Mizuki's words piqued Kochou Shinobu's interest. She quickened her pace, carrying her medicine box, and walked around to Mizuki's front.
"So, Mizuki feels shy about shrinking because it has something to do with herself?" Kochou Shinobu lowered herself slightly, her purple eyes tinged with the red glow of the setting sun, misty as she looked into Mizuki's eyes. Her rosy cheeks made it unclear if it was the afterglow of the sunset or something else.
Mizuki's gaze subconsciously shifted away, "M-maybe..."
"You're really not very honest," Kochou Shinobu walked backward, moving forward.
Mizuki averted her gaze, not daring to meet Kochou Shinobu's eyes, and pursed her lips: "I can't help it, it's my first time too..."
Her voice was so small that Kochou Shinobu almost didn't hear it clearly.
Kochou Shinobu teased, "Such a Mizuki is also very cute~"
Mizuki was somewhat amused and exasperated: "Cute... it's the first time I've heard anyone describe me that way."
The Tsugikuni Family's genes have always been good. Whether it was her, Yoriichi, and Michikatsu's appearance, or Tokito's appearance centuries later, they could all be described as handsome.
With her height, appearance, and the Demon Slayer Mark on her cheek, how could she possibly be associated with cuteness?
"That's probably because I'm the only one who's seen this side of Mizuki," Kochou Shinobu said with a gentle smile, "Speaking of which, isn't this my good fortune?"
Mizuki was so flustered by her teasing that she didn't know what to say.
For her, a rookie who had lived for hundreds of years without experiencing love, to be subjected to such provocation was practically killing her.
How could Shinobu say such things?
It was too embarrassing.
Kochou Shinobu watched Mizuki stammering and her gaze drifting, and a thought involuntarily arose in her heart.
From the looks of it, her position on top should be secure... As they spoke, they returned to the Butterfly Mansion. The chirping voices of The Three Little Ones in the courtyard interrupted Kochou Shinobu's torment, and Mizuki finally managed to find an excuse to escape.
"I'll go check on Nezuko."
Leaving that sentence, Mizuki headed to the corner of the corridor without looking back.
Kochou Shinobu didn't follow. She placed her index finger on her cheek, tilting her head slightly, her cheeks somewhat flushed.
She really is still very cute~
Glancing at the three playing in the courtyard, Mizuki went straight to the room where everyone rested.
Since it was a ward in the Butterfly Mansion, there was no notion of rooms being inconvenient to enter.
If The Three Little Ones were too excited to sleep at night, Kanao would even come to check on them and give them a beating.
The box where Nezuko was placed was neatly set in the corner, and the door to the box was already open. A young girl, wearing clothes that didn't match her body's age, was crawling out of the box.
She looked around dazedly, as if she had just woken up.
Nezuko had also contributed greatly to the battle in the Swordsmith Village. As soon as the battle ended, she lay down in the box and slept until now.
So adorable!
This was Mizuki's first thought... Could it be that she looked like this in Shinobu's eyes too?
This was her second thought.
Mizuki's expression became somewhat conflicted.
Adorable... she was adorable... but just thinking that it was herself made her feel completely unnatural.
Nezuko had just woken up, already a bit muddled, but upon seeing Mizuki approach, Nezuko crawled towards Mizuki as if seeing a family member, extending her hands.
Her eyes were slightly narrowed, looking utterly content.
As if waiting for her hug.
Mizuki looked at her innocent smile, and her shame turned into guilt.
She squatted down, and, following Nezuko's wish, held her in her arms, kneeling on the tatami.
Nezuko, with narrowed eyes, rubbed against her in enjoyment, making Mizuki twist her body uncomfortably.
What a strange feeling... like taking care of a child.
She hadn't had this feeling before when holding Nezuko.
Sure enough, she herself had become strange.
A trace of melancholy flashed in Mizuki's eyes: "Nezuko, I..."
As soon as she spoke, Nezuko smiled broadly and reached out her hands to her, making a clapping motion.
Mizuki was stunned for a moment.
Because they often played clapping games with Nezuko before... Mizuki smiled in relief: "Even if I apologize to you now, you wouldn't understand, would you?"
She placed Nezuko opposite her, and Nezuko immediately sat up obediently.
Mizuki inexplicably felt that she might have a talent for coaxing children.
The small palms clapped against Mizuki's palm.
She seemed to be playing with such a small Nezuko for the first time; her palms were so tiny.
Mizuki suddenly thought that if she could also shrink, she might have even more fun playing with Nezuko.
Anyway, she was wondering whether to train her strange sense of shame, otherwise, she wouldn't even have the confidence to speak to Shinobu.
So, Nezuko's expression changed several times in a short period.
From smiling to confused, then blank, and finally, an unprecedented joy appeared on her face.
Her expression seemed to say,
Wow, Mizuki, you've become like me too~
Mizuki inexplicably understood the words in her eyes... Well, this looked a bit strange, and because she was thinking too much, she now felt a bit unnatural facing Nezuko.
But luckily, it wasn't as unnatural as she imagined. Was it because Shinobu wasn't here?
Mizuki tightened her loose training uniform; only her pant legs looked a bit bulky.
She suddenly understood why demons turned their flesh and blood into clothes.
Although it felt a bit strange, it was truly practical.
No need to worry about clothes not fitting, or about them tearing or getting dirty. How much water, electricity, and laundry detergent would that save?
Mizuki sighed softly, her mind truly muddled. With a great enemy at hand, why was she still lost in such random thoughts?
Nezuko tugged at her small hand, her face full of joy.
This child... is even more enthusiastic than before.
Mizuki's mouth couldn't help but twitch slightly.
She sighed again.
Forget it, just relax for a little while longer.
Once Ubuyashiki Kagaya confirmed Muzan's intelligence, they wouldn't have time to play when the training camp began.
Mizuki could clearly feel that Nezuko was more enthusiastic than usual; her eyes seemed to sparkle when she looked at her.
Indeed, only children can truly play well with other children.
This way... maybe it's not as strange as she thought.
Just as Mizuki's mind drifted again.
Whoosh... The door suddenly slid open, and the two young girls subconsciously turned their heads in unison.
Nezuko: It's big brother.
Mizuki: It's Tanjirou... Tanjirou?!
Mizuki suddenly woke up, realizing that she was still in the sickroom.
"Um..." Tanjirou stood at the doorway, clearly stunned for a moment, then hesitated, "Is that Young Miss Mizuki?"
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