Chapter 193: The Massage Master
As for Ren, he was immersed in the Transparent World and didn't pay much attention to Shinobu's constantly changing expressions.
He simply felt that Shinobu was being extremely cooperative.
A long time had already passed, yet her toes hadn't moved even once.
Their massage was proceeding in full swing.
The two people outside the room were also listening intently.
Murata thought to himself, Wait... Is that really a massage service?
Kiyo nodded. "Of course! Ren is a professional. Everyone who's used his services says they're wonderful. Some people even wanted to sign up for monthly packages!"
"Monthly packages?" Murata exclaimed. "Ren is running that kind of business now, too?"
Kiyo said proudly, "Of course! Ren can do anything!"
Murata couldn't help shaking his head as a wave of inferiority washed over him.
Then, the next moment, Murata decided to head downstairs and leave.
Kiyo asked, "Murata, aren't you going to see Ren?"
"No need." Murata spoke meaningfully. "I'll come tomorrow. Besides, the weather is so nice tonight. It wouldn't be good to disturb Ren."
Murata's figure gradually disappeared into the distance, leaving behind the innocent Kiyo.
What did he mean by that?
Kiyo put down the wooden bucket and looked out through the window in the corridor.
The scenery was pretty ordinary, wasn't it?
Perhaps innocent Kiyo would never understand what Murata had meant.
Meanwhile, as Murata walked away, he couldn't stop sighing.
"As expected of Ren. He can even defeat the Butterfly Hashira."
At that moment, Murata looked toward the Butterfly Mansion with a trace of admiration.
"I'm deeply impressed."
[Ren, are you finished yet?]
"Not yet. Just a little longer."
[Ren, are you finished yet?]
"Almost. Wait a little longer!"
"Ren~ Are you finished yet~?"
"Done, done!"
Inside Shinobu's room, Shinobu was hiding beneath the blanket and would occasionally ask the question.
Ren hurriedly increased the speed of his hands.
After all, it was already late. If he dragged things out any longer, neither of them would be able to sleep tonight.
Fortunately, with his professional skills, Ren successfully completed the massage.
As you continuously perform massage movements, your Massage Experience increases!
[After performing thousands of repetitive movements tonight, your hand speed has increased!]
You begin to think, summarize, reflect, and deduce. As your experience continues to accumulate, you recall your previous experiences and make observations!
[Your thoughts become clear, and you achieve enlightenment! You have comprehended a brand-new skill based on Massage Magic Hands—Sacred Hands Massage!]
"Phew..."
Ren let out a long breath.
He even felt a desire to do more.
Through today's practical massage training, his skills had unknowingly reached an entirely new level.
That made Ren even more eager to perform a few more massages.
Shinobu felt the same way.
Only she, the person who had personally experienced everything, knew how restless her feet felt the moment Ren stopped.
She had thought she would finally be able to rest properly.
What an invigorating massage!
But when Ren's massage came to an end...
Shinobu suddenly felt as though her feet were empty.
That burning warmth had completely disappeared.
Only a lingering afterglow remained, as though sunlight had gently brushed across them.
Shinobu's eyes were muffled beneath the blanket, but she quietly opened them.
What a strange feeling.
While she was being massaged, she had been so embarrassed that she wanted it to end as quickly as possible.
Yet when it actually stopped, she found herself unable to bear it.
An inexplicable itch lingered in her heart...
"Ahem~ Ren, you should go back. It's getting late."
"All right. Get some good rest."
With that, Ren returned to his own room the way he had come.
He even took the basin of water he'd used to wash her feet with him when he left.
Shinobu watched Ren's departing figure and fell into thought.
Then, she quietly drew her little feet back beneath the blanket.
"So warm..."
Shinobu couldn't help murmuring softly.
The residual warmth on her toes lingered for a long time, as though they had been warmed beside a fire. It was cozy and comfortable.
Suddenly, Shinobu smiled.
There was a hint of the unique shyness of a young woman in her smile.
If anyone else from the Butterfly Mansion had seen this scene, they certainly would have cried out that it was impossible.
Everyone knew that anyone who had seen Shinobu's smile enough times would recognize it as a typical fake smile.
There was absolutely no way such a girlish, bashful expression could appear on Miss Shinobu's face!
As the dignified Insect Hashira, how could Lady Shinobu possibly have such a tender side?
Yet tonight, it was undeniable that Shinobu had been completely captivated by Ren.
Although Ren hadn't deliberately tried to seduce her...
Shinobu had already fallen.
So, there were certain things that now lacked only a catalyst.
The question was simply who would be the first to break through that thin layer of paper between them.
The night was exceptionally quiet.
But Shinobu remained awake until dawn.
The reason was simple.
She had slept through the entire afternoon. Who could possibly fall asleep in the middle of the night after that?
Moreover, her heartbeat had nearly been racing out of control earlier.
Shinobu was simply too excited to sleep...
The next day.
Ren and Kanzaki Aoi once again brought in the water for washing feet.
Sharp-eyed Aoi immediately noticed the dark circles beneath Shinobu's eyes.
She asked worriedly, "Lady Shinobu, are you this exhausted? You must have been really worried about the Butterfly Mansion and the Demon Slayer Corps last night, weren't you?"
"Mm... Uh, yes~"
Shinobu's tone was somewhat awkward, but she didn't offer much explanation.
Instead, her gaze fell upon Ren.
The two exchanged a smile.
Ren still said, "Aoi, could you step outside for a moment?"
[All right.]
Aoi obediently put down the basin and left the room.
Only after Aoi's figure had completely disappeared from their sight did Ren smile and ask,
"What is it? Couldn't sleep?"
Shinobu smiled somewhat shyly.
"A little. But why did you come so early today? It's only just dawn."
[You have blisters on your feet. I'm worried that you won't be able to stay in bed and will end up walking around, making the wounds worse.]
Ren patiently explained,
"That's why I came early today."
"How is Aoi?"
"She's worried about you too. She couldn't sleep and wanted to do something to help, so I asked her to bring the water."
Shinobu pursed her lips and smiled.
"Ren, why do you insist on massaging my feet?"
Then the girl's voice softened into a whisper.
"Actually, I'm not that delicate."
As she said this, however, her foot extended toward him with unusual eagerness.
Ren: "..."
This question had troubled Shinobu throughout the entire night as well.
She already had an answer in her heart, but she wasn't certain of it herself.
So she wanted to confirm it directly.
Ren skillfully sat down and reached out, deftly taking hold of Shinobu's little foot.
Shinobu's voice instantly fell silent.
It was as though Ren had caught her by the throat. She couldn't utter another word.
Only then did Ren answer Shinobu's question.
"Because you're sick."
Shinobu's expression changed.
"Ptui, ptui, ptui~ I'm not!"