The competition has ended and I received twenty likes, so I will publish two chapters.
_________
There was a hint of envy hidden in Kochou Shinobu's words.
Because she was always angry; deep in her heart, she felt a burning rage toward demons.
Perhaps, ever since her sister died, she no longer knew what happiness or joy felt like.
All that remained was loathing for demons and hatred for the one that killed her sister.
She had spent a significant amount of time with Kiyokawa Izumi and had sensed his sense of detachment from the world, as if he were a cold observer.
Because he disregarded everything that happened, he didn't get angry, nor did he feel genuine rage.
Even at this moment, she could still feel that faint sense of estrangement—not toward her, but toward the world itself.
She suddenly grew curious: what was the true personality of Kiyokawa Izumi beneath that mask?
"How about we go soak in a hot spring!"
Kiyokawa Izumi's eyes brightened slightly as he spoke with anticipation.
This guy was always so spontaneous, deciding on a whim to visit a hot spring, which left Shinobu somewhat helpless... In the end, they entrusted their things to the Kakushi to be delivered back to the Butterfly Mansion.
Kiyokawa Izumi practically dragged Kochou Shinobu to a Bathhouse—not because he had any ill intentions or was looking forward to a mixed-gender bath, but for a very simple reason: if he didn't drag Sister Shinobu along, no one would pay the bill!
"Aren't you going to let go yet? We're already here; are you afraid I'll run away?"
Kochou Shinobu said faintly as her sleeve was being tugged.
"What if you use a Breathing Technique?"
Kiyokawa Izumi said solemnly, "It would be very distressing for me if there's no one to pay."
"..."
So, why didn't you bring any money before leaving the house?
Since mixed baths didn't exist here, they naturally had to separate for the next part.
Kiyokawa Izumi reluctantly held onto Kochou Shinobu's sleeve; he didn't pull too hard, but he looked at her very seriously.
The old woman leading the way had a face full of wrinkles that broke into a kind smile. She watched them cheerfully, with no intention of rushing them.
Feeling unaccustomed to being watched like that, Kochou Shinobu instinctively tried to pull her hand back.
But a certain someone simply wouldn't let go.
"Mr. Kiyokawa Izumi?"
"You're not going to sneak off alone, are you?"
It wasn't that Kiyokawa Izumi was a little kid who lacked a sense of security without holding onto an adult; he was purely worried that this black-bellied woman would abandon him and sneak away.
If she were to slip away secretly, wouldn't the penniless Kiyokawa Izumi be stuck here?
"I won't! Can you let go now?"
Kiyokawa Izumi carefully observed her expression, but after a brief analysis, he couldn't read anything.
"Really?"
"Let go already!"
Kochou Shinobu smiled at the old lady in front while tugging at her own sleeve.
Seeing how serious she was, he figured she probably wouldn't sneak off alone.
Only then did Kiyokawa Izumi release her sleeve... The bluestone bath was separated by an old bamboo fence. The sound of water pattered on both sides, and as the steam rose, the faint sound of Kiyokawa Izumi entering the water could be heard.
Kiyokawa Izumi leaned halfway against the edge of the pool, his whole body relaxing completely, as if all the fatigue from the morning had been washed away.
A warm Yukata was placed not far away.
Looking around, there was no one else in the men's bath.
Kiyokawa Izumi enjoyed the current quiet and relaxation.
His peripheral vision unconsciously flicked toward the old bamboo fence.
Don't misunderstand; it wasn't because of some indescribable dark motive, but purely out of subconscious vigilance.
That's right!
Even now, he was still worried that Kochou Shinobu next door would secretly leave and heartlessly abandon him here.
Through the bamboo fence, seeing was definitely impossible.
Even activating the Sharingan would be useless.
The Sharingan wasn't X-ray vision, and even if it had the ability to see through things, he wouldn't use it at a time like this.
He hadn't degenerated to that level of indecency yet.
"Are you still there?"
About three minutes later, Kiyokawa Izumi, his body fully relaxed, suddenly sat up and shouted toward the next room.
After several breaths passed without a response, he was instantly stunned.
No way?
That black-bellied woman wouldn't be that heartless, would she?
He had indeed teased her quite a bit today... but surely she wouldn't take revenge on him over something like this?
Closing his eyes slightly, Kiyokawa Izumi listened carefully to the sounds from next door.
Besides the pattering sound of water, he could faintly hear a weak but rhythmic sound of breathing.
Hearing that was enough, and Kiyokawa Izumi went back to relaxing... Meanwhile, at the Butterfly Mansion,
The sky was gradually darkening, and the Team Members slumped on the ground could no longer get up.
The Water Hashira was so cold and rarely spoke.
Under his intense gaze, none of the Team Members dared to slack off.
But physical strength has its limits after all, and their physical fitness was quite average; they soon couldn't hold on any longer.
Then, they would be ruthlessly whipped by Lord Water Hashira.
The afternoon passed quickly, and it was already dinner time. Kanzaki Aoi looked at the Water Hashira and cautiously reminded him.
"They have reached their limit. Let them rest for a while and eat first?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd felt as if they had seen an angel.
Tomioka Giyu remained silent and did not answer.
Just as everyone was feeling anxious, Lord Water Hashira slowly nodded.
"Then..."
Before Kanzaki Aoi could finish, Tomioka Giyu said expressionlessly,
"I'm going back now. I'll come again tomorrow."
Hearing this, Kanzaki Aoi did not dare to continue inviting him.
"Yes, please take care!"
Little did she know, Tomioka Giyu was thinking in his heart—why haven't they come back yet?
Did something happen?