Leaving Asakusa

"Take me with you. I'll go back with you."

Kurozawa's reasons failed to stop Hongyue. She clung close, wanting to go with him.

How could that be possible? If he really brought Hongyue to Mount Sagiri, with Sakonji Urokodaki's stubborn temperament and his sense of smell that could identify demons, he would turn hostile immediately.

Then none of them would survive.

"No. When I bring you to my home, Hongyue, I want you to feel welcomed and valued."

"So I'll go back first and tell my family about you, then I'll come get you."

"If I suddenly brought you home and caused conflict with my family, and they failed to treat you properly, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself."

Kurozawa's words, which seemed to come from the bottom of his heart, made Hongyue furrow her brow in thought. After a moment, she smiled softly and nodded in agreement.

"Alright. I'll wait for you in Asakusa." After a brief pause, Hongyue casually asked again, "Where is your home? I still don't know."

Without the slightest hesitation, Kurozawa answered with a sincere expression, "Mount Fujikasane. I live on Mount Fujikasane."

As soon as he said that, Iguro Obanai raised his head again and looked at Kurozawa strangely. If he remembered correctly, Kurozawa had said that he lived on Mount Sagiri.

Had I heard wrong before? Kurozawa's demeanor was far too natural, making Iguro Obanai doubt his own memory.

"I'll remember Mount Fujikasane." Hongyue nodded, then reluctantly released Kurozawa's arm. At the same time, Kurozawa let out a slight breath of relief.

"Here, a gift for you."

"You feel as beautiful and cool as the moon to me. This gift should suit you."

From the bundle he carried, Kurozawa took out a gift he had just selected, one he had originally intended to give his junior sister. He would use it first to further steady Hongyue.

It was a pure white necklace with an exquisite little crescent-moon pendant, delicate and dainty in appearance.

The moon... The moon that hung high in the sky alongside the sun. It was the first time Hongyue had heard herself described that way.

"Put it on me."

Hongyue stared at the crescent pendant necklace in Kurozawa's hand. After a moment of silence, she suddenly beamed. Her smile seemed to send ripples through the air, making everything around her pale in comparison.

Kurozawa walked behind Hongyue and reached out to sweep aside her long, ink-black hair before putting the crescent necklace around her neck. His fingers brushed across her fair neck, feeling only smooth softness, while Hongyue's eyes curved happily.

At that moment, Hongyue was like an ordinary human girl, delighted by the gift she had received.

That contrast made Kurozawa fall into deep self-doubt. Had he judged her wrong? Had everything from before been an illusion?

Unfortunately, reason told him that the Hongyue who now resembled a normal girl was false. The one he had seen in Asakusa that day was the real one.

"Done."

It was Kurozawa's first time putting a necklace on a girl, and he had no experience. After fumbling with it for nearly a minute, he finally managed to fasten it.

"Mm, it looks good. It really suits you."

The pure white necklace, neither too thick nor too thin, made Hongyue's already perfect collarbones appear even more exquisite.

"Thank you. Very few people give me gifts." Hongyue lowered her head and thanked him softly.

The instant she lowered her head, Kurozawa seemed to catch a trace of loneliness on Hongyue's cold, breathtakingly beautiful face. But it vanished in an instant, and he could not be certain.

"If you like it, I'll give you more in the future." Kurozawa once again revealed a dazzling smile. It was as if the sun's radiance had been stolen away by that smile and gathered upon it.

A few girls nearby who had inadvertently been captivated by Kurozawa's smile froze slightly. But under Hongyue's casual gaze, they soon felt a chill run through their bodies despite the scorching weather and hurried away.

The Charm Stat really seemed to be a passive skill. I can't quite control it, Kurozawa lamented inwardly. He had always warned himself not to smile so casually, but people often smiled unconsciously.

Afterward, Hongyue personally escorted Kurozawa and Iguro Obanai to the gates of Asakusa City. Along the way, she kept her arm linked with Kurozawa's, occasionally leaning close to whisper to him. The two looked like an intimate couple.

When they reached the gates of Asakusa City, they stopped.

"This is far enough. Once I've dealt with things at home, I'll come to Asakusa to find you."

Kurozawa did not specify a time. Taking seven or eight years to settle things first before coming back would be perfectly reasonable.

"Alright, then hurry. Remember, I'll always be waiting for you."

Though her tone was somewhat calm, Kurozawa could tell that she truly wanted to keep him there. Yet she still chose to listen to him and let him leave Asakusa.

"Can you give me your umbrella? If I miss you, I'll have something to ease my longing." After a moment of silence, Kurozawa looked at the red paper umbrella in Hongyue's hand.

She had kept the umbrella open the entire way, never allowing herself to be exposed to sunlight. This was Kurozawa's final test. Hongyue could never possibly give him the umbrella.

He still hoped that he had been mistaken, because Hongyue's normal appearance was simply too captivating. With only a few glances and gestures, Kurozawa had repeatedly thought, So what if I became Ning Caichen for once? But for now, he knew far too little about Hongyue. The thought could only remain a thought.

After Kurozawa spoke, Hongyue raised her head, her brows faintly knitting as she looked at him.

"...Alright."

The unexpected answer from Hongyue made Kurozawa's heart tremble.

Handing the red paper umbrella to Kurozawa, Hongyue curled her lips into a faint smile. "Treat it well. This umbrella has been with me for a long time."

"...Don't worry." Not knowing what else to say, Kurozawa took the red paper umbrella and turned to walk out through the gates of Asakusa City. His senses continued to relay what was behind him—Hongyue was watching him.

Thinking of Hongyue standing exposed beneath the sunlight, Kurozawa even felt an absurd flicker of concern and could not help turning back.

Under the sunlight, Hongyue watched him leave with crescent eyes and a smile. Yet her face was now frighteningly pale. He could see her fists clenched, her body trembling slightly as she struggled desperately to endure it.

Her abnormal reaction beneath the sun had already proven Hongyue's identity. The result was just as expected: sunlight could not kill her instantly, but it undoubtedly had a terrifying effect on her. After only a few seconds of exposure, Hongyue's aura plummeted, rapidly weakening.

She could actually reach this level. Why? They had only met once.

The thought of taking advantage of her current advancement to the fifth stage of the Breathing Technique to strike her was almost the best possible opportunity, but Kurozawa could not act on it.

Strictly speaking, Hongyue had never harmed him. Kurozawa had always been clear about grudges and favors. The terror of the Demon King that he had merely heard from others was not enough to make him feel absolute killing intent toward Hongyue. He had no feud with demons. If anything, Kurozawa had actively hunted demons in order to grow stronger; to demons, he was the villain.

Kurozawa turned away, his body nearly becoming an afterimage as he swiftly left Hongyue's sight.

Elsewhere, the instant Kurozawa vanished from her view, Hongyue disappeared as well, reappearing in a dark alley.

Hideous scorch marks spread across her face, shedding black-red ashes, but they quickly healed.

"Susamaru. Yahaba."

Hongyue's cold voice rang out. At the same time, two figures abruptly emerged from the shadows, dropping to one knee and lowering their heads, unwilling to meet her gaze.

The female demon noticed Hongyue's weakness and could not help saying, "My lady, that man is a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman. He is highly vigilant, and he seemed to have noticed something unusual about you."

The other demon echoed her, "Yes, my lady. You can choose another target. That man might bring the Demon Slayer Corps here. It's too dangerous."

"Shut up!" Hongyue's icy voice rang out, utterly unlike the faint softness she had shown when speaking to Kurozawa. Her voice now was like the depths of winter.

Then, blood-red chains instantly formed at Hongyue's fingertips, binding the two demons tightly.

In the dark alley, faint cries of agony and pleas for mercy rose up, only to be swiftly swallowed by silence.