Shinobu Kocho broke free from Giyu's arms and swung her nichirin blade straight toward Ryuya's neck.
Giyu readied himself to intervene at any moment.
"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"
Like crashing waves, Shinobu's nichirin blade sliced through the air, water swirling around it as she struck fiercely.
Giyu's pupils shrank. He drew a sharp breath, convinced Ryuya would dodge or retaliate—
But Ryuya didn't move at all.
He simply stood there, eyes closed, completely exposed.
At that moment, Giyu even saw the Thread of Opening.
If he cut along that line, he could definitely kill him.
But he hesitated—and in that instant, Shinobu's soft yet forceful strike smashed directly into Ryuya's neck.
A crisp clang rang out.
It was like striking stone.
Again.
That all-too-familiar hopeless sensation made Shinobu's stomach twist.
The result was exactly what she feared—despite all her grueling training, despite pushing herself to the brink, she still couldn't cut him.
Ryuya's neck hadn't budged an inch.
Why? Why?!
Silver tears spilled down Shinobu's cheeks. Her voice trembled with despair.
Someone, anyone—tell her what she has to do to kill this damn demon…!
Water droplets from her Breathing Technique splashed into Ryuya's eyes, making him blink them open.
His crimson irises reflected the image of a tear-streaked, devastated Shinobu, and he chuckled softly.
"Sister Shinobu, you lost."
"Even if I lost, I'm not letting you pinch me, you annoying demon!"
Shinobu huffed and tried to bolt backward.
"Running away? That's not up to you."
Ryuya smirked and snatched her up with one hand like she weighed nothing.
Giyu moved instantly.
His nichirin blade surged with water.
But Ryuya, still holding Shinobu, couldn't draw his demon blade—so he simply swung her own nichirin blade.
"Moon Breathing, Second Form: Flowing Moon!"
Blood-red moon arcs sliced through the air, dripping with ominous demonic aura.
Giyu's expression hardened. Just from this one attack, he felt the massive gap between them.
"Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool!"
Water spiraled along Giyu's blade as he spun, deflecting the incoming slashes.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Small glimmering Moon Slashes crashed against his nichirin blade.
He neutralized each one, but the force still shoved him back three full steps.
Moon Breathing.
Is he… that Moon Demon?!
Even Giyu, the Water Hashira, was struggling against him.
Shinobu gnashed her teeth.
Why was this demon so ridiculously strong? Why could he even use Moon Breathing?! It was downright unfair.
Would she never surpass him in her entire life?
Damn it… truly damn it!!
"Don't pinch my face—don't pinch it!!"
Ryuya pinched her squishy cheeks, molding them however he wanted.
Infuriated, Shinobu grabbed his hand and bit him.
But after a few seconds of furious biting, she froze.
The wound healed instantly.
Her attack couldn't hurt him at all. Meanwhile, he teased her freely.
Infuriating! Absolutely infuriating!
Off to the side, Giyu stared in confusion.
Was Shinobu… acting spoiled?
And Ryuya looked genuinely delighted?
Their atmosphere wasn't that of enemies at all—more like a stubborn, tsundere little sister being tormented by a mischievous older brother.
Giyu had no idea what to do.
He just stood there, silently watching this bizarre display, wondering if his presence was pointless.
"Shinobu, how did you and Mr. Ryuya reconcile? Are you playing some kind of game?"
Kanae arrived, eyes sparkling.
She hadn't expected her sister to reconcile with Ryuya on her own.
She was so proud she nearly cried.
"No! Sister, you misunderstood! This guy is bullying me—he's pinching my face!"
Shinobu flailed her arms and legs indignantly, practically vibrating with outrage.
"Oh, is that so?" Kanae looked flustered.
"Ryuya, could you please put my sister down first?"
"That won't do. She lost the bet and refuses to honor it. She's cheating, so I need to punish her properly."
Ryuya continued kneading Shinobu's cheeks like fresh mochi.
Kanae sighed helplessly as her sister's face was stretched into various shapes.
Shinobu's expression a swirling mixture of despair, disgust, and fury.
"Mr. Giyu, you're here too? Please help me calm these two down."
"Me?" Giyu's dead-fish eyes somehow became even more lifeless.
"Flower Hashira… Miss Kanae… I don't think I'm suited for this."
"Oh? Are you refusing?"
Kanae blinked, stunned, biting her finger as if Giyu's rejection pierced her heart.
Giyu stiffened.
How did he get misunderstood again?!
He just wasn't good at this!
With Giyu refusing, Kanae stepped in.
After long, gentle persuasion, Shinobu temporarily gave up on decapitating Ryuya, and Ryuya finally stopped teasing her.
Inside the warm room, the brazier glowed softly, filling the space with gentle heat.
Ryuya, Kanae, and Giyu sat around the kotatsu.
"Ryuya, Shinobu really reconciled with you! She even volunteered to make tea for you!"
Kanae beamed joyfully.
Giyu sat off to the side, silently watching. His gaze kept drifting toward Shinobu, who was busy in the tearoom.
Did she really make peace with the Moon Demon?
Something didn't feel right…
And since Kanae had invited Ryuya as a guest, Giyu couldn't simply break protocol.
Should he report this to the Master? And honestly… was he even needed here?
While they chatted, Giyu quietly rose to leave.
He considered saying goodbye but didn't want to interrupt their happy conversation, so he slipped out silently.
Moments later, Shinobu emerged with a tray carrying a teapot and several cups.
"Shinobu's tea ceremony—Sister must try a sip!"
Kanae excitedly lifted the teapot to pour.
"Sister—don't drink that! Sister!!"
Shinobu panicked and quickly grabbed Kanae's wrist.
"Hm?" Kanae blinked in confusion.
Shinobu looked away guiltily, cheeks puffing up.
"This tea is specially brewed for Brother Ryuya! Sister, you can't steal it!"
"Oh? You're already calling him Brother Ryuya?"
Ryuya raised an eyebrow.
Shinobu leaned closer, placing the teacup firmly into his hand.
"Yes, Brother Ryuya—drink it. Quickly!"
Ryuya inhaled the steam.
"This scent… why does it feel so familiar?"
His smile turned sly.
Offering kindness without reason usually meant one thing—
Trouble.
His sharp gaze made Shinobu avert her eyes instantly.
Cold sweat formed on her palms.
He didn't notice… right?
He definitely didn't notice that she had brewed the tea with—
wisteria flowers.