" Mitsuba, what did you come to find me for this time?"
Without any superfluous nonsense, Michikatsu cut straight to the point.
He knew his younger sister's personality all too well. If it weren't for something she needed his help with, she absolutely would never come looking for him normally.
[Catching up on old times?]
[What old times are there to catch up on?]
[Your sister is out here living freely and happily, old man don't come bother me...]
[Also, are there any important recent news? Hurry up and tell me, the newspaper office is still waiting to publish them!]
Yes, this was precisely Mitsuba's temperament...
"I indeed wanted to ask dear brother for a small favor~ It's just that Doma and I recently wanted to cause some entertainment for the Demon Slayer Corps, and don't know if dear brother would be willing to participate..."
Mitsuba explained with a smile.
As she spoke, Nakime rose and stepped forward, skillfully taking the suit jackets that Michikatsu and Gyutaro had taken off, and conveniently prepared slippers for the two of them to change into.
Yes, Nakime was also here at this moment.
Times had changed. Nowadays, Nakime's appearance had also undergone great changes from the past.
She not only wore makeup and had her hair styled in a bound updo with hairpins inserted, but that once worn black kimono had now been replaced with a black-and-gold printed kimono.
Her entire temperament had greatly transformed—completely becoming the image of the Yamato Nadeshiko that traditional island nation culture revered.
After being inexplicably elected as a House of Representatives member, considering that he would need to deeply integrate into human society for a long time to come, Michikatsu quickly began working to perfect his social identity.
And the most important aspect of this was his personal marriage problem.
As a young councilor, Michikatsu was well aware that he would inevitably need to accept various interviews and expose himself before people in the future.
To avoid arousing suspicion and simultaneously avoid some unnecessary troubles.
Michikatsu believed it was necessary to first establish himself as "having a family and career," nipping in the bud any potential situations of being recruited as a son-in-law in the future.
It wasn't that Michikatsu disliked women—just that as a demon, having a human wife by his side was truly somewhat inconvenient...
So then, among the Upper Rank demons of the Twelve Kizuki, was there any demon suitable to play the role of his wife?
First, Lord Muzan was absolutely impossible.
Although Lord Muzan also frequently appeared in female identities, this was after all his lord. Michikatsu would never do something so offensive.
Second, Mitsuba was out of the question.
His younger sister was naturally carefree and loved freedom. No need to even think about it—she definitely wouldn't be willing to do this kind of boring thing, accompanying him to those tedious occasions all day.
As for Daki, which was Gyutaro's younger sister Ume...
Mm, let's forget about children.
After much consideration, Michikatsu finally set his sights on Nakime.
Yes, Nakime was the only suitable choice Michikatsu could find by his side.
Not to mention that the two of them already had experience playing husband and wife two hundred years ago, more importantly, Nakime had absolutely no reservations about this aspect.
Not only was she herself willing to engage in this kind of roleplay, but her personal temperament was also very mature, unlike Daki who still had a young girl's disposition.
At the same time, Nakime's personality was completely unlike Mitsuba's jumpiness.
For this kind of life where she sat at home all day when there was nothing to do, and had to accompany him to various social occasions and endless socializing when there was something, Nakime's acceptance was very high.
Thus, after comprehensive consideration of all factors, two hundred years later, Michikatsu and Nakime once again assumed the roles of husband and wife.
"How long do you plan to make trouble for?"
Sitting opposite them, quietly listening to Mitsuba's explanation, Michikatsu asked in a deep voice.
"This mainly depends on the situation. Short as a few months, long as a few years or so..."
Mitsuba's tone was uncertain.
Michikatsu fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then finally shook his head.
"Recent political situations are turbulent, and the town's development is also imminent. There are many meetings I need to attend.
Sorry, Mitsuba, I'm afraid I cannot spare that much time."
Mitsuba was not surprised by her elder brother's tactful refusal.
After all, since being elected councilor a few years ago, Michikatsu seemed to have finally found something he wanted to do, investing massive amounts of time and energy into this identity.
Therefore, if it was merely for the purpose of accompanying his younger sister in some idle mischief, it naturally would be impossible to make Michikatsu abandon everything he was currently managing.
Although slightly regretful about this result, Mitsuba still felt quite gratified by her elder brother's positive attitude toward life.
"Then, would Gyutaro like to go together?"
Mitsuba turned her gaze to Gyutaro, who was sitting nearby.
Ever since she threw this pair of siblings to her elder brother over a hundred years ago, Gyutaro and Michikatsu had grown closer and closer.
Every time Michikatsu appeared, Gyutaro would inevitably follow behind him.
Oh my~
That little fellow who once came from the lowest depths of the pleasure district, illiterate, who could only make a living collecting debts for others—now he had actually leaped up to become the personal secretary of a government official?
This was truly a heaven-and-earth transformation~
"Um... Miss Mitsuba, I also need to accompany Lord Kokushibo to many meetings recently..."
Facing Mitsuba's inquiry, Gyutaro replied somewhat embarrassedly.
"Uwaa~ Why does it feel like everyone around is getting busier and busier? Truly makes one feel lonely."
Saying this as if in jest, Mitsuba smiled and shook her head, standing up.
"Alright then, Doma and I will go look for others..."
"Younger sister Mitsuba, are you leaving so soon? Won't you stay here tonight?"
Nearby, Nakime suddenly spoke up and asked, her voice gentle.
"No need, Amei. Taking advantage of the night, I can just go catch our old friend Hantengu."
"Then shall I send you off?"
"That won't be necessary. Appreciating the scenery along the road while traveling—this is also one of life's enjoyments~"
Speaking thus, Mitsuba and Doma had already walked to the door.
Considering that several hundred years ago, his willful and reckless younger sister had once nearly died from a Demon Slayer Corps ambush.
Michikatsu originally wanted to speak up and remind Mitsuba to be careful.
But upon seeing Doma with his big blinking eyes beside Mitsuba, after some hesitation, he chose to remain silent.
If Doma was also there, presumably nothing should go wrong...
After all, with Mitsuba and Doma's Blood Demon Arts, it was impossible for any demon slayer in this world to simultaneously defeat the two of them.
Moreover, even if something unexpected really happened, there was still Amei's Blood Demon Art...
"Then younger sister Mitsuba, be careful on the road."
"I know~"
"Ah~ right right~"
As if suddenly remembering something, Doma—who had just walked out a few steps—suddenly turned back to look at Gyutaro standing at the doorway and smiled:
"Lord Gyutaro, the new movie that Ume filmed will be released in a week. As Ume's elder brother, you must remember to go to the cinema to watch it then~"
"Y-Yes! I definitely will!"
Unlike his elder brother Gyutaro, as the younger sister, Ume had been lured away from the dojo by Doma—who harbored a "director's dream"—starting over a decade ago.
These two, one specializing as director and one as actress, thus began their entertainment industry dreams.
To this day, this pair's combination had become quite famous throughout the island nation's entertainment industry.
Walking the streets of Tokyo, one could occasionally see movie promotional posters for Ume.
Everyone has a bright future.
Of course, except for a certain demon...