"Shinobu, where did Tanjirou and the others go?" Yoizumi hadn't found any trace of his younger siblings in the Butterfly Mansion, so he asked Shinobu.
Shinobu, who had been by Yoizumi's side since he woke up, never leaving him, thought for a moment. Usually at this time...
"They might have gone shopping with Miss Aoi."
"Yoizumi, please wait a moment, Tanjirou and the others should be back soon."
"I see..." Yoizumi, holding Shinobu's hand, walked along the long corridor of the Butterfly Mansion and noticed that even the little girls weren't there. The large Butterfly Mansion was very quiet.
Noticing Yoizumi's confusion, Shinobu explained.
"I sent Xiao Qing and the others to school."
Yoizumi tilted his head in confusion. Why did he suddenly send them to school?
Shinobu swung their clasped hands, a gentle smile always on her face. She was clearly in a very pleasant mood at the moment.
"They are still young. If they go to school and acquire more knowledge, they will have the opportunity to know a wider world in the future."
"Even if they don't want to stay in the Butterfly Mansion later, knowledge will allow them to know what they truly want to do."
Yoizumi looked at Shinobu, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his face.
His Shinobu was a very, very good person...
"What a pity..." Shinobu suddenly looked at Yoizumi with a mischievous smile, watching his face show confusion because of her words. Her smile grew wider, and she raised her hand to poke Yoizumi's face.
"Our Yoizumi is a fool, he can only revolve around me from now on."
Gazing at Shinobu gently, Yoizumi raised his hand to gently grasp Shinobu's mischievous hand, tightening their hold once more.
"It's okay, that's exactly what I want."
"I only want to be with the person I love."
Family... loved ones... as long as they are by his side, then Yoizumi thought... no matter what the future holds, the days will be beautiful.
"..."
"I really don't know who he learned that from..." Shinobu mumbled softly, blushing and turning her head away. Yoizumi could only see Shinobu's rosy ears and flushed face.
Yoizumi chuckled, continuing to stroll with Shinobu along the long corridor. This path, he would have to walk for a very, very long time to finish, wouldn't he... Arriving at the entrance of Shinobu's room, Yoizumi suddenly remembered the konpeito he had promised Nezuko before he fell unconscious. He looked up at the sky; it was still early, and buying it with Instant Shadow would only take a few minutes.
"Shinobu, I'm going to buy konpeito for Nezuko. I'll be right back."
"Okay." Reluctantly letting go of his hand, Shinobu responded softly.
The Yoizumi in front of her instantly vanished. Shinobu looked at the spot where he disappeared, feeling a momentary sense of loss. Could she really not bear even this brief separation... even after experiencing such a long wait... Just as she turned around, a familiar presence came from behind her. Shinobu turned her head blankly and saw Yoizumi, who had only been gone for a few tens of seconds, reappear. Seeing his empty hands, she asked in confusion.
"Where's the konpeito?"
"I forgot to bring money." Yoizumi only then remembered that all his money was with Shinobu.
"Pfft..." Shinobu suddenly let out a laugh. After a while, she took a banknote from her pocket and handed it to Yoizumi.
However, Yoizumi didn't take it but firmly held Shinobu's hand.
"Can I ask Shinobu... to come with me?"
"Because I've realized, I don't want to be separated from Shinobu..."
Shinobu's brows slowly relaxed, her beautiful purple eyes filled with tenderness, and she squeezed Yoizumi's hand back.
What a coincidence... me too...
"Heh heh! I'm first!" Inosuke shouted as he rushed into the Butterfly Mansion, then turned around and looked at the others walking behind him with a triumphant expression.
"Nobody's competing with you," Zenitsu said grumpily, carrying a basket of vegetables. He helplessly pointed to the basket in his hand, scolding, "Look, you've squashed all the vegetables!"
Kanzaki Aoi took Inosuke's basket. After a careful inspection, she sighed softly. She knew this would happen, which was why she was reluctant to entrust the basket to Inosuke, but he insisted on showing off.
"Inosuke, then you'll have to deal with these vegetables yourself."
"Wh-what! No way!" Inosuke looked as if he'd been struck by lightning.
"Then I won't make you tempura to eat," Kanzaki Aoi's light remark completely deflated Inosuke. He lowered his head and spoke in a muffled voice.
"I understand..."
"It's okay, Inosuke, I'll help you."
Tanjirou patted Inosuke's shoulder, a gentle expression on his sunny face.
In response, Inosuke decided to snatch one less of Tanjirou's tempura next time.
"Kanao, let's go to the kitchen together." Nezuko pulled Kanao's hand. Today, she noticed Kanao seemed distracted, so she specifically invited her to visit the market.
Now, seeing Kanao still in a daze, Nezuko was a bit worried.
"Kanao?"
Kanao snapped out of her daze, blinking rapidly. She instinctively smiled, looked at Nezuko, nodded, and followed Nezuko to the kitchen. She looked at the pickled ginger side dish she had specially bought for her sister in her arms.
I wonder how my sister is doing now... She also didn't want to disturb her sister and Yoizumi-san's time alone... After getting drunk yesterday, she'll probably have a headache today... I'll make her a bowl of ginger tea...
Tanjirou and the others carried the vegetable baskets to the kitchen. Looking at the ingredients inside, Tanjirou asked.
"Miss Aoi, are you making ohagi?"
Kanzaki Aoi washed her hands, arranged the ingredients, nodded, and began to explain.
"It's the Autumn Equinox soon, so I wanted to make some ohagi for everyone to eat."
"After all, everyone will be going home then..."
Going home... The Autumn Equinox usually involved a few things.
Reuniting with family... visiting family graves... Tanjirou and Nezuko had already agreed to return to Mount Kumotori...
What a pity... Tanjirou's crimson eyes drooped slightly, revealing a hint of loneliness... What a pity that this time, Yoizumi-nii still couldn't go back with them...
"That's right... I also need to go back and visit my grandfather." Actually, Zenitsu didn't spend much time at the Butterfly Mansion. For a long time, he would stay in Peach Mountain, accompanying his grandfather.
His grandfather was old and had no relatives by his side. What Zenitsu had to do was to ensure his grandfather lived out his twilight years peacefully.
Now, it was the usually boisterous and noisy Inosuke who remained silent. With his head covered by his mask, his expression was completely hidden.
Go home?
Where was his home?
"Inosuke~"
A woman appeared in his mind, gently calling his name, smiling and kissing his cheek.
"Mom will definitely take good care of you alone! Don't worry."
"..."
Without your care, this great me is still living well!
"Inosuke." Kanzaki Aoi stood behind Inosuke with her hands on her hips and pushed him.
"Go wash your hands. If you help out well, I'll make an exception and make you a few extra tempura today."
Inosuke raised his hand and pressed his mask tighter.
He wouldn't be bribed.
He just wanted to make better ohagi than those gluttons!
Hmph!
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