"That will be all for today. Shinobu, Yoizumi, please stay."
"Understood." x9
As Kagaya's words fell, everyone left one after another, leaving Yoizumi and Shinobu in place.
"Tch!" Sanemi Shinazugawa angrily walked out, his aura extremely low. When he passed by Kanroji Mitsuri, she didn't dare to move.
Mr. Shinazugawa is really scary!
"Kanroji! Want to go eat ramen together? My treat!" Kyojuro Rengoku invited.
"I'll go!" Her mood brightened instantly. Kanroji loved eating with Mr. Rengoku.
"Iguro, you too?"
"I…" Obanai Iguro looked at Kanroji shyly, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"Mr. Iguro, you should come too! It's more lively with more people eating! I know a really delicious ramen shop!" When food was mentioned, Kanroji Mitsuri's light green eyes sparkled as she enthusiastically leaned closer to Obanai Iguro to recommend it.
"Okay…" He avoided Kanroji's gaze. She was so close; he didn't know where to look.
After everyone else had left, Kagaya Ubuyashiki beckoned to Yoizumi and Shinobu, signaling them to come over.
"Master's condition is getting better and better." Shinobu was very happy. Master's complexion was much better than before; his pale, gaunt face had a hint of color.
"I think so too. Since my body recovered a bit, the pain from the curse has lessened significantly." His waking hours had lengthened, he could accomplish many things independently, and his body was no longer so sickly. All of this was due to Yoizumi.
And now, this demon, who brought him endless surprises, had become the tenth Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps.
The Snow Pillar.
An existence that even Kibutsuji Muzan could not tolerate, and a powerful helper for the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Yoizumi, now that you are a Pillar, you should be assigned a territory, but considering your unique nature, I will let you decide."
Territory?
Yoizumi pondered. Did that mean he would have to move out of the Butterfly Mansion?
Would staying in the Butterfly Mansion burden Shinobu?
Perhaps leaving there would be a good option.
But… Shinobu clenched her palm. If Yoizumi agreed, wouldn't it be difficult for her to see him in the future?
The reluctance forced Shinobu to look at Yoizumi, gently tugging at his sleeve. Yoizumi's sapphire eyes looked back, clearly seeing Shinobu's subtle expression.
He only felt a slight tingle in his heart. He thought.
He probably didn't want to leave her.
So, Yoizumi didn't hesitate much.
"The Butterfly Mansion is good. I don't want to leave."
She let out a sudden sigh of relief. With Yoizumi not leaving, her uneasy heart slowly settled.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Amane, as those who had experienced similar feelings, exchanged a smile at their reactions.
This was wonderful. Since the death of the Flower Pillar, Kochou Kanae, Ubuyashiki had been very worried about Shinobu's state. Constantly suppressing her inner feelings, imitating her sister and losing her former self, she would one day head towards destruction.
He had tried to counsel her, but Shinobu always wore that unchanging smile and remained silent.
However, since Yoizumi's appearance, he had gradually changed her, and the ice in her heart was beginning to melt.
It's just… Yoizumi seemed to still need a long time to realize it.
Keep it up, Shinobu.
Ubuyashiki smiled, his voice soft.
"I understand. Then Yoizumi will stay in the Butterfly Mansion."
"There is nothing else. Please continue to rid the world of evil demons in the future."
…"Yoizumi, can I ask why you don't want to leave the Butterfly Mansion?" After he got into the wooden box, Shinobu closed the door. Yoizumi heard her muffled voice through the box.
"Didn't I just say? The Butterfly Mansion is good." Yoizumi said in the darkness.
A pale hand rested on the wooden box, as if trying to see Yoizumi's face through the barrier. Shinobu lowered her head slightly, her voice very soft.
"That's not what I want to hear."
Not that? Then what?
A hint of confusion flashed in his eyes as he fell into thought.
The air fell silent for a moment.
Shinobu chuckled helplessly, slowly resting her forehead on the wooden box. Her dark purple eyes held obscure and complex emotions.
This is fine… Yoizumi is just like this. To get the answer she wanted from his mouth, it would probably take a lot of effort.
Just now, when Master asked Yoizumi if he wanted to leave the Butterfly Mansion, she admitted, she panicked.
The feeling of reluctance was almost drowning her, making it hard to breathe. Unbeknownst to her, every time she finished a mission and returned to the Butterfly Mansion, she always hoped to catch a glimpse of Yoizumi in the courtyard.
Just seeing his slender, tall back from afar, her restless thoughts would slowly settle.
Yoizumi… I lied to you.
The first time we met, I said demons had no hearts.
Actually, my heart died with my parents and sister.
Since then, my world has only been driven by revenge.
But I, who should have been sinking deeper into the mire of revenge, yearned for your emotions, and every little bit of feedback from you filled me with immense joy.
So, I constantly wondered, did I make a mistake?
Watching you be moved by me, be flustered by me.
I am destined to die. Will you be sad for me?
You said that day that you didn't want to lose anymore.
I have already lost too much, so I naturally understand the pain of loss.
Yoizumi… what should I do with you?
Please tell me… The dim purple eyes rippled, her eyes slightly red. Shinobu waited, awaiting Yoizumi's answer.
After a while, Yoizumi, in his calm and unperturbed tone, gave Shinobu the best answer she least wanted to hear.
"Everyone in the Butterfly Mansion is good."
"Most importantly."
"Shinobu is here."
"I want… to be able to see you."
"So I don't want to leave."
Yoizumi used every word he could think of, coming up with what he considered the best way to express himself.
"…"
Not sensing any movement from Shinobu, Yoizumi raised his hand and pressed it against the box door, wanting to open it but finding it wouldn't budge. He asked in confusion.
"Shinobu?"
He only heard Shinobu's shallow breathing, and
"Drip…"
A sound as if something had dropped to the ground.
A few clear tears rolled down Shinobu's cheeks, but she was smiling, a confused and helpless smile.
Her hand slid from the top of the wooden box to the door.
She was probably stuck on this blockhead.
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