"Hm?"
Ryuya turned his head, his rose-red eyes settling on Shinobu Kocho with a teasing gaze.
"Teach me… teach me the Breathing Techniques…"
Shinobu's face flushed crimson. Her chest rose and fell as she spoke in a voice barely louder than a whisper. She was too shy to meet his eyes.
"Hm? What was that?"
Ryuya leaned closer, pretending not to hear.
"Breathing Techniques!"
"What Breathing Techniques?"
He smiled mischievously.
Shinobu's eyes flared with anger.
He was absolutely doing this on purpose.
He never intended to teach her. He just wanted to tease her.
"Hmph. Then I'm not learning anymore!"
She puffed out her cheeks and turned away dramatically.
Ryuya chuckled softly and reached out to twirl a strand of her purple hair.
"Don't touch my hair, you annoying guy!"
She snapped her head back to glare at him before turning away again, acting as if she were truly furious.
"No more fooling around. How about I properly teach you now?"
Ryuya's fingers idly played with the ends of her smooth hair. It was soft and faintly fragrant.
"Then be serious, you scoundrel!"
Flustered, Shinobu swatted his hand away.
But she misjudged her strength. Instead of punishing him, she ended up tugging her own hair.
"Ah, that hurts!"
Ryuya couldn't help smiling. "Sister Shinobu, why are you so clumsy? Should Brother Ryuya rub it better for you?"
"No need! You probably did that on purpose!"
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously and stepped back cautiously.
"Sister Shinobu, am I really that terrible?"
"Terrible? You're beyond terrible!"
She quickly brought up an old grievance. "Last time, why didn't you pay for the meal? Mitsuri and I had to wash dishes for two days because of you!"
Ryuya paused.
Had he forgotten?
"Nothing to say now, huh? You bad guy!"
Taking advantage of his distraction, Shinobu suddenly elbowed him in the waist in retaliation.
But Ryuya had already anticipated it.
He sidestepped smoothly, caught her arms, and gently pinched her cheeks.
"A mischievous Sister Shinobu requires proper discipline."
"Scoundrel Ryuya, let go of me!"
Just then, Kochou Kanae returned and stopped in her tracks, puzzled.
Why was it that every time she saw these two together, Shinobu was being bullied?
"Are you two playing a game?"
"Sister, no! This scoundrel is bullying me!"
Shinobu froze for a moment upon seeing Kanae, as though unsure if she were real.
Then her stubborn expression collapsed. Tears welled up and slid down her cheeks.
"Ryuya, don't bully Shinobu."
Kanae approached gently.
"Sister!"
Shinobu broke free from Ryuya's grasp and threw herself into Kanae's arms.
She hugged her tightly, clinging to her as though afraid she would disappear again.
Kanae's heart softened. She rested her chin atop Shinobu's head and gently patted her back.
"Where did you go? Why did you leave without telling me? Do you know how worried I was?"
"I know. Shinobu must have been exhausted. I'm sorry for leaving you with everything."
Kanae understood how heavy the burden of the Butterfly Mansion must have been.
"I wasn't blaming you. I was just worried…"
Shinobu's voice trembled.
"Well, do you know now?"
Ryuya leaned closer with a playful smile.
"You again, annoying guy!"
Shinobu shot him an irritated look before turning back to Kanae.
"Sister, I left without telling you because I went to find this scoundrel. You looked so gloomy every day because of him, so I wanted to drag him here and confront him face-to-face!"
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Ryuya, you scoundrel, you're the source of all evil!"
Shinobu narrowed her eyes accusingly.
Ryuya merely sighed. He had grown used to being blamed by her.
"Alright. Sister Shinobu, it's time to learn the Breathing Techniques."
"Now you're serious? What about earlier when my sister wasn't here?"
She bared her teeth again, determined to expose him.
Ryuya only smiled faintly.
"Breathing Techniques are not something you can master through anger alone. First, regulate your breathing. Calm your mind. Focus."
His tone finally turned steady.
Shinobu blinked.
He was serious.
"Breathing Techniques strengthen the body by maximizing oxygen intake and circulation. You must breathe deeply, evenly, and rhythmically."
He demonstrated slowly, his chest rising and falling in a controlled pattern.
"Inhale through your nose. Expand your lungs fully. Exhale steadily. Maintain the rhythm even during movement."
Shinobu subconsciously followed his guidance.
"Inhale… exhale…"
Her shoulders gradually relaxed.
"Good. Don't rush. Precision matters more than speed."
Kanae watched quietly from the side, relief and gratitude softening her gaze.
For once, Ryuya was not teasing.
He was truly teaching.
And Shinobu, though still flushed, no longer looked embarrassed.
Instead, her eyes shone with determination.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Demon Slayer: Son of Muzan (Completed) is now on Patreon!
🔥 I also have additional 18+ fanfics available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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