Who knows how much time had passed before Aoi Kazama finally, slowly, fluttered her eyes open.
The first thing she saw was a sterile, white ceiling. She twitched her fingers, realizing she was lying in a bed, her entire body wrapped in thick layers of bandages.
"You're awake?"
A gentle voice drifted into her ear.
Aoi turned her head to find Shinobu Kocho's face, wearing its trademark serene smile.
"Shinobu..." Aoi's voice was hoarse and raspy.
"How are you feeling? Do you have any discomfort?" Shinobu asked with genuine concern, reaching out to press a hand against Aoi's forehead.
"I... I'm fine. Just a bit tired," Aoi managed to say.
"That's good to hear." Shinobu let out a soft sigh. "Honestly, what am I going to do with you? You come back from every single mission covered in wounds."
Aoi gave her a weak, sheepish smile. "I couldn't just stand by and watch, could I?"
As they spoke, a heavy set of footsteps sounded outside. A moment later, Sanemi Shinazugawa's characteristically gruff voice barged into the room. When he saw Aoi lying in the bed, his brow furrowed instinctively. "Hey. You were showing off again, weren't you?"
He looked at Aoi's pale face, the irritation in his tone practically boiling over. "Do you not know your own limits? Playing the hero nearly cost you your life!"
Shinobu spared him a cool glance. "Shinazugawa-san, the patient needs rest. If you've come here to start an argument, please see yourself out."
"Who's starting an argument?!" Sanemi snapped back, his neck stiffening. He reached into his robes, pulled out a package wrapped in oil-paper, and shoved it into Aoi's arms.
Aoi looked down at the bundle, and a wave of warmth spread through her chest. She curled her lips into a faint smile and whispered, "Thank you, Sanemi."
"Shut it!" Sanemi's ears turned a vivid shade of red. He spun around abruptly and marched toward the door. Before leaving, he tossed one last, stiff warning over his shoulder. "Recover quickly. If you're this reckless on the next mission, I'll tie you to the training field and make you practice until sunrise!"
Aoi couldn't help but let out a low chuckle at his "all bark and no bite" routine. "Total tsundere."
Between the care of the Butterfly Mansion staff and the buff from her Super-Regeneration, Aoi recovered in record time. Tanjiro and the boys, however, were still unconscious.
It was during her recovery that she heard the news: the Sound Hashira had officially retired from the front lines.
Aoi understood his choice perfectly.
On that night in the Entertainment District, she had seen Tengen Uzui fight like a man possessed. She had watched him shield his comrades and take the full brunt of Gyutaro's poisoned sickles—and she had seen the sheer, iron-willed resolve of a man who refused to stop swinging his blades even while the toxin ravaged his blood.
For a man that dazzling and flamboyant, being able to set aside his past glory and choose a peaceful life with his three wives was perhaps the best possible ending.
The Nightmare
That night, Aoi slipped into the grip of a nightmare.
In her dream, she found herself inside a vast, shifting architectural marvel. There were countless rooms, and Aoi's body floated uncontrollably toward a door that stood slightly ajar.
The moment she pushed it open, she saw a man with a high ponytail kneeling on the floor. He sat with his back to her, radiating an aura so cold and lethal it felt like it could freeze the air itself.
He seemed to sense her presence and slowly turned around. Once Aoi got a clear look at his face, she was utterly paralyzed with shock.
This guy—no, this demon! He looks exactly like the doll I hug to sleep every night!
Oh my god!
Kokushibo looked at the woman who had suddenly appeared before him, a trace of confusion entering his mind. How had a human entered the Infinity Castle?
He didn't strike immediately. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over her face. She felt... strangely familiar.
He stood up and began walking toward her, step by deliberate step.
Help!
How did I end up in a boss room just by taking a nap?!
Aoi let out a silent, internal "groundhog" scream. She backed away until her spine hit the ice-cold doorframe. She had nowhere left to run.
There was no emotion in Kokushibo's six crimson eyes—only the cold, detached scrutiny a predator grants its prey. His gaze drifted to her trembling fingertips, then back to her pale face. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
"You carry... a familiar scent."
"I... I don't know you!" Aoi's voice shook.
Kokushibo suddenly raised his hand, reaching toward Aoi's face. His fingertips carried a bone-chilling frost that made her shudder. She instinctively turned her head to dodge, but his other hand firmly caught the back of her neck. The grip wasn't crushing, but it carried a crushing pressure that forced her to look up into those terrifying eyes.
What the hell does this guy want?!
Just as Aoi was about to risk everything and fight back, a knock at the door pulled her back to reality.
She woke up. She was actually awake!
Phew... thank goodness it was just a dream.
But it had felt so real. Aoi wiped the cold sweat from her brow, her heart still hammering against her ribs.
"Aoi-chan, may I come in?" It was Kyojuro Rengoku's voice.
"Of course. Come in." Aoi composed herself and answered.
The door slid open, and Kyojuro's towering, energetic figure appeared.
"Kyojuro, is something the matter?" Aoi stood up, instinctively straightening her clothes.
"It's like this! Senjuro would like to invite you to our home as a guest! He wants to properly thank you for shielding me from that demon's attack during our last mission. The boy has been talking about it for days!" Kyojuro laughed, scratching the back of his head.
"It was nothing, really. He's being too kind," she said, her smile returning as the warmth of the invitation chased away the lingering exhaustion of the dream.
"Then it's settled!" Kyojuro let out a boisterous, cheerful laugh.
Aoi nodded and accepted the invitation.
The Rengoku Estate
The next day, Aoi found herself seated at a wooden table in the Rengoku guest room. A young boy who looked like a miniature version of Kyojuro was carefully pouring her water.
"Thank you, Miss Kazama, for saving my brother. I'm so sorry it took us this long to invite you over," Senjuro said.
His voice had the clear, bright ring of youth. As he handed her the teacup, his eyelashes fluttered down, and a faint blush touched his cheeks. "Big Brother said that if you hadn't intercepted that demon's ambush, the consequences would have been unthinkable. I... I've wanted to thank you in person for a long time."
Aoi hurried to take the cup. "It was the least I could do, Senjuro. You don't have to be so formal."
"This is no small matter! Aoi-chan saved my life! The Rengoku family will remember this debt for a lifetime!" Kyojuro declared, clapping a hand onto Aoi's shoulder with such force she nearly choked on her tea.
Senjuro looked at his brother with a mix of helplessness and affection before placing a tray of sweets on the table. "Brother, please don't startle Miss Kazama."
Aoi looked at Senjuro—he was like a little domestic master. She couldn't resist reaching out to ruffle his hair. "My, Senjuro, you really are the cutest."
Senjuro's face turned bright red instantly, the pink hue spreading all the way to his ears. He hurriedly ducked his head, mumbling softly, "Miss Kazama... please, please don't do that."
"Alright, alright, I'll stop, I'll stop," Aoi laughed, raising her hands in a mock surrender. "By the way, can I call you Sen-kun?"
"Y-yes... that's fine..."
Aoi smiled brightly. "Then, Sen-kun, you can just call me Aoi-nee from now on."
"Okay... Aoi-nee."