Shuya glanced at Nezuko, still caught in that shy, hopeful daze from earlier. He waved Saeko over without missing a beat.
"Saeko-senpai, since you're already here, mind teaching Nezuko some Breathing Technique? You've got Transparent World down and even picked up real pointers from Yoriichi. You're more than qualified to guide her."
Saeko nodded, already walking closer. She understood exactly what he wanted.
Then Shuya felt a small tug on his sleeve. He looked down and found Kanao Tsuyuri staring up at him in silence, her delicate doll-like face completely blank as she clung to his clothes.
"You got something to say?" he asked gently.
Kanao didn't answer. She just kept holding on, eyes fixed on him.
Shuya scratched the back of his head. Autistic kids were tough to read. After a second, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of candy.
"Here. I gave some to Nezuko and the three little girls yesterday, but I forgot yours because Shinobu showed up. Consider this a late delivery."
Kanao tilted her head, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. Normally she would've flipped her coin to decide, but Kanae had specifically told her not to use it when dealing with Shuya. Without the coin, her mind stalled. Sweat started forming on her forehead.
Shuya noticed. "Where's your coin? You're not flipping it today?"
Kanao shook her head firmly. She wouldn't go against Kanae's words.
"Open your mouth," Shuya said. He unwrapped one piece and slipped it between her lips.
Kanao's eyes widened slightly as the sweetness exploded across her tongue. "So sweet…"
Shuya smiled. Girls and sweets. Worked every time, even in this era where candy wasn't easy to come by.
He held out the rest. This time Kanao reached out with her small, clean hand and took them without hesitation.
Shuya patted her head lightly. "You can let go of my sleeve now, right?"
Kanao looked up at him. Something seemed to click in her mind. She opened her mouth like she wanted to speak, but no sound came out.
"It's okay," Shuya said softly, crouching down so his ear was level with her. "Take your time. I'm listening."
Kanao's eyes lit up. She quickly tucked the candy into her kimono, let go of his sleeve, then placed both small hands on his face and leaned in without warning.
Shuya blinked. "???"
Her lips pressed against his. Simple. Direct. No hesitation, no blinking. Just a quiet, steady kiss that still carried the faint sweetness of the candy she'd just eaten.
Inside, Kanao felt a small wave of relief. This should count as getting closer to Shuya, just like Kanae-nee wanted.
Nezuko finally snapped out of her own flustered state and caught the whole thing. Her silver teeth ground together.
"Damn it… I was here first again!"
Aoi, who had come back looking for Kanao, stepped into the training hall at that exact moment. She froze mid-step, eyes going wide as she watched the calm, doll-like girl kiss Shuya without a shred of shame.
Her mind went blank for a second before one shocked thought slipped out.
Is this Shuya guy some kind of succubus?!