Chapter 90 Letter
After agreeing to visit again once enough spatial imprints had been created, Aoki bid farewell to Kagaya Ubuyashiki and left the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
Returning to the Butterfly Mansion, before he even entered, he saw Shinobu Kochō carrying a huge package.
"What are you doing?"
"On a mission,"
Shinobu Kochō replied succinctly.
"On a mission?" Aoki looked at her and the huge package on her back with suspicion.
Shinobu Kochō glared at him: "This mission just happens to be passing by a friend's house, and these things are gifts for my friend!"
"A friend?" Aoki's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "What friend?" "
"A friend I met by chance," Shinobu Kochō smiled. "By the way, my friend's surname is also Aomura."
"It really is Takina!"
Aoki's expression was somewhat dazed.
Shinobu Kochō raised her small hand and waved it in front of him: "Hey, what are you thinking about?"
"Nothing!" Aoki snapped out of his reverie and said calmly, "That's quite a coincidence. If you have the chance, introduce me to you!"
"Maybe when I have the chance!" Shinobu Kochō's perfunctory attitude was evident as she waved her hand: "I'm leaving!"
"Be careful!"
Aoki watched Shinobu Kochō's retreating figure until it was completely out of sight, then turned and went into the courtyard.
A moment later, Kanae Kochō rushed over.
"Mr. Aomura, you're back! Did your conversation with the Master go smoothly?"
Actually, she was supposed to go with him today.
Just as they were about to set off, a seriously injured team member arrived, forcing them to stay.
Although she knew that neither the Master nor Mr. Aomura were impulsive people, she was still worried that something unexpected might happen and ruin the current harmonious situation.
"It went very smoothly!"
Aoki said. "Miss Kanae, you've come at the perfect time. I was just about to go and say goodbye."
Kanae was surprised: "You're leaving so soon after you got back?"
"I don't need to recover from my injuries."
Aoki joked first, then said, "Now that I've reached an agreement with the head of the Ubuyashiki family, I need to hurry up and prepare."
Before he went to see Kagaya Ubuyashiki, he had told Kanae and Shinobu about "spatial imprint travel," and both of them were aware of it.
Kanae's gaze softened: "It's so wonderful that Mr. Aomura exists in this world!"
"No!" Aoki waved his hand, he couldn't accept such high praise: "I kill demons for myself, unlike you, who take it upon yourselves to protect the world."
Kanae: "Judging by actions, not intentions..."
"Let's go, let's go!"
Aoki walked straight outside, passing Kanao, ruffling her hair, and in the blink of an eye left the Butterfly Mansion.
Kanae hugged Kanao: "Mr. Aomura is truly an amazing person!"
Kanao blinked, looking in the direction Aoki left, remaining silent.
Black wings fluttered gently, Aoki transformed into a sharp arrow, flying forward, quickly catching up with Shinobu.
Her small stature was adorned with a large bundle, making her look somewhat comical.
Aoki floated high in the sky, and under the cover of night, Shinobu was completely unaware that someone was watching her from the sky.
Dawn broke.
Shinobu arrived at Hakui, easily finding the entrance to Takina's house, raising her small hand.
Knock knock knock.
In the courtyard.
Takina looked up at the gate with a puzzled expression.
Who could it be so early?
Knock, knock, knock.
The knocking sounded again.
"Just a moment!"
Takina dried her hands, went over, and opened the door.
The first thing she saw was a huge package, and then she noticed the petite figure beneath it, exclaiming with delight, "Shinobu? What brings you here?"
Shinobu walked into the yard with an air of familiarity.
"I was on a mission and just happened to be passing by, so I thought I'd drop by to see you and Auntie."
"What's this?"
Takina's gaze shifted to the package on Shinobu's back, a curious expression on her face.
"Clothes, food, everything!"
Shinobu put down the package with a "thump."
Takina glanced at it curiously, but quickly looked away: "Shinobu, when are you leaving? Want to go shopping together?"
Shinobu shook her head regretfully.
"I have to leave right away."
"So soon?" The smile on Takina's face slowly faded.
Shinobu said seriously, "Every day you wait, there might be one more victim!" Knowing the priorities, Takina didn't try to persuade her further: "Would you like to have breakfast before you leave?"
"No! I'll come find you again after the mission is complete, if I have time!" After
a brief exchange, Shinobu Kochō took her leave.
Aomura Rie came out of the room: "Takina, who are you talking to?"
"It's Shinobu."
"Is Shinobu here? Where is she? I can't see her."
"She's already left."
"Huh?!"
"Quite efficient, isn't she?" Aoki muttered to himself.
He jumped down from the treetop and headed towards Shiroi Town.
The sky grew brighter, and the town gradually became more crowded.
A little girl of about six or seven years old skipped past him, and Aoki waved: "Little sister!"
"Is there something you need?"
The little girl wasn't shy at all, staring at him with her big, bright eyes.
Aoki took out an envelope and a hundred yuan note, pointing to the courtyard where Takina and his master's wife lived: "Give this letter to the older sister who lives there, and this hundred yuan is yours!"
The little girl said seriously, "Sister Takina already has a fiancé, she won't accept your letter!"
Aoki was slightly surprised.
He wasn't surprised that the little girl knew Takina.
Playing here so early, it was obvious that the little girl lived nearby and knew Takina.
However, for such a young girl to know that Takina had a fiancé, this matter was probably common knowledge, at least on this street.
"It's okay, just tell Sister Takina that Aoki asked you to deliver the letter," Aoki said.
The little girl blinked and took the letter and money: "If Takina-neechan doesn't accept it, I won't give the money back!"
Aoki said, "Whether Takina-neechan accepts it or not, the money is yours!"
"Thank you, Aoki-nii!"
The little girl bowed deeply and ran happily towards Takina's courtyard.
"She's quite clever!" Aoki shook his head and chuckled.
Knock
knock knock knock. There was another knock at the door, and this time it was much more urgent than before; the person was clearly impatient.
Takina opened the door but didn't see anyone. She paused for a moment before looking down.
The little girl held up the letter with both hands: "Takina-neechan, your letter!"
"A letter?"
Takina hesitated.
The little girl shouted, "A big brother named Aoki asked me to deliver this!"
"Aoki?"
Takina's face immediately changed.
Many people knew she had a fiancé, but she and her mother had never mentioned the name "Aoki" to anyone.
She hurriedly took the letter and looked down at it.
The envelope bore the familiar handwriting of "Aoki."
"It really is Aoki!"
Takina turned to the little girl, anxiously asking, "Where's Aoki? Take me there quickly!"
"Takina-neechan, come with me!"
The little girl pulled Takina along, heading towards the alley they had just passed. But Aoki was nowhere to be seen. Takina searched the area but still couldn't find him, and left dejectedly.
Back home, Aomura Rie immediately noticed her daughter's strange expression: "Takina, where have you been? What happened?"
Takina held up the letter, her expression blank: "Aoki just came by, but only sent a letter."
"Aoki?"
Unlike Takina, Aomura Rie was more composed: "Let's see what's in the letter."
Takina then came to her senses and opened the envelope.
Inside were two items:
a letter and a beautifully crafted pendant with a somewhat intricate silver diamond pattern.
"Master's wife, Takina, I'm so sorry I haven't contacted you for so long.
I've offended a terrifying enemy and have to keep my distance for now.
Please keep everything about me a secret.
The pendant is a talisman I made myself; it has magical powers.
If you encounter danger, just smash it. I'll come to find you once I've dealt with the enemy and the crisis.
Please take care of yourself."
The letter's contents left the two deeply moved.
Almost a year had passed since that disaster, and this was the first time they had received news from Aoki.
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(End of Chapter)