"Shinobu-san… your beautiful eyes are all red now. Hehe."
"Please don't laugh at me. I don't want to hear that from you, of all people. Look at yourself—we're the same."
They had held each other for nearly thirty minutes before reluctantly parting. Both their eyes were swollen and red—if Aoi or the others saw them like this, they'd undoubtedly bombard them with questions. Neither was ready to leave the room just yet.
"Hey, Tanjiro-kun… is there anything you'd like me to do for you?"
"Huh? Like… something I want you to do?"
Tanjiro blinked in surprise at Shinobu's sudden question. But she continued, undeterred.
"It's not about atonement or repayment. I just… want to do something for you. Within my power, of course. But if it's for you, Tanjiro-kun, I'd do anything."
Any other man would have lost his composure at such words, but Shinobu delivered them with startling nonchalance.
Tanjiro, however, simply rested his chin on his hand and thought deeply. Expecting him to politely decline, Shinobu watched with poorly concealed anticipation.
"…Then, just one thing. Is that okay?"
"Of course. Tell me."
"Well, it's not something I can just say… Excuse me for a moment."
"Eh…?"
Before Shinobu could react, Tanjiro guided her by the shoulders to sit on the edge of the bed, then settled beside her. Gently, he shifted her head onto his lap—a lap pillow. Shinobu stiffened in bewilderment.
"Um… Tanjiro-kun, what exactly…?"
"Ah, do you not like it?"
"N-No! It's not that I dislike it, it's just… I'm happy—I mean! W-Why am I the one receiving a lap pillow from you? Shouldn't it be the other way around?"
Had Tanjiro asked for a lap pillow, Shinobu would have gladly obliged. But being pampered by him instead left her utterly flustered.
"Nope, this is exactly right. Because my wish is…"
"Y-Your wish is?"
"For Shinobu-san to indulge herself and rely on me."
"What? W-Wait, what does that even mean?!"
For a moment, Shinobu could only gape at him before bolting upright, glaring at Tanjiro like an irritated cat. He couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction, but soon his expression softened into something more serious.
"Shinobu-san. Since we're here, I want to say this clearly."
"Wh-What is it?"
"Ever since that night on the Butterfly Estate rooftop, I've been worried. More than the anger you let out… it was the sadness and lies hidden beneath, the way you always carried yourself like a taut wire, that bothered me."
"…Go on."
"I understand—you're a Hashira. You feel you have to be strong to lead the Demon Slayers. As the master of the Butterfly Estate, as an older sister, you have to protect and guide Kanao and the others. But…"
He met her gaze firmly.
"It's not wrong to show when you're hurting. To admit when you're struggling. Shinobu-san, you're human too—just a girl, like anyone else."
"…"
"No one would ever think less of you for crying, for leaning on someone, for being vulnerable. In fact, everyone here—Kanao, Aoi, Sumi, Naho, Kiyo, even Zenitsu and Inosuke—they'd be happy if you relied on them. Because they all… no, we all love you, Shinobu-san."
"…So, you're telling me to be spoiled?"
"I'd never presume to take Kanae-san's place. But…" His voice steadied.
"I want to be strong enough to hold you up. If you cry, I want to be the one to wipe your tears. I want to be someone who can give you peace. Because I…"
He took a deep breath, laying his heart bare.
"I love you too, Shinobu-san…!"
"~~~~!!!"
Overwhelmed with joy, Shinobu threw her arms around Tanjiro, pushing him down onto the bed. He didn't resist, letting the moment carry them.
But when Shinobu remained silent, clinging to him without a word, he finally spoke up.
"Shinobu-san?"
"...There's a condition."
"Huh? What is it?"
"You... have to let me spoil you too. That's non-negotiable."
"Hehe. Of course. Gladly."
With a soft smile, Tanjiro wrapped his left arm around Shinobu's waist while his right hand gently stroked her hair. The warmth of his touch brought fresh tears to her eyes.
"Tanjiro-kun... you're such a mean, awful boy. How many times are you going to make me cry before you're satisfied? Do you enjoy seeing me like this?"
"Of course not. I'd never think that way. But if it bothers you that much... should I dry those tears for you? Only if you want me to, though."
"You really are cruel. You already know how I feel—you can sense it, can't you? Just... keep stroking my hair. These are happy tears... so let them be."
'Ah, how could someone be so warm, so kind, so precious? Tanjiro-kun, thank you for living. Thank you for meeting me. I'm so glad I met you... So glad I'm alive. I... I...'
"Haa... haa... haa..."
Her breathing gradually evened out.
"...Goodnight, Shinobu-san. I'll protect you."
Whispering those words, Tanjiro continued stroking her hair until she drifted off to sleep.
——
————
While Tanjiro and Shinobu were lost in their own world, a certain girl with blue butterfly hair ornaments bustled anxiously through the Butterfly Estate.
"This matter is too big for me to decide alone... I need Shinobu-sama's approval..."
She headed straight for Shinobu's private quarters. Everyone already knew Tanjiro had snuck out earlier—and that Shinobu had dragged him back. Aoi pitied him, imagining the scolding he must have endured.
Standing outside the door, she knocked politely.
"Shinobu-sama? It's Aoi. May I come in?"
No response.
She knocked again, louder.
"Shinobu-sama?"
Still nothing.
"She's not in the infirmary... I was sure she'd be here..."
Had she walked away then, Aoi might have remained blissfully unaware. But fate had other plans.
"Shinobu-sama, forgive the intrusion."
She slid the door open—and froze.
There, tangled in each other's arms, were Tanjiro and Shinobu, fast asleep.
"...?...!?...!!?"
A soundless scream died in her throat. She stumbled back, slamming the door shut behind her. The paperwork in her hands was long forgotten as she fled down the hall, her pace quickening from a brisk walk to a full sprint until she reached her own room.
Collapsing onto her bed, Aoi clutched her chest, her mind reeling.
"What... was that...? Since when...? How...?"
Her thoughts were a jumbled mess.
'Shinobu-sama and Tanjiro... are they... together? But since when...?'
A sharp pang shot through her chest.
"Why... why does this hurt so much...?!"
Tears like glittering gemstones spilled down her cheeks as she pressed her hands against her heart, trying in vain to steady its frantic beating.