"Hm?"
Hearing that phrase, "because Shinobu didn't ask," Shinobu frowned, clearly showing her displeasure.
Seeing this, Yoizumi conscientiously revealed everything about the active enhancement potion.
After listening, Shinobu's frown didn't ease; instead, it deepened, her dark purple eyes filled with disapproval, and her tone became several shades heavier.
"I don't agree! You're using such an unknown thing."
"You're using it rashly without even knowing the consequences."
"Yoizumi, I... I don't want you to get hurt."
Yoizumi himself understood that the unknown was the most terrifying.
However, if he were in a situation where he had to use this potion, it would probably no longer be a time to consider the consequences.
Yoizumi never knew he was so timid.
He feared every possible variable.
He was afraid of losing, afraid of forgetting.
Slowly, he half-knelt at Shinobu's feet, looking up at his lover. In Shinobu's eyes, he clearly saw her worry for him, which he did not want to see.
He hoped that the people he cared about could always be happy and joyful.
Without sadness, without pain.
What he had to protect was precisely these things... Yoizumi lowered his gaze, his indifferent expression completely gone, replaced by a soft side he only revealed in front of those important to him.
"I also don't want Shinobu to be sad because of me."
"I promise you I'll only use it as a last resort, okay?" Yoizumi, without being taught, kissed Shinobu's hand, his voice softening.
The spot where he kissed her felt faintly warm, yet she was powerless against it. A faint blush spread across her fair face, and her initial surging dissatisfaction vanished into thin air.
"If you dare to lie to me, I won't forgive you!"
"I won't lie to you."
Seeing that Shinobu no longer objected, Yoizumi breathed a sigh of relief.
Shinobu got up and sat at her desk, quickly writing a letter. She summoned her Kasugai Crow; this letter, sent to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, was bound to cause quite a few butterfly effects.
It would take some time for the Kasugai Crow to go back and forth, so Yoizumi took Shinobu's hand, intending to have her eat dinner first. When he realized she wasn't moving, he turned his head, looking at Shinobu in confusion.
"What's wrong?"
"Does Yoizumi want me to go out with this messy hair?" Shinobu usually let her hair down when she slept. Perhaps she had been too tired recently, and her sleeping posture wasn't good, so her hair was disheveled.
Yoizumi looked at Shinobu's black-purple hair, blinking.
Messy?
This Shinobu was no different from the usual Shinobu in Yoizumi's heart.
"I think it's the same as usual."
"Beautiful."
Perhaps Yoizumi's expression was too serious when he said "beautiful," as Shinobu's heart even skipped a beat. She turned her head slightly, tugged his hand, and spoke in a very soft voice.
"Help me comb my hair."
"Okay."
His slender fingers ran through Shinobu's soft hair. Yoizumi held a wooden comb, tidying Shinobu's hair, controlling his strength so as not to hurt her.
Since he hadn't learned Shinobu's hairstyle, he could only stand by and observe, his sapphire eyes intently watching Shinobu's movements, wanting to engrave the steps into his mind.
With the butterfly hair ornament in place, Shinobu's hairstyle was complete.
It seems I've learned it... I'll try it on Nezuko when I have time.
Yoizumi was lost in thought when Shinobu raised her hand and waved it in front of him.
"What are you thinking about?"
He shook his head, then took Shinobu's hand again and walked towards the dining room.
Once it's perfect, I'll let him tie Shinobu's hair...
"Today we're having red bean rice ~"
"Did something good happen?"
Shinobu said, looking at the lavish meal.
"Because Lady Shinobu and Yoizumi-san being together is a great happy occasion!" Kanzaki Aoi happily served Shinobu a full bowl of red bean rice.
So everyone knows... Yoizumi placed the ginger tsukudani in front of Shinobu; he remembered Shinobu loved it.
He picked up his chopsticks and put a lot of dishes into Shinobu's bowl. Shinobu was too thin; she should eat more.
Looking at the dishes that were about to overflow the rice bowl, Yoizumi tirelessly continued to put more food into her bowl. Shinobu raised her hand and tugged on Yoizumi's sleeve to stop him.
"Does Yoizumi want me to turn into a little pig?"
A little pig?
A hint of confusion flashed in Yoizumi's eyes.
"Eating so much will make me fat."
Shinobu, for once, began to have the worries of an ordinary girl. She wanted to show her best side to the person she liked, and she was no exception.
"Even if Shinobu gets fat, she'll still be beautiful."
In Yoizumi's eyes, regardless of fat or thin, Shinobu was Shinobu, and that was enough. As long as Shinobu was healthy, that was good.
"Mmm..." Shinobu lowered her head, eating her meal in small bites, then he said such earnest words again!
But, she loved to hear it... Her exposed, flushed earlobes fully proved this point.
Kanao, who had silently witnessed the entire process from the side, had never seen her Master like this before.
Master has changed so much.
She was also genuinely happy for her Master's transformation, and the smile that always graced her face now held a genuine warmth.
Ah ~
Kanao smiled!
Is it because of Miss Shinobu and Yoizumi-nii?
Tanjirou leaned next to Kanao, showing a radiant smile that seemed even brighter than the winter sun. His gentle voice reached Kanao's ears.
"That's great! Right, Kanao ~"
Facing Tanjirou's smiling face, Kanao slowly averted her gaze, nodding her head slightly.
"Let's eat too, wow ~ Miss Aoi's cooking is delicious after all!" Tanjirou ate with great relish, but not exaggeratedly; he was someone who wore his feelings on his sleeve.
Kanao discreetly glanced at Tanjirou beside her.
Tanjirou is truly a cheerful person.
He's always so enthusiastic even towards someone like her... After dinner, back in the room, the Kasugai Crow had already brought back Kagaya Ubuyashiki's reply and placed it on the desk.
"The Master says he wants us to come to the headquarters to discuss," Shinobu said after reading the letter.
The winter sun set early; by the time they finished dinner, it was already completely dark. This time, Yoizumi didn't need to rely on the wooden box.
He arrived at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters with Shinobu.
Seeing Kagaya Ubuyashiki again, Yoizumi noticed that his complexion was much better than the last time they met.
"You've arrived, Yoizumi, Shinobu." He raised his hand to stop them from greeting him. Kagaya Ubuyashiki smiled gently, his light-colored eyes looking at them peacefully.
"I'm relieved to see the Master in good health," Shinobu said respectfully.
"I'm also very happy. Winters used to be the hardest time."
He had once thought he wouldn't survive each winter, but he had stubbornly persevered.
This was the easiest winter he had ever experienced; he didn't struggle to breathe, nor did he cough incessantly.
"Please come inside. I've had Amane prepare hot tea."
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