Facing Their Hearts, the Bond Between Butterfly and Water!

The Butterfly Mansion, Shinobu Kocho's private boudoir.

Right now, this medical director, who is usually known for his sharp tongue, calm demeanor, and cunning, is completely shameless, rolling around wildly on his tatami mat.

"Ahhh!!"

Ren buried her face in the soft pillow and let out a series of desperate wails.

Two tiny feet clad in white socks kicked wildly in the air, making a mess of the neatly made bed...

Whenever she closes her eyes, the scene under the Wisteria during the day replays in her mind.

"That clueless, straight-laced guy!! That hopeless idiot!!"

"Does he even realize what it means to say something like that to a girl?!"

Ren writhed on the blanket like a dehydrated fish.

Her cheeks were so red they could fry two eggs right there, and even her fair earlobes were tinged with a blood-red hue (/// ///).

"Click--!"

The paper door of the Japanese-style room was gently pulled open.

"Oh my, is our usually mature and steady Shinobu doing some kind of new stretching exercise?"

Kanae Kocho, holding two cups of tea, leaned against the doorframe with a smile.

She changed into a loose pink yukata!!

"Elder sister!!"

Like a cat whose tail has been stepped on, Shinobu sprang up from the tatami mat in an instant, frantically tidying her messy hair and collar.

"I... I was just too tired from preparing the medicine, so I was just stretching my muscles!"

Ren forced a straight face, trying to hide his inner panic.

Kanae strolled into the room, placed her teacup on the low table, and then naturally sat down next to her sister.

She stretched out her fair finger and gently poked Ren's flushed cheeks, her eyes practically brimming with gossip.

"Does stretching your muscles require blushing this much?"

"Wasn't it because that clueless Water Hashira suddenly had a breakthrough and hit us straight in, completely shattering our Shinobu's mental defenses?"

"Sister, you... you saw it all?!?!"

I was stunned, wishing I could disappear into the ground and die on the spot.

"Certainly."

Kanae covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"Not only did I see it, I also know what's troubling you right now."

Her expression became slightly more serious as she reached out and pulled Shinobu's petite, somewhat resistant body into her arms, her exceptionally soft flesh enveloping Shinobu's shoulders.

"Shinobu, didn't we already reach an agreement before? About Giyu?"

Upon hearing this, Shinobu's body instantly froze.

Yes, the two sisters did discuss this blush-inducing and crazy topic in private—sharing that wooden Water Hashira.

"But... but you liked him much before I did!"

She bit her lip, her fingers twisting tightly around the hem of her yukata, a flicker of hesitation and reluctance crossing her eyes.

"I don't want to steal the person my sister likes!"

"How about... you go confess to him first, sister, and you two get together? I... I can wait a little longer!"

"Smack!"

Kanae flicked Shinobu's forehead without any hesitation.

"Ouch! Sister, why did you hit me?!"

She covered her forehead, looking at her older sister with a pitiful expression.

"I hit you because your usually smartest little brain suddenly went blank?"

Kanae put away her gentle smile and put on a serious face full of disappointment!

"Shinobu, you don't understand that man at all!"

"Giyu may seem expressionless on the surface, but deep down he's an incredibly stubborn and utterly idiotic fool!!"

Kanae leaned close to Shinobu's ear, her warm breath sending a shiver down Shinobu's neck.

"Think about it, with his personality, if I were to establish a relationship with him first, his heart would absolutely be sealed shut on the spot!"

"At that time, his eyes and heart will truly only have room for me."

Kanae's eyes revealed a hint of cunning and calculation.

"When that time comes, even if you, little girl, stand naked in front of him, he'll only ask you if you're cold with a blank expression, and then put a coat on you!"

"... You won't be able to insert it even if you want to!"

"It... it won't go in?!?!"

This incredibly vulgar and offensive statement completely humiliated the ninja.

"Sister, where's your ladylike modesty?! What kind of weird words are you using?!"

"Oh dear, what's the point of being reserved when it comes to feelings?"

Are you really going to just stand by and watch that piece of wood completely seal you off?

Kanae released her sister, winked playfully, and her eyes gleamed with a predatory fervor.

"So the only solution is... for us sisters to attack together from the very beginning!"

Without giving Ren a chance to object, this top-notch wingman and main attacker directly pulled her younger sister up from the tatami mat.

"Hurry up and change your clothes!"

"There's a night market and fireworks display in Asai District tonight, and I've already made plans to go with Giyu!"

"Tonight is our first battle as sisters joining forces!!"

The Asai District night market was absolutely bursting with energy!!

The streets were lined with bright red paper lanterns, and various food stalls emitted enticing aromas. The streets were crowded with people, creating a warm and comforting atmosphere.

Giyu Tomioka, dressed in a plain yukata, walked ahead with his hands tucked into his sleeves and a blank expression.

Although he appears to be a cold and aloof leader inspecting work, in reality, Water Hashira's radar is frantically scanning the stalls on both sides.

"The takoyaki at the stall on the right looks amazing with its sauce. But the grilled squid at the stall on the left seems to have a more precise control over the heat."

"Eating takoyaki first might affect your ability to taste the squid. This is an extremely difficult tactical choice."

Just as Giyu was making serious plans for his meals...

Kanae and Shinobu, who were following behind him, were having a silent tactical exchange.

Shinobu wore a light purple yukata today, and her hair wasn't styled in a bun as usual, but instead flowed smoothly over her shoulders.

Without the constraints of the team uniform, she lost some of her fierceness and gained a petite and adorable girlish charm.

Her palms were sweaty with nervousness.

"Oh dear, there are so many people in front of us! It's about to break apart!"

Kanae suddenly exclaimed.

Before Giyu could react, Kanae had already walked up to him naturally and grabbed his Giyu arm.

That amazing, divinely-level fullness and elasticity instantly pressed firmly onto Giyu's arm.

As she moved, that soft touch kept coming, practically testing the limits of human reason.

"Shinobu! What are you standing there for?"

"Quickly grab Mr. Tomioka's other hand, or you'll get lost!!"

Kanae not only took the initiative herself, but also turned around and frantically hinted at it to her younger sister.

"I..."

Ren gritted her teeth, looked at her sister's encouraging eyes, steeled her resolve, quickly walked to Giyu's left side, and gently hugged Giyu's left arm with her fair hands.

This is getting interesting; the mighty Water Hashira completely crashed on the spot.

On the left is Ren's petite and soft body, carrying a faint herbal fragrance and the unique, youthful warmth of a young girl.

On the right is Kanae and alluring figure, exuding the Wisteria and the fatal allure of a mature older sister.

He was sandwiched tightly between these two top-tier sisters...

The single men passing by weren't just jealous; they were Giyu seething with hatred, as if they wanted to tear him apart on the spot for stealing their wives!

"No, I must stay calm! Water Breathing, First Form..."

Just as Yi Yong was Giyu reciting the Breathing Style techniques in his mind to forcefully lower his temperature.

"Giyu, Shinobu, wait for me!"

Kanae suddenly released Giyu's arm and pointed to a stall in front of them that was surrounded by a huge crowd.

"There's a place over there selling my favorite candied hawthorns! I'm going to buy a few skewers, so please don't go anywhere!"

After saying that Kanae quickly disappeared into the crowd, vanishing in a second.

Only Giyu Tomioka and Shinobu Kocho, who was clinging to his left arm, remained in the same spot.

With Kanae's departure, the oppressive feeling on the right side disappeared, but the delicate softness on the left side became more prominent.

The air instantly became incredibly subtle.

Ren kept her head down, her hands gripping Giyu's sleeves tightly, her ears burning slightly.

Her sister's lewd words, "I can't even get it in," were still echoing in her mind.

Just then, a parade pushing floats turned the corner.

Crowds surged forward to get a glimpse of the floats.

"Ouch!"

A passerby was jostled backward, about to bump into the petite Shinobu Kocho.

The Giyu took action.

He naturally took half a step forward, then reached out and pulled Shinobu to his chest.

His broad back blocked the crowded streets, showcasing his incredible boyfriend charm.

Giyu slightly spread his arms, creating a reassuring semi-circular protective circle.

Ren was completely confined to this small space.

Her nose brushed against the chest of Giyu's yukata, the clean, cool scent of spring water mixed with the man's unique warmth, enveloping her completely (* /ω*).

Are you alright?

Giyu lowered his head slightly, his deep blue eyes calmly looking at the girl in his arms.

His voice sounded deep and resonant in the chaotic night market, yet it was exceptionally clear.

"No... it's nothing."

Ren felt his heart pounding wildly at a rate that suggested he was about to die at any moment.

She looked up at the man who was so close to her.

He's always like this; he doesn't know how to say sweet words, and his clumsiness can be infuriating, but when you need him, he's definitely the most reliable one.

"Let's go to the riverbank, there are fewer people there."

After confirming that she was alright, Giyu withdrew his arm and turned to walk towards the less crowded riverbank.

Ren watched his broad back, took a deep breath, and quickly followed him, naturally grabbing his sleeve again.

The two walked side by side on the bluestone path along the riverbank. The summer night breeze brought a touch of coolness to the river.

The surroundings were extremely quiet, with only the faint sounds of the distant night market echoing through the air.

"Mr. Tomioka."

Ren suddenly spoke, her voice no longer sharp and sarcastic, but instead filled with an unprecedented gentleness and seriousness.

Giyu stopped and turned to look at her with a puzzled expression.

"Bang!!"

At that very moment!!

A dazzling firework exploded in the sky above Asai District!

The multicolored flames instantly illuminated the entire night sky as bright as day, and sparks fell like a meteor shower, a sight of breathtaking beauty.

Against the backdrop of dazzling fireworks, Shinobu took two steps closer.

Then he suddenly raised his head.

Those purple eyes clearly reflected the fireworks blooming in the sky, as well as Giyu Tomioka's completely bewildered face.

Although her cheeks were flushed red, her eyes were exceptionally clear and resolute.

"Mr. Tomioka!!"

Shinobu's voice reached Giyu's ears clearly amidst the continuous explosions of fireworks.

"Please continue to guide me in the future!!"

These words were spoken.

Giyu's mind seemed to have been hit by a Category 12 typhoon, completely crashing and splitting apart.

Please advise???

What kind of guidance do you need?

How to improve the Water Breathing technique?

Or is it the Butterfly Mansion's patient care procedures?

Why bring up such a hardcore work topic while watching fireworks?!?!

But looking at Ren's flushed cheeks and her watery eyes...

Even Yi Giyu, whose nerves were practically immune to anything but steel, felt a strange flutter at this moment.

He vaguely realized that the meaning of those words was definitely not as simple as it seemed on the surface.

"I..."

Giyu opened his mouth, unusually at a loss for how to respond.

"Oh my god, looks like I missed some really exciting scenes."

A voice, oblivious to the atmosphere but brimming with a gossipy, morbid tone, drifted from behind the two.

Kanae Kocho walked over with a smile, holding three strings of bright red candied hawthorns in her hand.

Her gaze lingered for two seconds on the hand that was tugging at Giyu's sleeve, and the maternal smile on her lips grew even wider. She even secretly gave her younger sister a big thumbs up.

"Sorry, Giyu, there are just too many people buying candied hawthorns."

Kanae walked between the two and naturally stuffed a string of candied hawthorns into Giyu's hand, then took the opportunity to hug Giyu's other arm tightly again.

He lightly pressed his body against Giyu's arm, then turned and winked at his blushing sister.

Then Kanae tiptoed slightly and breathed softly into Giyu's ear.

"Mr. Giyu!!"

Kanae's voice is sweet and mellow, with a touch of queenly assertiveness.

"When Shinobu said 'please give me your guidance,' it wasn't just her opinion."

Giyu Tomioka, standing in the middle,

The left sleeve was being tightly gripped by a haughty, sharp-tongued younger sister.

My right arm was being tightly embraced by a stunningly beautiful, carnivorous woman.

A cold wind blows across the riverbank...

The mighty Water Hashira, who has slain countless demons and whose might shakes the world...

Looking at the bright red candied hawthorn berries in my hand at this moment,

Suddenly, I felt a sense of crisis even more terrifying than facing Muzan Kibutsuji!!

What exactly are these two ethereal sisters planning to do to him?!?!