"Giyu!!"
That call, clear and melodious, was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples of joy in Giyu Tomioka's heart.
Before he could recover from this sudden and unfamiliar emotion, a pink figure carrying a faint floral fragrance rushed into his arms with an unwavering determination!
Thump.
Giyu Tomioka felt his chest being solidly bumped by something soft and warm.
In that instant, his brain completely shut down.
The girl in his arms was slender, yet possessed a perfect balance of gentleness and softness.
Even through several layers of clothing, he could clearly feel her chest heaving violently with excitement, and her heart pounding wildly.
A sweet and warm scent, a blend of Wisteria and a young girl's fragrance, irrationally took over his entire breath.
Giyu Tomioka froze on the spot.
His usually calm, icy blue eyes had, unusually, transformed into a pair of adorable, round, beady eyes.
(O_O)?
What happened?
He instinctively raised his hands, wanting to push the audacious girl in his arms away.
Reason told him he should do it.
How could he possibly be so intimate with a girl in front of everyone?
However, just as his palm was about to touch the girl's slightly trembling back, he inexplicably stopped.
The girl in his arms was held very tightly, as if she wanted to meld herself into his body.
Final...
Giyu Tomioka closed his eyes.
The lingering, unique fragrance of hers, so real and so comforting, was so captivating.
The hands that had been suspended in mid-air were still powerless and fell to their sides.
He chose to... ignore it.
Just this once.
Let him be selfish this once.
Let that softness and warmth completely engulf me.
Meanwhile, the other swordsmen on the platform were completely dumbfounded!
Their mouths were agape, wide enough to fit a whole egg, and their expressions were as if they had seen a ghost in broad daylight, filled with a surreal and mind-blowing quality.
Water... Water Hashira Master...
That legendary Water Hashira Master, cold as ice, unapproachable, capable of killing a conversation with a single sentence, and leaving nothing but barren land within a ten-mile radius...
I... just like that... got forcibly hugged by a girl?!
And what's more, he... he... he didn't even push the person away?!
Is this... is this really the Giyu Tomioka they've heard about?!
In an instant, feelings of envy, jealousy, and resentment spread wildly among the crowd.
The male swordsmen beat their chests and stamped their feet in frustration, sighing with regret.
Why should I?!
Why would a gentle, beautiful, strong, and kind fairy like Kanae fall for a clueless blockhead like Water Hashira?!
That's not fair!
The few female swordsmen were heartbroken.
Their dream man, the undisputed beauty of the Demon Slayer Corps, is... already taken?
But regardless of whether it was envy or jealousy, after the initial shock, everyone made a perfectly synchronized and spontaneous move!
They all turned their heads in unison, some looking at the sky, some at the ground, and some counting ants.
What kind of international joke is this?!
Water Hashira's shocking revelation!
Is this kind of gossip even worthy of their attention, lowly henchmen?!
If you take one more look, you might be charged with "disturbing public order" and banished to the deep mountains to chop firewood for the rest of your life!
"No, no, you mustn't look! You mustn't look!"
"We didn't see anything! We're all blind!"
Of all the survivors, the one who felt the most surreal, the most devastated, and the most inclined to die on the spot was none other than Kirikawa.
He stared blankly at the couple embracing tightly in the morning light, feeling his worldview crumbling and shattering inch by inch.
He had just made up his mind to spend his whole life pursuing his dream girl...
To think... he's paired with his most admired and respected idol...?!
So...
So, his love story, before it even began, was already... cut short?
A mournful melody uncontrollably echoed in Kirikawa's mind.
Snowflakes are falling, and the north wind is howling.
The world was a vast expanse of white.
Before his eyes, it seemed as if countless green "misery" characters appeared, surrounding him completely.
This kind of thing...
This kind of thing needs a tonic!
"Well..."
A sigh filled with disdain pulled Kirikawa back to reality from the pain of heartbreak.
As Shinobu Kocho toddled past him on her short legs, she gave him a disdainful look, as if he were an idiot.
Then, it skipped and hopped towards the couple who were still showing off their affection.
"Hey! Mr. Tomioka!"
With his hands on his hips and cheeks puffed out, Shinobu stood in front of the two men, scrutinizing Giyu Tomioka from head to toe with an inquisitive gaze.
"Since you were punctual this time and didn't keep my sister waiting in vain, I'll be magnanimous and let you off the hook for now!"
"However, you may escape the death penalty, but you can't escape punishment! When we get back, you must treat us sisters to a big meal!"
"I want tempura! And eel rice! And three-color dumplings... I can't do without any of them!"
She rattled off the names of the dishes like a landlady collecting bills.
Her jarring reminder finally brought Kanae, who was immersed in the joy of reunion, back to her senses!
What... what did she just do?!
She actually... hugged Mr. Giyu in front of so many people?!
"Boom--!"
A surge of heat shot straight to the top of his head!
Kanae's face turned bright red instantly, from her cheeks to her ears, at a speed visible to the naked eye!
As if electrocuted, she abruptly released her grip on Giyu Tomioka, staggered back several steps, lowered her head, and nervously twisted the hem of her clothes in front of her, not daring to look at him again.
"I... I'm so sorry, Mr. Giyu! I... I didn't mean to! I... I was just too excited! Please... please don't take it to heart!"
She apologized incoherently, her voice so soft it was like a mosquito's hum, wishing she could disappear into the ground on the spot.
However, deep inside, a completely different thought, filled with secret joy and excitement, was taking root and sprouting wildly!
Just now...
Just now, Mr. Giyu didn't seem to be rejecting her at all?!
He didn't push her away!
Does that mean... Mr. Giyu also has feelings for me?!
The thought of this possibility made Kanae's heart pound like a deer, almost leaping out of her throat!
With a heart full of trepidation, she secretly raised her eyes and cautiously glanced at the figure that haunted her dreams.
Giyu Tomioka remained expressionless.
He looked at the girl in front of him, who was so embarrassed she seemed to evaporate on the spot, and a hint of helpless yet doting smile flashed in his icy blue eyes, a smile he himself didn't even realize.
He snapped out of his daze, neither answering Shinobu's blackmail nor responding to Kanae's apology, but simply silently extended his hand.
To Kanae's utter astonishment, he took the initiative and gently took her small hand, which was a little cold from nervousness.
The moment their palms touched, Kanae felt as if she had been struck by a warm current.
She suddenly raised her head and stared blankly at him.
But Giyu Tomioka simply took her hand, turned around, and walked directly toward the Kakushi Division member in charge of registration.
"Water... Water Hashira Lord!"
The members of the Kakushi Division were so shocked when they saw the two walking towards them hand in hand that their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets!
However, their excellent professionalism made them react immediately and bow respectfully.
"Kanae Kocho, Shinobu Kocho."
Giyu Tomioka's voice was as cool and concise as ever.
"Their Tamahagane) doesn't need further selection."
"I will personally send a message to the Swordsmith Village, instructing them to use the best materials to forge the most suitable Nichirin Blades for these two individuals."
"Yes, sir! As you command!"
The members of the Kakushi Division quickly responded, not daring to even raise their heads.
Just kidding, at a time like this, who would dare look up at Lord Water Hashira's icy face?!
After explaining the situation, Giyu Tomioka did not linger.
He pulled Kanae, who was still in a daze, and turned to leave this place of trouble.
Hey!! You two!!
An angry shout came from behind!
Shinobu Kocho, cheeks puffed out like a cat whose favorite toy had been snatched away, stormed after Kanae and grabbed her other hand.
"What a guy! He's going on a date and doesn't even think to take me with him?!"
"And you! Giyu Tomioka! You beast in human clothing who seduces underage girls! Give my sister back to me!"