The bustling streets of Tokyo were packed with people.
Inosuke and Kanao walked at the very front, each holding an ice cream cone in their hands, chatting and laughing.
Of course, it was basically Inosuke doing the talking while Kanao smiled.
Behind the two, Koyuki supported Shinobu—whose ankle was sprained—as they slowly followed behind, discussing academic matters.
Of course, throughout the entire journey, it was basically Shinobu asking questions while Koyuki answered with sweat streaming down her face.
Having to run into her own teacher during a rare outing was truly hard on this girl…
Meanwhile, Mitsuba and Akaza walked side by side at the very back, each holding an umbrella.
"Do you like that girl?"
Looking at Koyuki walking ahead, Mitsuba asked quite directly.
"I…"
Seemingly caught off guard by Mitsuba's direct question, Akaza was first stunned. After quite a while, he finally squeezed out a sentence—
"I don't know…"
Akaza's words were not out of shyness or concealment, but completely his true inner thoughts. He had no reason to lie to Mitsuba.
After all, although this damned woman usually loved to control him and would often team up with Douma to tease him when she had nothing better to do, when real trouble arose, she would seriously help him analyze and solve it.
[I don't know.]
This was Akaza's true feelings toward the girl named Koyuki.
He didn't deny that after seeing Koyuki for the first time that night at the izakaya, he had felt haunted by her, unable to forget her.
To the point that when at school, he had unconsciously walked toward the medical department's teaching building several times, nearly making a fool of himself.
After meeting Koyuki, his heart that had been beating for over three hundred years suddenly seemed as if something had chiseled a small hole in it, tied with a string and hung upon Koyuki.
Making him think of her during the day, think of her at night, think of her during class, think of her while writing lesson plans, and even think of her constantly during rest…
This feeling was uncontrollable, unbearable.
For over three hundred years, having never experienced similar emotions—either diligently practicing fist techniques or diligently studying—when facing this suddenly surging unknown emotion within his heart, the first thing Akaza felt was fear.
What was happening?
Why would he feel this uncontrollable emotion toward a girl he had never seen before, who had suddenly appeared?
Was he going mad?
Could over three hundred years of cultivation ultimately result in such an outcome?
"That's not it, Hakuji. You're normal. It's very normal for you to feel this way toward that girl."
Looking at the anxious Akaza beside her, Mitsuba raised her finger and pointed at her own temple, replying seriously:
"The reason you feel frightened and afraid right now is purely because a piece of memory is missing from your mind—a memory from when you were once human.
It is their absence that has led to your current situation."
"My… memory from when I was human?"
Akaza was stunned upon hearing this.
Yes, Mitsuba had sealed his memories from when he was human.
This was something she had clearly told him shortly after he became a demon.
She had also told him that she would return this memory to him when she deemed the time appropriate.
Then, when exactly would be the appropriate time?
Could his memories from when he was human be related to his uncontrollable feelings toward Koyuki?
Akaza opened his eyes wide and looked at Mitsuba beside him, waiting for her answer.
But he only saw Mitsuba lower her head, her eyelids drooping.
"Little one, I can clearly tell you that it is not a good memory.
On the contrary, it is very terrible, very painful—painful to the degree that if it were the past you, the moment you recovered this memory, you would definitely choose to commit suicide immediately."
After saying this with unprecedented seriousness, Mitsuba took a deep breath. She turned to look at the stunned Akaza, raised her hand and gently pressed it on his shoulder, saying:
"To be honest, Hakuji, even at this very moment, I still cannot be certain whether the current you can definitely withstand the pain of this past memory.
But based on the current circumstances, right now may perhaps be the most appropriate timing in over three hundred years up to the present.
Little one, in the past I once made a choice for you without permission, but this time, I return the power of choice to you.
Whenever you are ready to face your past, you can come find me at any time."
"Old lady…"
In over three hundred years, this was the first time Akaza had seen such a serious and earnest expression on this woman before him, who always wore a smiling expression as if she had no cares in the world.
He raised his head and stared blankly at Mitsuba before him, tears sliding down from his eye sockets.
Huh?
How strange…
For some reason, he suddenly had an intense urge to cry.
Strange…
"Hey! Mitsuba! Hakuji! What are you two standing there for? You're going to fall behind!"
Just at this moment, Shinobu suddenly turned her head and called out from up ahead. Beside her, Koyuki also looked over with concern.
"We know! Coming right now!"
The first to respond was Akaza. He hurriedly raised his hand to wipe the tears from his face and answered in a louder voice:
"A-Anyway! We'll talk about other things later. Today is a rare occasion for everyone to come out together, so we should have a good time! That's it!"
After speaking, without waiting for Mitsuba's response, Akaza quickly caught up.
Watching his hurried figure, how could Mitsuba not know that this child was feeling embarrassed about crying in front of her.
"As expected, I still need to overcome the weakness to sunlight as soon as possible…"
Letting out this soft sigh, Mitsuba shook her head and sighed, then also held up her umbrella and quickly caught up.
After all, although she herself didn't mind, the important people around her quite needed it.
Lord Muzan, Douma, Hakuji, and her brother and Amei…
[Indeed.]
"…"
"Oh~ Director Douma and Lady Ume have collaborated on another new movie~"
Time came to night. The six people who had coincidentally met during the day had been wandering and playing around the streets for the entire day.
At this moment, they were each carrying large and small bags of clothes, cosmetics, snacks, and various other miscellaneous items, walking together on the street heading home.
Among them, still lying on Mitsuba's back being carried by her, Shinobu looked up and immediately noticed the latest movie promotional poster on top of a nearby building, shouting excitedly.
Lady Ume—Tsugikuni Ume—was naturally the alias Ume currently used in human society.
"I heard Director Douma moved to America some years ago?
I never thought that after so many years, I could still see a movie of his collaboration with Lady Ume. This is truly wonderful!"
"Shinobu-nee, you… could it be that you like that guy Douma?"
Hearing Shinobu's excited voice, Inosuke—who had been quietly chatting with Kanao—suddenly turned his head, asking with an expression of utter disbelief.
"No, no, no! I've never even met Director Douma in person, how could I possibly like him~
What I like are the movies he makes! Especially the ones he collaborates on with Lady Ume!"
Shinobu raised her index finger, seriously correcting him.
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This story has ended in chapter 315, you can read on patreon.com/dzeref887 for faster access or wait until August to read on WebNovel until the story ends.