Chapter 192 – The Jealous Servants
Ren thought, "Huh, how weird there was no Gojo, huh? Well, it makes sense. I am not using any cursed energy at all; I just casually put on a hoodie and walked out hoping there won't be Gojo sitting outside, and guess what? He was not outside, haha. It seems like luck is on my side, hehe…
Now to reach my apartment and then take Worm from Ogami and give them a little explanation. Hmm, what should the explanation be, huh? Well, I will just make something up. My real goal is not to explain myself to Mei Mei and Ogami; no, it's to find the answer to the core problem I have with Red Stitch…"
He walked through the late-night streets, slipping into the Metro, riding silently with his hood pulled low. His thoughts circled endlessly.
"The way things are right now, sure, I have somewhat completed the 'Spider' part of Red Stitch. The weapon part is nowhere near complete, but it does not matter. Even if I somehow magically complete the weapon part of Red Stitch, I can't use any of it… It's all theory till I figure out a way to use both of the parts at the same time… I know the simple answer is to split the Red Stitch in half, but how do I do that? How would a binding vow like that even work? Would it even work? It should… But what can I give? To split my cursed technique, I am already pushing the boundaries of what is possible with the binding vows I used in 'Spider.'
If I want more, I need to offer more… But what can I offer? I can't think of another binding vow that won't risk my life… It's not like I can offer cursed energy… I'd barely have any if I did not have the 'Perfected Red Cursed Circuit.' I would barely last more than ten minutes in any real fight… Oh, fine. After completing Red Stitch, the next problem to solve is my cursed energy pool. But for now… let's find the key to my core problem. I need to find a binding vow where I can split Red Stitch into two parts while also not disturbing my Perfected Red Circuit."
The train screeched into Kanagawa Prefecture. Ren slipped out into the night, his eyes sharp but his mind still trapped in equations of cursed energy and impossible vows.
In the apartment, the air was already heavy. Mei Mei sat on the couch, her long legs crossed, wearing simple jeans and a shirt but with a sharp annoyance across her face. Opposite her, Ogami, youthful again in her white kimono, leaned toward the mirror, carefully applying lipstick.
Mei Mei's eyes narrowed. "Why the hell is that old hag looking like that? Once again using her cursed cheat technique to look better and... Is she dressing up for Ren? …Ugh, why did he have to call me here with her! He could have just called me alone…"
Ogami caught her glare, smiling slyly before extending the lipstick toward her.
"Here. Master is coming. You should look presentable."
Mei Mei rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with disdain.
"I don't need to look presentable for 'Master.' I'm only here for an explanation."
Ogami's tone sharpened. "Are you mocking me?"
Mei Mei leaned forward, smirking, her voice mocking even harder.
"If I am, then what? Huh? Are you going to cry to Master?"
Ogami exhaled slowly, shaking her head.
"Ah, Young ladies nowadays have no respect, huh?"
Mei Mei huffed, retorting fast. "Don't talk about respect when you're putting lipstick on to seduce your 'Master Ren.'"
Ogami's eyes widened, voice rising in sudden shock. "I do not plan on seducing Master! Unlike you!"
Mei Mei shot back instantly. "Well, you were the one who first ordered me to seduce him, remember?!"
The room went silent. For a few seconds, only the sound of Mei Mei flopping back onto the couch broke the stillness.
Ogami finally spoke in a calm but weighty tone. "Ugh, whatever, I don't care about you. I am only here for Master. And since you were with him, how has he been? He has not been overworking himself, right?"
Mei Mei blinked, caught off guard by the shift. Her voice was sharp, almost defensive. "Why do you care about Master so much, huh? It's not like he's going to die or anything…"
Ogami's eyes lowered, her tone suddenly low and serious. "He is not in the right mind-state, you know? That fight he had back in Congo has taken a toll on him. Even if he won't show it, his body and even mind might be damaged…"
Mei Mei's eyes widened. Her voice cracked in shock. "WHAT? He really took that much damage? But wait… why didn't he tell me?"
Ogami's response came sharp, almost scolding. "Because you're always like this. How can he tell you? When do you think about him, huh? Do you? All the time I have seen you, you're just grumpy at him, maybe because of me. But you have to know—your job is not to be jealous. Your job is to serve Master."
The weight of her years was carried in her words, and Mei Mei felt it. She was stumped, silent, her confidence cracked.
Finally, she muttered, almost sulking.
"It's not fair… I'm not grumpy at him for no reason. It's just like… every time I see him, it's almost like he has another woman on his side. You… and then that Maki…"
Ogami's head snapped toward her, eyes narrowing.
"Maki who?"
Mei Mei answered quickly, annoyed.
"It's the girl who is Ren's friend. Ugh, annoying. She was clearly way too close to him when I met her…"
Ogami's voice turned as sharp as a blade.
"Ok, then what did you do?"
Mei Mei blinked at her bluntness but answered.
"Uh, I put her in her place and obviously told her not to get too close."
Ogami nodded once, her tone almost noble. "You did great, Mei Mei. Maybe you're not as useless as I thought you were. Great job keeping that girl… away from Master."
Mei Mei froze, blinking in surprise as the realization hit her. She wasn't the only one jealous.