Jujutsu Kaisen: False Dawn

Mei Mei's eyes were frozen on Ren's face.

The words hung in the air like smoke.

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

Mei didn't blink.

Her thoughts exploded.

What? How did he know? No—was he guessing again? No, no, this must be a joke, right? There's no way. I haven't slipped up. Not once. I haven't even used cursed energy since we saw each other—

Her breath caught in her throat.

She leaned closer suddenly, sitting upright on the couch now. Her voice came out fast, too precise for it to be natural. "What? Do you mean, Ren… seduce you? Why would I do that? Huh? Are you joking?"

Ren didn't flinch. Didn't blink. Just smiled at her with a quiet calm.

Wow, he thought. She should've taken up acting. That was flawless.

Without warning, Ren leaned forward and gently grabbed Mei's chin between his fingers. The motion wasn't rough—it was slow. Confident.

His thumb grazed her cheek in a motion far too intimate.

"Hmm," he murmured softly. "Don't act dumb now… Jasman."

He leaned closer. "Or should I call you by your real name?"

He smirked. "Mei Mei."

Her eyes widened.

Ren's thumb gently dragged across her cheek again. "You know, I think Jasman still suits you more, honestly."

It was too calm.

Too casual.

Mei's mind shattered.

How does he know my real name? she thought in a panic. How did he know? Did he know from the start? Was he playing me all this time?

No—if he was, then why would he flirt with me if he knew I was trying to seduce him? If he knew about my mission… then why didn't he—

Her thoughts slammed into a wall.

Her eyes went wide.

I'm in danger.

Without hesitation, Mei shoved Ren's hand off her and bolted back off the couch, her reflexes already kicking in. Her fingers danced to call cursed crows to her location.

But just as she turned toward the door—

A voice, calm and quiet, came from behind her.

"Rika."

A low growl. A black spot opened behind her like an eye tearing open in the fabric of space.

Before Mei could react, a monstrous shape lunged forward with speed unnatural for its size.

Her waist—snatched.

Her head—gripped.

Too strong. Far too strong.

Mei flailed, floating in midair, held by something huge and feral. She could barely see it over her shoulder—a monstrous figure, too dark to fully comprehend, with eyes that radiated hatred.

She could hear it. Breathing. Growling.

It hated her.

Ren stood from the couch slowly, brushing imaginary dust from his robe.

He walked over, totally calm.

"Ah, hey, Rika, calm down," he said with a light chuckle. "I didn't touch her, okay? I swear. Plus—I'm sure Jasman here didn't want to hurt me, right?"

His smirk returned. Like none of this was serious.

Mei's voice came fast. "Ah yes! I didn't want to hurt you! This was just a mission—I got it from the Jujutsu higher-ups, okay!? They wanted you under control. They wanted me to seduce you, or at least keep an eye on you!"

Ren's brows lifted.

Huh. She just threw the higher-ups under the bus that quick? he thought.

That was… unexpected.

Funny, even.

He let out a short, sharp laugh.

But Rika's grip tightened.

Mei's head was being squeezed harder now.

Rika growled low, a single, mangled sentence escaping her mouth:

"You try to steal Ren from me!"

Mei screamed. "AHHH! REN! REN! STOP IT! AHH! I'LL GIVE YOU MONEY IF YOU WANT! ANYTHING!!"

Ren blinked.

He tilted his head slightly, then calmly said, "Rika… go to sleep."

And then he turned back to Mei. "What were you saying? Something about giving me anything?"

Rika's clawed hands released her all at once.

Mei fell hard onto the floor, gasping.

The black space behind her rippled once—and then Rika vanished back into the void like she was never there.

Only Mei heard the word Rika left behind.

"Bitch."

The silence after was terrifying.

Mei didn't move. Her body trembled lightly. Not from pain—but fear. She'd felt that grip. That overwhelming power.

Her mind reeled.

They wanted to give me 30 million for this monster…? she thought. They said he was dangerous, but I thought they were exaggerating… I didn't know he could summon her on command.

This job is not worth it. Not even for 100 million.

She coughed, trying to collect herself.

Ren stood above her with that infuriatingly calm smile.

"You alright?" he asked.

Mei looked up, finally catching her breath, but her thoughts were still spiraling.

I underestimated him because he was young. That was stupid.

Ren Sato is not a normal boy.

And she had just walked directly into his den.