DS Chapter 77: Shinobu's Confession
"Ren."
"I'm here."
Shinobu's eyes suddenly turned red.
"If only you had appeared sooner..."
"Then my sister would still be alive, and I wouldn't have to suffer like this."
"Do you know?"
"I'm so angry... I've always been angry."
"When my sister died."
"When I became the Insect Hashira."
"When demons mocked me for being too weak."
"And when Sanemi destroyed the only home my sister left behind."
"I'm so angry, Ren... do you know?"
"I haven't stopped being angry for even a single moment."
"But... I don't want to stay angry anymore."
"I'm afraid that if I lose my smile..."
"My sister in heaven won't like me anymore."
"I... I..."
"I know."
Ren's gentle voice interrupted her.
He slowly opened his arms and carefully embraced Shinobu.
"You're the Insect Hashira."
"But you're also Kanae's little sister."
"The Insect Hashira has to protect everyone."
"But Shinobu doesn't."
"Shinobu can be angry."
"She can be happy."
"She can be sad."
"She can cry."
"Shinobu deserves someone to protect her too."
"And besides..."
"It's not only your smile that's beautiful."
"Even when you're angry..."
"You're still adorable."
His words were simple.
Yet unbelievably gentle.
Hidden in his embrace, Shinobu froze.
Her entire body trembled uncontrollably.
She slowly wrapped both arms around Ren's back, gripping him tightly.
Her fingertips pressed so hard that they gradually turned pale.
She wished...
Time could stop at this very moment.
But it couldn't.
Ren's appearance had completely shattered the resolve of a girl who had already prepared herself to die.
Her voice was filled with unwillingness.
And resentment.
"Why...?"
"Why?!"
"Why couldn't you have appeared sooner, Ren?!"
Blue veins stood out faintly on her forehead.
Overwhelmed by emotion, her entire face flushed crimson.
Even the scent of wisteria surrounding her seemed stronger than before.
"I hate you, Ren!"
"I had already made up my mind!"
"So why did you appear now?!"
"Why do you always shake my resolve?!"
She tried pushing him away.
But Ren only held her more firmly.
Tears streamed silently down her cheeks.
Defeated, she whispered,
"Ren..."
"Please leave..."
"Before I change my mind..."
"I..."
Pat.
Just as Shinobu lowered her head...
Ren's hand gently rested atop it.
The warmth of his palm slowly spread through her body.
Like sunlight melting winter snow...
The raging emotions inside her quietly receded.
Shinobu looked up blankly.
Morning light illuminated the young man's smiling face.
His smile...
Seemed even warmer than the rising sun.
"...I'm sorry."
She sniffled softly.
All the words she had prepared...
Vanished.
Ren gently stroked her hair.
"What are you apologizing for?"
"If you're hurting..."
"Then cry."
"When you've cried enough..."
"It won't hurt as much anymore."
"And don't worry about looking embarrassing."
"Right now..."
"The one standing before me isn't the Insect Hashira."
"She's simply Kanae's little sister."
"Shinobu."
He quietly held the girl in his arms, allowing her tears to soak his shoulder.
Within the peaceful backyard...
There was no Insect Hashira.
Nor was there the miracle doctor of the Butterfly Mansion.
There was only a cheerful young man...
Comforting a girl who had carried her pain alone for far too long.
"Ren..."
"I'm sorry."
Shinobu's tightly clenched fingers gradually relaxed.
She hugged him tightly...
Greedily breathing in his familiar scent.
For the very first time...
She completely opened her heart.
Looking up, she hesitated.
"Ren..."
"Actually..."
"I..."
"Shh."
Ren gently placed a finger against her lips.
"Let me guess."
"Were you about to say..."
"...that you like me?"
Shinobu instantly stiffened.
Her cheeks became as red as a ripe apple.
This idiot...!
Could he really say something like that so directly?!
At least let me prepare myself first!
Unable to bear it anymore, she lightly punched his waist with her tiny fist.
"I wasn't!"
Ren simply smiled.
Absentmindedly playing with the strands of hair behind her back.
As he inhaled the familiar scent of wisteria...
His expression gradually became serious.
The stronger the fragrance surrounding Shinobu...
The more poison she had injected into herself.
Ever since they had met...
He had noticed that the scent became stronger each time.
To everyone else...
It might have smelled like the delicate fragrance of a young woman.
But to Ren...
It smelled like blood slowly seeping through her skin.
His brows furrowed slightly.
Looks like...
I really need to study pharmacology properly.
The sun slowly rose above the valley.
Golden sunlight poured across the courtyard.
Resting in Ren's embrace, Shinobu lazily lifted her eyelids.
"Ren..."
"What is it?"
"I'm tired..."
"I want to sleep for a little while."
"Then sleep."
"I'm here."
Hearing those words...
Shinobu slowly closed her eyes.
Within moments...
She had fallen into a deep sleep.
Ren carefully lifted her into a princess carry.
Facing the morning sun...
He quietly walked back toward the Butterfly Mansion.
Curled peacefully in his arms like a child...
Shinobu murmured softly in her sleep.
"Ren..."
"I like you..."
---
Morning.
Ren stood at the entrance of the Butterfly Mansion, ready to depart.
After carrying Shinobu back to her room earlier, he had made several preparations before today's match against Sanemi.
First...
He visited Shinobu's laboratory and quietly "borrowed" a bottle of anesthetic.
He then coated the guard of his Nichirin Blade with it.
After all...
What kind of Bee Breathing would it be without anesthetic?
Once that was done, Ren changed into fresh clothes.
He didn't wear the standard Demon Slayer Corps uniform.
Mainly because it was now far too small for him.
Instead, he wore a clean white outfit from the Butterfly Mansion.
Simple.
Neat.
And surprisingly handsome.
"Ren..."
"Are you leaving?"
A clear voice called from behind him.
Kanao peeked out from behind the Butterfly Mansion's doorway, looking at him somewhat reluctantly.
Since no one else was nearby...
She didn't call him "Ren-san."
Somehow...
That always felt a little distant.
After all, they were nearly the same age.
If possible...
Kanao hoped they could become a little closer.
Looking at Ren, who was about to leave, she blinked expectantly.
Originally...
Shinobu was supposed to accompany him today.
But for some reason...
She was still asleep.
Did that mean...
She finally had an opportunity?
Ren turned around and smiled.
"Yeah."
"I'm heading to see the Master for today's match."
"Kanao..."
"Would you like to come with me?"