Jujutsu Kaisen: False Dawn

Chapter 88: Negotiations in the Dark

The rain still hadn't stopped.

It whispered against the window like static, a low hum behind the quiet apartment. The glow of the television flickered across the walls, casting shifting shadows across Ren's damp hair and Mei Mei's still-wrapped towel draped beside her on the couch. She'd let her hair down a few minutes ago, and it was still half-drying against her shoulders.

Some indie romance flick played on the screen. Something forgettable. Two people were talking in a café. Background noise.

Because neither of them was really watching.

Ren's elbow rested casually against the couch's armrest, his posture loose, maybe even lazy—but his mind?

His mind was racing.

Hmm… should I change up my plans a little? Ren thought, his eyes on the screen but not seeing it. Mess around with Mei, make her my pawn, and then skip school for one more week? That sounds like a plan…

He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Mei was watching the screen, but even her body language was in flux—like she wasn't fully present either.

But… I don't want to waste more than two days on Mei. She's too unpredictable for long-term stalling. So what should I do?

He leaned back slightly, thinking.

I've got two options, realistically. First… act all flirty but innocent. Make her feel safe. Make her feel seen. Try to make her fall for me—not totally, just enough to sway.

He rubbed his thumb against his palm, a tick of thought.

That might work. If I had months. But I don't have months. I don't even have weeks. I've got… maybe ten days before I have to start moving on canon-altering plays.

His eyes narrowed slightly, despite the warm glow of the room.

The second option? Just… expose her. Tell her I know exactly who she is, what she's doing, and why she's here.

That one had weight to it. Dangerous, but cleaner. Shorter. Direct.

But then…

A darker thought slithered up.

There is a third option… there always is.

A pause.

A sharp inhale.

Just take her to bed. Break that wall. Make her submit. Twist the dynamic entirely and use it to lock her down emotionally and mentally.

His heart beat a little faster.

That one's risky. Too much can go wrong. She could snap. Bail. Flip the script. And that option might just be my dick speaking anyway…

He shook his head, pulling himself out of that train of thought with a sigh. He looked back at the screen, just as the couple in the movie leaned over a table and kissed.

How poetic.

Meanwhile, Mei sat beside him, legs tucked beneath her, arms folded loosely. Her eyes were on the screen, but her mind was somewhere else entirely.

Well… this is not the worst, she thought to herself. Honestly, I thought he'd be all over me by now. Full playboy mode. But he's just sitting there. Not even trying anything.

A breath.

A movie. Really romantic. Classic, even. That's what he chose? I expected trash horror or dumb action, not… this.

Her thoughts lingered on the day.

First lunch. It was almost like a date. And then he guessed what food I liked just from my scent… Still don't believe him. But honestly? He paid for everything. No hesitation. Didn't make a big deal of it.

Her lips curled slightly.

Then it rained. Hard. And he brought me here—not to make a move, not to trap me, but just because he didn't want to leave me alone in the downpour.

A pause.

That's… sweet. Kind of stupidly sweet.

She let herself lean a little closer to him. Just slightly. Barely noticeable. Not enough to cross a boundary.

But Ren noticed.

He didn't move. He just smirked.

Then he muttered, "Aren't you getting a little too close?"

Mei glanced at him, expression perfectly neutral.

"I'm wearing your shirt. In your apartment, Ren. We are already past the 'you're sitting too close to me,' okay? Mister?"

Ren chuckled at that, his voice low and amused. "Okay, then. Where are we, huh? Since you seem to know where we are on the scale."

She turned toward him slightly, lifting one brow.

"Oi. Don't you say that like you haven't been the one moving the scale up every time we talk."

He raised his hands, mock-defensive.

Mei narrowed her eyes.

"We're… more than best friends, for sure. Less than lovers. Something in the middle," she said, and even she knew that was a mixed answer. It was fake. She made it up. But it sounded right in her mouth.

Ren just smiled, watching her carefully.

Then, in the softest, calmest tone he could muster, he spoke:

"Really? I thought you were only here to seduce me."

Silence.

Ten seconds.

No one breathed.

The TV flickered through another scene, the background music fading into nothing.

Mei's eyes widened. Slightly. Her mouth opened.

But nothing came out.

Her brain just… stopped.

Everything inside her locked up.

What…?

Her chest rose slowly. The weight of the words sank in, bit by bit, like a delayed bomb just going off in her head.

Ren didn't blink. Didn't smirk. Didn't look away.

He just watched her.

The way her mouth stayed open for a second too long. The twitch in her jaw. The flutter of uncertainty that passed through her eyes like a ripple.

She couldn't answer.

She didn't even know what the answer was.