Shinobu asked why Miri was with Horitake.
Horitake's heart raced, watching Shinobu's smiling expression.
As expected of Shinobu-neesan, striking at the core. If Miri answered poorly, Horitake was in for trouble.
Miri's carefree nature shone through. Unfazed by Shinobu's subtle jab, she smiled: "Thanks to Horitake-nii! He's been guiding me on missions, helping me grow stronger and earn merits!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Shinobu maintained her smile, but thought: Is this girl playing dumb or actually clueless? I'm asking about her relationship with Horitake! Her boldness was one of Shinobu's least favorite traits to handle.
Unwilling to let it go, Shinobu smiled and pressed: "I see, Horitake-san's mentoring a peer. But why call him Horitake-nii? Such an intimate term."
Horitake jumped in before Miri could reply: "What's wrong with that? Miri and I are as close as I am with Shinobu-neesan. I call you Shinobu-neesan, don't I? So Miri can call me Horitake-nii."
Shinobu blinked, momentarily speechless.
Horitake's words carried weight, subtly implying he was pursuing both Miri and Shinobu with equal closeness.
Shinobu caught the hint and fumed at his audacity. Angrily, she said: "Is that so? Horitake-san's quite the troublemaker." She leaned toward Miri, whispering loud enough for Horitake to hear: "Kanroji-san, you see how awful your Horitake-nii is, right? Why not ditch him?"
Shinobu was squeezing Horitake in a new way, urging Miri to abandon him.
But Miri's response surprised her.
Blushing, Miri fidgeted: "Abandon Horitake-nii? No way! I finally found someone to marry. I won't let go!"
Shinobu's expression was a spectacle. She wanted to crack open Miri's head to see what this silly girl was thinking. You see how awful he is, yet you cling to him? Are you that clueless in love?
Shinobu pressed harder: "But you heard him call me Shinobu-neesan. His intentions are obvious, aren't they?"
Miri, even more flustered, blushed deeper: "I know… but I don't mind."
"What?"
"It's not uncommon, right? As long as Horitake-nii has a place for me, I'm fine."
Shinobu was stunned. She hadn't expected this turn.
Horitake, feeling for Miri, hurried to her side, gently holding her shoulders: "No need for that, Miri. What are you thinking? A place for you? It won't come to that. I'm not that terrible. Have some faith in me, okay?"
Shinobu watched Horitake comfort Miri, who nestled into him, blushing. She was speechless.
These two were flaunting their affection!
Right in front of her!
Shinobu was livid—and oddly sour.
She forced a smile, molars grinding, glaring at the couple. So infuriating! Anger made sense—Horitake, with such a pretty girlfriend, still pursued her. Shameless! But the sourness? She didn't get it.
Jealous of Miri for Horitake's care? Impossible!
Amid this lively scene, Obanai became an outsider. Sensing the complex dynamics, he stepped back, keeping his distance.
To him, Horitake was inviting trouble with these entanglements.
The commotion settled. Shinobu, fuming and sour, fell silent. Horitake calmed Miri.
He'd managed the situation, Horitake thought.
Miri was fine but needed more reassurance later. Shinobu was upset but manageable with future care. No major conflict erupted, thanks to both girls' restraint.
Now, for business.
Horitake had mentioned the female snake demon briefly but hadn't revealed her identity or the children's fates.
It was time Obanai knew the truth.
Horitake beckoned him: "Obanai, I need to tell you something bad. Brace yourself."
Obanai tensed, asking: "What is it?"
Horitake was direct: "Your cousin… she became a demon. A harmful one, Byouyo's accomplice in this incident."
Obanai froze, pupils trembling, speechless, rooted in place.
After a long pause, he asked: "That snake demon… was her?"
Horitake nodded, recounting the children's ordeal.
Hearing how his cousin raised those children, mutilating their faces and mouths to resemble her snake-like features, Obanai's mood visibly darkened. He muttered: "So that's how it is…"
Shinobu, shocked by the revelation, grew concerned for Obanai.
This news was devastating, striking at his heart.
Obanai felt his cousin's transformation into a demon was partly his fault, and the children's suffering weighed on him.
He began obsessively blaming himself.
His feelings toward his cousin were complex—she was his last family, the only blood relative left.
Her fall to such a state left Obanai's heart heavy and conflicted.
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