Horitake realized a pressing issue: where would he stay tonight? A soon-to-be Pillar with no place to sleep at Corps headquarters? Absurd! His first instinct was to ask Oyakata, but bothering his boss over such a trivial matter felt wrong.
Turning to Shinobu, he asked, "Sister Shinobu, where do I stay tonight?"
Sensing his predicament, Shinobu's mood brightened, her smile polite as she explained, "Pillars get their own houses at headquarters, but you're not a Pillar yet. Regular swordsmen have… less luxurious options."
Horitake felt a familiar sting of her sharp wit. "So, where do regular swordsmen stay?"
She pointed. "Over there—inn-like lodgings for temporary stays."
"Inn!?" Horitake exclaimed. "Sister Shinobu, an inn? Me, Horitake, soon-to-be Pillar, who just slew Upper Moon Five, Yushiro, forced to stay at an inn? That's outrageous! I've bled for the Corps, cried for the Corps, given my all! You can't treat a hero like this!"
Despite his theatrics, Shinobu replied coolly, "Oh? Don't like the inn? Then there's nowhere else."
Horitake fumed. He'd hinted so obviously—why hadn't she invited him to the Butterfly Mansion? In the original story, Tanjiro's trio stayed there casually. Why not him? Time to double down on shamelessness. He sidled closer. "I hear the Butterfly Mansion has plenty of rooms and beautiful scenery. Let me stay there tonight, Sister Shinobu."
What a brazen rogue! Shinobu, maintaining her smile, refused gracefully. "Sorry, the Butterfly Mansion is for treating the injured. You're not hurt, so you can't stay. Unless I injure you—then you could. Don't worry, I'd treat you personally."
Her gentle tone carried an unmistakable threat. Horitake, unfazed, spread his arms. "Go ahead, Sister Shinobu, do it!"
A vein pulsed on Shinobu's forehead. Most would flee her venomous tongue, but this man was like tough leather—untouchable. My kryptonite? she wondered.
Horitake, knowing not to overdo it, softened his approach. "Come on, Sister Shinobu, just one night? Would you really let me sleep in an inn or on the street?"
Shinobu, susceptible to persistence and charm, relented after a pause. "Fine, one night at the Butterfly Mansion."
"Thank you, Sister Shinobu!"
She led him to the Butterfly Mansion, its courtyard alive with fluttering butterflies, serene and enchanting. With few injured swordsmen recently, the mansion was quiet, its five young residents idle.
As Shinobu and Horitake arrived, the girls noticed them. Kanao Tsuyuri stood in the courtyard, smiling at a butterfly on her finger, serene as ever. Aoi Kanzaki briskly hung laundry on bamboo poles. Kiyo Terauchi, Sumi Nakahara, and Naho Takada, the doe-eyed trio, chattered on the veranda.
Spotting Horitake, uninjured, the girls shared a strange thought: Shinobu brought a man back!? In their experience, Shinobu only brought patients or acquaintances. A strange man was a first.
Five pairs of eyes fixed on them, demanding an explanation. Shinobu, her smile faltering with rare exasperation, clarified, "This is Horitake, a shameless guy who, despite no injuries, insists on staying here tonight."
The girls' minds spun: That sounds like an excuse. What's their real relationship?
Sensing the misunderstanding, Shinobu patted her cheeks, restoring her smile. "Also, he's a bit of a pervert, so stay cautious. If he approaches, tell me, and I'll chase him off!"
That's the Shinobu they knew! The girls relaxed, reassured.
Horitake, overhearing, groaned. "Sister Shinobu, calling me a pervert? You're ruining my image! I want to get along with these adorable girls!"
The girls' gazes shifted, suspicious. He calls her 'Sister Shinobu' like we do? And she allows it? Shinobu's smile twitched, her emotions teetering again—multiple times today, all since meeting Horitake.
Suddenly, Aoi gasped, pointing. "You're Horitake? The one who killed Upper Moon Five and is becoming a Pillar!?"
The other four girls stared, their eyes sparkling with awe and admiration. Horitake wanted to crow triumphantly. Finally, the respect he deserved! Not suspicion, but hero worship!
Restraining himself for dignity's sake, he flashed a sunny grin. "That's me!"
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