"Su Chen." "I'm here."
Shinobu Kocho's eyes suddenly reddened. "If only you had appeared sooner. Then my sister might still be alive, and I wouldn't have to be so troubled." "Do you know? I'm so angry. I've always been so angry." "When my sister passed away. When I became the Insect Hashira. When demons mocked me for being too weak. And when Shinazugawa destroyed the only memento my sister left me!" "I'm so angry, Su Chen, do you know? I haven't stopped being angry for a single moment." "But... but I really don't want to be angry anymore. I'm afraid that if I lose my smile, my sister in heaven will dislike me! I... I..."
"I know." Su Chen's voice was sudden. He opened his arms and carefully embraced Shinobu Kocho. "You are the Insect Hashira, yes, but you're also Kanae's sister, Shinobu." "The Insect Hashira needs to protect others, but Shinobu Kocho doesn't have to." "Shinobu Kocho can be angry, she can be happy, she can be sad, and she can be upset." "She also needs to be protected, because it's not just a smiling Shinobu who can be liked. An angry Shinobu is also very cute~"
Su Chen's words were direct yet gentle. Shinobu, hiding in his arms, froze. Her body trembled uncontrollably. Shinobu Kocho raised her arms, gripping Su Chen's back tightly with both hands. Her fingertips pressed so hard, her fair fingers instantly turned crimson. She wanted time to stop forever at this moment, but she couldn't. Su Chen's appearance had thrown this girl, who was determined to die, into disarray. The girl's tone was filled with unwillingness, and even a hint of anger. "Why..." "Why!" "Why couldn't you, Su Chen, have appeared sooner!" Shinobu Kocho's pretty face was covered in bulging veins. Because of the extreme emotion, her face quickly flushed with blood. At this moment, the girl's face was completely red. The wisteria scent on her body was even a bit sharp.
"Su Chen, I hate you!" "I had already made up my mind!" "Why did you have to appear at this time!" "Why do you always shake my resolve!" Shinobu Kocho tried to push Su Chen away, but he held her tightly. Two lines of clear tears streamed down the girl's eyes, and she said, somewhat deflated, "Su Chen, leave! Before I change my mind! I..."
Clap! Just as the girl was lost in thought. Su Chen's hand was placed on her head at some point. Fine sweat mixed with Su Chen's unique palm warmth, and a warm sensation instantly poured down from Shinobu Kocho's crown. Shinobu Kocho's delicate body trembled, and the anger in her heart receded like a tide. She looked up dazedly. The morning light was faint, and the young man's eyes held a smile. Warm. Su Chen's smile seemed even more dazzling than the sun.
"I'm sorry." Shinobu Kocho sniffled. Even with all her previous arguments, Shinobu Kocho couldn't utter a single word now. Su Chen affectionately stroked her little head, and said gently: "Apologize for what? If you're sad, just cry. Once you cry it out, you won't be sad anymore. Don't worry about being embarrassed. The one in front of me now isn't the Insect Hashira, but Kanae's younger sister, Shinobu Kocho." Su Chen gently held the girl in front of him, letting her tears fall onto his shoulder.
In the quiet backyard. There was no Insect Hashira. And no male miracle doctor from the Butterfly Mansion. There was only a sunny, cheerful young man comforting a troubled girl.
"Su Chen, I'm sorry." Shinobu Kocho's clenched fingers slowly relaxed. She hugged the young man in front of her tightly, greedily breathing in his scent. The girl opened her heart to Su Chen for the first time. She suddenly looked up. "Su Chen, actually, I already..."
"Shh!" Su Chen held a finger to her lips. "Let me guess! Are you trying to say... you like me?" Shinobu Kocho's hands clenched. Her face was as red as a ripe apple. Su Chen, this big straightforward man! He really spoke without any warning!He didn't give her any time to prepare! Shinobu Kocho punched Su Chen's waist with a small, pink fist. "I didn't!"
Su Chen smiled, playing with the beautiful hair behind Shinobu Kocho's back. He sniffed the wisteria scent on her body, and his expression suddenly became serious and solemn. The stronger the scent on Shinobu Kocho's body, the more wisteria poison she had injected. From Su Chen's interactions with her during this period, the floral scent on her body grew stronger and more pungent each time. For Su Chen, this scent was not the unique freshness of a young girl. But the smell of poison seeping from beneath her skin. Su Chen frowned slightly. It seemed he would have to properly study pharmacology when he had time.
Day arrived, and the sun climbed over the valley. Bright sunlight poured down. The girl in Su Chen's arms gently lifted her eyelids, calling out somewhat tiredly. "Su Chen." "What's wrong?" "I'm tired. I want to sleep for a while." "Go to sleep if you want. I'm here."
Shinobu Kocho closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep. Su Chen scooped Shinobu Kocho up in a princess carry, and facing the morning sun, walked back in the direction he had come from. Shinobu Kocho lay in Su Chen's arms like a baby, murmuring in her sleep. "Su Chen... I like it."
...
Morning. Su Chen, who had risen early, stood at the doorway, ready to depart. Early this morning, after Su Chen had taken Shinobu Kocho back to her room, he made some preparations before his match with Shinazugawa. First, Su Chen went to Shinobu Kocho's lab and 'borrowed' some anesthetic, which he then smeared onto the guard of his Nichirin Sword. After all, how could Bee Breathing be Bee Breathing without anesthetic? After applying the anesthetic, Su Chen simply changed his clothes. He didn't wear the uniform issued by the Demon Slayer Corps. Mainly because the clothes were too small, and he always felt constricted when he wore them. Su Chen was wearing a special white outfit from the Butterfly Mansion. Clean and fresh. From a distance, he looked like a proper handsome young man.
"Su Chen, are you leaving?" A crisp voice sounded behind Su Chen. Behind the Butterfly Mansion door, Kanao poked her head out, looking at him with reluctance. Seeing no one around, Kanao didn't address him as 'Mister'. Because calling Su Chen 'Mister' always felt a bit strange to Kanao. After all, she and Su Chen were of similar age, and if possible, Kanao hoped their relationship could become closer. Looking at Su Chen, who was preparing to leave, Kanao blinked, looking expectant. Today, her mentor, Shinobu Kocho, was supposed to accompany Su Chen, but for some reason, her mentor was still in her room and hadn't woken up. Did that mean she had an opportunity?
Su Chen turned his head and glanced at Kanao. He smiled and said: "Yes, I'm going to the Master's place for a match. Kanao, do you want to come with me?"
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