"It won't be too loud here, right?" Leading Yoizumi to a somewhat deserted street, it seemed everyone had gathered for the fireworks festival.
"Mm." Yoizumi responded softly, looking at their clasped hands.
"Is everything alright over there?"
"We've checked everything. There are no more demons inside, and the Demon Slayer Corps members are on constant alert. It's not a big problem."
They ambled along the street, hand in hand, neither wanting to let go.
Time seemed to slow down.
Her hand was so small, he could easily envelop it.
Yet, it was precisely this hand that held him tightly, leading him away from a place of unease.
Yet, it was precisely this hand that wielded a nichirin blade, slaying evil demons who had committed many atrocities.
He wanted to help her.
He wanted to solve her troubles for her.
He wanted to see her genuine smile.
What exactly was this feeling?
His heart felt numb, his mind was in disarray.
Something seemed to be on the verge of bursting forth.
But he couldn't voice it.
He stared intently at the girl's slender back.
That feeling came again.
His heart was so chaotic, his heartbeat so loud.
What was wrong with him?
"Yoizumi~ Yoizumi? What's wrong?" Shinobu, walking ahead, noticed the person behind her slowing down, until he suddenly stopped and clutched his chest.
She looked at Yoizumi with concern; his current state was very abnormal!
He shook his head, his sapphire eyes full of confusion. It seemed that only when he was with her did he become like this.
It was a feeling he had never experienced before, leaving Yoizumi perplexed.
"Should we go back first?" Shinobu asked.
Go back?
He didn't really want to.
He wanted to stay a little longer, to understand clearly, to figure out what this emotion was.
"I still want to walk around a bit more."
"Alright." Shinobu continued to hold Yoizumi's hand. Although she appeared calm on the surface, her heart was already in turmoil. The dim streetlights concealed the blush on her face.
Why could he still have that expression?!
Didn't he feel even a little embarrassed?
It seemed like she was the only one whose heart was racing uncontrollably.
This idiot! At least give some reaction!
The two spent the entire journey in silence.
His eyes scanned their surroundings, every detail appearing novel.
Passing a candy shop, Yoizumi stopped.
Shinobu, feeling him stop, looked up. A candy shop. Did Yoizumi want candy?
He was really like a child.
"Let's go inside and take a look." She pulled Yoizumi into the shop.
"Welcome~" The shop assistant greeted them warmly, "What can I help you two with?"
"Can I borrow some money from you?" Yoizumi asked Shinobu.
"It's just for candy, no need to borrow." A Pillar's salary was very high; a month's pay would be enough for Yoizumi to buy candy for decades.
"I'll pay you back."
"Then let's talk about it when Yoizumi has money." Shinobu nodded helplessly. Yoizumi sometimes had a strange stubbornness in such matters.
"Please give me konpeito and senbei," Yoizumi told the shop assistant.
"Does Yoizumi like these things?"
"They're for Nezuko and Tanjirou."
"Your family has such good feelings~"
"Thank you for your patronage~"
Walking out of the candy shop, their clasped hands had somehow separated. Noticing this, Yoizumi reached out to Shinobu.
"Eh?" Shinobu looked at Yoizumi in surprise.
"Aren't we holding hands anymore?" Seeing Yoizumi's serious expression, Shinobu smiled and placed her hand in his palm.
Honestly.
He always did such unexpected things.
"Shinobu."
"What is it?" Shinobu instinctively responded. Come to think of it, Yoizumi rarely called her by her name.
And it was always her full name.
"What is that place?" Yoizumi pointed to a building.
"That's a post office~"
"A post office?"
"It's a place to write and send letters."
"What is a letter?" Yoizumi was like a curious child; anything could raise a question for him. Shinobu showed no impatience, explaining patiently.
"It's a way to communicate across distances. No matter how far apart, two people can communicate through letters, though the waiting time might be longer." Shinobu pondered for a moment, explaining concisely. If she explained it too profoundly, Yoizumi probably wouldn't understand.
"Why write letters?"
"Can't you just say it directly when you meet?" Yoizumi was puzzled.
"Because some things you want to convey can't be said with just your mouth."
"And sometimes, just meeting once is difficult enough; everything else depends on fate."
"Is that so? Then we must be quite fated; we've met three times." Yoizumi recalled their encounters from the first meeting until now, each time an unexpected meeting with Shinobu.
Fated, huh... Shinobu lowered her eyelashes, their clasped hands coming into view.
Yes.
She hadn't really expected such a day to come.
To be so close to a demon.
When she was with him, she always unconsciously relaxed.
She was no longer the Insect Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, but just an ordinary person.
Her long-suppressed nature was gradually being released.
She even greedily thought.
How long could such days last?
At least, let time slow down a bit. She still wanted to understand this demon named Yoizumi more, to witness his joys and sorrows.
She knew this was wrong.
But please allow her this greed.
"Ko…" Yoizumi suddenly wanted to say something, his lips opening and closing without speaking. What did he want to say?
He couldn't say it.
Never mind.
He would tell her once he figured it out.
The girl looked up, her violet eyes holding emotions Yoizumi couldn't comprehend.
"Hey~ We're friends, right?" Shinobu asked.
"Mm," Yoizumi said noncommittally.
"Then why does Yoizumi always call me by my full name? Friends shouldn't address each other like that," Shinobu said, feigning dissatisfaction.
"But you also call me by my name."
The girl wiggled her slender, pale fingers from side to side.
"Since you and Tanjirou are family, shouldn't your name be Kamado Yoizumi?"
Ah… indeed it was.
Yoizumi nodded in agreement.
"So what should you call me now?"
"…Shinobu?"
Shinobu smiled sweetly, "That's right~"
"Is that considered a genuine smile?" Yoizumi looked at the girl's smiling face.
Shinobu's tone was light, as she pulled Yoizumi towards the Butterfly Mansion.
"Not yet~"
"Then what counts?"
Hearing Yoizumi's bewildered question, Shinobu chuckled.
"You guess~"
"Yoizumi still has to work hard to make me smile."
He blinked, his indifferent expression clearly showing confusion.
So difficult…
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