Horitake, holding Mitsuri's hand, boldly invited Shinobu to join them for a hot spring soak! His shameless audacity rivals even this author's! (Smug)
Shinobu was furious, her usual calm smile crumbling, her face flushed with anger.
She snapped at Horitake:
"No thanks! I don't have the luxury for hot springs! You and Miss Kanroji enjoy yourselves!"
With that, she stormed off to supervise the Hidden Corps.
Horitake watched her go, a sly grin on his face.
He could tell Shinobu's anger wasn't rooted in jealousy.
That made things easier.
All he needed was to give Shinobu-neesan some space. Chances were, she'd think about him more, maybe not to the point of losing sleep or appetite, but she'd definitely dwell on his relationship with Mitsuri.
Love, after all, thrives on distance sometimes. Clinging too closely might backfire, but giving her time could let feelings simmer.
Holding Mitsuri's hand, Horitake smiled:
"Let's go, Mitsuri. Back to Kusatsu."
Mitsuri, worried, whispered:
"Horitake-nii, won't Lady Shinobu be upset?"
"It's fine. She won't stay mad. Don't worry. This hot spring trip is just us two. Let's relax and unwind—it's my way of making amends to you."
"Huh?" Mitsuri blinked, confused. "Amends for what?"
"What for?" Horitake chuckled, pressing his forehead against hers, voice soft and warm. "You asked Shinobu-neesan to add extra stitches, didn't you? That was your little tantrum. I've got to make up for that hidden resentment."
Feeling his closeness, Mitsuri's face turned red, her breathing uneven:
"Um… Horitake-nii, sorry."
"No need to apologize. A Mitsuri with a bit of temper is the real Mitsuri—the one I like."
"Really?"
"Of course. Now let's move before Shinobu-neesan comes to beat us."
Mitsuri glanced nervously at Shinobu, who, despite her gentle smile, radiated anger as fierce as the burning house.
The two quickly fled, not daring to provoke her further.
They left, but the poor Hidden Corps suffered.
An enraged Shinobu took out her frustration on them. Any small mistake drew her "gentle" scolding—her sweet smile paired with sharp, venomous words that left them questioning their existence.
Countless Hidden Corps members were crushed, some even traumatized.
Horitake and Mitsuri didn't care about the unfortunate corps members. They left the forest and headed straight for Kusatsu.
At Kusatsu's outskirts, Horitake noticed police and government officials managing the area.
Not sealing it off, just managing—stationed at key roads, checking passersby.
Horitake scoffed inwardly.
With the Neon government's half-hearted approach, it's a good thing I eradicated the plague source. If I'd stood by and let people die… hmph!
Then, Horitake spotted Iguro Obanai nearby. He quietly led Mitsuri over to join him.
Meeting Iguro, Horitake asked:
"Obanai, how's Kusatsu holding up?"
"Oh, Horitake and Miss Kanroji. Kusatsu's doing fine. I sent Hidden Corps members to search extensively—no sign of the red-black plague source you described, and no reports of infections or outbreaks."
"That's good. What about these government officials?"
At this, Iguro's face lit up with gratitude and relief:
"Horitake, thank goodness you warned me! Dealing with those officials was exactly as you predicted—arrogant, looking down on us!
When I offered the Demon Slayer Corps' cooperation, they showed their true colors, dumping the worst tasks on us, treating us like fools and our Hidden Corps like laborers!"
Iguro's face twisted with disgust and anger, clearly fed up with the Neon officials.
Horitake, intrigued, asked:
"So, how'd you handle it?"
"Just like you taught me! If they don't care about their people, why should we bend over backward?
I flat-out refused, saying they had no authority over us! The official was livid, but they couldn't do anything. Now they're handling their own business.
I only tasked our Hidden Corps with the critical job—searching for the plague source."
Horitake patted Iguro's shoulder, pleased:
"Well done! Don't let them walk all over us!"
"Where are you two headed?"
"Into Kusatsu. Hot springs, food, relaxation. We've been working hard; it's time for a break."
Hearing this, Iguro whispered, concerned:
"Horitake, you just stopped a plague and fought Kokushibo. You're going back to Kusatsu? Aren't you worried Muzan Kibutsuji might come for you at night?"
"Not at all!"
Horitake was confident about this one thing:
"The most dangerous place is the safest. Muzan would assume I'd flee during the day. He'd never expect me to return to Kusatsu!
Even if he does, it's fine. With the potential plague crisis, the Neon government will focus on Kusatsu for a while. As long as Muzan's rational, he won't dare stir trouble here!"
Iguro nodded, seeing the logic.
Bidding Iguro farewell, Horitake and Mitsuri slipped into Kusatsu discreetly.
Today's Kusatsu was as lively and bustling as yesterday.
Despite the government's light management, which confused some residents and visitors, life went on as usual.
Back in Kusatsu, Horitake teased Mitsuri:
"Mitsuri, look at all these shops and tasty treats. Want to grab another set?"
Horitake no longer described Mitsuri's eating as "some" or "a meal"—now it was a full "set."
Mitsuri, embarrassed and annoyed, dragged him past the food stalls:
"Horitake-nii, enough! Aren't we here for the hot springs!?"
Horitake teased further:
"Right, hot springs. Didn't expect you to be more eager than me, Mitsuri."
"That's not it…" Mitsuri, flustered and shy, huffed: "Horitake-nii, you're such a jerk!"
"Haha, alright, no more teasing. Let's find a nice hot spring inn to enjoy. Let's see… Fujita Springs, Yamaishi Springs, Teika Springs, Sakura Springs—so many options…
Huh!? What's this 'Nyanodake Springs'? What's it got to do with the 'Nyanodake Fountain'!?"
As Horitake wondered if he'd stumbled into another story, Mitsuri tugged at him.
He turned, startled.
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That chapter ended on a bit of a cliff, didn't it? 😅 Don't worry, the next one's already on Patreon! [If you'd like to support my work, check out my: patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ]