Seeing Shinobu staring intently at him, Ryuji quickly said, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone you cried."
However, before he could finish, Shinobu suddenly pressed herself against him, rising onto her toes to kiss him.
Ryuji, completely surprised by the sudden kiss, instinctively grabbed Shinobu.
It was a purely reflexive action. Shinobu, interpreting his grip as reciprocation, surrendered to her emotions, using Ryuji as an outlet for her feelings.
Ryuji was completely overwhelmed by Shinobu's passionate kiss.
The next day
Tanjiro and Zenitsu awoke to find Ryuji missing from the room. Inosuke was still lying motionless in bed, it was unclear if he was awake.
Both Tanjiro and Zenitsu wondered where Ryuji had gone. Tanjiro checked the cedarwood box beside the bed; it was still there, reassuring him somewhat.
Zenitsu offered his theory, "I have a feeling Senior Ryuji snuck out last night while we were asleep to meet Amane secretly!"
Tanjiro didn't pay much attention to Zenitsu's speculation. Even if true, it was Ryuji's private matter, and Tanjiro didn't want to gossip.
Shinichi Murata arrived at the ward early that morning. "Tanjiro, Zenitsu, you both seem to be in good spirits!"
He entered, looking at Inosuke, who lay still like a corpse. "How's Inosuke? Still asleep?"
Tanjiro replied, "Probably. Inosuke's been through a lot; he's probably contemplating life."
Shinichi sighed, "It's unusual to see him so down," though he understood; having narrowly escaped death, Inosuke would naturally experience significant emotional trauma.
Noticing Ryuji's absence, Shinichi asked, "Where's Senior Ryuji? What's he doing?"
Tanjiro shook his head. "I don't know."
Zenitsu chimed in, "Shinichi, let me tell you! Senior Ryuji snuck out last night to meet a girl!"
Intrigued, Shinichi, being a man, was naturally interested in such gossip. He leaned in, whispering, "Zenitsu, how do you know? Did you see Ryuji go out with a girl last night?"
Zenitsu had slept soundly; he couldn't have possibly seen Ryuji being taken away by Shinobu.
Zenitsu shook his head. "No, I didn't see him, but knowing Senior Ryuji, he must have gone to meet a girl!"
Shinichi chuckled at Zenitsu's unfounded speculation and didn't pursue the matter further.
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