Jujutsu Kaisen: False Dawn

Tick tock. Tick tock…

'49, 50… Shit, it's almost been 2 minutes. Where the hell is she?! Damn it… Ah… I can't hold on much longer… I need more people under me. A doctor, for sure. Someone who can patch me up before I collapse for good… Ugh. Is this how Sukuna felt after fighting Gojo? Even though my body is healed and my cursed technique isn't in burnout, everything still feels like shit. Like I haven't slept in three days and a truck ran me over. Don't even get me started on how cursed energy keeps slipping from my grasp…'

Ren clenched his teeth.

'No. My control is still perfect because of the Red Cursed Circuit. But it's harder to pull cursed energy out, like it's resisting me. The soul imbalance and body imbalance—the side effects of Project (Rebirth). Ugh. I feel like trash. It's not even painful; it's just… painful to move. Breathing is fine, but anything else is sluggish and heavy, like I'm low on blood. Ah… There needs to be more work on Project (Rebirth). The side effects shouldn't be this huge. Or maybe it's because I fought a monster like Sutoku right after finishing it. That could be why I feel like death warmed over… Ugh, where are you, damn it? I've never wanted to see that woman so badly before…'

Fast footsteps cut through the forest floor. Leaves snapped, twigs cracked.

Before Ren could even turn his head, Mei Mei stood in front of him—clothes messy, hair tangled, chest rising and falling with each sharp breath.

Ren managed a weak smile. "Ah, you took your sweet time, huh? Come here right now."

He stretched a hand out and forced himself upright. Mei Mei rushed to him and caught his hand, her voice sharp and fast: "You stupid idiot! You promised me you wouldn't fight again, right? So why did you?! And I don't know what's going on—why do you keep hiding things from me? Why do you—"

Ren brushed her hand aside. "Oi, stupid. I wasn't asking for your hand. I was asking for your phone. Give it."

Mei Mei blinked, then flushed. She stepped back quickly, pulled her phone out, and pressed it into his palm. "You only called me here for my phone? And don't think you're going anywhere until you explain yourself—"

Before she could finish, Ren was already dialing. The phone pressed to his ear, his tone flat almost stern:

"Pick me up. I'm in Congo. I might be in life-threatening danger… Yes, I might come back."

He ended the call without waiting for a reply and tossed the phone back. Mei Mei caught it, muttering, "Rude…"

But Ren leaned heavily against her, slipping an arm around her shoulder.

"W-What? What are you doing? Not now, we're in the woods!" Mei Mei's voice spiked, more startled than angry.

Ren smirked. "What do you mean? Idiot, I'm not doing anything. Just take me back to Ogami. My body's weak after that fight. I bet you wish I was doing something, though, right?" His tone was shameless and teasing.

Mei Mei pulled him along quickly, her pace fast, her annoyance clear. "Don't flirt around. You can't avoid my questions forever, you know?"

Ren spoke smoothly, calm as ever. "What? Am I not allowed to flirt with you now? Are you really that mad at me because I made Ogami my servant too?"

Mei Mei nearly shouted, "WHAT?!! Who said I'm mad? I'm not mad. This isn't about her! You're just… Just distracting me again! You're stupid—shut up!"

Ren only smiled faintly, letting her half-drag him forward.

'Explaining everything now would be a huge drag. First, regroup. I'll hand Worm to Ogami, let her stay here for a few days, and investigate what the hell happened. Maybe even go back to that cave and salvage leftovers of the Black Rope. Then, after I recover, I'll decide. Maybe Congo again, maybe another country. I can't stay in Japan—it's too crowded, too many eyes. Now that Rika's back… I need to rethink all my plans.'

Before long, the pair reached a hut tucked deep into the forest. Mei Mei pushed the door open, guiding Ren inside.

Ogami was already there, kneeling in a bowing position.

Ren spoke firmly. "Look up and take this. You'll stay here and recover. Once you've healed, I'll give you orders. Stay in contact with Mei Mei."

He extended his hand. From his shadow, a small orb drifted up. Ogami lifted her head just enough to see and, with both hands, accepted it reverently.

Ren turned to leave, but her voice stopped him.

"Master… Are you okay? Project (Re) must have taken a toll on your body…"

Ren gave a faint smile. "I'm fine, thanks to you. Don't worry about me. Just recover as fast as possible." His tone was calm, certain.

'Hmm. Ogami is a much better servant than Mei Mei. She asks no questions. Very nice.'

Mei Mei stopped holding his hand. Her gaze cooled, her eyes narrowing. Ogami calling him Master again—every time, it sat wrong with her.

Ren only smiled.