"Is it because we aren't loving enough?"
Yoizumi's words were like a sudden thunderclap, leaving Shinobu's ears ringing. Her beautiful eyelashes fluttered; understanding the implication, she naturally couldn't remain calm, and a faint blush instantly dyed her fair face.
Seeing Shinobu's face visibly redden, Yoizumi's brow furrowed. He let go of the watering can and reached out to feel her forehead, comparing her temperature to his own with deep concern in his voice.
"Shinobu, are you feeling unwell?"
Yoizumi lowered his gaze, carefully observing Shinobu's condition.
Her temperature was normal, but her heart... was beating a bit fast.
Taking Shinobu's hand and turning toward the room, Yoizumi's brow did not relax. Having returned to being human, he could no longer use that Blood Demon Art, so he was exceptionally attentive to anything regarding health.
As she was led toward the room by Yoizumi, Shinobu gave a light cough to snap out of it and reassured him.
"I'm fine, Yoizumi."
Yoizumi stopped and looked back, his blue eyes still filled with worry.
"Really?"
"Really." Reaching up to poke the furrow between Yoizumi's brows, Shinobu's gentle voice carried a hint of a smile.
"Am I the doctor, or are you?"
Seeing that Shinobu showed no signs of distress, Yoizumi finally felt at ease. He didn't let go of her hand, instead shifting to interlock their fingers.
Even though they were already married, Yoizumi was still used to calling her Shinobu. One reason was that whenever he called her 'Madam', she would get embarrassed.
Yoizumi didn't much care how Shinobu addressed him; she could call him whatever she liked, and he loved hearing her say his name.
"Are there more patients later?" The two stood beneath the cherry blossom tree named [Sure Victory] at the Butterfly Mansion. Pink petals drifted down with the swaying autumn wind as Yoizumi asked softly.
"There are a few." Shinobu looked up at the cherry blossom tree planted by the creator of Flower Breathing, noting how exceptionally vibrant its blooms were this year.
Even though the Ubuyashiki clan had given them enough money to live comfortably for several lifetimes, Shinobu insisted on continuing her work as a healer, even though she mostly treated people at her own expense.
"You've worked hard, Shinobu."
Gently brushing away a petal from the top of Shinobu's head, Yoizumi leaned in closer. A soft kiss landed on the side of Shinobu's face, his sapphire eyes full of tenderness.
His wife was a very, very good person.
Having been kissed, Shinobu's eyes crinkled into crescents, and she chuckled softly behind pressed lips. Since they were married, such intimate gestures had become perfectly normal.
Standing on her tiptoes and grabbing Yoizumi's collar, she gave him a light peck on the lips, her beautiful purple eyes filled with a bright smile.
"I'll go prepare the medicine first," Shinobu said as she walked toward the house. After a few steps, she suddenly stopped and turned her head.
"Oh right, there's a letter from Tanjirou in the room. Remember to read it, Yoizumi."
"Okay," Yoizumi nodded and replied.
The once bustling Butterfly Mansion was now quite quiet.
The three little girls had gone to school. Kanzaki Aoi and Kanao remained at the Butterfly Mansion, working hard to learn medicine from Shinobu. The younger siblings had returned to Mount Kumotori, along with Zenitsu and Inosuke.
Tanjirou and Nezuko would send letters from time to time to tell Yoizumi about interesting things in their lives, and they would occasionally visit the Butterfly Mansion.
Similarly, even though Kagaya had given him so much money, Tanjirou chose to continue his work burning and selling charcoal. In his words...
This was what he was supposed to do.
Now life had simply returned to its original track... Yoizumi returned to the room, picked up the letter on the table, and sighed.
Original track?
"..."
What if Kibutsuji Muzan had never gone to Mount Kumotori?
What if their families were all still alive and well?
What if neither he nor Nezuko had turned into demons?
Would the Demon Slayer Corps have had a different ending?
And Shinobu... Yoizumi closed his eyes, his hands not stopping as he opened the letter.
There are no 'what ifs'... What happened in the past cannot be changed; one can only move slowly toward a better future.
[I hope this letter finds you well.]
[How have Yoizumi-nii and Sister-in-law been lately?]
[Me, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke are all living together very happily—it's quite lively!]
[I've even taught Zenitsu how to burn charcoal, and Inosuke accompanies Nezuko into the mountains to pick wild vegetables and fruit.]
[When will Yoizumi-nii have time to bring Sister-in-law to Mount Kumotori? Nezuko says she's learned many new dishes, and Yoizumi-nii will surely like them.]
[By the way.]
[Nezuko and I are very much looking forward to the arrival of our nephew or niece.]
[Tanjirou]
Yoizumi looked at the dark ink smudge after 'By the way'; it was clear that he had hesitated for a long time before writing it.
Nephew and niece... Yoizumi turned his head to look through the window toward the gate of the Butterfly Mansion, then looked away as if nothing was wrong.
Still nothing... Just how 'loving' do we have to be to receive the Blessing of the Crane?
Should I write a letter to ask Uzui?
...No.
Forget it, I'll have to rely on my own efforts.
Yoizumi decided to spend even more time by Shinobu's side... Shinobu felt something was strange.
And that was the fact that Yoizumi had suddenly become very clingy.
Having just finished with her patients and preparing to check the medicine stock, Shinobu noticed something was off.
Yoizumi followed her like this the whole time, and after touching her every now and then, he would look toward the gate.
It wasn't until the fifth kiss that Shinobu belatedly realized.
Yoizumi was waiting for the 'Blessing of the Crane' to arrive.
At this thought, Shinobu couldn't help but chuckle. Looking into those clear sapphire eyes, she couldn't help but sigh.
"Yoizumi, you dummy."
"?" Yoizumi, who was helping Shinobu check the medicines, looked back blankly.
Could it be that he had missed something?
Well, he really hadn't been focused just now. To avoid causing trouble for Shinobu, Yoizumi decided to set the matter of the crane aside for a moment and help her finish her work first.
------------------------
There are already 70+ chapters available on my Patreon!
The story will continue to update 1 chapter per day on Webnovel,
while early access chapters are posted on Patreon.
Maybe it's not worth it today but it could be later
[email protected]/Kazenova223
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"