Timeline: Three years before the main story
Location: Butterfly Estate → Road to the Kamado Household
POV: Split (Akira / Shinobu)
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Akira
Butterfly Estate — Morning
The Butterfly Estate smelled like medicine and wisteria.
Akira moved through the corridors with sleeves rolled up, hands already busy before anyone asked. He adjusted bandages, checked breathing, replaced poultices with practiced calm.
"Easy," he said quietly to a wounded slayer. "Breathe with me."
The rhythm steadied. Pain dulled.
Kanae watched from the doorway, smiling softly.
"He always forgets he's a guest," she murmured.
Shinobu crossed her arms. "He forgets a lot of things."
Akira finished his rounds before noon, washed his hands, and only then noticed Shinobu standing beside him.
"…You're hovering," he said.
She smiled sweetly. "Am I?"
Kanae laughed and excused herself far too quickly.
---
Shinobu
The Confession
They walked together through the garden, petals drifting lazily around them.
"Are you leaving today?" Shinobu asked.
"Yes," Akira replied. "Kamado household. Kagaya-sama wants me nearby."
She nodded, then stopped walking.
"Akira," she said.
He stopped too.
"I told Mitsuri the truth," she said calmly.
"And now I'm telling you."
She faced him fully.
"I like you."
No dramatic pause.
No trembling voice.
Just truth.
Shinobu continued, eyes steady.
"Not admiration. Not curiosity.
Feelings."
Silence stretched — not uncomfortable, just honest.
Akira inhaled slowly.
---
Akira
Answer Without Evasion
"…Thank you for telling me," he said.
Shinobu watched carefully — not anxiously.
"This is sudden for me," Akira continued.
"I won't pretend I've already sorted my feelings."
He met her eyes.
"But I won't dismiss yours either."
Shinobu didn't interrupt.
"I won't give you false hope," he said evenly.
"And I won't reject you just to end the conversation."
He bowed his head slightly.
"Give me time."
The words were firm.
Considerate.
Final in their honesty.
---
Shinobu
Satisfaction
For a moment, Shinobu simply stared at him.
Then she smiled.
"…That's more than enough."
Akira blinked. "It is?"
She stepped closer, hands behind her back.
"You didn't run," she said.
"You didn't soften the truth.
And you didn't treat my feelings like an inconvenience."
She tilted her head.
"I can wait."
Akira exhaled. "…You're persistent."
"Oh, absolutely," Shinobu replied brightly.
"And now I get to tease you openly."
"…I regret everything," he muttered.
She laughed — light, genuine.
---
Slice of Life — Afternoon
The estate felt warmer after that.
Shinobu hovered near him shamelessly now — handing him herbs, commenting on his posture, leaning just a little too close when explaining treatments.
Kanae noticed everything.
Said nothing.
"You're leaving soon," Shinobu said as he packed.
"Yes."
She smiled. "Don't die."
"I won't."
"That wasn't a suggestion," she added sweetly.
He paused, then nodded. "Understood."
---
Akira
Departure
He bowed at the estate gate.
"Thank you for your hospitality."
Shinobu waved. "Bring Nezuko something sweet."
"…How do you know that?"
She grinned. "I pay attention."
He turned down the road, pack steady on his back.
Breathing calm.
Mind clear.
But something had shifted.
Not urgency.
Responsibility.
---
Shinobu
Watching Him Leave
She stood at the gate long after he disappeared from sight.
Kanae approached quietly.
"You look happy," Kanae said.
"I am," Shinobu replied.
"Even without an answer?"
Shinobu smiled.
"Because he didn't lie."
She turned back toward the estate.
"And because," she added softly,
"the Sun doesn't rush its rise."
---
Closing
Akira walked toward the Kamado household —
medicine packed, blade hidden, purpose clear.
Behind him, feelings waited patiently,
not demanding — only real.
And somewhere ahead,
a charcoal seller and his little sister
were about to be greeted by someone
who always kept his promises.
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