Sanemi Shinazugawa's face turned a violent shade of crimson instantly, looking as though it had been scorched by an open flame.
He lurched back half a step, his hands instinctively snapping behind his back. His pale, coppery eyes went wide and round—for all the world, he looked like a young maiden who had just been shamelessly teased.
"W-what kind of nonsense are you playing at?!" His voice was actually trembling. The tips of his ears were red enough to bleed, and his gaze darted everywhere, pointedly avoiding her outstretched arms. "You're a grown woman and you're still asking for hugs like a child? Have you no shame?!"
Despite his disparaging words, his feet didn't move another inch backward.
Aoi Kazama watched him, her liquid courage bolstered by the alcohol surging through her system. Her bravado grew in tandem with her intoxication.
She puffed out her cheeks in a pout, her eyes rimmed with red again as she muttered with a sob, "If you won't hug me... then I'll... I'll just go find Tomioka-san and ask him..."
The moment those words left her lips, Sanemi's face darkened even further. He let out a low, teeth-gritting growl. "Don't you dare!"
He finally relented, opening his arms and pulling her gently into a tentative embrace.
Aoi's nose brushed against his collarbone. The scent of alcohol left her head spinning, and she was completely oblivious to how intimate their posture had become.
She tilted her head back, her eyes meeting his flickering, coppery gaze.
Standing on her tiptoes, she lifted her chin and pressed her soft lips firmly against Sanemi's slightly cool ones.
[Ding! Mission Progress: 9/9. Congratulations, Host, on completing the mission. Rewards have been issued.]
Aoi pulled back just enough to flash him a silly, dazed grin. She reached out a finger and lightly poked the corner of Sanemi's lips, which were now just as red as her own. "Soft..."
Sanemi's breath hitched. His eyes went wide, and the crimson flush spread from his ears down his neck in a visible wave of heat.
The girl in his arms had no idea she had just done something world-shattering. She continued to tilt her head, staring at him blankly.
Perhaps the alcohol had finally claimed the last of her consciousness, because her head suddenly lolled to the side, coming to rest against his chest as she fell into a deep, heavy slumber.
Sanemi looked down at the girl's peaceful sleeping face, his ears feeling hot enough to catch fire.
His Adam's apple bobbed as words caught in his throat. Ultimately, all his frustration melted into a long, helpless, and strangely indulgent sigh.
He carefully adjusted his hold, lifting her into a bridal carry, and began walking toward the estate.
The next morning, Aoi woke up feeling like her head was about to explode. It felt as though a thousand needles were stabbing into her temples, making her wince and hiss with pain.
Rubbing her brow, she swore a silent oath: Never again. I am never touching alcohol again as long as I live. This is miserable.
She scratched her messy hair, desperately trying to piece together the events of the previous night.
How did she get back? Why couldn't she remember anything?
She stumbled out of her room, only to be met by a very familiar silhouette.
Hearing the noise behind him, Sanemi Shinazugawa's movements stiffened. He didn't turn around, but the tips of his ears turned a subtle shade of red. "You're awake?"
"Yeah," Aoi nodded. Suddenly, a few blurry fragments flashed through her mind—standing on her tiptoes, a cool sensation against her lips, and that glaringly bright flush on the tips of his ears.
Aaaaahhhhh!
Alcohol is the enemy! Did I actually act like a total creep?!
Aoi stole a glance at Sanemi. Seeing that his expression appeared relatively "normal," she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Forget it. As long as he doesn't bring it up, I'll pretend it never happened.
"About last night..." Sanemi started, his voice trailing off.
"Nothing happened last night!" Aoi blurted out, her voice cracking slightly in her panic.
Sanemi turned to look at her with an expression that screamed 'What kind of absolute garbage are you spewing?' "Aoi Kazama!" He barked.
"You're really something, aren't you!" He snapped, turning on his heel and storming off in a fit of rage, leaving a bewildered Aoi standing there.
You kiss me and then act like it never happened?! I'm going to lose my mind!
Aoi was passing by the Butterfly Mansion when she ran into Tanjiro, who had just returned from training.
He was carrying his wooden box, a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead. Upon seeing her, he immediately broke into a bright, refreshing smile and waved. "Aoi! Good morning!"
"Morning, Tanjiro," Aoi replied with a smile. Noticing the sweat, she asked, "Was the training intense today? You're soaked."
"It was alright," Tanjiro said, scratching his head.
Just then, a chaotic shouting match erupted from inside the Butterfly Mansion. The two shared a look and instinctively ran toward the source of the noise.
"Please let me go!"
Inside, Aoi Kanzaki was being hauled over the shoulder of Tengen Uzui. Behind them, Kanao and the three little sisters (Sumi, Kiyo, and Naho) were desperately trying to hold him back. "Let her go!"
Tengen Uzui looked as "flashy" as ever, the gold ornaments in his hair glinting with every movement. He ignored the struggling Aoi Kanzaki and looked back at Kanao. "Don't just pull on me so un-flashily. You received the orders too, didn't you?"
Silence was his only answer.
"Say something! Don't be so drab!" Tengen shouted, sounding somewhat exasperated.
"What do you think you're doing to those girls? Stop right now!" Tanjiro rushed forward to intervene.
However, seeing the girls surrounding Tengen, Tanjiro hesitated for a split second. What exactly was happening here?
One of the three sisters cried out through her tears, "He's a kidnapper!"
"What kind of nonsense are you spouting, brat?!" A vein popped on Tengen's temple.
Tanjiro lunged forward, attempting one of his signature headbutts, but Tengen dodged it with effortless ease.
Tengen mocked him, "I am a former shinobi, Tengen Uzui. How could someone as flamboyant as me be hit by such a low-level attack?"
"Release Kanzaki-san! You're a kidnapper!" Tanjiro pointed an accusing finger.
"Yeah! Yeah!" The three sisters and Kanao nodded in support behind him.
"What are you even trying to do?!"
"Hey! You brats, I'm your superior! I'm a Hashira!"
"I won't acknowledge you as one! Hmph!" Tanjiro tilted his chin up, glaring stubbornly at Tengen.
"What's with the 'hmph'?! Do I look like I need your acknowledgment, you little bottom-feeder? Is your brain full of water?!" Tengen snapped, his composure breaking.
"I'm taking them because the mission requires female personnel. Since they aren't Tsuguko, I don't need Kocho's permission to take them."
"Naho isn't a member of the Corps! She isn't even wearing a uniform!"
Tengen looked at little Naho in his grip and casually dropped her. "Fine, then I don't want you."
Aoi Kazama stepped forward, catching Naho before she hit the ground. She looked up at Tengen Uzui, her tone calm but carrying a weight of serious conviction. "Uzui-sama, even if you have a valid reason, treating girls this way... it really isn't very 'flashy,' is it?"
Tengen froze. It was as if that specific word had struck a nerve. He instinctively touched the gold ornaments in his hair, his brow furrowing deeper. He didn't yell back this time.
"Uzui-san," Aoi continued, "I have an idea!"