Xia Feng stared at Kanao in shock.
To be honest, when Kanao had just called him "Big Brother," his heart really did skip a beat.
After all, Kanao was incredibly cute—like a girl who had stepped straight out of a xianxia fairy tale, ethereal and pure.
When such a cute girl calls you big brother, who could possibly withstand it?
Even that famous fantasy powerhouse who likes rubbing lotus flames together ended up being conquered by a girl calling him "big brother," didn't he?
Under Kanao's gaze, Xia Feng lifted the blanket, stood up, and walked over to her.
He sat cross-legged beside her bedding.
Smiling, he looked at her.
Kanao blinked, unsure why he had suddenly come over.
"Kanao, I'm very happy that you'd think about me like that."
"But I hope you interact with others in the way that feels most comfortable and natural to you."
"I do like Nezuko. I do like girls with that 'little sister' vibe. But that doesn't mean you have to become like her."
"You are Kanao—the serious and diligent Kanao who strives to grow stronger in order to repay Shinobu for her kindness."
"And that Kanao… I like her very much too."
Xia Feng spoke earnestly as he looked at her.
Hearing his words, Kanao froze for a long time.
Then her small face slowly turned red.
She nodded firmly.
"I…"
Just as she began speaking, Xia Feng smiled again.
"Of course, if one day you want to change yourself and try living a different life than before, I'll support that too."
"People aren't NPCs. No one keeps the exact same personality forever. Everyone changes."
"As long as the reason for that change comes from your own desires and thoughts, then it's a good thing."
"And if one day you really do find me charming enough, safe enough, and you genuinely want to call me 'big brother'—then when that day comes and you say it again, I'll probably be so happy I'll float into the sky."
Hearing this, Kanao suddenly burst into laughter.
"If that's the case… then I might never be able to say it in my lifetime."
Xia Feng: "???"
For a moment, he seemed to hear the sound of his own heart shattering.
His image was pretty good, wasn't it?
Why did it seem so unimpressive in Kanao's eyes?
Clearly this was the world's fault!
With great sorrow and heaviness, Xia Feng silently sentenced the world to death.
Because of Kanao's words, he crawled back into his bedding with a heavy heart.
However, the moment he lay down, he heard movement behind him.
A small body slipped into the blanket and lay down behind him, gently hugging him.
At the same time, a system notification sounded.
[Kanao Tsuyuri's favorability increased. Level: Love. Reward: One Diamond Card Draw!]
Xia Feng took a deep breath.
His entire body stiffened like a stone.
Without turning around, he already knew—
Kanao was behind him.
He wanted to move, but his body felt like an ancient machine that hadn't been maintained for decades, grinding with rusty gears.
W-What the hell am I supposed to do now?!
Perhaps sensing Xia Feng's tension, Kanao—who had been very nervous—suddenly relaxed a little.
Maybe confidence really did come from comparison.
She moved her small head closer to Xia Feng's neck.
"Mr. Xia Feng… please sleep properly. It's cold, so sleeping together will be warmer…"
Hearing Kanao's voice, Xia Feng gradually calmed down.
He turned around and gently tapped her forehead.
Kanao instantly became just as stiff as he had been moments earlier.
Xia Feng smiled and lightly patted her back.
"Go to sleep. You're still young."
"When you grow up… then you can start looking forward to what comes after."
Hearing this, Kanao pursed her lips and lightly bumped Xia Feng with her head.
Before long, the two of them fell asleep together.
Early the next morning, Xia Feng woke up, washed up, and went to the open clearing in front of the house to practice swordsmanship.
Kanao had woken up even earlier than him.
But because she felt too embarrassed, she had run off somewhere.
Originally, Xia Feng had planned to spar with Urokodaki, but the old man was busy making breakfast, so Xia Feng didn't disturb him.
After practicing for a short while, Xia Feng saw Tanjiro walking out with his sword as well.
Seeing him, Tanjiro looked surprised.
"Mr. Xia Feng, you're already training this early?"
Xia Feng smiled.
"There are often critically injured patients sent to the Butterfly Estate at all hours, so my schedule isn't very stable. I wake up when I've slept enough, and sleep when I'm tired."
"But you're up pretty early too."
Tanjiro scratched his head and laughed.
"Actually, I usually train even earlier. But Master said the Final Selection isn't far away, so I shouldn't exhaust my stamina with excessive training. So… I took it a little easy today."
Xia Feng nodded.
After thinking for a moment, he beckoned to Tanjiro.
"Perfect timing. I need a sparring partner. Come try."
"Me?" Tanjiro looked surprised. "Is that okay?"
"No problem."
As he spoke, Xia Feng switched to a wooden sword.
Seeing this, Tanjiro suddenly remembered the masked boy.
If it hadn't been for Sabito, he might never have qualified for the Final Selection.
Thinking of that, Tanjiro took a deep breath.
He didn't childishly ask why Xia Feng had chosen a wooden sword.
After regulating his breathing, he attacked without hesitation.
"Water Breathing—Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"
With a step forward, he rushed toward Xia Feng.
Blue-white waves surged along the blade, forming a sharp water-like edge!
Xia Feng nodded slightly.
Tanjiro's Water Breathing was executed quite well—it was even pleasing to watch.
He didn't move at first.
Only when Tanjiro closed the distance—
Golden lightning suddenly burst beneath Xia Feng's feet!
Crack!!
His body traced a twisting arc of lightning, circling around Tanjiro.
From behind, he lightly tapped Tanjiro's back with the wooden sword.
Tanjiro's attack instantly collapsed, and he nearly tripped over himself!
But even in surprise, Tanjiro continued fighting.
Using the momentum of his unsteady body, he rolled forward.
"Water Breathing—Second Form: Water Wheel!"
Facing the upward slash, Xia Feng didn't dodge.
Instead, he swung downward.
"Flower Breathing—Fourth Form: Crimson Hanagoromo!"
Water and petals burst apart in a dazzling clash!
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