Using Blood Demon Art: Instant Shadow, Yoizumi arrived at the headquarters, standing at the door of Shinobu's room.
Through the thin paper window, he saw the faint light of the lit candle inside.
"Shinobu finished so early today."
He tapped on the wooden door with his finger, and in a moment, the door was opened.
It seemed the person inside had been waiting for a long time.
"You're so late today," Shinobu said, looking at the tardy Yoizumi with dissatisfaction.
The milk tea she had specially prepared for him was already cold.
"Sorry, I was training with Muichiro and the others today."
Yoizumi lowered his gaze, staring at the wooden hairpin he had personally made, nestled beneath Shinobu's butterfly hair ornament.
Shinobu was wearing it well.
His sapphire eyes held joy, and as Shinobu pulled his hand, leading him into the room, he heard her pleasant voice, tinged with inquiry.
"Tokito and them?"
Yoizumi mentioned Shinazugawa and Iguro Obanai.
Shinazugawa?
Shinobu paused her action of re-brewing milk tea for Yoizumi, then pulled Yoizumi closer, looking him over with some concern.
Then she suddenly remembered that Yoizumi was a demon and would not show injuries.
"Are you hurt?"
He raised his hand and gently smoothed the wrinkles from Shinobu's brow, then Yoizumi curved his lips, his tone subtly carrying a hint of showing off to Shinobu.
"I won."
"I'm very strong; he's no match for me."
Hearing Yoizumi say this, Shinobu couldn't help but curve her eyebrows, continuing her actions, bringing the freshly brewed milk tea to Yoizumi.
"Yes~ Our Yoizumi is so amazing~"
She also casually ruffled Yoizumi's golden hair.
Perhaps because it had just been washed, it felt exceptionally soft.
"However, if Shinazugawa bullies you, you must tell me, and I'll help you get even."
Shinobu said with a smile, smoothing Yoizumi's disheveled hair.
"He can't bully me," Yoizumi said, drinking the sweet milk tea, secretly glancing at Shinobu, who was still messing with his head.
In this world, the one who could bully him…
was probably only Shinobu.
"Hmm?"
Shinobu, realizing Yoizumi had glanced at her, was fortunately unaware of Yoizumi's thoughts.
Otherwise, Yoizumi might have learned what true bullying was.
"Kanzaki asked me to bring this ginger side dish for Shinobu."
Drinking his milk tea, Yoizumi pointed to the jar and said.
"Oh~ The one I brought is almost finished, Aoi is truly thoughtful."
Shinobu, holding the jar and wondering where to put it, suddenly heard Yoizumi call her and responded with a smile.
"Hmm? What is it?"
After drinking the last sip of milk tea, Yoizumi placed the cup on the table and looked at Shinobu's smiling expression.
He seemed to not know how to speak.
He hesitated, opening his mouth, and as Shinobu's expression gradually turned serious, he finally spoke.
"I… um… awakened my Mark."
Shinobu froze in place, the jar she held in both hands unconsciously slipping.
Before it could crash to the ground and shatter into pieces, Yoizumi, with quick reflexes, reached out and caught it.
Phew… Shinobu's favorite side dish almost disappeared.
Yoizumi returned the jar to Shinobu, but then saw her eyes gradually reddening.
His hand suddenly stiffened, almost dropping the jar again.
He hurriedly put the jar down, then rushed to Shinobu's side, awkwardly comforting her.
"Shinobu… Shinobu, I'm fine."
"The side effects of the Mark should be useless against demons."
"Don't cry, don't cry."
Her lips pressed together, her purple eyes clouded with a clear mist, staring at the anxious Yoizumi.
Her voice, rarely, carried anger as she frowned.
"When?"
"Why didn't you say so sooner?"
"Are there any abnormalities in your body?"
Yoizumi gently embraced Shinobu.
Shinobu sniffled, burying her face in his chest, her voice muffled.
"I don't want'should be,' I want 'definitely'!"
Yoizumi gently stroked Shinobu's back and said softly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make Shinobu sad."
"I only discovered this tonight, and there are no changes in my body."
"I think it was when I overcame the sun in the Swordsmith Village, and I overlooked it."
Only by holding Yoizumi tightly could Shinobu's uneasy heart feel a little calmer.
Her forehead rested against Yoizumi's chest, her purple eyes dim.
If even Yoizumi was gone, then she truly would have nothing… Sister, please protect Yoizumi… Slowly pulling out of Yoizumi's embrace, Shinobu took a deep breath before looking up at Yoizumi.
She took Yoizumi's hand and walked to the cabinet in the room, found her medicine box, and took out a syringe.
Another blood draw?
Without Shinobu needing to say anything, Yoizumi automatically rolled up his sleeve.
Shinobu silently drew a tube of blood, then carefully put it away.
"Tomorrow, I will examine it with Tamayo to see if there are any changes in your body."
"Mm… Mmm… Shinobu?"
Yoizumi had just agreed when a pair of hands pinched his face.
Shinobu used some force, making Yoizumi's voice indistinct.
Shinobu glared at the idiotic boy who always made her anxious.
Why did he always have to deliver a heavy blow just when she was happy?
Yet, she couldn't do anything about him.
Right, Nezuko's konpeito… Yoizumi blinked, his cheeks being pulled left and right by Shinobu, and he said indistinctly.
"Shinobu…"
Shinobu vigilantly stopped her actions, looking at Yoizumi with caution.
He wasn't going to say something earth-shattering again, was he?
"I want to ask you for some money to buy konpeito for Nezuko."
Ask her for money?
"…"
That's right, all of Yoizumi's salary went to her… Shinobu, because of this sentence, couldn't help but lower her head again, her body trembling slightly.
Yoizumi thought he had somehow displeased or angered Shinobu again, and anxiously cupped Shinobu's face, words of apology still unsaid.
Then he saw Shinobu's smiling eyes.
Shinobu was… smiling?
"You want money, huh… Beg me~" Shinobu suppressed her smile, her tone full of teasing.
"Please," Yoizumi said earnestly.
Seeing Shinobu stunned, Yoizumi spoke again.
He tilted his head slightly and called softly.
"Please, Shinobu."
"Mmm…"
Shinobu was defeated once again.
Until late at night, Yoizumi once again slept in Shinobu's embrace.
His sapphire eyes quietly stared at Shinobu's sleeping face.
He remembered what Shinazugawa had asked then.
What is more important than becoming stronger?
Yoizumi now understood… He became stronger to…
better protect Shinobu…
protect his family.
So…
he would become even stronger.
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