"Sun Breathing, Fifth Form — Flame Tiger!"
"Flower Breathing, Fourth Form — Crimson Hanagoromo!"
Two different voices rang out at the same time.
Wooden swords clashed. A small figure and a much curvier one crossed paths. The smaller one was clearly at a disadvantage in raw strength. She used the force from the clash to slide backward, then began circling her opponent with quick, agile steps, looking for an opening.
Mitsuri stayed calm in the center, refusing to chase. She simply waited, letting Nezuko come to her.
It had only been a little over ten days since Shuya brought them both to the Butterfly Mansion, yet the results were obvious. The two girls had pushed each other hard. Shuya's reward-and-punishment system had lit a fire under both of them. Their forms were still rough in places, but their breathing rhythms were already surprisingly solid for beginners.
What surprised everyone was the choice of styles.
Despite Kanae's strong recommendation, the petite Nezuko had chosen to learn the ancestral Sun Breathing instead of Flower Breathing. Meanwhile, Mitsuri — who had incredible physical talent — had decided to study Flower Breathing with Kanae because she loved the beautiful image of flower petals dancing around the user.
She wanted Shuya to see her looking elegant and beautiful in battle.
Classic Love Hashira thinking.
Outside the training area, Aoi knelt properly in front of Shuya and gave her report in a serious tone.
"Shuya-sama, the Demon Slayer Corps has approved your request to take all the ore used for forging Nichirin Blades after Muzan is defeated. As for using the Blue Spider Lily as bait to lure out Muzan, headquarters says they need a little more time to refine the plan—"
While her mouth moved professionally, her right hand had quietly slipped into Shuya's. Whenever Nezuko and Mitsuri were focused on their spar, Aoi would quickly lean in and steal a fast kiss on his cheek, then sit back with a perfectly straight face like nothing happened.
She was having way too much fun with this.
For various reasons, Aoi still hadn't gone all the way with Shuya yet. But she had clearly developed a taste for closeness. She just seemed to enjoy doing it like a sneaky cat — stealing moments while everyone else was distracted.
Shuya didn't comment on her behavior. He simply played with her soft fingers under the table, matching her energy.
"Shuya."
A gentle voice suddenly came from behind them.
Aoi's hand jerked back like she'd been shocked. She quickly stood up.
"That's all I had to report. I'll… take my leave now."
She bowed and tried to slip away.
"Aoi," Kanae called out softly.
Aoi didn't dare turn around. Head down, she hurried off like a guilty thief.
Kanae watched her go with a meaningful little smile, then walked over and sat down right beside Shuya, leaning against him naturally. She rested her head on his shoulder and took the hand Aoi had just been holding.
"Is it just me," she asked lightly, "or are you and Aoi hiding something from me?"
Shuya wrapped an arm around her waist without any guilt.
"You can guess."
Kanae narrowed her eyes, clearly seeing through everything, but chose not to press the issue.
"I won't guess," she said with a soft laugh, then changed the subject. "I came to watch my cute little Nezuko and Mitsuri-chan train."
At that exact moment, Nezuko glanced over and got distracted. Mitsuri immediately seized the opening and knocked the wooden sword from her hands.
"I won!"
Mitsuri beamed and dragged a slightly sulky Nezuko over to Shuya.
Kanae smiled warmly at them both.
Shuya praised Mitsuri with a kiss on the cheek, then gently patted Nezuko's head.
"Don't pout. You did well too."
Nezuko's expression softened a little. After getting permission, she climbed onto Shuya's lap and leaned back against his chest, letting him hold her.
Shuya sat there with Kanae on one side and Nezuko on his lap, enjoying the moment.
Then a crow appeared in the sky above them.
" Asakusa! Asakusa! Lady Tamayo invites Lord Shuya to meet her in Asakusa three nights from now!"
" Asakusa! Asakusa! Lady Tamayo invites Lord Shuya to meet her in Asakusa three nights from now!"
Shuya looked up at the crow.
Finally.
The meeting with Tamayo was set.