"Kochou…" Yoizumi looked at the somewhat familiar butterfly on the woman's loose long hair, and the butterfly haori she wore, which was identical to Little Shinobu's. Yoizumi spoke softly.
The woman turned to look at Yoizumi, giving him a gentle smile. Her light purple eyes were like the first dew in the morning sun, filling one's heart with warmth and tranquility.
Seeing this smile, Yoizumi's eyes widened slightly. He didn't know if it was a delusion, but he saw Little Shinobu's shadow in this person.
Her smile, and Little Shinobu's… no… it was exactly the same as Little Shinobu's smile when he first met her.
A suspicion suddenly arose in Yoizumi's heart.
Could it be… this person is… "Older sister?" Yoizumi called out tentatively.
The woman was slightly startled, then quickly let out a soft laugh. She looked at Yoizumi with curiosity, and her gentle voice reached his ears.
"You call me older sister as soon as we meet, huh~"
"But you're not wrong."
"Nice to meet you, I am Kanae Kochou."
Kanae looked at her younger sister's lover before her, her eyes filled with a smile, yet also containing an unresolvable worry.
"I always wondered what Little Shinobu's future lover would be like~"
"I was very curious."
"Now I finally get to meet you, but… this isn't the way I hoped to meet you."
Hearing this, Yoizumi opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound. His sapphire eyes dimmed as he looked down at the ground, his lips pressed together.
He also wanted to stay by Little Shinobu's side forever… but now… it seemed impossible.
He had made Little Shinobu sad again.
But he didn't even have a chance to apologize.
"Hehe~" Kanae clapped her hands softly, drawing Yoizumi's gaze. Kanae, looking somewhat gossipy, placed her hands on the sides of her face and smiled at Yoizumi.
"This is a rare opportunity~"
"Your older sister is very curious~"
Curious?
Yoizumi blinked, a little puzzled.
"Now ~ Yoizumi-kun." Kanae's light purple eyes held an inquisitive look.
"What do you like about our Little Shinobu?"
"Or rather, what is your reason for liking Little Shinobu?"
Like Little Shinobu… what about her? Reason?
Yoizumi repeated it internally, a few more traces of confusion appearing on his usually indifferent face.
Liking Little Shinobu… does it require a reason?
..."Yushiro." Tamayo carefully examined Yoizumi's blood with a microscope, simply calling Yushiro's name, and he understood, replacing the slide with a new one containing Yoizumi's blood.
Observing Yoizumi's blood cells, Tamayo's brows hadn't unfurrowed.
Muzan's blood had decreased, and the blood that replaced it was exceptionally peculiar.
The two were clashing, Muzan's cells dissipating, while the new blood was constantly regenerating.
The drug that Chachamaru had delivered earlier was a countermeasure Tamayo had developed for potential side effects of the Vitality Enhancing Drug, just in case. She had less than a thirty percent chance of success and could only gamble, but fortunately, it worked.
Now… it was a test of willpower.
Yoizumi-san.
You must not lose to that scoundrel!
Writing down the necessary materials and handing them to Yushiro, Tamayo put on her white gloves and white lab coat, taking a deep breath.
Yoizumi-san… you always give me challenges… You persuaded me to live, so you must lead by example.
Before long, Yushiro returned.
"Everything is ready, Tamayo-sama!"
Yushiro glanced at Yoizumi lying nearby, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
Troubling Tamayo-sama at a time like this… He also hasn't given Tamayo-sama the thank you gift he promised. I won't allow you to toy with Tamayo-sama!
So… when you wake up, I will settle the score with you slowly!
Outside the room
A group of people stood outside. Tanjirou stood at the very front, his eyes full of worry, his fists clenched tightly, constantly praying for his Older Brother in his heart.
Please protect Yoizumi-ge… Father, Mother… Mitsuri cautiously tugged on Obanai's sleeve, her voice filled with worry, speaking softly.
"Iguro-san, will Yoizumi-san be alright?"
And… Little Shinobu seems to be in a very bad mood.
But right now, letting Little Shinobu calm down alone is the best approach.
Iguro Obanai shook his head; he couldn't be sure. His snake, Kaburamaru, flicked its tongue, nudging Mitsuri and rubbing its head against her.
As the two conversed, a voice broke the quiet atmosphere.
"Gyoumei-san, let me see your hand."
Shinobu walked over to Gyomei Himejima's side, her expression as usual, with a gentle smile, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.
Gyoumei's hollow eyes shed tears, and his deep voice carried comfort.
"Shinobu… don't force yourself."
"I'm fine, you calm down first."
Shinobu's dark purple eyes drooped slightly. The wound on her left palm was bandaged by herself, but blood still stained the white bandage.
"I am calm," Shinobu said, enunciating each word.
But anyone could see the heart that was almost shattered beneath Shinobu's smiling face, a heart so fragile that any slight disturbance could cause it to fall apart… "I… like everything about Little Shinobu," Yoizumi said after much thought, giving his answer.
Everything, huh… Kanae thought. She looked at Yoizumi, who showed no signs of lying, and smiled, but still asked in return.
"Everything? Little Shinobu can be quite willful sometimes, you know."
Willful?
Yoizumi thought about it.
Is she?
He didn't seem to know.
Seeing Yoizumi's expression, Kanae smiled gently, her soft voice continuing to inquire.
"Then what's the reason?"
This time, Yoizumi's answer was without hesitation; the moment her words fell, he gave his reply.
"No reason needed."
"I like Little Shinobu, no reason is needed."
Yoizumi's expression was serious, his sapphire eyes full of determination.
"But what if I insist on one?"
"…"
Little Shinobu's smiling face gradually appeared in his mind. Yoizumi's brows softened, and a smile touched his lips.
"Because it's Little Shinobu…"
"Because she is Little Shinobu, that's why I like her."
To this, Kanae tilted her head.
This answer isn't about liking… it's about love… but… she's very satisfied.
Your older sister is happy for you from the bottom of her heart.
Little Shinobu…
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