"I'm sorry, this is so rude of us."
Hinatsuru repeatedly apologized to Shinobu Kocho, while the other two wives supported the unconscious Tengen Uzui, staggering towards the infirmary.
"It's alright. This is what a celebration is supposed to be like."
Shinobu Kocho smiled and shook her head.
"Thank you, Mr. Suzuki, for bringing Lord Tengen here. When he sobers up, we will be sure to thank you properly."
"No need. Go back and rest, your injuries haven't healed yet."
Suzuki Makoto didn't mind. However, he had a feeling that Tengen Uzui hadn't passed out from being drunk—it was more likely he fainted after getting tipsy and trying to see whose head was harder with Tanjiro Kamado.
The lively group of four left, and under the cool moonlight, the Butterfly Mansion seemed to have returned to its former tranquility.
"Let's go, let's head back."
"Mr. Suzuki, could you walk with me for a bit?"
Instead of agreeing directly, Shinobu Kocho made a request.
"Of course."
The two walked towards the medicinal garden. Just as their figures disappeared around the corner, Suma and Makio suddenly felt a weight lift from their shoulders. They realized Tengen Uzui's eyes were now bright and clear, showing no signs of drunkenness at all.
"Huh? Lord Tengen, you weren't drunk?"
"Who's drunk! How could a Shinobi possibly get drunk!"
The Sound Hashira rubbed his already swollen forehead, his mouth twitching.
How could that kid's head be so hard? He had only meant it as a joke to make Tanjiro pass out too, but he himself almost fell into an infant-like slumber.
"Was Lord Tengen pretending to be drunk?"
Hinatsuru had clearly figured out her husband's act.
"Yeah. It was obvious Shinobu Kocho wanted to thank Suzuki Makoto tonight. She was just too shy to do it alone, so she invited all of us. Since that's the case, I had to create an opportunity for the Nameless Hashira."
"What! Lord Tengen, you mean— Mmph!"
Tengen Uzui, his face dark, clamped a hand over Suma's mouth. This woman was always blurting things out. If anything went wrong, he'd be hunted down by two Hashira tomorrow.
"Alright, forget it. This is their private business. I'm dead tired from the journey, I'm going to sleep."
"Yes!"*3
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The medicinal garden at the Butterfly Mansion wasn't very large, growing only herbs that required careful tending. Even though it was night, a refreshing medicinal fragrance wafted through the air as they approached.
"Mr. Suzuki, thank you so much. Against the power of Upper Rank Two, even if I had fully prepared and filled my body with wisteria poison, I doubt I could have killed him."
"That battle, was it dangerous?"
"Not so dangerous that I had to be admitted to the Butterfly Mansion."
"That's wonderful. It would be best if no one ever needed to be hospitalized in the Butterfly Mansion."
"Yes, that would be for the best."
Suzuki Makoto agreed. He could sense that Shinobu Kocho seemed to have something she wanted to say to him, but since she didn't get to the point, he went along with the small talk.
"I heard from young Kamado that you're heading to the Swordsmith Village tomorrow?"
"Yes. I need to investigate the matter of the Nichirin Blades as soon as possible."
"Then— I'll come see you off tomorrow."
Shinobu Kocho stopped and turned to look at Suzuki Makoto.
"Miss Kocho—"
"Just call me Shinobu."
"Miss Shinobu—"
"The 'Miss' is unnecessary."
"Alright, Shinobu. Listen to me— you don't need to go this far. You and Kanao are very kind people, just like your sister. The reason I took up my sword was to protect kind people like you, not to receive any kind of reward."
Suzuki Makoto said with great seriousness.
"I still prefer the old you. At least back then, we could chat and drink tea normally, not like now where you're always so avoidant and overly respectful towards me. It makes me feel quite uncomfortable too."
The corners of Shinobu Kocho's lips curled up slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she held it back, merely lowering her gaze.
"Very well, Mr. Makoto."
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Kanao Tsuyuri let out a soft yawn. Tonight had been a bit too lively, and even she was feeling tired. So she washed up early, ready for bed.
Passing by the living room, Kanao saw the light was still on. She peeked in curiously and saw Shinobu Kocho, her hair ribbon undone, sitting at a table. A floral scent drifted through the room.
The young girl blinked. Seeing Shinobu like this, she almost thought she was looking at her sister Kanae.
She tiptoed over and saw a basket of dried wisteria flowers and a freshly mixed fragrance.
"Kanao, why aren't you asleep yet?"
Shinobu Kocho asked while continuing to work with the needle and thread in her hands.
"I'm about to. Sister Shinobu, are you making a sachet?"
"Mhm. If I don't use these wisteria flowers to make sachets, there's no other use for them."
Kanao smiled sweetly. Sister Shinobu was finally no longer thinking about drinking wisteria flower tea.
"Let me help."
"No need, go to sleep. I don't need to finish them all tonight. I just have to get Mr. Suzuki's and Tanjiro Kamado's done, since they're leaving the Butterfly Mansion tomorrow."
Kanao had already sat down.
"I want to sleep with you, Sister Shinobu."
Shinobu Kocho smiled, nodded, and handed her a pair of scissors.
"Then you can make the one for young Kamado. You've been taking a cup of tea from me every day for that boy to smell. Are you really using him like a hound?"
"Huh? Sister Shinobu, you knew?"
"Of course I knew. At first, I thought you'd finally made a new friend. Later I found out it was to smell this—Mr. Suzuki asked him to do it, right?"
"Mhm, that's what Tanjiro told me."
"Hurry up and make it. We'll go to sleep together when you're done."
"Okay."
The next morning, after breakfast at the Butterfly Mansion, Suzuki Makoto and Tanjiro Kamado prepared to depart.
"Mr. Makoto, this is for you."
Suzuki Makoto took the sachet from Shinobu Kocho and caught the faint scent of wisteria flowers.
"It seems you've found a good use for that big bag of wisteria flowers."
"Do you like it?"
"I like it."
The man attached the sachet to his waist, and his gaze shifted to Shinobu Kocho's waist, where an identical sachet hung. The two were a matching pair.
He gently caressed the sachet, which carried a faint trace of the scent of the girl before him.
An overly keen sense of perception can sometimes ruin the fun of a surprise.
But without a doubt, it ensures you never miss a crossroad you might regret.
"That's good."
Shinobu Kocho smiled happily, like a girl who had just been praised.
"Shinobu."
"Yes, I'm here."
"After we kill Muzan, I'd really like to try staying at the Butterfly Mansion. Would you welcome me?"
The girl was taken aback for a moment, then her entire being lit up like a butterfly in the spring sunlight, her smile radiant and full of life.
"Of course, Mr. Makoto— you're welcome to stay for a lifetime."
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