"Yoizumi-nii..." Nezuko propped her head up and squatted by the bed, looking at her brother, her pink eyes filled with loneliness.
There were times like this before... when her brothers were all unconscious, and she seemed unable to do anything but wait.
Nezuko sighed, staring at Yoizumi-ge's tightly closed eyes. It had been three months, and there was still no sign of him waking up.
She and her brother anxiously sought out Tamayo, who had already returned to being human.
They worried if something had changed with Yoizumi-nii while he was unconscious, but the answer was always the same.
"Wait."
The wind outside the window rustled the curtains, and feeling the chill of the autumn breeze, Nezuko reached out and wrapped her brother's quilt tightly around him.
Even though Yoizumi-nii was still a demon, covering him with a quilt was better than nothing.
"Yoizumi-nii, I'm leaving now."
"I'll come see you later."
As soon as she stepped out, she bumped into Zenitsu, who happily approached Nezuko-chan.
"Nezuko-chan~"
"Mr. Zenitsu," Nezuko nodded in greeting.
"Don't call me Mr. Zenitsu, just call me by my name!" Zenitsu corrected her with a serious expression.
"Um... Is there something, Mr. Zenitsu?" Nezuko deliberated for a while. As a good child, she truly couldn't bring herself to call someone older and respected by their given name.
Although he couldn't get Nezuko to call him by his name, Zenitsu wasn't discouraged and still spoke with a smile.
"Miss Aoi said you were going shopping, so I specifically came to accompany you!" Zenitsu raised his arm, showing off his muscles to Nezuko-chan as if trying to look cool.
"I'm very strong, I can help you carry things!"
"Just tell me if you need anything!"
Facing such a Zenitsu, Nezuko smiled.
"Then... I'll trouble you, Mr. Zenitsu."
Shinobu, who happened to be passing by, stood not far away, a gentle smile on her face. She watched the two figures gradually walk away side by side, chuckled softly, and continued towards Yoizumi's room.
Pushing open the door, she saw the autumn wind stirring the few strands of golden hair. Yoizumi, with only his head exposed, was completely wrapped in the quilt by Nezuko-chan, like a plump zongzi.
Unable to control a soft chuckle, Shinobu then sighed gently and sat down beside Yoizumi.
Her gaze fell upon the Purple Rose in the vase on the bedside table. She had specifically brought it from her room, but no matter how carefully she tended to it, this Purple Rose, separated from its plant, still couldn't escape the fate of wilting.
She raised her hand, her slender fingers carefully touching the withered flower, but the faded petals still fell. Slowly, she withdrew her fingers, her hand unconsciously clenching.
"I give them to Shinobu every day, so they won't wilt."
Her purple eyes gazed sadly at her unconscious lover. She raised her hand and poked Yoizumi's cheek, muttering softly.
"Liar."
"The flowers have all withered, why haven't you woken up yet..."
"Yoizumi..."
Shinobu had forgotten that the language of the rose, besides eternal love, also included... waiting... She lay on Yoizumi's chest. Lately, only when she clearly heard his heartbeat could Shinobu's restless heart find a little stability...
Closing her eyes, she felt the slow and steady beat. It was as if only then could she confirm that her Yoizumi was still here. A long, long time passed, so long that one might have thought Shinobu had fallen asleep, before she finally opened her eyes.
Leaning down, she kissed Yoizumi's lips, and Shinobu spoke softly.
"Yoizumi... if you don't wake up soon, your sister will be taken away by Zenitsu."
"Not that Zenitsu is bad, of course..."
"Hehe~"
Even though she knew she wouldn't get a response, Shinobu still confided in Yoizumi about recent events.
For example, Kanao starting to change... for example, more patients in Butterfly Mansion... for example... "Mitsuri and Obanai are together now..."
In the letter Mitsuri sent yesterday, shyness permeated every line.
"Xiao Ren (Little Ren)! Xiao Ren (Little Ren)! Iguro proposed to me today!"
"I'm so shy!"
"Actually! I was already prepared to propose to Iguro myself, but he beat me to it!"
"He said that kind of thing should be done by him, ah! Iguro is so dashing!"
"I've already introduced Iguro to my family! My mom, dad, and younger brother all think highly of Iguro."
"Hehe..."
Shinobu could imagine, just by reading the letter, how excited Mitsuri must have been when she wrote it.
"..."
"That's good... everyone is living a peaceful life."
Taking Yoizumi's hand, Shinobu rested her head on his shoulder, curling herself into his embrace.
"But... what about me?"
"Yoizumi..."
As long as you don't wake up, my heart can't be at peace... Standing up, Shinobu once again became the reliable Lady Shinobu of Butterfly Mansion. She reached out and picked up the vase, intending to change its water. The moment she lifted it, a silver object rolled from the tabletop onto the floor.
Shinobu looked in the direction of the sound. When she clearly saw what it was, her pupils suddenly widened. She silently released the vase, knelt down, and picked it up.
It was a ring... She clearly saw her name engraved on the ring.
"Shinobu"
The silver ring was carved with a butterfly. Just looking at it, one could sense the care taken by its maker.
Her breath trembled. She clutched the ring tightly in her palm.
A tear slowly slid down her cheek.
When did he make this... Why did this idiot never say anything... She wanted to put it on, but stopped herself abruptly.
No... Shinobu looked at her lover and carefully put the ring away.
"Yoizumi, I'll wait for you to wake up..."
"And put it on me yourself."
------Short Skit------
"Thank you, Miss Kochou." The middle-aged woman said gratefully, holding her gradually recovering child.
"It's nothing. Just take your medicine on time when you go home, and you'll get better."
"Thank you... Thank you!"
The woman thanked her profusely, and inadvertently noticed that the butterfly necklace Miss Kochou had worn around her neck yesterday now had an extra plain band.
This plain silver band firmly encircled the butterfly, becoming one with it...
------------------------
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