Obanai was so taken aback by those words that she almost couldn't catch her breath.
Just then, the crisp sound of wooden clogs came from the other end of the corridor.
"Sister, I've packed the first-aid kit!"
Shinobu Kocho carried a delicate medical kit on her back and walked out with light steps.
Shinobu is petite and delicate with a slender frame, making her look like a porcelain doll.
However--!
Her tight-fitting uniform top was stretched taut by her ample figure, which was completely disproportionate to her petite stature!
The row of buttons on the chest were currently bearing a terrifying tension that should not be borne by someone of their age, as if they would snap off at any moment!
"Mr. Giyu!"
Shinobu walked closer, completely ignoring Obanai, whose face was as black as charcoal.
A signature smile, sweet with a hint of slyness, bloomed on her delicate, doll-like face.
She tilted her head slightly, her purple eyes crinkling into crescent moons as she greeted him in a light and cheerful tone:
"This time, we're going to such a dangerous place as the quarry, so I'll have to trouble you to take good care of me, Mr. Giyu!"
"If we encounter any danger, I'll be the first to hide behind Mr. Giyu!"
Looking at the charming and adorable Shinobu in front of him, Giyu's deep blue eyes held a gentle sense of closeness.
Within the entire Demon Slayer Corps, besides Kanae, Shinobu Kocho is one of the very few close friends he can have normal conversations with and genuinely feels a very good relationship with.
"Get ready and let's go. Don't worry, I'm here, you'll be fine."
The unspoken understanding and natural connection between the two once again became an invisible knife, piercing deeply into Obanai's already shattered heart.
"Enough!"
Obanai could no longer suppress her anger and resentment.
"Tomioka is an idiot, fine! But are you, woman, going to die with him?!"
"I don't have time to protect a weak woman who can only scream!"
Faced with Obanai's sarcastic remarks that could be described as a personal attack.
If it were someone else, they probably would have been so angry they cried.
However, standing in front of him was the Butterfly Mansion's infamous "sharp-tongued little devil"!
The sweet smile on Shinobu's face didn't disappear; instead, it turned dangerous in an instant!
That smile was like a poppy flower coated with deadly poison.
"Oh dear~"
Shinobu stretched out her delicate white hand and gracefully covered her lips, letting out a soft laugh that sounded like silver bells, yet sent chills down one's spine.
"Who's making such a racket here? Oh, it's Mr. Iguro."
"Mr. Iguro is so angry today, is it because... he's not tall enough?"
"Oh dear, no wonder~"
"When everyone stands together in meetings, Mr. Iguro always has to crane his neck to see other people's faces."
"The inferiority complex that accumulates from being constantly 'looked down upon' over the years can indeed easily make a person irritable and easily angered."
"You—! What nonsense are you spouting!"
Obanai was instantly hit where it hurt with her "height"!
His face, hidden beneath the bandages, flushed bright red in an instant, and he even stammered.
But Shinobu's attack had only just begun!
Her tone shifted abruptly, and her pair of purple eyes, which seemed to see right through people, stared intently at Obanai's shimmering heterochromatic pupils.
Or perhaps...
Shinobu deliberately dragged out the last syllable, a wickedly provocative smile curving her lips:
"Actually, Mr. Iguro wasn't worried about the safety of the mission at all."
"You're just... jealous!"
You're jealous!
Shinobu hit the nail on the head.
"You're jealous that I can rightfully stay by Mr. Giyu's side! You're jealous of Mr. Giyu's gentle attitude towards me just now!"
"Because you know very well in your heart that although you verbally criticize Mr. Giyu, you actually can't live without him!"
"You're just a pathetic hypocrite, desperately trying to get Mr. Giyu's attention!"
"Boom!"
"You... you shameless, vicious woman! Who... who would be jealous of that expressionless man! Who craves his attention! Shut up!"
Obanai was trembling with anger, pointing her finger at Shinobu, almost ready to draw her sword on the spot.
And in order to completely infuriate this arrogant weirdo!
Shinobu Kocho took a big step forward and came to Giyu Tomioka's side.
Then--
Under Obanai's glaring, furious gaze, and Kanae's enigmatic, half-smiling look...
Shinobu stretched out her fair and slender hands and hugged Giyu Tomioka's left arm without any hesitation!
"Ugh!"
Giyu's body stiffened slightly.
Because of the height difference between them, when Shinobu hugged his arm, she was practically hanging on him.
The amazing softness, along with Shinobu's unique girlish body temperature, rushed straight to Giyu's brain.
Shinobu tilted her delicate and adorable baby face up and rested her chin on Giyu's arm.
She deliberately looked at Obanai was on the verge of fainting from anger, in a provocative manner.
In a sickeningly sweet, even slightly coquettish tone, she said:
"It's okay if Mr. Iguro doesn't want to protect me~"
Anyway, my personal bodyguard is right here.
Shinobu turned her head, her big, watery eyes looking at Giyu, and blinked:
"No matter how dangerous it is ahead, no matter if I'm a burden or not, Mr. Giyu will protect me with his life and will never let me get hurt in the slightest!!"
"Isn't that right, Mr. Giyu?"
At this moment,
Time seemed to stand still.
Obanai's eyes were fixed on Shinobu's incredibly soft flesh pressed tightly against Giyu's arm, her eyes practically bulging out of their sockets.
He swore that he had never seen such a shameless and blatant act of taking advantage of someone in his entire life!
Giyu turned his head slightly, lowered his deep blue eyes, and looked at Shinobu Kocho, who was standing close to him.
Feeling the unconditional trust in her arm, its amazing softness, and that adorable face beaming with a mischievous smile.
Because the two already shared a deep bond and closeness.
No rejection or annoyance appeared in Giyu's eyes; instead, an uncontrollable hint of indulgence and pampering welled up within him, a hint he himself was unaware of.
He relaxed his body slightly and considerately lowered the angle of his left arm, just so that Shinobu, who was hanging on his arm, could be held more comfortably and with less effort.
This small, seemingly insignificant detail became the final straw that broke Obanai Iguro's rationality!
Giyu raised his head, and his expressionless face returned to its usual calm.
His deep blue eyes stared directly at Obanai Iguro, who was on the verge of going berserk.
"I am fully responsible for Shinobu's safety."
"I will take her there, and bring her back unharmed."
"Boom--!"
These words shattered Obanai Iguro's fragile, sensitive heart into pieces!
"Good! Good! Excellent!!"
Obanai so angry she was practically spitting fire; the bandages on her face were about to burst open!!
The white snake- Kaburamaru around her neck rolled its eyes, looking utterly despairing, as if to say, "I'm not eating this dog food anymore."
"Tomioka! You idiot whose brain has been completely emptied by lust! Take whoever you want! I don't care anymore!"
Obanai her foot, turned around, and strode out of the courtyard gate.
The background seemed to be burning with a raging black resentment, completely corrupted.
Watching Obanai's disheveled figure as she stormed off in anger.
On Giyu's arm, Shinobu, like a mischievous little fox who had just pulled off a prank, stuck out her pink tongue mischievously.
Then, she reluctantly let go of her arms and stood up straight.
"Hehe, thank you Mr. Giyu for getting me out of that predicament~" Shinobu said sweetly.
Let's go.
Giyu didn't say much, but silently felt the lingering warmth on his left arm before walking towards the courtyard gate.
On the steps,
Kanae Kocho watched this scene unfold.
Her exquisite face always maintained that gentle smile.
However, the moment Shinobu released Giyu's arm,
A subtle hint of coquettishness flickered deep within Kanae's pink eyes.
"That little Shinobu, she's getting more and more outrageous..."
Kanae sighed softly to herself.
"However, seeing Mr. Giyu so openly defend his own makes me feel really safe."
"Be careful on your journey! We're all at the Butterfly Mansion, waiting for your triumphant return!"