"So, I need to go to Swordsmith Village," Yoizumi explained, showing Miss Shinobu the paper filled with unforgivable words.
"I see…" Shinobu looked at Yoizumi with reluctance. They had only just woken up, and now they were going to be separated again.
Noticing the reluctance in Miss Shinobu's eyes, Yoizumi leaned down, placed her hand on his face, and looked straight into her eyes.
"I'll be back soon."
"When I return, I'll bring Miss Shinobu a gift."
Yoizumi remembered that he had learned about Miss Shinobu's birthday from Kanzaki Aoi, and by his calculations, it was coming up soon.
He had read in a book that lovers usually give handmade gifts to express their feelings.
On this trip to Swordsmith Village, Yoizumi might be able to learn how to make a nichirin blade to give to Miss Shinobu.
He didn't know if Miss Shinobu would like it, and he couldn't ask.
Because the book said that gifts should have a sense of mystery.
That way, the lover would feel surprised upon receiving it.
"Is that so ~ Then I'll have to look forward to it," Shinobu said with a smile, poking Yoizumi's cheek with her finger.
Yoizumi's soft cheek dimpled, and he smiled back at Miss Shinobu.
"Mhm."
"When you get to Swordsmith Village, please say hello to the village chief for me."
After saying goodbye to Miss Shinobu, Yoizumi found Tanjirou and expressed his desire for him to go to Swordsmith Village together.
"Me too? Is that allowed?"
"Ubuyashiki has agreed."
He wiped away the sweat from his younger brother's training. He heard there was something called a hot spring in Swordsmith Village, which could both relax and strengthen the body.
Tanjirou always pushed himself too hard; a little rest occasionally wouldn't hurt.
"It's a pity Zenitsu and Inosuke haven't returned yet, otherwise they could have come with us," Tanjirou said regretfully.
"We'll depart tomorrow."
"Okay!"
...It was night.
The window, which only opened at night, had its curtain blown by the night breeze, and specks of moonlight illuminated a corner of the room.
Except for Yoizumi, who only slept to recover his strength, he usually just whittled away the time. In the past, he could have taken his nichirin blade outside to train, but now he had to read books to pass the night.
He carefully flipped through the book in his hand; it was a book he had asked Kanzaki Aoi to buy for him.
There were too many things he didn't understand. It was Yoizumi's first time being a lover, and he was somewhat worried that he couldn't fulfill a lover's responsibilities.
He still had to diligently study this knowledge.
He might not be able to do his best, but at least he should do what was expected.
He wanted to give Miss Shinobu happiness... Miss Shinobu had already experienced too many hardships, and she had bravely endured them. As her lover, Yoizumi hoped her future would be filled with happiness.
The book said that beautiful eyes should shed tears of happiness.
Yoizumi disagreed.
Miss Shinobu had beautiful and lovely eyes, but why did happiness have to involve tears?
Such eyes should be smiling.
"Knock, knock, knock." Sensing Miss Shinobu's presence at the door, Yoizumi closed his book, got up, and quickly went to the door, opening it.
"Good evening ~" Shinobu greeted with a smile, her hands behind her back.
"Good evening, Miss Shinobu," Yoizumi stepped aside, allowing Shinobu to enter.
"What's wrong? Why are you looking for me?"
"Can't I look for you for no reason?" Shinobu looked at Yoizumi, this oblivious fellow, with dissatisfaction. They were about to be separated, yet he showed no signs of reluctance.
She thought he would come to accompany her, but she waited until late into the night and didn't see a trace of him. Since he didn't come, Shinobu could only go find him herself.
"No, I'm very happy to see Miss Shinobu."
Yoizumi shook his head, his sapphire eyes showing visible joy. He had originally wanted to go find Miss Shinobu too.
But he remembered that Miss Shinobu had a lot of preparations to make recently because she was cooperating with Tamayo, and the Demon Slayer Corps had stopped assigning her missions, solely to let her focus on this.
He didn't want to disturb her, but now Miss Shinobu had come to see him.
Yoizumi took Shinobu's small hand and repeated again and again,
"I'm very happy to see you."
Shinobu clearly saw the joy in Yoizumi's eyes; it was a special sight only she could witness, and it was her privilege.
Her dissatisfied heart was instantly filled with sweetness.
"What were you doing, Yoizumi?"
"Reading a book."
He led Shinobu to the desk and handed her the book to look at.
After casually flipping through a few pages, Shinobu couldn't help but chuckle softly.
He really is a fool, isn't he? "I'm clumsy, and sometimes I've caused Miss Shinobu trouble."
"I will try my best to learn."
It was precisely this side of him that made her heart flutter... Shinobu's fair face was flushed with a blush as she gazed tenderly at her lover, speaking softly.
"You haven't caused any trouble ~"
"I like clumsy Yoizumi very much."
Her response was a gentle kiss from the young man.
Yoizumi hadn't forgotten what Miss Shinobu said: this is how one should express affection.
Shinobu only felt dizzy, and her face was burning hot.
Yoizumi placed a cool palm on Shinobu's forehead, concerned.
"Your face is so hot, are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
It's all because of you!
Shinobu retracted what she had just said.
Although... this was too clumsy... Seeing Miss Shinobu not speak, Yoizumi thought she was too uncomfortable to speak. With a gasp from Shinobu, Yoizumi scooped her up and gently placed her on the bed.
Her eyes wide, Shinobu swallowed. Yoizumi's face was right in front of her, and her heart was pounding fiercely.
Yoizumi tucked the blankets around her, then pulled over a stool and sat by the bed.
"Eh?"
"If you're not feeling well, rest quickly," Yoizumi recalled what was in the book: when a lover is vulnerable, you can hold her hand to show encouragement.
Yoizumi held Miss Shinobu's hand and said softly, "I'll stay with Miss Shinobu."
Lying in bed, every breath carried Yoizumi's reassuring scent.
Feeling the warmth constantly emanating from his palm, Shinobu smiled helplessly.
That's certainly your style.
The room was quiet, with only the faint rustle of the window curtain and Yoizumi's steady breathing.
In her final moments of fading consciousness, she vaguely heard a whisper.
"Goodnight, Miss Shinobu."
Yoizumi brushed away the strands of hair that had fallen onto Miss Shinobu's face, leaned down, and kissed her cheek.
Hmm... he didn't kiss the wrong place this time.
Until the distant sky turned a pearly white, Yoizumi gently released their clasped hands.
"I'm leaving."
He quietly left the room, pushed open the door, and instinctively covered Tanjirou's mouth, who appeared at the doorway, leading him away.
"Eh?" Tanjirou was pulled away by his older brother, looking bewildered.
Hmm... Yoizumi-nii smells like Miss Shinobu...
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