Seeing the look of interest in his eyes, Shinobu's eyes widened in panic.
"H-hold up! She's only here for counseling! Only counselling!"
Douma folded his fans, tapping it against his chin thoughtfully.
"Is that right? I wonder what counselling a demon slayer Hashira would need from me...?"
Although his words could be counted as harmless, Shinobu understood the subtle caution in them.
Sighing, she took a moment to compose herself. "It's nothing to worry about. She's not here to fight."
Douma laughed softly, "Haha, is that so? I guess I have to keep these energetic kids in check then."
Shinobu's eyes narrowed. She understood the implications of his words. It meant that even if Douma wouldn't harm Mitsuri, anyone of his demonic followers could.
She silently gulped, realizing that she had gotten far too comfortable around this demon. This also reminded her that he was the one who killed her sister. A fact that could never be erased.
Without paying attention to her inner turmoil, Douma gestured for Mitsuri to take a seat while he made himself comfortable on the beanbag.
"So what is it you need counselling about?"
He asked with a dazzling smile that could capture the hearts of a thousand women on the inter—cough, cough.
Mitsuri nodded with a serious expression, not the least bit affected by his charm. The matter at stake was of grave importance.
"My love life." She started, "Ever since I was young, my suitors have always left me after complaining about my diet and my strength."
She smiled bitterly.
"Even though I don't want it, I can't stop it. I don't know what to do any longer..."
Douma's smile remained the same, unmoved by the story. He'd heard several absurd complaints from his followers so Mitsuri's case wasn't strange at all. If anything, it only made him a bit contemptuous. Aren't you simply a ravenous elephant? Of course, he didn't say that loud. His expertise was consoling people.
"Mn. Mitsuri-san seems beautiful, so she definitely has no lack of suitors. Now then, we must face the crux of the matter. They're afraid of your strength, right?"
The girl nodded.
"Then that means they're simply incompetent."
"Incompetent?"
"Yes, incompetent. Any man who is scared of the lady he loves is incompetent. Even if she hates you, you'll eventually make her fall. Isn't that a good thing to think?"
At the corner, Shinobu's brows twitched. This guy...
Unaware that it was supposed to be a jab at her friend, Mitsuri nodded in agreement.
"Then you need not to worry yourself any longer. One day, you'll find the right person." He paused, eyes squinted. "Or have you found someone already?"
Mitsuri nodded slowly, though her expression was hesitant.
"I... I'm not so sure. Iguro-kun is nice to me. However, I'm scared he'll run away like the others."
Looking at her face, Douma revealed an encouraging smile.
"Ah! Mitsuri-san shouldn't worry too much. Instead, you should take some bold steps yourself."
"Ah?! A-are you s-saying I should c-c-confess?"
"Exactly, Mitsuri-san is so sharp! If you don't express yourself, you might come to regret it later."
This was a honest advice from Douma. Although he didn't know what would have happened to Mitsuri during the Infinity Castle invasion, he was sure she might perish. After all, he knew how confident Muzan was to have pulled the entire Demon Slayer army into his abode.
"I see." She said softly, lowering her head. The next moment, she raised her head, her eyes sparkling.
"Alright! I'll take your advice, Douma-kun!"
Douma froze briefly, unaccustomed to that form of intimacy. Wasn't this girl a bit too naive? Calling a demon so intimately, could it be she was just so innocent? However, Douma didn't mind, he welcomed it.
"Good, Mitsuri-chan is so positive!"
At the side, Shinobu's expression couldn't help but turn weird. In just a few exchange of words, they were already so close. In fact, they seemed kind of similar. Two innocent children laughing. It made her feel uncomfortable. Don't get it wrong, it wasn't that she was jealous, it just felt too...
'Fine! I'm jealous! Huh!'
Keeping her thoughts masked by a perfectly serene expression and smile, she decided to move to the main conversation.
"We also came for another reason, Douma."
She said seriously.
His smile dropped slightly as he turned to her.
"Eh? Another matter already? Go on! I'm all ears!"
He would gladly listen to whatever words Shinobu uttered.
"The Demon Slayers want to ally with you and eliminate Muzan."
Unexpectedly, Douma's smile widened. "Eeh...? This early? I expected you all to be quite indecisive for a while."
Shinobu and Mitsuri were shocked by the fact that he seemed to have anticipated this outcome. And why wouldn't he? He already knew that he had caused a lot of deviation from the original timeline. Although according to the original timeline, the Demon Slayers had been found by Muzan and brought to the Infinity Castle, they had been preparing for it.
However, in the end, how many casualties had they suffered? He didn't know, but he had no doubt that the loss would be unimaginable.
'Perhaps an unexpected development could have occurred. Who knows for sure?'
So it was only natural that the Demon Slayers want to use him as a meat shield against Muzan, then immediately backstab him. Even till now, Douma didn't fully trust Shinobu. He was well aware that the hatred of a family member's death couldn't remain suppressed for too long.
'Well, it's not like I can relate.'
His mother had killed his father and herself right before his eyes after all. One day, that emotion was bound to resurface. If it were anyone, they'd naturally be cautious. However, who was Douma? He was an unhinged existence.
He didn't have any particular attachment to life except for his obsession towards Shinobu. That was why he would always strive to live. However, if it was dying by her hands?
'Amazing!'
Douma would gladly die. The joy would simply be unimaginable. Not to get lost in thoughts...
"It doesn't change a thing anyway. As long as it satisfies Shinobu-chan, I'll do it."
Mitsuri, unfamiliar with his obsession towards the Insect Hashira, immediately spoke her thoughts.
"Douma-kun, aren't you being too carefree? What if we decide to backstab you?"
In response, his eyes curved into crescents and he spoke confidently.
"Then I have no reason not to eat the Demon Slayers! Of course that's only if Shinobu-chan agree."
Mitsuri couldn't help but cast a glance at Shinobu, wondering if she had somehow enslaved the demon. Why was he so loyal?
Just then, she remembered something.
"Ah! That's right! If you want to ally with us, you'll have to fight Sanemi-san too!"
Instantly, the room turned silent.