Shinobu Kocho, realizing she couldn't successfully behead Ryuya, decided on a different plan: make him accidentally ingest wisteria flower so the poison would kill him.
Wisteria is extremely toxic to demons. If he drank it, he'd either die outright or be stripped of his skin.
Sister Shinobu was dead serious about killing him!
Ryuya curled his lips slightly, swirled the teacup in his hand, sniffed the aroma, and slowly raised it to his lips.
Shinobu's eyes widened.
Her fists clenched as she screamed internally: Drink it! Hurry up and drink it!
Just as she watched with anticipation, Ryuya stopped.
"Huh?"
Why did he stop?!
Did he notice something?!
"Sister Shinobu's good intentions… I can't waste them," Ryuya said meaningfully as he tipped the sweet tea into his mouth.
Kanae's eyes blinked in confusion.
As a bystander who had no clue what was happening, she didn't understand why these two were causing so much drama over tea.
"Mmm, truly delicious. Sister Shinobu's tea is really sweet!"
Ryuya praised it with an expression of pure enjoyment—completely baffling Shinobu.
What the hell?
Why wasn't he dying?
Even if he didn't die, he should at least be writhing in agony!
But this Upper Rank Demon was drinking it like it was fine wine!
Why?
Why??
WHY???
Did she mess up the ingredients? Was it not wisteria after all?
Little Shinobu Kocho began doubting her entire existence.
Seeing her confused face and almost tearful expression, Ryuya leaned close to her ear, blowing warm breath across her earlobe.
"Sister Shinobu, your wisteria tea is incredible. Could you pour me another cup?"
"You—you!!"
He knew. He clearly knew. And even knowing, he kept drinking?!
Was he mocking her?! How hateful!!
Shinobu's small chest heaved with rage as she bit her lip, grabbed the teapot, and filled his cup with spiteful force.
"Drink! Drink! Drink yourself to death, you big jerk!"
Ryuya calmly matched her pace—one cup poured, one cup finished. No more, no less.
"Hm?"
Kanae, watching the two interact so… amicably, felt that something was off.
But she couldn't figure out exactly what.
She sat upright with a forced sweet smile on her face.
"Sister Shinobu, Giyu's teaching effect is honestly mediocre. Why don't I guide you instead?"
"Hah? You? I don't want you!"
If Ryuya taught her, she'd never get the chance to kill him!
She kept pouring tea, glaring at him. "Do you still want to drink?!"
"Yes."
After a few more rounds, Shinobu was panting.
Why was this demon still totally fine?!
Don't people say wisteria is deadly to demons?!
It must be fake. The Butterfly Mansion's wisteria tree must be a fake!
Tomorrow. Tomorrow she would definitely dig it up!!
"Wait, hold on."
Ryuya suddenly reached out to stop her from pouring more.
His faint frown instantly reignited Shinobu's hopes.
Could it be…? Could it be?!
"Sister Shinobu… where's the restroom?"
Silence.
Shinobu's smile froze.
"Hm? Sister Shinobu? Hey? Moshi moshi!"
"What are you 'moshi moshi-ing' for?! Gross! Bah!"
Shinobu erupted, her dissatisfaction clearly directed at what Ryuya didn't say.
Why wasn't he poisoned?! Why was it just… going to the restroom?! Boo-hoo!!
So annoying!!
"Shinobu, no bad words," Kanae sighed in relief.
"So you just needed the restroom? Goodness, Ryuya, your expression scared me—I thought something serious happened! Come, I'll show you."
Kanae led the way, her cheeks faintly red, while Shinobu glared at Ryuya's back as if she wanted to chew him alive.
Teasing Shinobu was always so much fun.
After a short while, a refreshed Ryuya returned with a blushing Kanae.
"Sister Shinobu, keep the tea coming."
"Hmph. I'm not giving you any more."
Seeing Ryuya perfectly fine while she was practically half-dead from tea-pouring exhaustion, Shinobu lost all interest—she stopped pretending entirely.
"Then let big sister drink a cup. I haven't had Shinobu's tea yet," Kanae said, reaching for the teapot.
Oh no.
Shinobu's pupils shrank dramatically.
If Kanae drank this wisteria tea… she'd be poisoned instantly.
And if she discovered Shinobu had brewed poison tea for Ryuya, she'd scold her for sure.
Panicking, Shinobu quickly grabbed her sister's hand. "Big sister, don't drink that!"
"Why not?"
Shinobu, guilty and sweaty, avoided her sister's gaze. "No reason. Big sister just… shouldn't drink it!"
She was running out of excuses.
Ryuya sipped tea beside them, watching like it was peak entertainment.
Shinobu's face turned beet red, a vein popping on her forehead.
That hateful demon only enjoyed seeing her suffer!
"Let big sister try it. Don't be stingy," Kanae puffed.
Just when Shinobu was about to break down—
Ryuya, who doted on her more than he'd ever admit, stepped in.
"Kanae, Sister Shinobu said this pot of tea is for me. If you want some, ask her to brew another pot. This one isn't even enough for me."
"Ah… okay then. You drink it all." Kanae puffed her cheeks again. Why were they both so stingy?!
"Sister Shinobu, aren't you going to brew another pot?" Ryuya asked, shaking the empty pot.
"Hmph. Fine… I'll go."
As Shinobu stormed up to prepare more tea, realization finally hit her.
This annoying demon… actually helped her.
Hmph. No way he did it out of kindness. He definitely had some bigger scheme!