Kiyokawa Izumi picked up a hagi mochi and took a small bite. The soft glutinous rice grains wrapped in fine, sandy red bean paste melted in his mouth. The elasticity of the rice and the continuous texture of the red bean paste intertwined; it was sweet but not cloying, with an endless aftertaste.
After eating several pieces, Kiyokawa Izumi sensed a distinct gaze fixed upon him.
Sanemi's fierce expression was gone. He just watched Kiyokawa Izumi silently—this guy was eating way too fast; he had only managed two!
In the blink of an eye, only the last hagi mochi brought by Senior Brother Giyuu remained.
Perhaps due to his age, Kuwajima Jigorō hadn't eaten much, and Senior Brother Giyuu hadn't eaten any at all, just silently watching everyone.
Kiyokawa Izumi, who hadn't managed breakfast or lunch, had also been busy mediating fights earlier, so his stomach was already protesting.
At this moment, facing the single remaining hagi mochi, he completely ignored the Wind Hashira staring intensely at him and decided to strike first.
If your hand is fast, you get it; if it's slow, it's gone.
Seemingly sensing Kiyokawa Izumi's hand becoming restless, Sanemi used both hands, his outstretched right hand suddenly grabbing Kiyokawa Izumi's wrist.
His other hand also reached unceremoniously toward the hagi mochi.
Kiyokawa Izumi never expected this guy to be so dishonorable, using both hands and all his strength just to snatch that last piece of hagi mochi.
Absolutely detestable!
Do you think you're the only one with two hands?
Kiyokawa Izumi's previously idle left hand also shot out. Just as Sanemi's hand was about to touch the hagi mochi, the food box containing it was swiftly lifted away.
"You guy..."
The moment their gazes met, both realized the other was serious.
hagi mochi means War!
Kiyokawa Izumi held the food box high in his left hand, unable to hide a triumphant smile—his hand speed was still too slow; he needed more practice!
Seeing this, veins visibly bulged on Sanemi's face.
Sanemi's breathing became pronounced, his eyes glued to the food tray. Currently, the advantage lay with Kiyokawa Izumi; how could he turn the situation around?
While thinking, his right hand gripping Kiyokawa Izumi's wrist suddenly tightened, clearly intending to make the other lose balance, fall, and cause the hagi mochi to fly out of the box.
This way, he could kill two birds with one stone.
Kiyokawa Izumi, losing his center of gravity and falling, would not only be unable to grab the hagi mochi but would also separate it from the box.
Unexpectedly, Kiyokawa Izumi merely smiled slightly.
Did you think I couldn't guess your plan?
The hagi mochi in the box was tossed high into the air. The right hand that had been grasping his wrist suddenly reversed, grabbing Sanemi's wrist instead, creating a stalemate.
You're holding me, but I'm holding you too.
Sanemi's heart sank. He hadn't expected this guy to be so troublesome. His gaze instinctively shifted to the hagi mochi.
Having his wrist grabbed back by the opponent, he couldn't get up and could only watch the hagi mochi tumble high in the air, about to land right by Kiyokawa Izumi's mouth.
This guy!
The moment he tossed the hagi mochi, he had already calculated its landing spot.
He planned to catch it with his mouth.
Once he bit down, it would be too late.
For a moment, Sanemi couldn't think of a countermeasure.
Just then, a figure like a butterfly descended beside them. Sister Shin's fair and slender right hand gently pinched the yellowish hagi mochi, her face wearing that familiar, gentle smile.
Kiyokawa Izumi and Sanemi froze simultaneously. After all their scheming and fighting, they had been intercepted by Shin?
"Don't!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Kochou Shinobu took a gentle bite. She then looked with slight confusion at Kiyokawa Izumi and Sanemi, who had both shouted out simultaneously.
Is it poisoned?
Also, when did your relationship become so good? Why are you holding hands?
"Damn it!"
In this battle, Kiyokawa Izumi had undoubtedly suffered a crushing defeat.
Just a little bit more!
He was too confident, never expecting the mantis stalking the cicada, only to be preyed upon by the oriole.
By the time he sensed something was wrong, Kochou Shinobu's hand had already brushed past his face.
Helplessly, he could only somewhat disdainfully slap away Sanemi's foul hand.
Seeing this, Senior Brother Giyuu pondered—so, everyone likes hagi mochi. Next time, he should bring more, otherwise, they might fight.
Even Kochou tried to snatch the last hagi mochi... does she like eating it that much too?
If he brings more, maybe their relationship can improve?
"By the way, Sanemi, why are you here?"
Kiyokawa Izumi, suddenly realizing, couldn't help but ask, his gaze toward Sanemi filled with suspicion.
He suddenly remembered that during the last Hashira Meeting, the short-tempered Sanemi had actually initiated conversation with Kochou Shinobu—it wasn't strange initially, as Kochou Shinobu had quite good relationships with the other Hashira.
She wasn't like the disliked Giyuu, so being spoken to was normal.
But seeing the uninjured Sanemi suddenly appear at the Butterfly Mansion made him feel something was off.
Why would this protective older brother come here?
"..."
Sanemi glared at Kiyokawa Izumi unpleasantly. He didn't care that Kochou Shinobu ate the last hagi mochi; what bothered him was that Kiyokawa Izumi had competed with him for it.
"Just checking if these trash have improved, if they can be of any use, and if you have been training them properly. Now that I see, they are still trash, with no change at all."