"Uh…"
Her expression instantly stiffening, after some hesitation, Shinobu finally nodded.
"Alright, assume it's me…"
"And now, Butterfly—you have fallen for my sister. Of course, don't misunderstand, this is just an assumption."
"Mm, it's an assumption…"
"Then after that, you discover that your sister has also fallen for my sister. Of course, this is also an assumption."
"Right, all assumptions…"
"So, what are your thoughts right now?"
"What I'm thinking…"
Being stared at so directly by Akaza, Shinobu subconsciously lowered her head, her expression somewhat dazed.
"This, I'm actually not quite sure…"
"Want to let go?"
Akaza suddenly asked.
"I definitely don't want that!"
Without thinking, Shinobu hurriedly shook her head.
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she blushed and hurriedly added:
"Of course! I'm only talking about the assumption!"
"Ah yes yes yes, all assumptions."
Nodding in compliance, Akaza continued:
"So, the situation is now very clear. Butterfly, you don't want to let go and withdraw. And your sister's side is probably the same attitude, right?"
"Although I haven't asked her yet, I think neechan must be the same…"
"Very well. Since that's the case, then just directly charge forward and pursue her."
"Huh?"
Caught off guard by Akaza's sudden suggestion, Shinobu was instantly stunned.
"D-directly pursue?"
"That's right!"
Instantly switching to "teacher mode," Akaza pushed up his glasses, took out paper and pen from the side, and while writing analyzed:
"First point—my sister has never been picky about gender…"
"Never picky about gender?!"
Shinobu was greatly shocked.
Mitsuba was actually like this?!
"Oh, what I mean is, regarding humans she likes, my sister has never cared whether the other party is male or female.
So gender is completely not an issue. Understood?"
After all, demons were creatures who could change their external gender at any time.
"Oh oh…"
"Secondly, my sister actually isn't that concerned about quantity either. So let alone just you and your sister.
Even if you add one more, she completely wouldn't mind. You all can charge forward with confidence. Can you understand this point?"
"Mitsuba is actually this open-minded?!"
Hearing Akaza's words, Shinobu's heart once again felt deeply shocked.
[So Mitsuba is actually the type who likes having multiple partners?!]
In Shinobu's mind, she couldn't help but picture a scene of Mitsuba with her left arm around her, right arm around her sister, and a scummy smile on her face…
"Well, this kind of thing is a bit hard to explain now. Anyway, after more time passes, Butterfly will be able to understand…"
To this, Akaza only raised his hand to scratch his head, his words vague.
He couldn't exactly say that as demons, they actually had no need to follow human society's ethical values, right?
That Lord also never stipulated that they could only find one partner when dating…
Mm, these words were better left for that damned woman to say herself later.
"Finally, and most importantly."
His expression becoming serious again, under Shinobu's nervous gaze, Akaza slowly said:
"My sister is naturally carefree, loves freedom, and has always been averse to that kind of shackles called love.
So I strongly suggest that when Butterfly you all bravely charge forward, it's best not to think of her through the lens of love."
After all, Akaza and Mitsuba had known each other for over three hundred years. He had some understanding of Mitsuba's personality.
The demon Tsugikuni Mitsuba hated most was being entangled by certain people or things.
Ideas of pure possession like "because we're a couple, so you can only have me by your side, and you're not allowed to be close to others" would only arouse Mitsuba's disgust.
She never minded having more people around her, but she minded very much having only this one person by her side, minded very much being forever stuck in the same environment, unable to escape.
This sounded very scummy and playboy-ish, but actually…
Alright, actually it was indeed so.
Yes, that's right. Tsugikuni Mitsuba was just this kind of playboy nature.
Therefore, if someone approached her with thoughts of faithful, eternal love, what would ultimately be exchanged was only mutual harm.
"What I mean is, my sister's nature destined that she cannot like the same person for a long time.
If Butterfly you all truly want to be with her, it's best not to harbor thoughts of possessing her forever, because that's simply impossible.
Given her terrible personality, appropriate companionship while maintaining some distance is the most suitable way to get along with her."
Akaza patiently explained.
"If you ask me, your current mode of interaction is already the most suitable.
If you go further, it will likely provoke her backlash…"
"Why does Mitsuba have such a personality?"
After patiently listening, Shinobu suddenly asked, her expression full of curiosity.
At this moment, learning of this other side of Mitsuba's personality for the first time, she seemed to have completely forgotten about that so-called "assumption."
"How to say it, it should be said that she had some rather terrible experiences when she was young…"
Akaza remained vague in his words.
Mitsuba never intended to hide her experiences as a human, so he also had some understanding of Mitsuba's past.
But these words weren't suitable to explain to Shinobu right now…
"Past experiences…"
"Butterfly."
Looking at Shinobu who had fallen into contemplation again, Akaza seriously said:
"From my perspective, there are many ways to like someone. It doesn't necessarily have to be possession. Often, appropriate and lasting companionship is also a way of expression.
Of course, this is only my personal view. The power of choice is still in your hands. What specifically to do can only be decided by yourselves…"
"I understand…"
"…"
"Oh! So this is Tokyo? I've lived this long and it's my first time coming here. There are really people everywhere on the streets!"
"Hey Tanjiro! Be careful hiding your sword! If police officers see it, they'll definitely arrest us all!"
On the other side, on the streets of Tokyo, after completing the extermination mission at Mount Natagumo, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Genya had finally arrived in Tokyo, preparing to rendezvous with Kanae.
As one of the few demon hunters in the Demon Slayer Corps who had directly encountered that Upper Rank One.
Ubuyashiki had previously issued orders that from now on, the three of them would form the "Upper Rank One Special Investigation Team" together with this Flower Hashira senior.
When there were no missions normally, all three would be under Kanae's command, responsible for secretly investigating and gathering intelligence about Upper Rank One in various cities.
And today would be this small team's first meeting.
"Flower Hashira's address in Tokyo, if I remember correctly it should be… arrived! It's here!"
Winding around in the city area, the three little ones finally arrived at the apartment building where Shinobu lived in Tokyo.
"Let's go! Hurry up! Flower Hashira must already be waiting for us!"