After hearing Kochou Shinobu's words, Mizuki couldn't help but show a hint of confusion: "Kokushibou should be a major enemy of the Demon Slayer Corps, right?"
"Why is Shinobu speaking up for him?"
"Because..." Kochou Shinobu looked at her with clear eyes, a smile appearing on her face, "Mizuki seems very troubled."
Mizuki froze, subconsciously avoiding her gaze.
Her heart was pounding with a slight flutter.
What does she mean?
Could it be Shinobu... Her mind was fuzzy, but Kochou Shinobu continued: "Even if they become a demon, family is still family."
"Isn't that the principle Mizuki taught me?"
Mizuki recovered her senses and shook her head with a complex expression: "But Kokushibou is different from Yae and the others..."
He chose to become a demon.
That alone is unforgivable, not to mention the people he's devoured over the years.
Kochou Shinobu's eyes shifted slightly, subtly observing Mizuki's expression: "So, has Mizuki made her decision?"
"Yes... The next time we meet, it will be a fight to the death." Personally sending Kokushibou off was the only thing she could do.
Kochou Shinobu pursed her lips, just about to say something, but was suddenly interrupted by Mizuki.
Mizuki rubbed her stomach: "Speaking of which, is there anything to eat? I suddenly feel a bit hungry."
"Eh? Hungry?" Kochou Shinobu looked stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted and nodded, "Wait just a moment."
Saying this, she stood up and left.
After sending Kochou Shinobu away, Mizuki slowly let out a long breath.
Although she was touched that Shinobu could be so considerate of her, she also didn't want to cause others to worry.
Moreover, Shinobu's concern might lead to a misunderstanding on her part.
To avoid awkwardness, it was better to change the subject.
Before long, Kochou Shinobu returned to the corridor, her footsteps soft.
"Is this enough?"
"If not, I can go get more."
Mizuki turned her head and saw that Shinobu was carrying several blood bags in each hand.
Mizuki gave a wry smile: "So Shinobu still doesn't know?"
"Know what?" Kochou Shinobu looked confused.
"Actually..."
Mizuki told Kochou Shinobu about the research results from Tamayo's side.
Kochou Shinobu's eyes and mouth widened slightly, and after a long time, she sighed with admiration: "Miss Tamayo is truly amazing."
"To be able to achieve something like this."
Mizuki rarely saw her like this, and smiled: "So, is there something to eat?"
"There are still some desserts left over that Aoi made earlier, wait a moment." Kochou Shinobu also laughed and turned toward the kitchen.
Before long, she came out carrying a tray, which, besides the tempting pastries, also held two cups of steaming Flower Tea.
Kochou Shinobu placed the tray between them and sat down: "Would you like to try it? I carefully cultivated this Flower Tea."
Kochou Shinobu looked at Mizuki with anticipation.
After learning Mizuki's true identity, Kochou Shinobu rarely enjoyed Afternoon Tea in front of Mizuki.
Unless Tanjirou and Kanao and everyone else were present.
Other than that, she had never done this when she was alone with Mizuki.
It must be said that Shinobu is truly meticulous.
Under Kochou Shinobu's expectant gaze, Mizuki picked up the teacup, blew on the surface heat, and took a small sip.
As soon as Mizuki took a drink, Kochou Shinobu eagerly asked: "How is it?"
"It's very delicious."
Kochou Shinobu smiled brightly: "That's good."
Kochou Shinobu cradled the Flower Tea and drank it in small sips. The rustling sound of insects echoed in the weeds of the courtyard, and occasionally a cool breeze drifted over from the sky.
Time seemed to stand still.
Feeling the cool breeze, Mizuki suddenly remembered what had happened recently in Tamayo's Laboratory.
She couldn't help but touch her own arm.
The temperature felt normal on her skin; otherwise, she should have noticed it long ago.
Kochou Shinobu, holding a pastry, looked over with a curious expression: "Mizuki?"
Mizuki shook her head: "It's nothing, just something I'm thinking about."
"Thinking about what?"
Adhering to the principle of telling everything, Mizuki informed Kochou Shinobu about what had happened earlier in the Laboratory.
Kochou Shinobu blinked, somewhat surprised: "The blood temperature dropped to negative seventy degrees Celsius?"
"Yes, that's what Tamayo said."
Kochou Shinobu asked aloud: "Can I see?"
Mizuki was startled: "How would you look?"
Kochou Shinobu quickly shoved the pastry into her mouth in two bites, stuffing her cheeks, and then extended her slender fingers.
She swallowed the pastry with difficulty and said, "Give me your hand."
Mizuki didn't think too much of it and extended both hands.
Kochou Shinobu grabbed her hands and ran her touch up her arms.
After feeling it, she said: "Based on the surface temperature, although it's much lower than a normal person's body temperature, it shouldn't be reaching sub-zero temperatures."
"However, since Miss Tamayo said so, then it should be correct."
"Was Mizuki like this at the time? Had you undergone Demonization?" Kochou Shinobu asked, tilting her head and looking up at Mizuki.
Mizuki replied straightforwardly: "No."
Kochou Shinobu pursed her lips: "Then, could Mizuki try Demonization?"
"I think the blood should change further under the state of Demonization."
"Demonization, huh..."
"Is that not possible?"
"No, it's not impossible..." Mizuki hesitated for a moment, concentrating her energy within her body.
Kochou Shinobu watched intently, not even blinking.
Under the moonlight, Mizuki's wine-red long hair rapidly turned white. Fine blue veins appeared on her originally flawless, pale arms and extended along her blood vessels, and her dark fingernails grew slightly longer.
Her wine-red Double Pupils gradually merged, transforming into golden eyes, with the whites of her eyes replaced by black.
Two grotesque demon horns, like tree branches, jutted out high from her head.
Perhaps it was an illusion caused by the demon horns, but in Kochou Shinobu's eyes, Mizuki's height seemed to have increased again.
Mizuki exhaled: "Is this alright now?"
"Ah, yes." Kochou Shinobu snapped back to attention and reached out her hands toward Mizuki's arms again.
So cold... If Mizuki's body temperature was only slightly low before, touching her now—though not like ice—was definitely not the warmth a living person could emit.
Kochou Shinobu pondered for a moment: "It seems that in your Demonized state, your blood temperature must have dropped even further."
"Theoretically, extreme environments affect the speed of cell regeneration and division, whether it's extreme heat or extreme cold."
Kochou Shinobu's eyes lit up: "I think Miss Tamayo was right. If this continues, Mizuki's blood might really be able to replace the function of the scarlet blade."
"Yes, I think so too."
This is a good thing for both Mizuki and the Demon Slayer Corps.
In fact, they could start trying to extract her blood for experiments right now.
As long as there is sufficient energy replenishment, there is no need to worry about blood loss being too great for short-term supply.
Mizuki was just thinking about visiting Tamayo tomorrow when Kochou Shinobu suddenly stammered in front of her.
"Um... Mizuki..."
"What's wrong?" Mizuki subconsciously looked up, only to see a suspicious blush on Kochou Shinobu's face, her gaze fixed blankly on the top of Mizuki's head.
Mizuki followed her gaze and looked up at the ceiling. There was nothing there?
"Um, can I touch them?"
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