Tendo crouched down, leaning close to the loan shark's ear with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, his words sharp as knives:
"Believe me now?"
"If only your neck was as tough as your mouth."
"Either apologize to her, or die."
Tendo's words were like a demon's whisper. The loan shark's mind went blank—he knew this kid would kill him without hesitation. This was no ordinary person.
His formerly arrogant demeanor vanished without a trace. He was broken.
Tendo patted the loan shark's shoulder with a laugh as he pulled out his sword, flicking blood from the blade.
When steel left flesh, the loan shark broke out in sweat from the pain but didn't make a sound.
Tendo stepped aside, clearing a path—a path to survival, with the loan shark's fate resting in Shinobu Kocho's hands.
The loan shark crawled to Shinobu, gritted his teeth, and knelt up.
"Big sister, I was wrong! Please spare me!""Please, spare me!"
"It's all my fault! I'm a worthless piece of trash, I'm not even human!"
He slapped himself while kowtowing, groveling to the extreme.
Shinobu Kocho was at a loss as she watched the scene. After years of drifting through hardship, this was the first time she had encountered someone who would kneel and beg for forgiveness.
She truly despised these kinds of people—those who forced innocent women into prostitution, loan sharks who committed every imaginable evil.
They didn't deserve to live, even if they died a hundred times.
"You scum, you trash—just die already!" Shinobu roared, as if pouring out all the suffering she had endured over the years.
Hearing this, Tendo drew his blade. In this era, besides Demons, there were plenty of human scum, and he had no qualms about cleaning them up.
Besides, protecting such people wasn't worth it.
The debt collector was desperate. He had beaten people to death before, but when faced with his own mortality, he was terrified. He didn't want to die—so much so that he even wet himself in fear.
Just as the Nichirin Blade was about to descend, Shinobu grabbed Tendo's hand.
Their eyes met. She didn't know why this stranger was helping her, but she didn't want a good person to stain their hands with filthy blood because of her.
"Let's just go."
A moment later, the two left the alley.
Shinobu bowed deeply to Tendo, her voice sincere.
"Thank you. I can't express my gratitude enough."
"I know a bit about medicine. If you ever need help, just ask!"
Tendo quickly helped Shinobu up, smiling faintly. To him, it was no big deal.
"It's nothing, don't worry about it."
If helping Shinobu required repayment, that would be downright despicable.
"By the way, I'm carrying a sword. Aren't you afraid of me?" Tendo asked casually, remembering how the dango shop owner had been terrified of him.
Shinobu's answer was straightforward—this was the real her, a frank and honest girl.
"Because you helped me, I'm not afraid."
"Oh, what's your name?"
Tendo straightened his clothes and looked into Shinobu's eyes, speaking seriously.
"Tendo Kazama. Those close to me call me Tendo."
Shinobu's dirt-streaked face blossomed into a radiant smile, like spring flowers in full bloom—warm and bright, as if lighting up the entire world.
That smile left Tendo momentarily stunned. It was truly beautiful.
Of course, such a smile was rare. Whether due to the hardships of life or her own nature, Shinobu rarely smiled.
"Tendo-sensei, hello. My name is Shinobu Kocho."
"Thank you so much for helping me."
At this moment, Tendo's heart leaped with joy. Finally, they had exchanged names—what a wonderful first step.
"Don't mention it. I just couldn't stand by and do nothing. I helped because I wanted to, so Miss Kocho shouldn't feel any burden."
"Well then, I'll take my leave. I need to go home and prepare medicine for my sister."
Shinobu smiled again—only the second time this year she had smiled at someone other than her sister. In her eyes, Tendo-sensei, who helped without expecting anything in return, was truly a good person.
Hearing this, Tendo visibly panicked.
He needed an excuse to stay by Shinobu's side. If he followed her, he'd definitely be seen as a creep.
The moment the thought crossed his mind, he immediately dismissed it.Finally managed to leave a good impression on Shinobu.
What to do?
What to do?
As Shinobu Kocho was about to leave, Tendo grew even more frantic.
Maybe he should cut himself—that would definitely work. After all, Shinobu came from a family of medical practitioners. Doctors were supposed to heal the sick, right?
Ahahaha!
What a genius I am!
Faced with Shinobu Kocho, the usually calm Tendo actually entertained the idea of self-harm. Truly hopeless.
So, he decided to fake an illness. When it came to acting, it was second nature to him. To avoid the old man's training, he had long mastered the art of pretending to be sick.
"Owwww!"
"It hurts, my stomach hurts so bad!"
Tendo was a man of action. Clutching his stomach, he let out agonized groans, his expression looking as if he were on the verge of death.
Sure enough, hearing the commotion, Shinobu Kocho turned back. Her voice, filled with concern, made Tendo's heart flutter.
"Tendo-sensei, what's wrong?"
"Maybe I ate something bad, it just suddenly—"
"Oww, it hurts!"
"Come to my place. I remember we have painkillers at home. I'll take a look at you then."
Shinobu supported Tendo, partly because he had helped her earlier, and partly out of a doctor's sense of duty.
Just then, the dango vendor came running over with a large bag of tri-colored dango.
"Young man, you forgot your dango!"
The aroma nearly broke Tendo's act in an instant.
But without a second thought, he knew food could never compare to Shinobu.
Tri-colored dango: So, love just disappears like that, huh?
"No wonder your stomach hurts. This is enough for ten people, isn't it?"
Shinobu took the large bag of dango and nodded. The vendor quickly made his escape.
"Tendo-sensei, I strongly advise against overeating, especially sweets!"
"Your stomachache is well-deserved!"
Her professional instincts kicking in, Shinobu grew stern, speaking with a serious expression.
"Alright, alright!"
"I promise I won't overeat. So, how about we share these dango together?"
"Tendo-sensei, is your stomach no longer hurting?" Seeing Tendo suddenly full of energy, Shinobu felt relieved. A sudden stomachache had worried her—what if it was something acute?
If that were the case, he'd have to go to the hospital.
"Owwww!"
"It hurts so bad!"
Tendo immediately slipped back into his performance, his voice now weak and strained.
"Let's hurry to your place, I need painkillers!"
"Right, right!"
Shinobu quickened her pace, asking softly, "Is walking this fast making the pain worse?"
"No, the faster the better!"
"Alright, hang in there a little longer!"
Supporting Tendo, Shinobu slowly led him away, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance.
However, in a shadowy corner not far away, a lone figure stood silently, having observed Shinobu and Tendo the entire time.