Next, Lexon went to the Shinazugawa brothers' noodle shop to scrounge a bowl of noodles for free and then to Gyomei Himejima's temple to exchange a few words.
As for Muichiro Tokito, he didn't visit him because they hadn't had much contact, and as for why he didn't visit a certain handsome ninja who led a happy life with three wives, there is no need to elaborate on the reasons.
Anyway, once these people heard the news that the Master was safe, they would all gather together. If he hadn't left by then, he could just greet them in passing.
'Thinking back, though... it seems I don't really know many people in this world...'
Lexon couldn't help but think as his visiting tour lasted only a few hours.
'Looking back, the one I had the most contact with and the deepest impression of was actually...'
'Gyokko?'
While his thoughts drifted, Lexon floated toward the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
Lexon originally wanted to go and chat with the Master first.
He didn't expect to be intercepted at the entrance of the former Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
Wearing a haori with an embroidered butterfly pattern over a neat Demon Slayer uniform, a beautiful short-haired girl with a mint-colored butterfly hair clip stood under the blooming wisteria.
Her purple eyes watched the person walking through the snow. Her beautiful face remained still, making it impossible to see through the thoughts hidden in her heart.
"Why haven't you come to the Butterfly Mansion to see me yet?" the girl asked the person stepping through the snow.
"It took a lot of time to visit Tanjiro and the others," Lexon replied. Then, he calmly said to Shinobu Kocho, "The Demon Slayer Corps has been disbanded; there's no need to wear that uniform anymore."
"I like wearing these clothes," Shinobu Kocho said, her fingers of one hand clutching the sleeve of the other, her clear and gentle voice coming from her cherry-colored lips.
"Is that so..." Lexon continued walking forward. "Let's go see the Master together. I left in a hurry before and still have a few things to say to him."
As he drew closer to Shinobu Kocho, he did not slow his pace.
Only...
Just as Lexon was about to pass her, his hand was once again held tightly.
Just like last time.
Her soft and slender fingers didn't feel cold at all despite the winter.
Instead, there was a faint warmth.
"I want to talk to you alone, just the two of us." The girl's head lowered slightly, their winter breaths clearly visible between them.
"Then just say it now." Lexon's gaze was indifferent, his tone calm.
After he spoke, no one said a word.
Neither Shinobu Kocho nor Lexon...
The winter sky at this moment was very clear.
Occasional snow drifted down.
Falling around the two of them.
Occasional breezes blew.
Making the magnificent and mysterious wisteria flowers rustle.
Under such circumstances...
"I!..." Shinobu Kocho seemed to have summoned her courage, suddenly looking up and meeting Lexon's eyes.
Yet for some reason, her heart tightened...
"Go ahead," Lexon said to Shinobu Kocho gently.
"I..." Shinobu Kocho's words faltered, unsure if she should continue.
"Go ahead," Lexon repeated.
His tone seemed even gentler than before.
"If someone liked you... and was going to confess to you... what would you do..." Shinobu Kocho's voice was slightly light and trembling.
"It would depend on who she is..." Lexon responded.
"What if it's someone you once said you had a good impression of..." Shinobu Kocho's words came out slowly, almost one by one.
"Is that so..." Lexon thought for a moment and replied, "If the other person insisted, I might agree."
"Really..."
"But in reality, I don't love her." Lexon's words were frank and direct.
Hearing this, Shinobu Kocho's expression dimmed.
"How can you fall in love with someone...?" someone asked.
"It's hard for me to fall in love with someone," someone replied.
A long silence followed.
No one spoke.
"Lexon..." Shinobu Kocho's gaze met Lexon's directly, and a soft, gentle voice came from her lips.
"Yes," Lexon responded.
"You helped me avenge my sister... you fulfilled the wish I've always held. You ended the tragic fate connecting humans and demons, and you gave me redemption through your words and actions. You let me stop running away and gave me the motivation to live... I am very grateful to you..."
"Yes."
"Do you know... I once saw my parents in a dream... and my sister... They were so happy that I could live on strongly... so happy that I could stop running away... happy that I no longer tried to imitate my sister... I feel like I did the right thing... and most of that is because of you... I really am grateful to you."
"Yes."
"So..."
"I really like you..."
"..."
This time, Lexon did not respond.
"I really like you!" Shinobu Kocho's loud, clear voice echoed in the surroundings.
She seemed to have exhausted all her strength.
Heavy breaths constantly escaped her mouth.
Her small face was pale, whether because the winter was too cold or because she had spent too much energy.
"Sor—"
Before Lexon could finish his sentence, Shinobu Kocho suddenly moved closer, pressing her finger against his lips.
Even though he had closed off his sensitive sense of smell, Lexon could still clearly smell the fragrance drifting from her.
"Don't say anything more... Lexon." Shinobu Kocho looked at him, her purple eyes full of softness, a gentle smile appearing on her face. She continued, "Since you don't like me yet, I will gradually make you like me!"
The smile on Shinobu Kocho's face was so refreshing.
"And then I'll make you confess to me! Just like Tanjiro did to Kanao!"
A perfectly timed breeze blew past.
Brushing Lexon's bangs...
Fluttering Shinobu Kocho's hair...
The magnificent and quiet wisteria flowers made a pleasant sound.
"Then please do your best." Lexon gazed at Shinobu Kocho, showing a smile and encouraging her warmly.
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]