The blush on Kanroji Mitsuri's face instantly faded. She put her hands together awkwardly and said, "Um, sorry, but you're not really my type."
Zenitsu instantly turned to stone, falling straight sideways.
"Zenitsu!!!" Tanjirou let out a cry of sorrow.
Mizuki rubbed her forehead.
What are these idiots doing... The quietest one right now is Inosuke, who is silently eating.
Kochou Shinobu smiled slightly: "I know the type Mitsuri likes~"
"Ah, no! Little Shinobu, don't say it!" Kanroji Mitsuri instantly panicked, swinging her arms up and down.
Kochou Shinobu covered her mouth in surprise: "Eh? I thought Mitsuri wanted to share it with everyone."
Kanroji Mitsuri blushed bright red, subconsciously glancing at the boys.
Tanjirou instantly understood.
Oh, this must be what they call a girl's little secret?
"Alright, Zenitsu, Inosuke, let's go take food to Genya." Tanjirou thoughtfully pulled Zenitsu and Inosuke away.
"Wait, I haven't eaten yet..."
"...Whatever."
After the boys left, Kanroji Mitsuri finally looked at Kochou Shinobu and Mizuki with a shy expression.
Mizuki:...What a strange feeling.
A secret little group of girls.
Besides Tamayo, she didn't have many close friends before, and Tamayo was also quite reserved and wouldn't be as shameless as Mizuki.
"Well... that..." Kanroji Mitsuri covered her face shyly as she spoke, "I talked to Miss Mizuki during the Hashira Meeting."
Mizuki:...Although she also thought it was a Hashira, how could she remember who she talked to back then?
If she hadn't already ruled out one troublesome person, she might have suspected Shinazugawa.
Someone who talked to her... The Serpent Hashira was completely antagonistic towards her, so rule him out.
Uzui Tengen also spoke, but he has wives, so rule him out.
"Kyoujurou?"
"Eh?"
"That's not right? Then the Mist Hashira?"
Kochou Shinobu couldn't help but interject: "Mizuki, Tokito is only fourteen years old."
Kanroji Mitsuri's face turned crimson: "It's Mr. Iguro!"
If she let Mizuki keep guessing, she wouldn't be able to face anyone!
Mizuki paused, Iguro?
Ah, that gloomy snake-playing brat.
Mizuki's expression was subtle: "That guy, huh."
Their personalities are completely opposite.
One is sunny and cheerful, the other is dark and subdued.
You guys really know how to have fun.
Kanroji Mitsuri cupped her flushed face: "Mr. Iguro is a very kind person."
Kochou Shinobu smiled: "Well, this is what they call beauty being in the eye of the beholder."
You used that allusion quite well.
Mizuki glanced at her.
Kanroji Mitsuri giggled foolishly, making Mizuki's eye twitch.
Just like a girls' dormitory before bedtime, the topic always turns to boys.
After chatting for a while, everyone left the dining hall, full and satisfied.
They happened to meet Tanjirou and the other two returning with rice balls.
Tanjirou looked regretful: "We couldn't find him..."
Kochou Shinobu comforted him: "Well, if he's hungry, he knows where to find food, don't worry."
Tanjirou nodded.
Kanroji Mitsuri's face glowed with a blush: "Little Shinobu, do you want to sleep with me tonight?"
Kochou Shinobu's eyelid twitched: "No, I refuse."
"Eh? That's mean~ I finally..."
Before Kanroji Mitsuri could finish complaining, a member of the Kakushi came up to them.
"Lady Kanroji, your blade is almost finished being polished. Please come to the workshop for the final adjustments."
Kanroji Mitsuri was a little disappointed: "Oh dear, I have to leave already."
Although it was still nighttime, the Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen couldn't rest freely.
"See you next time, everyone." Kanroji Mitsuri smiled as she looked at them, "Though I don't know if we'll meet alive again."
"Let's all do our best."
Mizuki was slightly stunned; she seemed to have been mistaken.
This young girl... already possesses resolve.
"Bye-bye~" Kanroji Mitsuri smiled, waved goodbye to everyone, and disappeared down the corridor.
After Kanroji left, Kochou Shinobu took on the responsibility of a guardian: "It's late. Everyone should go back and rest."
"Mhm, see you tomorrow."
After watching Tanjirou and the other two leave, Kochou Shinobu smiled sweetly at Mizuki and asked, "We walked all day, want to go soak in the hot spring?"
At this hour, there shouldn't be anyone there.
"Mhm." Mizuki nodded slightly.
She had walked all day, and although she hadn't sweated, her body felt a little uncomfortable.
"Let's go then. The change of clothes is in the suitcase." Kochou Shinobu raised the suitcase beside her.
"Mhm."
Mizuki had no objections.
It was deep into the quiet night, and the Swordsmith Village was peaceful, with only a few night patrols occasionally visible.
The two followed the steps to the hot spring, and a wave of heat drifted out from the water.
Mizuki suddenly became conflicted.
Logically, it should be perfectly normal for two girls to take a hot spring bath together, right?
But she felt like something was wrong with herself.
She felt embarrassed.
If she refused, would Shinobu think it was strange?
Kochou Shinobu drew the Nichirin Blade from her waist and set it aside, then searched the box for a change of yukata.
Kochou Shinobu pulled out a black yukata from the box and held it up in front of Mizuki: "I brought this one for Mizuki. What do you think?"
"Ah? Mhm." Mizuki snapped out of her thoughts and answered subconsciously.
She looked up and saw an exquisite yukata that was entirely black with subtle gold edges, looking quite expensive.
Mizuki had very few changes of clothes, and definitely no yukata.
So Kochou Shinobu had prepared it this time.
"As long as you like it." Kochou Shinobu put down the yukata; her cheeks seemed flushed from the hot steam.
Like it?
She didn't really care about things like that... Kochou Shinobu urged, "Alright, hurry up and take off your clothes. It's late, let's finish soaking and go back soon."
The progress was a bit too fast, leaving Mizuki slightly overwhelmed.
But listening to Kochou Shinobu's calm voice, Mizuki gritted her teeth.
It's normal.
This is a perfectly normal thing.
Mizuki turned her back to Kochou Shinobu and rustled as she removed her clothes.
She could guarantee that if she were bathing with Kanroji, she wouldn't be this nervous.
Her body seemed to have become scorching hot.
Just as Mizuki was lost in her wild thoughts, Kochou Shinobu behind her cast a subtle, appraising gaze.
Ah~ Mizuki's skin is so fair.
I really want to try hugging her.
Kochou Shinobu involuntarily thought of Kanroji Mitsuri, who had been freely playing with Nezuko in the dining hall earlier.
If only she could be that bold.
While Kochou Shinobu was in a daze, she suddenly heard the sound of someone entering the water.
By the time she snapped back to reality, Mizuki had already hidden her body underwater.
Kochou Shinobu: Too fast!!!
She hadn't finished looking!
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