In the dark alley, the demon, cornered and terrified, watched the man blocking its only exit with a sword.
The orange-yellow streetlights outside illuminated the man's indifferent face, his emotionless blue eyes quietly fixed on it.
"Please! Don't..." The demon's plea for mercy was cut short as a flash of frosty white blade separated its head from its body in an instant.
Splattering demon blood sprayed onto the wall.
Yoizumi wiped the blood from his face as the demon at his feet turned to ash.
He walked out of the narrow alley and returned to the street corner.
There were people everywhere, more bustling than usual.
Yoizumi looked up.
Netted banners and lanterns of various colors adorned the sky.
Was it some festival?
He didn't pay much attention.
He had already dealt with the last demon here, and it was time for him to go back.
Turning into the dark alley, the next second Yoizumi was back in the Butterfly Mansion.
"Hm?"
Sensing a familiar presence, his usually cold eyes brightened.
Yoizumi returned to his room and saw Shinobu sprawled on his desk.
Lady Shinobu... fell asleep?
He approached quietly, hearing Lady Shinobu's soft breathing.
Yoizumi bent down, leaning close.
Just as he was about to brush a stray strand of hair from Lady Shinobu's face, he remembered that his hand had just touched the demon's blood.
He quickly stopped.
He had to wash his hands first.
Two minutes later, after thoroughly scrubbing his hands clean, Yoizumi didn't immediately touch Lady Shinobu.
His hands were a bit cold, and he didn't want to disturb her sleep.
But why was Lady Shinobu back today?
Pulling up another chair, Yoizumi sat beside Shinobu, resting his head on his hand as he gazed at her sleeping face.
His sapphire eyes were lowered, and all his attention was focused on Lady Shinobu's face.
After a moment's thought, mimicking Lady Shinobu's posture, Yoizumi slowly lay down, resting his head on his left arm.
Now, every subtle flutter of Shinobu's eyelashes with each breath was clearly visible to Yoizumi.
He didn't know how much time had passed, but seeing Lady Shinobu's slightly furrowed brows, Yoizumi knew she was about to wake up.
"Mm... Ngh..." Shinobu vaguely opened her eyes, her vision not yet fully focused, but the gentle, smiling outline of her lover was already clear.
"Good evening, Lady Shinobu."
Yoizumi's handsome eyes curved slightly, filled with tenderness.
Shinobu paused for a moment, then responded with a smile.
Her pink lips were slightly pursed, forming a beautiful curve, her voice still a little hoarse from sleep.
"Good evening, Yoizumi."
She glanced at the dark sky outside the window.
Carefully raising her arm, which was numb from being still for too long, Shinobu massaged it with her left hand to relieve the tingling.
"Why didn't you wake me up?"
"I couldn't bear to disturb Lady Shinobu."
Yoizumi naturally took Lady Shinobu's hand, controlling his strength as he massaged it.
He lowered his head slightly.
It was a perfectly ordinary gesture, yet to Shinobu, Yoizumi performed it with utmost sincerity.
A deep purple hue tinged Shinobu's profound eyes.
Her slender fingertips touched Yoizumi's brow as he looked down.
"Tomorrow, I want Yoizumi to come with me to a certain place."
Yoizumi agreed without a second thought, though he was curious about the place.
However, when Yoizumi asked, Shinobu smiled mysteriously, refusing to tell him.
"You'll know tomorrow ~"
...Because Lady Shinobu overslept, they both woke up late, just in time for lunch.
"Lady Shinobu, Master Yoizumi, please enjoy."
Kanzaki Aoi served two bowls of plain somen noodles.
The thin white noodles were very simple, without any accompaniments, and a bowl of brown dipping sauce.
"Today is Tanabata," Kanzaki Aoi said with a smile, introducing the meal.
"According to the customs in some areas, eating somen can ward off illness and bring good fortune."
She had specially used cold well water to make the dipping sauce for the somen, making it very refreshing.
"Thank you, Aoi ~"
Tanabata?
Yoizumi lowered his head and took a bite of somen, a hint of confusion in his sapphire eyes.
Is today a festival?
"Lady Shinobu, where are we going?"
Having arrived at a completely unfamiliar place, Yoizumi asked.
"We're almost there," Shinobu said softly, gently taking Yoizumi's hand.
Soon, a building appeared in their sight.
Yoizumi looked at the sign.
[Takino River Hachiman Shrine]
A shrine?
Is it for praying?
"This is a famous shrine in my birthplace," Shinobu said, pulling Yoizumi along and introducing it.
The shrine was not large, and there weren't many people.
Birthplace...
Yoizumi's eyes widened slightly.
He was now... in Lady Shinobu's birthplace.
Shinobu watched with interest as rows of ema, inscribed with people's wishes, hung before them.
She bought two ema, handing one to Yoizumi.
"Yoizumi can write about Tanjirou and Nezuko."
"I heard it's quite effective for that."
Wishes for family...
Yoizumi thought for a moment, then bent down and took up the brush.
Soon, Yoizumi's and Shinobu's ema hung side by side.
Yoizumi: Tanjirou and Nezuko, may you be healthy, safe, and joyful.
Shinobu: May everyone at the Butterfly Mansion always be happy ~
"It will come true," Shinobu said softly, her expression gentle, enunciating each word.
"Mm."
"Then, next..."
Shinobu clasped her hands together, smiling softly.
Seeing Yoizumi's puzzled expression, her pink lips curved into a beautiful arc.
"It's our turn."
"Our?" Yoizumi repeated.
Taking out one purple and one blue paper strip, Shinobu instructed.
"You can only write about me, understand!"
"Understood," Yoizumi nodded, beginning to ponder seriously.
His usually relaxed brows were now slightly furrowed.
About Lady Shinobu...
Yoizumi probably had too many things he wished for.
Shinobu quickly wrote her wish on the purple paper strip.
Seeing Yoizumi still struggling, she raised her hand and poked his waist.
"Don't overthink it, just write the simplest thing Yoizumi can think of."
The simplest...
His blue eyes fixed on Lady Shinobu.
After a long moment, and only when Shinobu looked puzzled, did Yoizumi move, picking up the brush and writing earnestly.
"Then, you have to tie this to a bamboo branch.
The higher you tie it, the greater the chance your wish will come true."
Shinobu stood on her tiptoes, raising her hand high, but before she could tie the paper strip as she wished, Yoizumi took it.
Yoizumi used Blood Demon Art: Instant Shadow to reach the rooftop, easily touching the very top of the bamboo.
He tied both their paper strips securely and returned to the ground.
Seeing this, Shinobu couldn't help but smile, her eyes curving.
"You tied it so high."
A gentle smile appeared on Yoizumi's usually placid face.
"Mm, I want all of Lady Shinobu's wishes to come true," Yoizumi said, then paused, his tone becoming a little inquisitive.
"Lady Shinobu, what did you write?"
Shinobu raised her hand and waved it in front of Yoizumi's eyes.
"Wishes won't come true if you say them out loud."
Yoizumi opened his mouth, then looked up at the blue paper strip fluttering in the wind at the highest point of the bamboo.
So, you can't say them...
He had just let it slip.
It should be fine, right?
------------------------
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