"Mizuki... she's so tiny, like a little animal..." Kochou Shinobu hugged Mizuki close, her face flushed crimson.
Mizuki's tender, rosy little face was filled with both shame and anger as she said, "Can you stop using 'zhī' (a measure word for small animals) to describe me?"
Even if you see me as a demon, you should use 'yītóu' (a measure word for large animals/beasts) to refer to me.
Using 'zhī' makes her feel like she has absolutely no dignity.
Kochou Shinobu avoided the demon horns atop her head, hugging and rubbing against her repeatedly, saying in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "Because... Mizuki is truly adorable."
Even if I'm adorable, you shouldn't use 'zhī' to describe me!
Mizuki, her face numb, was rubbed against repeatedly. She sighed inwardly, then, thinking of the demon horns on her head, couldn't help but ask with concern, "Be careful not to get poked by the horns while holding me like this. Should I retract them?"
Kochou Shinobu rubbed against her again and quickly replied, "No need. After shrinking, the tips of the demon horns have become much rounder; they won't poke you."
I absolutely don't want you to retract them; this is the best way.
Mizuki was completely numb.
What exactly is so good about these horns?
She felt awful about it!
Kochou Shinobu hugged and rubbed against Mizuki like a pervert for a good while before finally feeling satisfied.
She asked with concern, "Mizuki, do you feel uncomfortable?"
Mizuki: "I'm fine."
It seemed she had had her fill of playing.
"That's good, hehe..."
Rub, rub, rub.
Mizuki: "..."
She really couldn't bring herself to say anything that would disappoint Shinobu.
Forget it. It's not like she's going to lose a piece of flesh anyway. Let her hug me.
Mizuki slowly closed her eyes. After calming down, she suddenly noticed Shinobu's body had become somewhat sticky, and she remembered that it was still summer now.
With them covered by a blanket and hugging, it would be strange if they weren't hot.
Mizuki didn't mind; she wasn't afraid of the heat and couldn't sweat.
But Shinobu must be uncomfortable like this. It's better to let her go back.
"Shinobu."
"Hmm?" Kochou Shinobu stopped moving.
"...Never mind. If you feel hot, I can lower the temperature."
"Lower the temperature?" Hearing Mizuki's words, Kochou Shinobu finally came to her senses and noticed her body was damp with sweat.
A strand of her beautiful hair stuck to her cheek, and her clothes clung to her skin; the stickiness was very uncomfortable.
Her slightly reddened face became even more flushed.
How embarrassing... Her body was drenched like this, and she had been hugging Mizuki the whole time.
It was bad enough she was uncomfortable, but her sweat had gotten onto Mizuki.
Mizuki paid no attention to Kochou Shinobu's embarrassment, as she had already begun lowering the temperature.
This was an ability Awakened after modifying her body, allowing her body temperature to become lower.
The basic principle was lowering the surface temperature by releasing Cold Qi from her blood.
Previously, although her blood temperature was also very cold, she couldn't affect the outside through her skin.
Mizuki's body temperature dropped rapidly, instantly cooling down Kochou Shinobu, whose mind had been muddled by the heat.
Ah... so comfortable... It was the perfect low temperature, like when you first lie down on a cold Straw Mat in the summer.
Moreover, unlike a Straw Mat, which heats up as soon as you lie on it.
Mizuki's body.
Was constant temperature!
Kochou Shinobu couldn't help but hug Mizuki tightly. She was icy cold, and the comfort relaxed her entire body.
Before she could even show an expression of comfort, she suddenly realized she was still sticky. She wanted to let go of Mizuki, but she couldn't bear to.
"Mizuki, does it feel bad? Being all sticky..."
"No." (A little, actually.)
Not wanting to make Kochou Shinobu feel awkward, Mizuki immediately changed the subject and asked, "Is this temperature suitable?"
She wasn't sure if the temperature was appropriate; it wouldn't be good if Shinobu woke up with a cold the next day.
"Mhm, it's very comfortable." Kochou Shinobu gently rubbed her chin against Mizuki's demon horns.
Alright, it looks like it's fine.
Mizuki lowered her eyelids slightly. She didn't actually want to be hugged by Shinobu; she just didn't want to disappoint her.
Anyway, she would only be hugged like this during the summer. She didn't have the ability to raise her temperature in winter... Wouldn't her normal body temperature be fine during winter?
Mizuki's mind started wandering.
Perhaps because she had 'cooled' down and calmed down, Kochou Shinobu finally quieted down slowly.
Noticing that Kochou Shinobu had no other movements, Mizuki also closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Unlike Nezuko, who needed to sleep to replenish her stamina, Mizuki didn't actually need to sleep.
But in this situation, she couldn't even meditate, so she might as well just sleep honestly... Early the next morning.
"Achoo~" Kochou Shinobu couldn't help but sneeze, shrugging her delicate, beautiful nose, where faint, transparent snot was faintly visible.
Tanjirou, eating his meal, scratched his head and said, "Young Miss Shinobu, did you catch a cold?"
Mizuki handed her a tissue with an apologetic look: "My apologies. I should have raised the temperature slightly."
"Nonsense, I kicked the blanket off in the middle of the night," Kochou Shinobu quickly shook her head.
She didn't want to lose this cool comfort just like that.
Kicking the blanket off... Tanjirou felt a bead of sweat. He felt the excuse was too casual.
Mizuki felt a bit awkward explaining the reasoning behind it, so she changed the topic and asked, "Has there been any progress communicating with Giyuu?"
"...No, Mr. Giyu is still the same," Tanjirou sighed upon hearing this, his tone showing a hint of disappointment.
Nezuko looked worried: "Could it be that you, Brother, are too clingy?"
"Kanae-nee said that if you pester someone too much, they won't like you."
Tanjirou had black lines covering his head: "That was referring to..."
He didn't know how to explain it.
Nezuko clearly didn't understand these things yet.
Mizuki said calmly, "Don't worry. For someone with Giyuu's personality, persistent, clinging concern is actually more suitable."
The enthusiasm returned to Tanjirou's face, and he nodded heavily: "Yes! That's what I thought too!"
"Mr. Giyu must also be hoping for others to care about him."
Kochou Shinobu's mouth twitched slightly. Does anyone really want such persistently clinging concern?
These past few days, aside from returning to eat, Tanjirou has been constantly hovering around behind Mr. Tomioka; she's seen it more than once when she was out.
It was obvious that Tomioka wanted to shake Tanjirou off at all times.
"The Special Training has been going on for several days! We can't waste any more time!" Tanjirou suddenly stood up, clenching his fists, though she didn't know what he had thought of. "Yosh! I'm heading out!"
After hastily greeting everyone, Tanjirou disappeared like a puff of smoke.
Mizuki watched his retreating figure and tilted her head: "He seems full of energy."
"Indeed~" Kochou Shinobu rested her elbows on the table, supporting her cheek.
Youth is truly wonderful~
"Go, Brother!" Nezuko clenched her fists, cheering on her older brother.
After sighing with emotion, Kochou Shinobu turned her head and said, "Mizuki, why don't you go back to bed after you finish eating?"
Mizuki's face flushed with embarrassment: "...I understand."
She was nearing despair.
She really could run and jump!
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