"Ren was so cute when she was angry back then, wasn't she, Yoizumi?" Kanae said, covering her mouth and smiling as she recounted childhood anecdotes.
Yoizumi listened quietly to this new and unfamiliar side of Shinobu he had never witnessed.
So Shinobu used to be like that… Hearing Kanae's question, Yoizumi nodded in agreement.
"Cute."
"Cute means wanting to offer all the beautiful things in the world to the other person."
What Tanjirou had said then resurfaced in his mind, and Yoizumi's sapphire eyes were filled with warmth.
He wanted to give all the beautiful things to Shinobu.
Glancing at Yoizumi beside her, Kanae saw the tenderness in his eyes, and a warm current flowed through her heart.
She's found a very good person… Ren.
This way… I, your sister, can also rest assured.
Kanae had seen Ren do so many heartbreaking things because of her, yet she was powerless to stop her.
When Ren often suffered due to her physical condition, Kanae could only watch her sister helplessly, hearing Ren utter words like, "Even if I sacrifice myself, I will definitely avenge you." She wanted to reach out and touch Ren's head, but her hand could only pass through her sister's body.
Watching Ren draw closer and closer to her, losing her former vivacity and brightness, becoming gentle and understanding.
Suppressing her inner feelings, even if it hurt, she always wore that gentle smile on her face.
Shinobu once said at her grave,
"If Sister is gone, then I will be Sister."
"I will protect Sister's Butterfly Mansion and the children of the Butterfly Mansion."
But Ren… in Sister's eyes, you are still my most beloved sister.
Sister hopes Ren can be an ordinary, happy, and joyful child.
So… Kanae turned around and faced Yoizumi.
"Yoizumi, I'm entrusting Ren to you."
Entrust… But he couldn't go back to Shinobu's side anymore… "I…" Yoizumi couldn't finish his sentence when a hand gently rested on his shoulder.
Kanae's gentle smile disappeared, replaced by a serious and solemn expression.
"You must return to Ren's side, mustn't you?"
"You promised Ren so much; do you want to deceive her?"
"If you do, I, your sister, will not forgive you."
Yoizumi stared blankly at Kanae.
Return to Shinobu's side… Could he go back?
Now… perhaps his body had already turned to dust.
The pressure on his shoulder gradually increased, and Kanae's voice continued.
"Right now, you don't need to think about anything else."
"What you need to do is go back to Ren!"
"Bang!"
Caught off guard by Kanae's forceful push, Yoizumi's body uncontrollably fell backward, but he didn't land on the ground; instead, he plunged into a vast ocean.
The dark water submerged Yoizumi's vision, Kanae's figure became blurry, and her voice was intermittent.
"Tell… Ren, I… am so happy… for her."
A suffocating sensation enveloped Yoizumi, and his consciousness sank into darkness… "Everyone, please go rest.
You've all had a difficult night of fighting, and I thank you for your hard work," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said slowly.
"Amane and I will guard this place.
I absolutely do not want any more of my beloved children to come to harm."
Amane held her husband's arm, and even if she disagreed, she nodded in affirmation.
Kagaya's body had long since reached its limit.
However, he refused to rest until he was completely at ease.
He kept an eye on the list of fallen members and arranged the best treatment for the injured swordsmen, personally overseeing all matters, big and small, including the battle-damaged grounds.
Because it was the Master's command, even if the Pillars wanted to stay, they could only obey.
Everyone left one after another.
Kyojuro Rengoku walked over to Shinobu, and his booming voice softened as he spoke.
"Kochou, I believe in a man like Yoizumi.
You shouldn't worry too much."
"When Yoizumi wakes up, tell him to come find me personally for an apology and a thank you."
Shinobu looked at Kyoujurou, then after a long moment, she smiled and nodded gently.
Kyoujurou then walked out of the room, where a familiar figure stood not far away.
Kyoujurou's pupils widened slightly, and his expression was a little stunned.
"What are you staring at? It's time to go back," Rengoku Shinjuro said, rubbing his head and awkwardly calling out to his son when he saw Kyoujurou was fine.
"…Yes!"
… "Inosuke, Zenitsu, you two go back first," Tanjirou said, forcing himself to be energetic despite his haggard face.
"You're both injured and need to get treatment as soon as possible."
"But…" Inosuke clutched his stomach, speaking weakly.
Seeing the daze in Tanjirou's eyes, he couldn't say anything else.
Zenitsu supported Inosuke's body.
He understood from the sound that Tanjirou was pushing himself, because his brother, whom he could rely on, was now… So Tanjirou had no choice but to become strong.
Zenitsu took a deep breath and punched Tanjirou on the head, looking as if he hated to see him fail.
"Snap out of it, Tanjirou!"
"Don't you still believe in Big Brother Yoizumi?!"
"That's Big Brother Yoizumi!"
"Don't worry! Inosuke, Nezuko-chan, and I will wait for you both at the Butterfly Mansion!"
Zenitsu turned around and immediately gasped in pain, clutching his hand.
Why was Tanjirou's head so hard!
It hurt like hell!
Inosuke still wanted to say something, but then Zenitsu lightly poked his abdominal wound.
Immediately, Inosuke stiffened, his hair stood on end, and he was about to fall straight to the ground!
Zenitsu, sweating profusely, caught Inosuke and carried him on his back.
"I'll… take him back first!"
Staring at Zenitsu and the others' retreating figures, Tanjirou slowly withdrew his gaze after a long time, clenching his fists.
Nezuko is waiting for us to return… Yoizumi-nii… He looked at Miss Shinobu beside him, whose head was bowed, her expression unclear.
But the anxious aura emanating from Miss Shinobu could not escape Tanjirou's nose.
Yoizumi-nii, Miss Shinobu and I will wait for you… just like before.
No matter how long it takes, we will keep waiting.
I only ask you… don't leave us…
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