"I don't want to be a coward."
These words seemed to be imbued with life, repeatedly turning and rubbing between Yoizumi's lips and teeth.
Yoizumi never thought of himself as a brave person; he also felt fear—the dull pain brought by the death of those around him, the powerlessness of being unable to protect others' lives, and the fear that unknown memories might bring him endless agony.
But this was something he absolutely had to bear.
Looking at the confusion in Ishii Kawa's emerald eyes, Yoizumi thought, "What a vibrant color; it shouldn't be like this."
His thin lips parted slightly, his calm tone not loud, yet it soothed Ishii Kawa's self-doubt.
"I am not some fearless hero, and you are not a coward."
"What I couldn't do that day, you did by protecting Komatsuse. In that regard, you are braver than me."
"Protection itself is something that requires a great deal of courage."
After hearing these words, the fog in Ishii Kawa's heart gradually dispersed, and his eyes became resolute. When it came to protecting Komatsuse, he would never flinch or hesitate, for it had already become the strongest conviction deep within his heart.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze fixed on the young man standing before him. This youth looked to be of a similar age to himself, seemingly disconnected from the world, yet his words and actions revealed a maturity and steadiness beyond his years.
Perhaps it was enduring many trials that granted him such a profound demeanor.
Ishii Kawa couldn't help but sigh to himself, "What a gentle person…" This gentleness wasn't merely expressed through words, but emanated from his every action. Facing such a person, it was hard not to feel fondness and respect.
"Pat-a-pat-a."
With cheerful footsteps, Komatsuse appeared at the doorway, approaching the two people in the room. Seeing the wide-open window, she immediately stepped forward to close it and pull down the curtains.
Ishii Kawa asked, puzzled, "Why close it? The room is so dark."
Komatsuse stammered. Ishii Kawa didn't know that Mr. Yoizumi was a demon and couldn't be exposed to sunlight, nor could she tell him this. She could only give a dry reply:
"Because Yoizumi has a disease where he can't touch sunlight. At best, he'll be bedridden; at worst, he'll die!"
"I see."
No wonder his skin was so pale; he couldn't be exposed to the sun at all. Was his reserved personality also due to his illness? Even so, his martial arts were still so strong!
...Time rewound to shortly after Lower Moon Four died and Yoizumi fainted.
"Smash!"
The glass cup in his hand was crushed to smithereens, the crimson liquid inside splashing out, flowing through the cracks of his pale fingers. The owner of the fingers paid no mind, possessing only endless rage.
"Dead again! Why are the Lower Moons so weak?!"
"A waste of my blood!"
The roar echoed throughout the Infinity Castle, striking terror into countless lesser demons, making them freeze in place, not daring to move an inch.
The tall, black-haired man in a suit with rose-colored eyes gritted his teeth. Through the memories of Lower Moon Four just before her death, he saw the murderer who killed her, and a strange glint flashed in his eyes.
"He's still alive, surprisingly…"
He would never forget how this golden-haired, blue-eyed man had broken free from his control the moment he became a demon, even severing his head with a pickaxe. Although he had been careless and underestimated him, everything happened so fast that he couldn't react. He was clearly in an extremely hungry state right after becoming a demon, yet he ignored the humans nearby and chose to bite him. If it hadn't been close to dawn then, he definitely wouldn't have let him go.
He had thought he had been burned to death by the sun, but he was still alive! Had he broken free from the curse of being unable to withstand the sun?!
Kibutsuji Muzan was uncontrollably excited for a moment, but then quickly calmed down.
No, that's not right. If he had broken free from the sun's curse, why was he so much weaker than last time, both in strength and reaction speed? It seemed he had merely narrowly escaped death that time.
Now, Kibutsuji Muzan could annihilate him with just one finger.
But endless fury still burned in his heart, both for the golden-haired man's disrespectful act of once severing his head, and for the fact that his Lower Moon, whom he had spent blood and effort cultivating, was killed by such a weak demon. He unhurriedly wiped the liquid from his hands, coldness in his rose-colored eyes.
"So weak. Is there still a need for his existence?"
...After the group finished eating, they washed the dishes together. Ishii Kawa left first as he had some matters at home. Komatsuse mysteriously led Yoizumi to her room, took out a piece of clothing from her wardrobe, and placed it in Yoizumi's hands. This was an outfit she had sewn during Yoizumi's unconsciousness.
"Quick, try it on, Mr. Yoizumi."
Komatsuse left the room and closed the door. Mr. Yoizumi's light blue kimono had been severely damaged in the battle and was difficult to repair. Komatsuse had originally wanted to make an outfit for Mr. Yoizumi with her own hands. Not knowing when he would wake up, she had toiled through many nights to finish it.
Fortunately, it was now successfully given to Yoizumi.
She wondered if it would fit.
"I've received clothes again," Yoizumi thought.
The two outfits Shinobu had given him before were both ruined. He felt the blue and white clothing in his hands; the fabric felt very comfortable.
He had noticed upon waking that Komatsuse's father's clothes, which had been a bit loose on him before, now fit perfectly. It seemed he had grown quite a bit taller after that battle.
Taking off his clothes, he put on the blue and white outfit. Yoizumi then clearly saw the front of the garment: the light blue hem gradually transitioned into pure, snow-white from the waist down, like a fusion of sky and clouds. When the white collar was folded over to the right, it formed a brilliant golden sun shape. Then, he cinched it with a white-gold sash.
It was surprisingly a perfect fit.
Opening the door and stepping out of the room, Komatsuse's eyes lit up when she saw Yoizumi wearing the clothes she had made herself. Mr. Yoizumi's skin was very fair, making white clothes suit him well. But just white would be too plain, so she added the color of his eyes. Mr. Yoizumi's eyes were very captivating, and finally, combining his name and hair, she added the golden sun.
The clothes beautifully accentuated Yoizumi's body proportions; with the sash tightened, his broad shoulders and narrow waist were even more pronounced.
Komatsuse swallowed, wiped a suspicious liquid from the corner of her mouth, and smilingly asked Yoizumi how he felt. Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Komatsuse was overjoyed.
"As long as Mr. Yoizumi likes it!"
However, if only Mr. Yoizumi could walk in the sunlight, she thought. With the sunlight's enhancement, he would surely be even more stunning.
Komatsuse imagined the sunlight falling on his dazzling golden hair, his sapphire-like eyes gleaming, his fair skin becoming even more translucent under the sun's rays, and a gentle smile gracing his cool, detached face… She propped her head with both hands, shaking it repeatedly.
So handsome!!!
Still beaming with joy, Komatsuse heard Yoizumi calling her name and immediately responded, "Yes, what is it?"
"Thank you for the clothes."
"Not at all, I should be thanking Mr. Yoizumi for wearing them."
Even hearing Komatsuse's nonsensical words, Yoizumi was unfazed; he had witnessed it since the first day they met. Realizing he had stayed here for a long time, it was time to leave. His calm tone, as if stating the most ordinary thing, struck Komatsuse like a bolt from the blue.
"I should leave here now."
"Eh?"
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