DS Chapter 97: Shinobu Kocho: Ren... Why Do You Really Want to Stay at the Butterfly Mansion?
Ren was fairly satisfied with what he had learned.
The most reassuring discovery was that, after receiving his warning, Shinobu had immediately begun making preparations to relocate the Butterfly Mansion.
Just moments ago, he'd even seen the relocation plan she had carefully sketched on the last page of her diary.
He had also noticed the faint glistening trail of drool left behind from her exhaustion.
It seemed the Butterfly Mansion's Insect Hashira had truly worked herself to the limit.
Ren gently closed the diary.
Now that Shinobu had essentially completed the relocation plans, the next issue to solve was the wisteria poison accumulating inside her body.
If he remembered correctly, by the time of the Hashira Training Arc, Shinobu had infused herself with enough wisteria poison to kill someone seventy times over.
Now it was already sixty times the lethal dose.
Things weren't exactly improving.
Ren rubbed his chin.
A rough plan gradually took shape in his mind.
Since I'm recovering from my injuries anyway...
I might as well spend the next few days studying pharmacology.
Otherwise, if Shinobu suddenly dies because of all that poison...
I'll become the Butterfly Mansion's only doctor.
A single physician treating every patient every day?
That would kill me from overwork before any demon could.
He sighed softly.
"My dear Sister Shinobu... just to keep you from becoming a short-lived ghost, you're making me worry myself to death."
"Caw!"
"Short-lived ghost!"
"Short-lived ghost!"
Suddenly—
Ren didn't even have time to react.
A black blur squeezed through the crack beneath the laboratory door.
Its feathers were glossy and beautiful.
Its underwings...
...were suspiciously bald.
It was Ren's Kasugai Crow.
The moment it flew inside, it began screaming at the top of its lungs.
"Caw! Short-lived ghost!"
"Caw! Short-lived ghost!"
"Shut up!"
Smack!
Ren's eyes widened as he slapped it straight out of the air.
Too late.
A small figure suddenly shot upright.
An overwhelming killing intent instantly filled the laboratory.
The air itself seemed to freeze.
Ren slowly turned his head.
Behind him stood Shinobu.
Forcing an awkward smile, he waved weakly.
"Morning... Shinobu."
No reply.
Shinobu first looked at the Kasugai Crow sprawled on the floor.
Then...
Her gaze shifted to the diary tucked beneath Ren's arm.
She understood everything instantly.
A small vein bulged on her forehead.
Yet her smile only became gentler.
Far too gentle.
"Oh my..."
"You're up awfully early today, Ren."
"Could you tell me..."
"What exactly is that in your hand?"
Her voice was as sweet as ever.
Yet Ren could clearly hear the murderous intent hidden beneath it.
He couldn't answer.
Shinobu slowly lowered her head.
A shadow fell across her face.
Stretching every word, she asked softly,
"That wouldn't happen to be..."
"...my diary..."
"...would it~?"
Gulp.
Ren swallowed hard.
He knew there was no point trying to explain himself.
Perhaps the most dignified option was simply to confess...
...and let Shinobu stab him to death.
No.
He rejected that plan immediately.
Then, at the critical moment...
Inspiration struck.
"Ahem..."
"Sister Shinobu..."
"Let's be reasonable."
"I'm responsible for half of the Butterfly Mansion now."
"So... you can't bully me anymore."
"Oh?"
Shinobu's smile deepened.
"Is that so?"
The next instant—
She disappeared.
Before Ren could react, she was already standing beside him.
Without Bullet Domain active, his mind still clouded by fatigue, he couldn't follow her movements at all.
The faint fragrance of wisteria drifted toward him.
At some point she had already put her butterfly-patterned haori back on.
Leaning close enough for her breath to brush against his ear, Shinobu whispered softly,
"Ren..."
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
"What am I trying to do?"
Ren answered without hesitation.
"Devote myself to the Butterfly Mansion's medical work until the day I die."
"Stop joking."
Shinobu's expression suddenly became serious.
"That's not what I meant."
"What is your real goal?"
"Why did you join the Butterfly Mansion?"
Before Ren could answer, she blinked and added,
"You'd better answer honestly."
"If I like your answer..."
"I'll pretend I never caught you reading my diary."
"But if I don't..."
She smiled sweetly.
"Your fate will be exactly the same as Sanemi's yesterday."
Ren fell silent.
Shinobu waited beside him, unable to hide her nervousness.
The truth was...
She was both anxious...
...and curious.
Curious about Ren's true intentions.
Curious why someone like him had chosen the Butterfly Mansion.
And...
She was afraid.
Afraid he would eventually leave.
When she had rescued Ren from Mount Natagumo, she'd assumed he was simply another orphan with nowhere to go.
After spending these past few days with him...
She realized she had been completely wrong.
Ren was anything but ordinary.
He had even defeated the Wind Hashira, proving he possessed Hashira-level strength.
So why...
Why would someone this extraordinary choose to remain at the Butterfly Mansion?
Surely it couldn't be something as simple as free meals and lodging.
Or...
Was it because he liked Kanao?
Or perhaps...
...me?
N-No!
Shinobu immediately slapped both cheeks.
Get a grip, Shinobu!
You almost started flattering yourself again!
Calm down!
Ren isn't meant to stay here forever.
And he certainly isn't meant for someone like you.
Better a little pain now than endless pain later.
If he leaves, it'll be better for both of you.
You can't be greedy.
You haven't even avenged Sister yet.
Taking a deep breath, Shinobu steeled herself.
Her round purple eyes widened as she fixed Ren with an unusually fierce glare.
Ren felt goosebumps rise all over his body.
What's with that look?
I'm still thinking about my answer!
Do you have to stare at me like that?
He had never seen Shinobu make such an expression before.
Normally, she always smiled.
Oddly enough...
It was rather adorable.
With that thought, Ren stretched lazily.
Instead of answering her question, he asked one of his own.
"Shinobu..."
"Why do you think I'm staying here?"
She froze.
Then lowered her head and began thinking seriously.
His question had completely caught her off guard.
After pondering it for a while, she finally gave what she believed was the most reasonable answer.
"...Because I'm the Insect Hashira?"
"Yes."
Ren nodded.
Then shook his head.
"But also no."
Shinobu frowned delicately.
"Don't tell me..."
"You really want to become the master of the Butterfly Mansion."
"That position doesn't suit you."
"Besides..."
"You're a Hashira now."
"By all rights, you should be focusing on the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Why stay here?"
"You should go train under Himejima-san."
"I've already taught you everything I can."
"You'll learn far more from him."
Hearing that, Ren simply shook his head.
Then he looked at her with quiet meaning.
"Don't you think..."
"...the answer lies with you?"
"Me?"
Shinobu blinked in confusion.
She looked at Ren again, as if silently asking him to repeat himself.
But before she could say another word—
Ren suddenly reached out.
And without the slightest hesitation...
He gently lifted her chin.