Did he overexert himself again?
After a quick check, Shinobu confirmed that Yoizumi was merely exhausted and had fallen asleep.
She gently smoothed Yoizumi's disheveled hair and tucked him in.
He truly worried her.
Slowly, she took off her rainbow-colored haori. After a tiring day, dragging Yoizumi back to the room had made her sweat, leaving her feeling sticky.
She decided to take a hot bath.
Untying the belt around her waist, her black Demon Slayer uniform fell to the floor, leaving her in only a thin undergarment. Shinobu's fair cheeks flushed slightly as she discreetly glanced at Yoizumi, who showed no signs of waking up.
Given that blockhead's personality, he would definitely tell her to be careful not to catch a cold.
Sighing, she removed her hair ornament, letting her black-purple hair cascade over her shoulders. Barefoot, she walked into the bathroom.
While Shinobu was bathing, Yoizumi turned over and stared blankly at the ceiling, coming to his senses after a while.
Here... the familiar scent of wisteria in the air, and the soft humming of a young girl filtering through the door, all told Yoizumi that he was back in Shinobu's room at the headquarters.
Who had brought him here?
He raised a hand that was noticeably smaller. For now, he decided to maintain the status quo.
He touched the back of his head. Although there was no wound, he inexplicably felt as if someone had hit him. His intuition was always accurate.
He propped himself up, and his clear sapphire eyes caught sight of the scattered clothes on the floor. His gaze flickered. He got out of bed, bent down, and picked up every single item.
When Shinobu emerged, wiping her wet hair with a towel, she saw Yoizumi sitting neatly by the bed, with his clothes folded tidily beside him.
A hint of a smile appeared in her beautiful eyes, and a faint smile curved her lips.
"You're awake," she said, sitting in front of the dressing mirror and beckoning Yoizumi to come over.
"Did Shinobu bring me back?" Yoizumi instinctively took the towel from Shinobu's hand, his movements unbelievably gentle as he carefully wiped his lover's hair.
"No, Mr. Shinazugawa brought you," she replied, half-closing her eyes and leaning her head back slightly, looking at Yoizumi's innocent face.
He was different from his usual self. Normally, when Yoizumi was expressionless, he exuded a cold aura.
But now, with his head bowed and eyes downcast, those clear sapphire eyes held a serious expression, and his cheeks still had a baby-like fullness.
He looked even more like a kitten... Whenever Shinobu couldn't resist poking Yoizumi's soft cheeks, she would be met with his slightly confused gaze, but he never showed any resistance.
In a good mood, she poked Yoizumi's face repeatedly. Now she was seeing all the aspects of Yoizumi she had missed before.
What would Yoizumi look like when he became an uncle, or an old man?
It made her so curious~
Indulgently allowing Shinobu's pokes, Yoizumi used his fingers to comb through Shinobu's purple hair ends, which were mostly dry now.
So it was Sanemi Shinazugawa who brought him over.
That uncomfortable feeling at the back of his head when he woke up was probably his doing.
"Yoizumi, remember to thank Mr. Shinazugawa."
"...Mm." Next time they met, he would give him some ohagi.
He liked those anyway.
"What happened today? You've become like this."
"The new Breath of Snow, Sixth Form, was more powerful than I expected, which is why I ended up like this."
"I'm curious to see it. When can we spar?"
Yoizumi shook his head disapprovingly, taking a comb to style Shinobu's hair.
"It would hurt Shinobu."
"Are you saying you think I'll definitely lose?" Although it was true, Shinobu still wanted to see Yoizumi's reaction.
"Mm." Without much hesitation, Yoizumi nodded honestly.
Yoizumi remembered what Kanroji Mitsuri had said at Swordsmith Village.
["Of course, a girl wants her other half to be stronger than her."]
So, answering this way should be fine, right?
Then Yoizumi's face was gently held by a light hand, and his small head swayed with Shinobu's movements.
"So, Yoizumi isn't planning on going easy on me, then?"
"..."
?
Was that even an option?
"...I will," his voice muffled by Shinobu's movements.
"Oh~ So Yoizumi means I'd still lose even if he didn't go easy on me?"
"..." His mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. Yoizumi didn't know how to answer.
He could only stare at Shinobu with those blue eyes.
(Pouting like a kitten)
Seeing Yoizumi's adorable, hesitant expression, Shinobu covered her mouth and chuckled. Indeed, teasing Yoizumi was the most fun.
"I'm just teasing you. Alright, go take a bath quickly." She stood up and gently pushed Yoizumi's shoulders, guiding him to the bathroom door.
Now she could easily reach Yoizumi~
Entering the bathroom once more, Yoizumi was no longer as conflicted as last time. He folded his clothes and placed them in the basket, simply washed his hair, and then soaked in the tub.
Enveloped by the warm water, Yoizumi comfortably narrowed his eyes. He was feeling sleepy again.
His small head rested on the edge of the tub, his thoughts drifting. If he hadn't suddenly remembered that he hadn't brought clothes in, he might have fallen asleep.
He hesitated, staring at the bathroom door. It seemed there was no difference between asking Shinobu to get them for him and going out to get them himself.
While Yoizumi was still pondering, Shinobu had already pushed the door open.
"Your clothes."
He silently sank further into the water, with only his head exposed to the air.
"Thank you."
His wet golden hair hung down completely, like a drenched kitten. A flush of pink appeared on Yoizumi's face, and his eyes, glistening from the heat, stared blankly at Shinobu.
Unnaturally, Shinobu averted her gaze, quickly placed the clothes down, and fled the bathroom as if escaping.
The clothes that had once fit him perfectly were now exceptionally loose due to his smaller size. The pant legs dragged on the floor, and his arms couldn't reach out of the sleeves.
"Yoizumi, come here."
He slowly shuffled to Shinobu's front. Seeing Shinobu pat her knees, Yoizumi tilted his head in confusion.
"Shrink a little more. It's been a long time since I've seen you like that."
"Okay."
His body gradually shrank, and the child-like Yoizumi reappeared.
Shinobu's face was filled with unsuppressed joy. She raised her hands and picked up the longed-for little Yoizumi onto her lap.
Although he didn't understand why Shinobu wanted to do this, he still obediently sat on Shinobu's knees.
Held in her arms, Yoizumi bowed his head, trying his best to prevent water droplets from his hair from falling on Shinobu. Seeing this, Shinobu's eyes curved into a smile, and she placed a towel over Yoizumi's head.
"I'll help you~"
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