After enduring alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, Horitake's wound was numb. Stitching now would barely register.
Disinfection complete, Shinobu readied tweezers and thread, saying to Miri: "Help me hold Horitake-san's wound closed."
"Okay."
Miri pinched the wound shut, and Shinobu began stitching.
As expected, the numbness dulled the pain. Horitake sat calmly, brows unfurrowed, waiting for Shinobu to finish.
But…
As time passed, a dark line formed on Horitake's forehead: "Shinobu-neesan, that's over twenty stitches, right?"
Shinobu smiled, sewing: "Yes, what's wrong?"
"This wound only needs about a dozen stitches."
"No, it's too deep. We need extra stitches for safety, Horitake-san."
Horitake was speechless. Miri chimed in: "Exactly. For caution, more stitches are better."
Horitake's face morphed into a bewildered meme.
Miri wasn't entirely without resentment! Achieving a harem was no easy feat.
He had to endure this physical torment.
As long as Shinobu and Miri didn't clash, it was fine.
Their agreement to "teach him a lesson" showed potential for harmony.
For that possibility, a little pain was nothing!
Shinobu stitched nearly thirty times, sealing the wound tightly.
If normal stitching was basic needlework, Shinobu's was sewing-machine precision.
Stitching done, Shinobu felt satisfied, but Miri regretted it, feeling for Horitake.
She grabbed a clean towel, gently wiping blood from his body.
Horitake enjoyed it, but Shinobu's brows twitched.
Is Kanroji Miri wiping blood or taking advantage of Horitake? Your eyes aren't on the blood, they're on…
Shinobu, irritated, interrupted: "That's enough. Horitake-san, I got you a clean uniform top. Change."
"Thanks, Shinobu-neesan."
Horitake changed. Miri, realizing her distraction, blushed harder, mind chaotic.
Miri sat to Horitake's left, Shinobu to his right, under a tree, watching the Hidden work.
The trio, silent in their own worlds, shared a surprisingly calm atmosphere.
Nosy Hidden members whispered: "Look over there!"
"What?"
"Horitake-sama! Shinobu-sama! And Kanroji Miri-sama! This is…"
"A love triangle…"
"What nonsense! It's not there yet!"
"Not yet, but it's coming. Just a matter of time."
"Tch, tch. Worthy of the Heaven Pillar—courting the Insect Pillar and a soon-to-be Pillar. A role model for men!"
"I'm so jealous. When will I get a chance like that?"
"Keep dreaming. Work."
Horitake's sharp senses caught their chatter. Frowning, he barked: "You there! Stop gossiping and work!"
The group scattered, resuming tasks.
Shinobu laughed: "Such authority, Heaven Pillar-sama."
"Don't tease, Shinobu-neesan. My authority's for them, not you two."
Shinobu caught his implication, a tic forming as she smiled: "Oh? Not mad at 'us'? Who's 'us,' Horitake-san?"
"You and Miri, of course!"
Shinobu's smile held, hand on her Nichirin Blade: "Horitake-san, I really want to poke a few holes in you."
"Please, Shinobu-neesan, mercy."
After playful banter, Shinobu turned serious: "Horitake-san, you fought Kokushibo and got this wound. Did you lose or win?"
Horitake grew solemn: "Neither. I was injured, but I left a hard-to-heal wound on Kokushibo. It's a draw."
"I see…" Shinobu mused. "If you fought him to the death, who'd win?"
Horitake frowned, struggling: "Hard to say. Kokushibo's strength is unfathomable. I have hidden tricks, but… it's unclear until the end."
Shinobu nodded, hesitating before asking: "Upper Rank One is that strong. What about Upper Rank Two?"
Horitake instantly understood her thoughts.
Though he knew, he answered honestly: "You mean Douma? Never met him, but as Upper Rank Two, he's weaker than Kokushibo, though not by much. He's dangerous."
Shinobu's expected answer brought silence, her usual smile stiffening with worry and resolve.
Horitake noticed her shift: "Shinobu-neesan, don't do anything foolish."
Startled, Shinobu snapped: "You know nothing, so stop advising me!"
She ignored him after.
Horitake sighed inwardly. No, Shinobu-neesan, I know everything. Their bond wasn't deep enough yet to untangle her heart's knots.
The trio watched the Hidden work.
The Hidden moved fast, unearthing bones from the bloodied soil, digging a pit to bury them together.
Firewood piled high, filling the house.
A Hidden member asked Horitake: "Heaven Pillar-sama, should we light the fire?"
Horitake nodded: "Light it from all sides. Make it big, but don't let it spread to the forest."
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