Jujutsu Kaisen: False Dawn

What the hell? Mei thought, eyes still fixed on Ren's too-casual posture. He learned all of that? How…?

Her brain was still reeling from everything he'd just said in that calm, amused tone. But her thoughts weren't looping on what he knew—no, they were stuck on how he knew.

A bigger question is… how smart is he?

She studied his face again, the way his lips curved, his posture, and the absolute calm.

He doesn't act his age… already shows signs of being different. It's almost like he's older than he looks.

But then the true realization struck her.

If what he says is even partially true… then Ren Sato's greatest power isn't Rika. Or his cursed energy. Or even the fact that he learned it all on his own.

It's his brain.

Before she could say a word, Ren stood and gave a long, slow stretch, arms reaching behind his back as if he'd just awoken from a nap.

"Okay," he said, like this was just another to-do item. "I've wasted a single day on you for now. You'll just answer the higher-ups and tell them I'm fully under control. Seduced. Hooked. All that. Okay?"

Mei's brain skipped several beats.

Ren kept going like she wasn't standing in front of him, stunned. "Next… let's make another binding vow."

The words hit harder than they should've. Mei had barely processed the first vow. And now another?

Information swirled through her mind like a vortex.

He wants the higher-ups to think they've got him… That he's been 'handled' through seduction.

It clicked.

This way… he gets the entire Jujutsu world off his back. And the best part? It was my presence that made it possible.

He played me so he could manipulate them.

By dragging me in and binding me, he's pushing back an entire system by giving them a false sense of control.

Mei clenched her fists without realizing.

He made me the safety valve… the bait. The lie.

Still, her voice came out steady.

"…What kind of vow?" she asked.

She didn't question why anymore. He moved on a different wavelength.

Ren turned, wearing that charming smile again.

"A vow," he said smoothly, "where in return for me saying thank you, you'll give me everything you know about cursed energy."

Mei's breath hitched.

Her mind almost collapsed from the shock.

What did he just say?

She stared at him. His smile never faltered. Not even for a second.

And behind that smile… something darker was brewing.

Ren, internally, was silent. Focused.

This is why I wasted a whole day.

Playing into her trap. Letting her believe she had me on the hook. All I wanted was to get her guard down. Let her think she had me wrapped around her finger.

Now it's night. Now it's quiet. Now there's no one to interrupt.

Now I strike.

He looked at Mei, every motion calculated.

With her, I've bought myself time and peace from the higher-ups. They'll think I'm compromised—lazy, love-struck. No threat. But also? I now have access to a Grade 1 sorcerer. I can test binding vows with her. Over and over. Something I'd never get a chance to do otherwise.

This was never about Mei Mei.

This was about leverage.

He smiled wider and took a slow step toward her.

"For a word of gratitude," he began, voice smooth like silk over glass, "you'll offer me all that your mind holds on curses. Let this truth pass between us, clean and unchallenged. If you agree, say 'Yes.'"

Mei's mouth was slightly open.

She looked at him like she was staring at something ancient.

Or maybe a monster wearing a human mask.

"I—I never thought anyone could use binding vows like this…" she whispered. "Yes… does it work? Do you have the information I had?"

She didn't know why she said it. Maybe it was the vow already reaching inside her, preparing to take hold. Maybe she was just too tired to lie anymore.

Ren's eyes closed as he spoke the word:

"Thank you."

Silence followed.

It wasn't magical. No aura. No crack of cursed energy.

Just the air shifting ever so slightly.

And then… something left Mei.

She could feel it. A knowledge drain. Like her thoughts had been read—not ripped out, but gently peeled.

Ren opened his eyes.

He didn't react outwardly. He didn't smile wider. Didn't cackle or gloat.

He just sat back down on the couch.

His thoughts remained invisible.

Even now… even after everything… no one saw what Ren Sato was truly planning.

Even Mei Mei couldn't begin to guess.

Because Ren was many things: a flirt, a fighter, and a vessel of a monstrous spirit.

But first and foremost—

He was a master planner.

And all of this?

It was just the beginning.

(To be continued.)