There Is Always Someone Fated for You

When the burly man saw Kanao walking slowly, he raised his fist without a word. Even though she was about to be hit, she showed no intention of dodging.

Just then, Kanae Kocho called out to the bald brute. Seeing the two of them, he lowered his fist.

"Why is this child tied up with a rope?"

"Huh?"

"Can't you tell? She's covered in fleas. I bought her, so you'd better mind your own business!" the burly man snarled, with not the slightest hint of pity for her.

"If she wasn't tied up, she might run away. What, you want to buy her? Pay up!"

Kanae Kocho ignored the burly man, bent down, and began introducing herself.

"Hello! Nice to meet you. I'm Kanae Kocho. What's your name?"

Kanao slightly raised her head and glanced at Kanae, but her eyes remained hollow and empty.

Kanae froze for a moment, then reached for Kanao's hand. At the same time, the burly man reached toward Kanae, clearly with ill intent.

Shinobu Kocho immediately moved to stop him, but just before she touched the brute, Tsugikuni Kuuga suddenly appeared. With a sharp smack, the man's hand was knocked aside.

"What the hell do you think you're doing? I'll chop you to pieces!" Tsugikuni Kuuga stared at the burly man expressionlessly.

Seeing Tsugikuni Kuuga's gaze, the burly man shuddered involuntarily. What a terrifying look. That man really would kill him.

Trying to touch my wife's hand? You must be tired of living!

Shinobu suddenly appeared and grabbed Kanao's other hand, while Tsugikuni Kuuga tore the rope apart. The Butterfly Sisters then pulled Kanao away and ran.

As she ran, Shinobu shouted, "Remember to pay!"

"Sir, I'm sorry!" Kanae Kocho called back over her shoulder.

Tsugikuni Kuuga reached into his clothes and pulled out a handful of money, both bills and coins, then scattered it toward the burly man like flower petals.

"Keep the change. Goodbye, scumbag!" Tsugikuni Kuuga picked up the things on the ground and followed after them.

Watching Tsugikuni Kuuga flee, the burly man cursed loudly. "You bastards! Don't let me catch you next time!"

"If you don't pick up the money on the ground, it'll be gone soon. There are quite a lot of people around," Tsugikuni Kuuga kindly reminded him.

Then the brute's curses as he drove away the crowd rang out from behind them. Serves him right, that human-trafficking piece of trash.

The group ran for quite a while before finally stopping. After all, Kanao did not have stamina anywhere near as good as theirs.

"That was so exciting!" Kanae said with a smile.

"You two certainly had fun!" Tsugikuni Kuuga complained.

"Oh, come on! Consider it atonement for last night. Now carry this child for me!" Shinobu directly placed Kanao onto Tsugikuni Kuuga's back.

Tsugikuni Kuuga did not mind the dirty little girl at all, because he saw his younger self in Kanao. She had suffered even more than he had.

Soon, everyone returned to the Butterfly Mansion. Shinobu took Kanao to bathe, Tsugikuni Kuuga went to make omurice, and Kanae Kocho wiped her Nichirin Blade beneath the eaves.

Before long, a clean and pretty Kanao emerged, while Tsugikuni Kuuga came out carrying a plate of omurice.

Kanao sat there blankly. Though she looked like a porcelain doll, there was no life in her.

Tsugikuni Kuuga carried the omurice over to Kanao. He first gently patted her head, then said softly, "Little one, Big Brother's omurice is delicious. Do you want to try some?"

Perhaps she had smelled the food. Kanao raised her head, though her gaze was fixed on the omurice. She herself had no idea how many days it had been since she last ate.

When Tsugikuni Kuuga saw that the food's appeal was working, he placed the omurice before her. But Kanao only stared at it silently without touching it.

Tsugikuni Kuuga had expected this. He gently said again, "It's all yours. You can eat it, and there's more if it isn't enough!"

After receiving a definite command, Kanao immediately began eating. She had been hungry for too long, so she tossed the spoon aside and started eating with her hands. Tsugikuni Kuuga did not mind. If he had starved for that many days, he would probably have been worse. That was something she could slowly learn later.

As Kanao ate, Tsugikuni Kuuga sat beneath the eaves as well. Shinobu complained, "This won't do. This child can't take care of herself at all. What are we supposed to do?"

"She won't even eat without being ordered to, even when she's starving. What are we supposed to do?"

"Oh my, it's fine!"

"It isn't fine, Sister. This child is so pitiful. What should we do?" Shinobu looked deeply worried.

Kanae put away her sword, then walked over and sat beside Kanao. With a lovestruck expression, she raised one arm high and shouted excitedly:

"Don't worry, because she's super cute, okay?!"

Seeing her sister's expression, Shinobu looked toward Tsugikuni Kuuga. He was equally excited. "Cute is justice. Sister is right!"

"Drop dead!" Shinobu kicked Tsugikuni Kuuga away.

"Shinobu! It's not good to hit me in front of a child. What if you teach her bad habits?"

"It's fine, so please shut up!"

After Kanao finished eating, the four gathered around together. It was time to choose her name.

Perhaps it was fate. Out of all the candidate names, the little girl chose Kanao.

"Huh? Was the name I came up with no good?"

"You can tell from the names Shinobu came up with that you're a child close to nature!"

"That's true. Sparrow, chickweed, mullet, Flying Fish Roe... only Shinobu could think of names like those!" Kanae said with a stifled laugh.

"That's right. I just wonder whether that goldfish named Pufferfish tastes good or not," Tsugikuni Kuuga said, resting his chin on his hand in thought.

But Shinobu immediately gave him a sharp flick on the forehead. Holding his head, Tsugikuni Kuuga said, "It was just a joke. I definitely won't eat your little pet!"

"You wouldn't dare eat it!"

Watching the bickering pair, Kanae Kocho was often quite helpless. Kanao understood even less. I don't understand the world of adults.

"Then it's decided. From now on, our little sister will be called Kanao Tsuyuri!"

"Agreed!"

"Supported!"

"But how can we get Kanao to make choices for herself? That's the most urgent matter!" Shinobu began worrying again.

Tsugikuni Kuuga directly took out a coin and placed it in Kanao's hand. He said gently, "Whenever Kanao encounters something she can't decide in the future, flip a coin. Heads means yes, tails means no!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga knew that this coin was tied to the lifelong happiness of angel Tanjiro and his own little sister. It absolutely had to appear.

"That's really unreliable!" Shinobu was doubtful.

"I think it's a great idea!" Kanae patted Kanao's head.

"Maybe when our little Kanao meets someone she likes in the future, she'll change!"

"Exactly. There is always someone fated for you!" Tsugikuni Kuuga sighed.

"Just like how Shinobu has become much gentler!"

"Sister, don't talk nonsense, or I'll get angry!" Shinobu pouted.

"Okay, okay!"

Looking at such a warm scene, Tsugikuni Kuuga swore that he would protect them well. Having another little sister truly brought endless happiness. Tsugikuni Kuuga suddenly felt his entire body fill with strength.