Demon Slayers: Swordsman
Chapter 20
Kanae looked at Mitsuri, her expression calm as she continued. "With the first slash, Doma lost his arm. The next slash took his leg… and by the third—he was beheaded without even realizing how."
Mitsuri's eyes widened, filled with amazement. "He… really killed the second strongest demon that easily?"
Kanae nodded. "Yes. And after that, that idiot walked up to me… and started squeezing my cheeks."
Mitsuri blinked, completely caught off guard. "W-What?"
Kanae's lips twitched slightly. "I was so shocked that I couldn't even react at first. And when I did… I drew my sword and attacked him out of pure anger."
Mitsuri didn't know whether to laugh or be confused.
Kanae continued, her tone turning more exasperated. "And that's not all. Shinobu arrived after hearing I encountered Doma. That guy dodged my attacks… went straight to her… and hugged her, calling her cute like she was some doll."
Mitsuri's mouth twitched slightly, her expression stiffening.
"Then we stayed at a wisteria house to get permission from Master to bring him to headquarters," Kanae said. "All the way there… he kept flirting with both me and Shinobu."
Mitsuri fell silent, her thoughts spiraling.
Was everything he said… just a joke? Did he really mean it when he said my hair was beautiful? Does he actually not think I'm weird…?
Her eyes slowly filled with tears as doubt crept into her heart.
Kanae watched her quietly before continuing in a softer tone. "But… his attitude completely changes around others."
Mitsuri looked up at her.
"He's not like that with everyone," Kanae said. "That flirty, unguarded side of his… he only shows it in front of people he's comfortable with."
Mitsuri's breathing slowed slightly as she listened.
Kanae met her gaze and spoke gently. "And then… a girl appeared."
Mitsuri froze.
"He cooked for her," Kanae continued. "It was the first time I saw him enjoy cooking that much."
Mitsuri's heart trembled, her moist eyes reflecting disbelief.
"Every morning, he used to train alone," Kanae said. "But when that girl came… he waited for her. Trained with her. And today… he's cooking breakfast for her."
Mitsuri's fingers clenched slightly on her lap.
Kanae sighed softly. "I'm a little jealous of you."
Mitsuri looked at her in shock.
"It's not like he treats us badly," Kanae continued. "But you… you receive his attention without even trying."
Mitsuri's face turned red, her heart pounding uncontrollably.
Kanae's expression became more serious. "But if you want to stay with him… you need to be prepared."
"P-Prepared?" Mitsuri asked, confused.
At that moment, Shinobu quietly sat beside her. "We are already in a relationship with him."
"W-What!?" Mitsuri's mind went blank as she stared at her in disbelief.
Shinobu smiled gently, though her words were direct. "If you want to stay with him… you'll become our sister. And with his pace… there might be more in the future."
"W-Wait…" Mitsuri held her head, overwhelmed by everything she had just heard.
Kanae placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Take your time. He'll wait for your answer."
She smiled warmly. "But we wanted you to know the truth before you decide anything."
Before Mitsuri could respond, a familiar voice spoke from behind them.
"And no matter what your answer is… my attitude toward you won't change."
Mitsuri turned around quickly.
Ren stood there, his expression calm but serious in a way she had never seen before.
"Mitsuri… I like you," he said honestly. "I want you to be with me. But I'm already selfish enough to ask you to share me with others."
He stepped closer, his gaze steady. "So I want you to decide for yourself… whether you still want to be with me, even knowing I'm selfish… a pervert… and an idiot."
Mitsuri's heart trembled as she listened.
Ren's expression softened. "You're very kind, Mitsuri. I don't know what kind of idiot rejected you before… but he was blind."
He smiled gently. "If it were me… I would've begged you to marry me."
"Don't ever think you're weird," he added quietly. "You're perfect."
Mitsuri's face turned completely red, her heart racing uncontrollably as tears gathered in her eyes.
She looked down, gripping her clothes tightly before speaking in a trembling voice.
"I… I…"
She took a deep breath, her emotions overflowing.
"I've always been told I'm strange… that my hair is weird… that I eat too much…" she said, her voice shaking. "I thought… no one would ever truly accept me."
She slowly looked up at Ren, her eyes shining with tears.
"But you… you said I'm perfect…"
Her lips trembled before she spoke again, this time with a shy but genuine smile.
"I… I don't really understand everything yet… and I'm still confused…"
She clenched her fists slightly, gathering her courage.
"But… I don't want to run away."
Mitsuri's face turned red as she looked at all three of them.
"I want to stay… and learn more about you… about all of you…"
She hesitated for a moment before adding softly—
"And… if you'll have me… I want to stay here continue being Ren's student."