After hearing that Yoizumi was almost burned to death by the sun, Shinobu took a deep breath.
"Is that so..." Shinobu tried her best to maintain her facial expression, comforting the dejected Inosuke.
"Inosuke, you should also rest. If you need anything, you can find Miss Aoi."
"Yes..." Inosuke walked slowly towards the ward, his head bowed and his back hunched.
After Inosuke left, Shinobu clenched her fists, her knuckles cracking loudly, trying to suppress her angry expression. She walked with a grim face towards Yoizumi's room.
Yoizumi and Nezuko had been immediately arranged by Kanzaki Aoi to return to their rooms.
Pushing open the door, her surging purple eyes, upon seeing the demon on the bed whose breathing was barely perceptible, were overcome with worry.
Large patches of dried blood stained his clothes, his sleeves were torn, and the hem of his garment was damaged, all testifying to the ferocity of the battle.
Seeing this, Shinobu's breathing stopped for a moment. She brushed away the stray hair from Yoizumi's forehead. If it weren't for the slight rise and fall of his chest, she would have thought he was already dead.
It's like this again... Shinobu felt a pang of bitterness in her heart. She pursed her lips, silently gazing at Yoizumi, who was curled up on the bed.
Her eyes felt a little warm.
She closed her reddened eyes, covered him with the blanket, pulled up a chair, and sat by the bed.
Her palm gently held Yoizumi's cool hand, which was still stained with blood. Shinobu didn't mind; she just held it.
Yoizumi's hand is even smaller than hers now... Yoizumi, you really make me not know what to do... You promised me you wouldn't get such serious injuries again... No, this time it can't even be called an injury.
He was almost directly burned to death by the sun.
You really outdid yourself.
Her little finger hooked Yoizumi's little finger.
We made a pinky promise.
You also said you wouldn't lie to me.
Liar... Shinobu sniffled, holding Yoizumi's small hands to her forehead. From yesterday until this morning, she had been very happy, happy that this blockhead finally showed signs of understanding.
He wouldn't make her angry anymore.
But how long had it been?
She almost never saw him again.
Shinobu's breathing was trembling, and her heart ached terribly.
Even now, seeing Yoizumi hold her hand with her own eyes, she was still terribly afraid.
She was probably beyond saving; this demon had completely captivated her heart.
She let out a long sigh.
"...Bad dog."
Holding Yoizumi tightly, Shinobu remained still, leaning by the bed, silently watching the unconscious little Yoizumi.
Stay with me a little longer.
At least until she dies... stay by her side always.
Her taut nerves finally relaxed a little. Accompanied by his own breathing, Shinobu closed her eyes... "Hm..." It was the familiar ceiling again. He was back at the Butterfly Mansion. A hint of helplessness flashed in his sapphire eyes. Why did he always pass out after every battle?
He tried to pull his hand away, but it wouldn't move. Only then did he realize that Shinobu was sleeping, pressing down on his hand.
The girl's light, shallow breaths brushed against his wrist. Yoizumi suppressed the tickle and didn't disturb Shinobu's rest.
He quietly kept his clear eyes open, watching her sleeping face.
It wasn't until his arm gradually began to feel numb that Shinobu slowly woke up. She looked up and met Yoizumi's gaze.
She subtly released her tightly clasped hand, feigning composure, and stretched.
"Good afternoon~"
Yoizumi glanced out the window and reminded her.
"It's night now."
"Is that so? Then good evening~"
Shinobu avoided looking at Yoizumi, and even her usual smile was gone. All these signs told Yoizumi.
She was angry.
Realizing this, Yoizumi parted his lips, and after much thought, he could only think of apologizing first.
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? Yoizumi, you didn't do anything wrong.", Shinobu frowned, her voice flat.
"I was wrong..." Yoizumi was inexplicably unsure how to face Shinobu like this.
"What were you wrong about?"
"Uh... everything."
"I want specifics." Shinobu finally turned her head, looking at Yoizumi, displeased.
"I didn't keep my promise."
Yoizumi lowered his head slightly, avoiding Shinobu's eyes.
"Whack!"
His forehead suddenly stung. He covered his head, staring blankly at Shinobu's hand, which hadn't been withdrawn.
"That's your punishment for not keeping your promise, Yoizumi."
"Don't let there be a next time!"
She took a step, calculating that it was time to change the patients' dressings in the ward. As her hand touched the wooden door, Yoizumi's voice came from behind her.
"Shinobu."
"Hm?" She didn't turn around, responding softly.
"Did you receive my letter?"
"I received it." She tapped the wooden door with her fingertip, making a crisp sound, and said casually.
"Then can you tell me?"
Tell him what?
Was it a hint that she wanted her genuine smile?
Or the degree of her satisfaction with his answer?
"I won't tell you~"
She glanced sideways, and seeing Yoizumi's troubled expression after hearing her reply, she left the room.
It couldn't always be her who was troubled.
Right, Yoizumi.
Yoizumi was left alone in the room, pondering. Was the answer still not right?
"..."
Who else?
..."Ah, I'm sorry to trouble Miss Aoi again."
Kanzaki Aoi, who had brought the medicinal soup for the patients, said helplessly.
"Although I said 'see you again', we met again too soon."
"And in this state."
Tanjirou lowered his head in shame. He had just finished his training, and his first battle had brought him back to the Butterfly Mansion in such a disheveled state.
"Never mind, it's not incomprehensible, after all, that was an Upper Rank demon."
"It's truly wonderful that you survived."
The others still had to be judged by Lady Shinobu before they could eat. She placed the food next to Inosuke, the only one present who could eat.
"How long are you going to stay like this? It's time to eat!" She reached out and pulled at the blanket covering Inosuke's head, but even with all her strength, she couldn't pull it off.
During their previous training, Kanzaki Aoi had fully understood Inosuke's nature. This guy sometimes wouldn't obey unless provoked.
"You barely survived, and now you want to starve yourself to death?"
"Or are you so scared you can't even eat?"
As expected, the moment her words fell, the person tightly wrapped in the blanket suddenly threw it off, picked up the rice bowl, and poured it into his mouth, saying angrily.
"Huh! How could I be scared! This little bit isn't enough for me to eat, I want more!"
She silently wiped the rice grains sprayed onto her face. Considering he had just returned from a major battle, she would forgive him this once.
"Quiet down, don't disturb others."
"If you want more, come with me to the kitchen."
A gust of wind swept past. Inosuke darted out of the ward. After waiting a while and seeing that Kanzaki Aoi hadn't followed, he ran back to the ward doorway.
"Hurry up! I'm hungry!"
Trying to keep up with Inosuke's pace, Kanzaki Aoi thought.
The Butterfly Mansion would be lively again for a while.
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