"Something I can't describe..." Tanjirou saw Yoizumi looking troubled, as if he couldn't understand.
How unusual.
For Yoizumi-nii to react like this, has something happened to him?
After becoming a demon, Yoizumi-nii's mind wasn't affected like Nezuko's; it remained sound. However, his dullness regarding emotions seemed to be branded onto his soul.
Whoever treated him well, he would repay them twofold.
He couldn't comprehend complex emotions, nor could he even understand his own feelings.
But now.
Yoizumi-nii was actually troubled by this.
Moreover, his facial expressions had become more varied.
This is a good thing!
He hoped that one day, Yoizumi-nii could feel and understand the stirrings brought by joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness. Otherwise, it would be too sad; when others laughed, he wouldn't understand why they were laughing.
Tanjirou's lips curved into a relieved smile.
One day in the future, would Yoizumi-nii have someone who could tug at his heartstrings like that?
Tanjirou glanced at the content of the children's book, and his eyebrow twitched.
Huh?!
Is this really a proper children's book? Can children really read this?
Yoizumi looked at the book in his hand, a flicker of doubt in his blue eyes before he asked, "Tanjirou, why did the girl reject the man's invitation?"
"And the man told her it was interesting?"
"What's so interesting about this?"
Tanjirou didn't know how to answer why such a book was a children's book, or why it was so different from what he read as a child!
"Hmm, the woman in this also plays with fire."
Given Yoizumi's current literacy, recognizing these words was the extent of his ability. He understood the words but couldn't grasp their meaning.
Tanjirou took the book and quickly flipped through it, veins throbbing on his forehead.
What's going on! How can there be such a malicious children's book!
What's this about a woman who lost both her arms crying in the rain, clutching her head and shouting, 'Why am I mute?'
Apologize to all the pure eyes that have read this book, hey!
Calming himself, Tanjirou hid the book behind his back and handed the milk porridge to Yoizumi. This book absolutely couldn't be seen by Yoizumi-nii; it would corrupt him!
"Miss Aoi made this, Yoizumi-nii, please eat quickly."
"That book..."
"This isn't suitable for Yoizumi-nii to read. It's too early for you right now. I'll ask Miss Aoi to help find some suitable ones for you."
He picked up a spoon, scooped a mouthful, and put it into his mouth.
A familiar taste.
Delicious... He carefully finished the last bite and placed the bowl back on the tray.
"Yoizumi-nii still really likes sweets," Tanjirou said, looking at the clean bowl.
"It's alright."
What exactly counts as liking, and what determines liking?
Yoizumi didn't understand.
"Tanjirou, teach me how to write."
"Alright."
Tanjirou moved a stool and sat beside Yoizumi. Nezuko rested her hands on the table, her beady eyes curiously watching her two older brothers.
"This is Yoizumi-nii's name." Tanjirou first wrote Yoizumi, then proceeded to write Nezuko's and his own names one by one.
Yoizumi stared at Tanjirou's every stroke, then picked up the pen and tried to write his own name, mimicking the strokes.
It wasn't particularly good, nor was it very ugly.
"Wow~ You wrote it so well!" Tanjirou encouraged him, clapping his hands. Even Nezuko copied her brother's actions, her two small hands clapping rhythmically.
Next to his own name, he also wrote Tanjirou and Nezuko.
The three names were closely together, just like they were now.
"Yoizumi-nii, give this to me." Tanjirou picked up the white paper with their names written on it, examining it carefully, holding it to his chest like a treasure.
"You can, but what's it for?" Meeting Yoizumi's sapphire eyes, Tanjirou smiled gently, his voice soft.
"Because it's the first time Yoizumi-nii wrote, I want to keep it as a treasure."
..."Please tell me how to write your name." Yoizumi held up the white paper and said to Kanzaki Aoi.
"Okay! Is Mr. Yoizumi practicing writing?" After writing her name, she saw that the white paper already had other people's names on it.
"Yes. Do you know where Shinobu is?" Counting the people in the Butterfly Mansion, only her name and Kanao's were left.
"Lady Shinobu is probably in the backyard teaching Kanao to train right now."
Perfect, I can get both at once.
"Okay, thank you. The milk porridge was delicious." Yoizumi nodded, bid farewell to Kanzaki Aoi, and walked towards the backyard.
"You're welcome."
Watching Yoizumi's retreating figure, Kanzaki Aoi still wanted to exclaim.
What a special demon.
Following the shadows of the corridor, he reached the backyard where two people, both with butterfly hair ornaments, sat side by side.
Is their training over?
Yoizumi had originally intended to come over first, then get their names after they finished.
It's good that he didn't disturb them.
"Pat-a-pat-a."
Both turned their heads simultaneously to look behind them. Upon seeing it was Yoizumi, Shinobu shifted her body further into the shadows.
"Yoizumi, is there something you need from us?"
"Yes, please write your names on this paper." He handed the white paper to Shinobu, his gaze falling on their butterfly hair ornaments.
Butterflies of different colors.
"Why do you want us to write our names?" Shinobu asked, puzzled. This paper seemed to already contain the names of almost everyone in the Butterfly Mansion.
"I want to know how to write your names."
Coupled with Yoizumi's current small appearance, it looked like a child beginning to learn to read and write. Shinobu thought, then picked up the pen and wrote.
Her handwriting was delicate and beautiful, pleasing to the eye.
He watched her stroke order carefully, a flicker of understanding in his blue eyes.
This is her name.
It's a bit complicated.
"Come on, Kanao, you write too~" Shinobu placed the pen in the hand of the silently sitting Kanao. Hearing Shinobu's words, Kanao obediently wrote her name.
Tsuyuri Kanao.
"Thank you, I won't disturb your training." Yoizumi took the paper. Now that he knew everyone's names, he would go back and practice.
He had just lifted his foot but pulled it back, then said to the two:
"Tanjirou is bothering you."
After Yoizumi walked away, Shinobu's lips curved slightly.
Yoizumi still cares a lot about his family.
Kanao looked at her master's expression, rarely pausing for a moment.
Master... is in a very good mood...
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