Realizing his house was utterly unprepared to host guests, Horitake apologized to Mitsuri with genuine regret:
"Mitsuri, I just moved in, and the place isn't set up yet. I can't properly host you—really sorry about that."
Mitsuri, ever understanding, waved it off:
"No worries, Horitake-nii."
Horitake still felt guilty.
"Even so, it's rude of me.
How about this? To make up for it, while we're out hunting demons, I'll take you shopping. Anything you like, I'll buy. Sound good?"
"Eh? That's… too much, isn't it?"
"What's too much? Mitsuri, do you know what kind of flowers women love most from a man?"
"Huh? What kind?"
"Whatever you want to spend, as much as you want, go wild!"
It was an old joke, but in this era of scarce entertainment, it sent Mitsuri into a fit of giggles. She blushed, a bit shy, and said:
"No need for shopping, but… if it's okay, I'd love to try different foods out there."
Horitake shrugged casually.
"Easy! Just food? Eat all you want. I'm a Hashira now—my pay's much better. You can't eat me out of house and home."
"Really? Really?!"
Mitsuri's eyes sparkled as she confirmed eagerly.
Horitake answered without hesitation:
"Of course!"
He overlooked one critical detail: Mitsuri's notorious appetite. If she truly let loose… his "generous" Hashira salary might not survive.
Ahem, let's not warn him yet. Let him face the harsh reality later and regret it.
With that, Horitake stepped out, locking the gate while saying to Mitsuri:
"Let's go. We're off to slay demons. This time, I'll help hone your skills, boost your strength, and, if possible, let you take down more demons to rack up merits. We'll get you to Hashira status."
Mitsuri's eyes widened in surprise.
"Eh? Horitake-nii, you're helping me become a Hashira?"
"Of course. Don't you want to be one, Love Hashira?"
"Don't call me that!" she laughed. "But yeah, I really do want to be a Hashira."
"Alright, let's move!"
"Okay!"
Horitake locked his gate, and he and Mitsuri walked side by side, ready to leave.
After just a few steps, a wave of dread hit Horitake like a sledgehammer, freezing him in place, his face pale.
This wasn't just a chill down his spine—it was beyond that.
It felt like an icy current surged from his tailbone, slithering up his spine, chilling his lumbar, thoracic, and cervical vertebrae, before piercing his skull and scalp!
Others cool from head to toe; Horitake chilled from toe to head.
It was as if his entire spine had frozen solid!
Instinctively, he sensed trouble and had a hunch about its source.
Mitsuri noticed his expression. "Horitake-nii, what's wrong?"
Stiffly, he replied, "Mitsuri, something's come up. Don't worry, it's not a big deal. Head to the Corps headquarters gate and wait for me. I'll meet you there soon."
Confused but obedient, Mitsuri nodded.
"Okay, Horitake-nii. I'll wait there."
She jogged off.
Once her figure vanished from sight, Horitake slowly turned, rigid. Behind him… nothing.
A breeze blew past.
Nothing? No way.
Horitake swallowed hard and activated his Spirit Vision.
As expected! Before him stood Kanae Kocho, smiling gently.
The beautiful spirit was kind to everyone, Horitake included:
"Ara, Horitake-kun, you can see me. I thought your glance earlier was a fluke."
Horitake screamed internally.
Didn't you disappear after comforting Shinobu? How'd you notice me? Why'd you follow me?!
Sweating, he stammered, "Uh… hello, Kanae-nee. I'm Horitake. I can see spirits—it's a special ability."
"Oh, I see.
So, Horitake-kun, care to explain—are you pursuing Shinobu?
And that lovely pink-haired girl just now—who is she to you?"
Horitake's worst fear came true! She was here to call him out!
His legs buckled, nearly dropping him to his knees before Kanae.
Caught with another girl by my future sister-in-law—what do I do? Help! Urgent! Super urgent!
Kanae's gentle, kind demeanor was her greatest weapon, leaving Horitake unable to argue or resist.
His usually quick tongue failed him. He knew excuses were useless.
In this moment, honesty was his only option.
Horitake's face was full of remorse.
"Sorry, Kanae-nee. I messed up."
Kanae's response?
She wagged a slender finger, making a playful "no-no" gesture.
"Not okay, Horitake-kun. Being a playboy is wrong."
What could he do? He could only grovel inwardly, confessing to Kanae:
"My fault, Kanae-nee. I'm the worst."
But Kanae's next reaction threw him off.
By all rights, she should've chewed him out, but she didn't. Kanae's charm lay in her empathy, her ability to consider others' perspectives.
Tapping her chin, she mused:
"I recall the Sound Hashira has three wives. Are you aiming to follow his example, Horitake-kun?"
Horitake broke into a cold sweat.
My dear sister-in-law, how'd you know I'm aiming for three? You're too sharp!
He thought it but didn't dare say it, nodding remorsefully instead.
"It's true, Kanae-nee. Tengen Uzui is my role model. I admire him and have been working toward that.
I'm so sorry, but if you asked me to give up any of them, I couldn't. It's practically my life's dream!"
"Oh? Really…"
Kanae's expression was all understanding.
"So, your goal is more than just two?"
"Three. No more than that."
"And Shinobu's one of them? The girl just now, too?"
Horitake nodded, bracing for judgment.
To be fair, Kanae was a spirit—she couldn't exactly punish him.
So, Horitake's penitent act was partly to win her favor.
Kanae pondered, looking troubled, before lightly tapping her fist into her palm, reaching a decision.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ
If you want to see it, then why not?