his tone cheerful: "Late night isn't the time to wander around watching the excitement. Sleep deprivation has many side effects - as for the debris here, we'll report it for repairs tomorrow."
In the quiet night wind, only Gojo Satoru's rising intonation echoed. No one else spoke.
The management personnel present nodded and silently withdrew.
The students had various expressions on their faces. They actually had many questions they wanted to ask, but after exchanging glances, they still began to slowly retreat and leave.
After all, the current atmosphere didn't seem suitable for asking questions, and Teacher Gojo didn't seem to want to say much either.
So the students left in small groups, just as they had come together earlier, heading back toward the dormitory area.
Zenin Maki and her sister Mai walked to the corner, their steps pausing slightly as they glanced back once more.
The white-haired man still stood under the moonlight. From Zenin Maki's perspective, she could only see half of his refined profile.
The black blindfold had somehow been put back on his face, concealing most of his expression.
Although she couldn't see his eyes, from the direction, the white-haired man's gaze seemed to fall on the place where that person had departed.
"......" Zenin Maki remained silent, finally withdrawing her gaze and stepping through the dormitory area's entrance.
Gojo Satoru stood under the moonlight with both hands in his pockets, his gaze indeed focused on the location where Jiang Lai had departed.
Six Eyes' field of vision was much broader than ordinary people's. After confirming that the other had left the school as planned, he withdrew his gaze and nodded confidently to himself.
Not bad, he felt his acting had improved considerably, and his coordination with Lai was perfect!
They had only coordinated on the script; their expressions and words were all improvised based on the situation.
Gojo Satoru knew of Jiang Lai's excellent acting skills, but was still surprised by his performance in that situation, which had even fooled his Six Eyes.
......So he couldn't help but tap into some genuine emotions as well.
However, now Gojo Satoru had calmed down considerably. He could even recall the various expressions of the surrounding observers.
Gojo Satoru's Six Eyes had no blind spots, and his superior memory allowed him to engrave every detail in his heart.
He could deduce the hidden Supervisory Committee or higher-up informants based on different people's different expressions at the time.
For instance, one or two of the school's daily management staff had slightly off micro-expressions and movements.
He could pay more attention in secret afterward and prepare defenses against their information theft in advance.
Gojo Satoru stood in place, thinking about going to the agreed-upon private residence location in the outside town to meet with Lai later, then discuss subsequent matters with him.
As his thoughts churned, he sensed another person approaching. Gojo Satoru half-turned his face: "Yuji?"
In the now-empty dormitory perimeter after everyone had left, the cherry-pink haired boy had somehow returned. He stopped a few steps away: "Teacher Gojo."
"What's wrong, Yuji? Are you feeling alright?" Gojo Satoru's voice rose as he raised his hand in greeting. "You worked hard today. Go back and rest. Tomorrow morning we'll all catch up together."
"I'm fine physically." Itadori Yuji kept his head half-lowered, saying quietly, "Sorry, I know Teacher Gojo must be tired too. But I still want to talk with you."
Gojo Satoru's blue eyes blinked slightly under his blindfold. He could see the boy in front of him had something on his mind.
So he went along with it: "The strongest spicy teacher never gets tired. Whatever Yuji-kun wants to say, just say it directly. Watch your teacher clear up your doubts~"
Itadori Yuji exhaled, first explaining today's events: "The reason Sukuna came out wasn't due to a sudden increase in the finger's power, nor was it my permission, but because he suddenly said '[Enchain],' and I lost consciousness."
"Ah...... I see." Gojo Satoru placed one hand on his chin, thinking. "Sounds like some binding condition, and part of it is your forgetting - looking at it this way, your revival after the Juvenile Detention Center incident should have been Sukuna's manipulation."
"But don't worry, I believe this binding rule should be quite complex. Sukuna can't use it casually, otherwise he would have come out frequently long ago." Gojo Satoru comforted him. "Relax, Yuji."
"......Okay." Itadori Yuji paused, his amber eyes lifting. "Actually, that's not what I most wanted to talk about."
Gojo Satoru tilted his head slightly, looking at the cherry-pink haired boy in front of him.
Throughout this time, this student of his had always been very optimistic and cheerful. It was rare to see him show such a complex expression.
He guessed the other was about to say something important, perhaps related to Lai as well.
Therefore, Gojo Satoru said first: "Looks like Yuji needs counseling tonight - to fully ensure student privacy, let's change locations to talk~"
Inside the school was relatively safe, but there were also some informants from the Supervisory Committee or higher-ups. For safety's sake, Gojo Satoru decided to take Itadori Yuji to another talisman room.
"Come, come, come, keep up with me~" Gojo Satoru waved his hand, stepping forward with a light gesture.
"Ah, okay." Itadori Yuji reacted for a second, then nodded and followed.
He followed behind the white-haired man, his gaze falling distantly ahead. His amber eyes rarely became somewhat unfocused, his thoughts seemingly falling back into the earlier scene.
During that brief minute just now, Itadori Yuji, who had lost control of his body's consciousness, had a long dream.
The moment Ryomen Sukuna spoke the word "[Enchain]," he plummeted into endless darkness.
There had been a little light initially, like a newborn chick drowsily opening its eyes. But soon, everything entered boundless night.
The darkness and silence made it impossible to distinguish the passage of time. The overly dark scenery prevented Itadori Yuji from even seeing his own limbs clearly. Various intense sounds came from far and near around him.
Trapped in the dream, Itadori Yuji couldn't move at all. In complete darkness, he listened to the thunderous crashes of collapsing buildings, the low growls and mutterings of cursed spirits from all directions, and people's screams and cries.
The chaotic sounds swayed by his ears, disturbing Itadori Yuji's heartstrings.
He desperately wanted to break free from this dark bondage, or at least cover his ears.
Those sounds were too distressing. Even though he couldn't see anything clearly, Itadori Yuji clearly felt the countless deaths around him.
Why would he have such a dream?
......Was this really a dream?
Itadori Yuji's thoughts were in chaos. He struggled desperately but couldn't escape. The tentacles extending from the surrounding darkness seemed to drag another victim in. Itadori Yuji couldn't identify who it was.
In this boundless chaos, the entire space suddenly began to shake.
A ray of light tore through the darkness, forcefully shining in from outside, pulling that victim out!
Under the light and shadow, Itadori Yuji could somewhat make out the silhouette - that victim looked a bit like [Geto Suguru] whom he had seen in photos.
He opened his mouth to say something, but his mouth seemed sealed and unable to speak.
However, everything seemed to need no words.
Accompanying that ray of light, more brightness reflected in, piercing the bloated darkness and sweeping away all gloom. Those hands that grabbed the victim also pulled him out.
Beyond the overlapping darkness was an incredibly brilliant starry sky.
Magnificent stars dragged white tails, blooming with dazzling radiance, falling into the most vast meteor shower.
Itadori Yuji was momentarily speechless. Under this brilliant meteor feast, his figure appeared incredibly small.
Actually, in this exaggerated dream, he was indeed very small.
He seemed to be half a crystal, floating and swaying in mid-air.
Before him was a figure with long black hair in a dark blue kimono. That person looked somewhat weary, yet had a reassuring gentle elder's aura around him.
It was that person!
Itadori Yuji immediately recognized him.
At this moment, his mind was somewhat blank. Following instinct, he wanted to move closer, but his current body couldn't give a hug.
That person's face showed a faint smile. Itadori Yuji discovered he liked watching the other's smile.
The person in the dark blue kimono slowly but firmly extended his hand, his fingertip lightly touching his body, and some peculiar power was inscribed along with it.
That person seemed to appear even more weary. Itadori Yuji became somewhat anxious. He moved closer to the other, gently nuzzling against his cheek. Though this was useless, he still stubbornly wanted to transmit some strength to the other.
The smile between the other's brows and eyes was more beautiful than the meteor shower, but weariness gradually climbed up his cheeks, drowning that brightness.
He couldn't give Itadori Yuji more response, but he opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something.
Itadori Yuji felt a force pulling him away. He struggled desperately, wanting to stay.
In the swaying, he saw that person's moving lips and the words silently uttered:
[We've agreed, see you again in the future.]