The Wake-Up Call - Chapter 128
The Wake-Up Call - Chapter 128
Ren was lost in his thoughts when the door creaked open. He didn't turn his head—just cracked one eye open, pretending to still be asleep.
Footsteps.
Ren's mind paused for a moment when he saw Maki walk in.
She was holding… flowers?
"Ha? Did this girl think I died or something? Stupid…"
Without warning, Ren sat up and spoke loudly, "What are you doing here?"
Maki almost jumped back, her expression flashing from surprise to annoyance. Then she yelled at the top of her lungs,
"Shoko! He is awake!"
Ren's hand shot forward, pressing against her mouth, his voice hoarse and irritated.
"Why the hell are you screaming?!"
His throat scratched with every word, and he realized his voice sounded rough—maybe from using Cursed Speech so recklessly during the fight. He didn't dwell on it.
Maki bit his hand.
Hard.
"Ow—!" Ren pulled back fast, glaring at her.
"Why am I screaming? Idiot!" Maki snapped. "You've been knocked out for two days now! That's why!"
Ren blinked.
"Two days? I thought I might be out for a few hours, but two days? Did that fight really take out so much from me? Fucking hell…"
He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.
"Ah, why are you here? You still didn't answer my question."
Maki crossed her arms, her tone sharp.
"What do you mean, why am I here? You saved Panda and Inumaki! Not only that, but you fought some other thing, and—" she stopped, catching herself, looking slightly conflicted, "I'm only here to check up. Nothing else."
Before Ren could reply, the door opened again.
Shoko Ieiri walked in, wearing her usual white coat, calm and professional as always.
Ren looked at her with interest—the only sorcerer who could use Reverse Cursed Technique on others.
"Nice to meet you, Ren Sato," Shoko said with a faint smile. "I've heard a lot about you. How are you feeling? You seem to be sitting up already."
Ren nodded. "Nice to meet you too, Shoko Ieiri. Uh, my shoulder still hurts a little."
Shoko blinked, stepping closer. Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder as she examined it.
"Huh, you know me? And your shoulder seems fine."
Ren grinned faintly. "Yes, I know you're the only woman on Earth who can use Reverse Cursed Technique on others. Talking about that… could you, uh, use it on me? Just once?"
Shoko chuckled and shook her head.
"Oh, flattery will get you nowhere, young man. You seem fine. Anyway, you should get going—Gojo has a lot of questions."
She turned on her heel and walked out, leaving the door open.
Maki looked at Ren with an annoyed glare.
"Since when do you know so much about others, huh?"
Ren shrugged, leaning back on the bed with a casual tone.
"I only know about people who are strong, simple as that. Plus, I just wanted her to use Reverse Cursed Technique on me so I could feel it. Too bad. Next time, I'll stay awake when she's using it on me."
Maki just stared at him, dumbfounded.
"This guy's thought process is completely insane…"
And that's when the door slammed open.
Gojo Satoru entered like a whirlwind.
"REN-KUUUN!!" Gojo practically dove at him, arms wide.
Ren leaned back hard, snatching up the flowerpot next to him like it was a weapon.
"Don't you even try, you fucker! You have no clue the shit I had to do, you useless, white-haired, blue-eyed idiot!"
Maki's jaw dropped.
"Did he just talk to Gojo like that…?! Out loud?!"
Gojo stopped in his tracks, clutching his chest dramatically as if Ren had stabbed him with words.
"Ahh! I'm sorry, my dear student Ren-kun! I get it! I'd come for you myself if I knew Megumi would summon Mahoraga near you! Okay?!"
Ren rolled his eyes, putting the flowerpot back on the table. He sat on the bed again, voice calm but edged with annoyance.
"I am leaving Jujutsu High."