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Chapter 149: Taking Kanroji Mitsuri Away
At the Kanroji residence.
"The honey pancakes Big Sister made are delicious! Why aren't you eating, Sister?" the young Kanroji brother asked, munching happily on the meticulously prepared treats while looking at Kanroji Mitsuri.
Mitsuri waved her hand listlessly. "You guys eat. I don't have much of an appetite."
She used an elegant tea spoon to cut off a tiny piece of pancake and put it in her mouth. The sweet honey combined with the fluffy texture was usually perfection, but today, it tasted like cardboard. Setting her spoon down, Mitsuri stared out at the empty courtyard and let out a long sigh.
If only Suyan-san could taste these honey pancakes. Suyan-san... when will I see you again?
"Otou-san, what's wrong with Big Sister?" her brother asked, completely stunned. The sister who usually ate portions meant for dozens of people was claiming she had no appetite after one bite?
Mr. Kanroji glanced at his lovesick daughter, then gently patted his son's head. "Your sister is experiencing the pangs of love," he explained warmly. As an experienced adult, he easily saw through his daughter's melancholy. A young girl's sorrow always arrived in such an ordinary yet sudden manner.
"Love?" The young boy tilted his head, completely failing to grasp the concept.
Just then, a knock echoed from the front gate.
"I'll get it! I'll get it!" the boy volunteered enthusiastically, eager to escape the weird, gloomy atmosphere around his sister.
Mitsuri didn't notice the interruption, still staring blankly at the courtyard. But a moment later, her brother's voice rang out: "Sister, there's a really handsome big brother here looking for you!"
"A handsome big brother?" Mitsuri froze, then instantly realized who it was. It's Suyan! It has to be Suyan! Joy erupted in her heart, and she wanted nothing more than to sprint outside to see him. But instead, she blurted out, "Tell Suyan-san to wait thirty minutes! No, ten! No, five minutes!"
She bolted back to her room, throwing open the drawers of her vanity. "It's not here... not here... still not here!"
She tore through the drawers, looking for hair dye. A sudden memory hit her: Suyan had told her he wanted to see her true self the next time they met. After parting ways with him, she had thrown all her expensive hair dyes into the trash.
Mitsuri touched her sakura-pink and neon-green hair, a knot forming in her stomach. Will Suyan-san really not hate me like this? Dragging her feet, she finally walked out to the living room.
There, she found the handsome man already chatting with her father. It was Suyan.
Mr. Kanroji was holding Suyan's hand, asking amiably, "Suyan, my boy, could you tell me what your family does for a living?"
"I'm actually an orphan," Suyan replied calmly.
Mr. Kanroji instantly regretted asking the question, but Suyan shook his head dismissively. "It's fine. I'm used to it."
"That's quite remarkable," Mr. Kanroji pressed on curiously. "And what do you do for a living?"
"Me?" Suyan thought for a moment before offering a half-truth. "I suppose you could call me a traveler. I visit different places, see different landscapes, and meet extraordinary people."
Mr. Kanroji tightened his grip on Suyan's hand, asking in utmost seriousness, "Would you mind taking our Mitsuri with you on your travels in the future?"
"Actually, that's exactly why I'm here," Suyan nodded.
He had indeed come to take Mitsuri away, much sooner than he had initially planned. Even he hadn't expected his trip to the Butterfly Mansion to go so smoothly. He had revived Kanae, formed Contracts with Shinobu and Aoi, and even kissed Kanao. He had practically caught the entire estate in one sweep. And all of that had happened just yesterday.
He hadn't actually taken Aoi's innocence while they were with Yuriko in the hot spring, simply because the timing was bad. It was morning. If he really went through with it, it would have taken at least an hour, especially since it was her first time, not to mention the recovery time she would need. Plus, Shinobu and Kanae still needed Aoi to manage the estate, and Aoi was too shy to steal the spotlight from the sisters right away. So, she had just stayed with Yuriko to enjoy some early morning 'breakfast' and hadn't crossed the final line.
"Then I leave my Mitsuri in your care, Suyan! Oh, do you need any travel funds? Although the Kanroji family isn't incredibly wealthy..." Mr. Kanroji was overjoyed. Finding a good husband for his daughter was the best possible outcome. Girls had to marry eventually, and it didn't matter what Suyan did for a living as long as Mitsuri loved him.
He knew Suyan couldn't possibly be a scammer. Mitsuri's physical strength rivaled professional sumo wrestlers, and her appetite was legendary. Only an utter fool would try to scam his daughter. His only real worry was whether Suyan could afford to keep her fed.
Before he could finish offering money, Mitsuri let out a loud squeak.
"Otou-san!!" Her face bright red, she rushed forward, hauling her father to his feet and shoving him toward the door. "Didn't you say you were taking my brother out? Hurry up and go!"
"Oh, right, right, look at my memory," Mr. Kanroji chuckled, not bothering to expose his daughter's blatant lie. He tapped his head in faux realization and gave her a teasing look. "Then please entertain your friend well, Mitsuri."
He grabbed his son and left, leaving the living room to the young couple.
With her family gone, Mitsuri's bold front crumbled. She stood nervously, fiddling with the hem of her clothes, her head bowed as she refused to meet Suyan's eyes.
"Suyan-san... is my hair color really ugly?" she asked timidly.
"No, it's beautiful." Suyan stepped forward, lifting a strand of her hair to his lips and kissing it gently. "Sakura green. I love it. Especially since it matches little Mitsuri's pretty face so perfectly."
Mitsuri's face flushed hotly. Even though he had only kissed her hair, her heart fluttered with intense shyness.
Suyan cut straight to the chase. "Did you hear what I discussed with your father?"
Mitsuri nodded, humming a soft affirmation.
"And what does little Mitsuri think? Are you willing to come with me?" Suyan added, "Of course, this doesn't mean abandoning your family. You can come back to visit whenever you miss them."
"I am!" Before he could even finish, Mitsuri threw herself into his arms, wrapping her limbs around him tightly as if terrified he would run away if she let go.
As expected of the Love Hashira, Suyan thought, looking down at the girl clinging to him for dear life while blushing furiously.
His goal was achieved. He would bring her back to the Butterfly Mansion. Teaching one person was the same as teaching two; he would have her learn Sun Breathing alongside Nezuko. In the original timeline, Mitsuri had been Rengoku Kyojuro's Tsuguko, learning Flame Breathing before creating her own Love Breathing style, and becoming a Hashira in less than a year. Her talent for Breathing Styles might even rival Nezuko's. A little friendly competition between them would surely yield excellent results.
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