"Ah... Yoizumi-nii still hasn't woken up," Tanjirou and Nezuko leaned by their brother's bed. Little Yoizumi on the bed had his eyes tightly closed, breathing evenly, showing no signs of waking up.
A month had passed since the Red-light district incident, and Yoizumi-nii had been in a coma ever since.
Tanjirou himself had been bedridden for almost three weeks before he could get up. Zenitsu and Inosuke recovered faster than him, both getting mostly better within two weeks.
Zenitsu and Inosuke were already able to go out on missions. Tanjirou, due to his broken ribs and continuous use of Hinokami Kagura, hadn't fully recovered and could only stay in the Butterfly Mansion.
"Ugh..." Nezuko's face was troubled, her pink eyes full of worry as she stared at Yoizumi. Tanjirou noticed and gently patted her head, comforting her.
"It's okay, Nezuko, Yoizumi-nii will definitely wake up."
He had heard from Miss Aoi that when he and Yoizumi-nii were both unconscious, Nezuko had looked at him the same way.
Nezuko had been very down during that time, but thankfully, Miss Shinobu and Miss Aoi often kept her company, which helped her feel a little better.
I'm sorry for making you worry, Nezuko.
He held his brother's small hand together with Nezuko.
Yoizumi-nii, please wake up soon.
Everyone is worried about you... Another half month passed.
Tanjirou changed out of his hospital gown. After the meticulous care at the Butterfly Mansion, he had mostly recovered, and the higher-ups had assigned him a mission.
Before leaving, he went to Yoizumi's room, quietly looked at his brother, and whispered,
"Yoizumi-nii, I'm going on a mission."
"Even if you're not by my side, I'll complete the mission well."
"But... it feels a bit lonely."
"I'm off."
After one last look at his brother, Tanjirou got ready to leave and happened to meet Shinobu, who was returning from a mission.
"Welcome back, Miss Shinobu!"
"Hmm, Tanjirou, are you going on a mission? Be careful on your way~"
"Yes!"
After exchanging greetings, Shinobu walked through the long corridor to the place she would come to whenever she had free time over the past month and a half.
Pushing open the closed wooden door, she immediately saw Yoizumi on the bed.
Her initial panic when he hadn't woken up for a month had subsided into calm.
Because Shinobu knew.
Yoizumi would definitely wake up.
She firmly believed this.
Her pink fingertip touched Yoizumi's brow. Was he dreaming something unpleasant?
She gently smoothed Yoizumi's furrowed brow, brushed aside his golden hair to reveal his forehead, leaned in close, and a kiss was imprinted on his forehead.
Ever since her great revenge was achieved, the desire to get closer had become increasingly uncontrollable.
Just this alone made Shinobu incredibly shy, her flushed ears fully proving the point.
Although I said I would wait for you forever.
But... don't make me wait too long.
The sound of approaching footsteps. Shinobu quickly adjusted her posture upon hearing them, sitting properly and primly on the stool, just as a tall figure appeared at the door.
"Swish!"
The wooden door opened, and Uzui Tengen raised an eyebrow, seeing Shinobu there.
"Yo~ Kochou, you're here too."
She gave him an annoyed glare.
"Mr. Uzui, didn't anyone tell you to knock?"
"Heh~ Never mind me, Kochou, it's you."
"Blushing like that, what have you been doing?"
Uzui Tengen curiously scrutinized Shinobu, then glanced at Yoizumi. The flamboyant him quickly figured out what had happened.
"Perhaps Mr. Uzui's eyes were frozen, so he's having problems and seeing things incorrectly," Shinobu said with a calm and composed demeanor. If she showed even a hint of panic, she would truly fall into his trap.
Uzui Tengen smiled and didn't argue with her. He had come to the Butterfly Mansion today to change his bandages and stopped by to see Yoizumi. Since he hadn't woken up yet, he didn't linger.
"When he wakes up, please say hello to him for me."
"Tell him that my wives and I invite him to go to a hot spring together."
"It's a rare opportunity, Kochou, do you want to come?"
Shinobu smiled calmly and refused outright.
"No, thank you. Yoizumi won't go either."
"So possessive, already starting to control him~"
"Say one more word, and Mr. Uzui's medicine might contain something... extraordinary~"
"Heh, truly... a terrifying woman."
Turning his back, Uzui Tengen left.
"Kana~"
Closing her eyes, the annoying fellow was finally gone. Shinobu stood up, she wouldn't disturb Yoizumi anymore... Until late at night, Yoizumi, who had been in a coma for a month and a half, finally woke up.
He groggily got up and stretched his stiff muscles. This nap felt a bit long.
Rubbing his muddled head, he inexplicably felt a bit strange after waking up, yet couldn't quite pinpoint how it was strange.
Had his body undergone another change after that battle?
Unable to understand the situation for now, Yoizumi wanted to go out for some fresh air to clear his head.
Noticing the clean clothes by the bed, Yoizumi returned to his normal size and put them on. Not having learned to tie a sash, Yoizumi still tied an ugly knot at his waist before pushing open the door.
The Butterfly Mansion at night, covered in white snow in winter, was a vast expanse of white. Under the clear moonlight, the snow shimmered with a pale glow.
Just like before, he jumped onto the roof, swept away the accumulated snow, then sat down. Accompanied by the breeze, Yoizumi stared blankly at the shining stars in the night sky.
Winter stars are even brighter than summer ones... Yoizumi greatly enjoyed these moments, as if his heart was in a state of extreme relaxation.
"Oh my~ So you're here~"
A familiar voice came, and in Yoizumi's line of sight, a girl like a butterfly descended from the sky, treading on moonlight. Her rainbow-colored haori fluttered like a butterfly's wings.
She gently landed beside him.
"What are you doing~"
Yoizumi suddenly remembered their first meeting, Shinobu had also appeared in his world like this, asking the same question again.
What did he answer back then... Stargazing.
"..."
Yoizumi slightly tilted his head back. His golden hair, dazzling even in the moonlight, and his sapphire-like eyes clearly reflected the girl's face. His lips curved slightly, revealing a gentle smile.
"Looking at you."
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