"Hey, everyone!" Kanroji Mitsuri ran over to the group, saw the three people crying in a heap on the ground, slammed on the brakes, and carefully leaned close to Shinazugawa Genya, whispering in his ear.
"What happened?"
"Why is everyone crying?"
Unaccustomed to being so close to a girl, Shinazugawa Genya instantly blushed, like a cooked shrimp, not daring to look in Kanroji Mitsuri's direction. He turned his head and said in a low, hoarse voice, "Yoizumi-nii… Yoizumi has… overcome the sun."
"Eh?!" She raised a hand to cover her mouth.
Over… overcome… the sun?!
Kanroji Mitsuri was too astonished by this news to speak.
That was the sun!
The weakness of all demons, overcome by Mr. Yoizumi… As expected, he's the special demon the Master spoke of… I'm a little curious what Shinobu's expression will be when she sees him.
How intriguing… "Are you leaving so soon? Won't you stay a few more days?" Kagane Techin said to Tanjirou.
"Yes, thank you so much for your hospitality these past few days." Tanjirou bowed to the village chief, who waved his hand in refusal.
"No, we should be thanking you for protecting the village."
"Thank you!"
Many Swordsmith gathered around Tanjirou. Although they all wore masks and their expressions couldn't be seen, Tanjirou could still feel their heartfelt gratitude.
Tanjirou gently patted the wooden box behind him.
"Did you hear that, Yoizumi-nii, Nezuko?"
"They're thanking us."
Inside the wooden box, Yoizumi and Nezuko were sleeping, their heads touching.
"Hmm… I smell Mr. Haganezuka." Tanjirou immediately followed the scent and found Haganezuka Hotaru, who was hiding, wanting to say goodbye but too shy.
"Mr. Haganezuka!"
Seeing that he had been discovered, Haganezuka Hotaru awkwardly emerged from behind a pile of rocks, his body wrapped in many bandages, all from injuries inflicted by Gyokko while he was focused on sharpening swords.
He stood with his arms crossed, looking at Tanjirou, then raised a finger and poked Tanjirou's face, his voice carrying a warning.
"Once I've completely sharpened that sword, I'll send it to the Butterfly Mansion. I'm telling you, if you dare to break my sword again… I… I won't forgive you!" Haganezuka Hotaru paused, then added, "Nor your brother!"
So painful, so painful.
Rubbing his reddened cheek, Tanjirou couldn't guarantee anything, responding with a lack of confidence, "I'll try my best…"
Seeing signs that Mr. Haganezuka was about to flare up, Tanjirou immediately backed away and shouted, "But I will definitely cherish Mr. Haganezuka's sword!"
"Thank you for forging swords for Yoizumi-nii and me!"
"Hmph…" Haganezuka Hotaru watched Tanjirou's retreating figure indignantly, and after a long moment, he cursed, "You brat, don't you dare die."
"Your brother too…"
"Tanjirou-ge, remember to come find me next time you visit the Swordsmith Village!" Kotetsu shouted to Tanjirou from the crowd.
"I will, Kotetsu!"
Tanjirou, on the back of a Kakushi Members, had his nose plugged and his eyes covered.
"Thank you, Kakushi Members."
"Let's go then."
Finally, returning to the Butterfly Mansion… The first day Yoizumi left the Butterfly Mansion.
"Ugh…" Shinobu only slowly woke up from her futon when the sky was fully bright. She rubbed her blurry eyes, looked at the room, and after a moment of stunned, realized she was in Yoizumi's room.
She glanced at the sky outside and the person who was long gone, a hint of disappointment flashing in her purple eyes.
Why didn't he wake her up? She wanted to see him off.
Shinobu, who had lingered in bed for a while, got up and encountered Kanzaki Aoi while washing up.
"Lady Shinobu, you're awake."
"Yes, did Yoizumi and the others leave very early?"
"Yes, they did. Oh, Mr. Yoizumi specifically told me to cook porridge for you," Kanzaki Aoi said with a smile.
"Porridge?"
"He said you weren't feeling well. I'll go warm up the porridge now," Kanzaki Aoi said, carrying a basket of clothes as she left.
Shinobu curved her lips, letting out a soft chuckle.
That idiot, I wonder if he's made it to the Swordsmith Village yet… Time moved to the second night after Yoizumi left the Butterfly Mansion.
Shinobu, who was organizing notes at her desk, put down her pen and propped her head with her hands, looking at the quiet snowy scenery outside. She hadn't realized that after only one day without seeing him, she would miss him so much.
She sighed softly. Love truly was troublesome.
Suddenly, Shinobu got up and walked outside, picking up a paper umbrella. Her gentle voice was particularly clear in the night.
"It seems we have guests~"
At the main gate of the Butterfly Mansion, Mr. Yushiro held a paper umbrella, its surface tilted towards Tamayo. He paid no attention to the snow falling on his shoulders, instead looking around nervously, fearing any sudden change. If something happened, he would immediately take Lady Tamayo and leave.
"Yushiro, relax a little." Carrying a medicine box in both hands, Tamayo raised her hand and knocked on the door, quietly waiting for the owner inside to come.
"I can't not be vigilant, Lady Tamayo!" Mr. Yushiro's voice was not quiet, and Shinobu, who had come to the door and opened it, naturally heard him. A serene smile was on her face, and her voice was soft, casually deflecting Mr. Yushiro's words.
"Rest assured, Mr. Yushiro, the Demon Slayer Corps will not harm friendly partners, unless… they are partners with ulterior motives."
Shinobu slightly stepped aside, making way, and with a smile, raised her hand to invite the two demons into the Butterfly Mansion.
"You… you ugly woman, how do you know my name!" Faced with Shinobu's loaded words, Mr. Yushiro was momentarily overcome with anger and spoke without thinking.
"Hehe~ If you are indeed Ms. Tamayo, then I truly apologize, I didn't realize it." Shinobu paid little mind to Mr. Yushiro's words.
"You…"
"Yushiro! Silence!"
Before he could say anything more, he was forcibly stopped by Tamayo. Tamayo bowed slightly to Shinobu, her tone full of apology, "I apologize, Insect Pillar. It's Yushiro's fault, and I apologize on his behalf."
This demon is quite rational, Shinobu thought to herself.
"No need to call me Insect Pillar, just call me Shinobu." The two most outstanding healers from different human and demon factions officially met.
"Understood, Ms. Kochou."
One deep and one light pair of purple eyes gazed at each other across the space.
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