Chapter 175: The Unwanted Surprise
Ren shifted carefully, each muscle protesting, and pushed himself to his feet. The room was still, the hum of medical equipment filling the silence. He walked slowly to the window, fingers brushing against the frame as he slid it open, letting cool air wash into the room.
Just then, the door creaked open.
This time it wasn't Mei Mei storming in.
A young woman stepped through, tall and athletic, her posture straight and steady. She wore the Jujutsu High uniform, its clean lines contrasting with her practical aura. Her sharp features were framed by glasses that caught the light, reflecting back at him.
Ren froze mid-step, but the recognition came instantly.
A small, genuine smile tugged at his lips.
"Long time no see, Maki. How have you been? Hmm?"
Maki blinked at him, her eyes widening slightly as they landed on his bare torso—bandages wrapped tight around his chest and arm. She grunted, quickly hiding the faint blush threatening her cheeks.
"You idiot came back without telling me… And do you always have to get hurt?" Her tone was annoyed, her arms folding defensively across her chest. "Ugh…"
She looked away, jaw tight. Since when did he get so… buff? And lean? Tch, don't think about it.
Ren's smile widened faintly, amused. Ah… Now, who told her I was here? No way she just found out on her own…
He leaned casually against the window. "Hmm, yeah. I was training a bunch and traveling. Saw a few places, learned a few things. But lately I messed up while training and got like this, ha… So I never had the chance to text you or anything. I also kind of lost my phone, so…"
He rubbed the back of his neck, the practiced grin on his face smooth.
Inside, though, his mind spun.
It's all a lie, but I've got to make up a story to explain myself. The fight I had in Congo was not small… People will try to find out what happened. I have to take myself out of the spotlight since I was also in Congo, but thankfully I was ready for something like that…
It will be fine; I already have an explanation for it. I was always in Jujutsu High… I only went to Congo for 2 months… and then I came back to Jujutsu High… The higher-ups should know this little information… Since I told Ogami to inform the jujutsu higher-ups that I secretly came back to Jujutsu High months ago… So from their point of view, they got news from one of their leaders of the higher-ups that Ren was never even in the light. Ha, I bet if they did have a meeting about this, they wouldn't even mention me… The only people I have to worry about are…
'Gojo or Kenjaku'—both are not the type to care about something like this. Kenjaku is probably somewhere playing around with his new body… And Gojo, well, he is doing Gojo shit, whatever he does… So for now, I am all free. I have time…"
Maki's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "Very good, mister!" she huffed, glaring at him sideways. "You messed up, and now you're only here to get patched up, huh?"
Ren blinked. Weird reaction…
He tilted his head. "Um, but Maki, can I ask you one little thing? How did you know I was here? I mean, I was supposed to surprise you, you know?"
Maki's head snapped toward him, her eyes narrowing.
"Don't lie to me! You idiot, Gojo told me you were here and that you wanted to see me! For some reason!" Her tone sharpened, cheeks coloring faintly. "And now you're saying I wasn't supposed to know you were here!?"
Ren's expression froze for a second. Oh, fucker. I knew this wasn't adding up… Gojo, that blindfolded bastard.
He muttered under his breath, too fast. "Shit! I told him it was supposed to be a surprise… Why did he tell you I was here, idiot?"
Maki tilted her head slightly, catching his irritation. But before she could press, Ren sighed and looked back at her with a sheepish expression.
"Um… sorry, okay? I just wanted to surprise you and say sorry for not keeping in touch. I wasn't joking."
Maki blinked, caught off guard. She shook her head quickly, arms tightening across her chest.
"Ugh, whatever. At least you thought about it… Now that you're going to leave again, who knows when I'll see you?"
Ren's smile faltered for the briefest second. Uh… what the fuck did that blue-eyed bastard tell Maki? Did he make it sound like I'm here just to see her before leaving? When he knows damn well I'm staying here?! He's trying to force me into playing out some story. Damn him…
His mind whirled.
Goddamn… But thankfully with this I have a way to turn things around other than just acting… Uh… wait… He is trying to make Maki happy, but why? Why would Gojo want me to make Maki happy? Ugh, whatever, he probably wants to spend more time with my "friends." Ugh, whatever…"
Ren straightened, forcing a grin.
"Oh, I'm not leaving, Maki. I'm staying here from now on. Guess Gojo didn't mess up the surprise completely."
Maki blinked, her lips parting, but no words came out right away. Her heart kicked against her ribs as she looked away, fighting the warmth in her chest.