Faking Illness

Hiruma crouched down, leaning into the debt collector's ear. With a fake smile and words laced with venom, he asked, "Do you believe me now?"

"If only your neck was as stiff as your mouth!"

"Apologize to her, or die!"

Hiruma's words were like a demon's whisper. The debt collector's mind went blank. He knew this kid would kill him; he wasn't an ordinary person.

His previously arrogant and overbearing demeanor vanished without a trace. He chickened out.

Hiruma smiled and patted the debt collector's shoulder. He drew his Nichirin Blade and flicked the blood off the edge.

The moment the blade was pulled from his thigh, the debt collector broke out in a sweat from the pain but didn't utter a sound.

Hiruma made way for the debt collector, a path to escape. His life or death now rested in Shinobu Kocho's hands.

The debt collector crawled to Shinobu Kocho, gritting his teeth as he knelt.

"Sister, I was wrong. Please spare me!"

"I beg you, spare me!"

"It's all my fault. I'm a son of a bitch; I'm not human!"

He slapped himself while kowtowing, his humility reaching rock bottom.

Witnessing the scene before her, Shinobu Kocho was a bit at a loss. After years of hardship, this was the first time she'd encountered someone begging for forgiveness like this.

She truly hated these people. They forced women into prostitution, charged exorbitant interest rates; they were practically evil in every way.

A hundred deaths wouldn't be enough for them.

"You scum, you trash, you deserve to die!" Shinobu Kocho roared, as if shouting out all the suffering she had endured over the years.

Hearing this, Hiruma drew his blade. In this era, besides demons, there were also many scums. He didn't mind cleaning some up.

Besides, protecting someone like that wasn't worth it.

The debt collector despaired. He had killed people before, but when his own death was imminent, he was terrified. He didn't want to die; he was so scared he wet himself.

Just as the Nichirin Blade was about to fall, Shinobu Kocho grabbed Hiruma's hand.

Their eyes met. She didn't understand why a stranger would help her, but she didn't want a good person to get his hands dirty with blood because of her.

"Forget it, let's go!"

A moment later, the two left the alley.

Shinobu Kocho bowed deeply to Hiruma, her voice sincere.

"Thank you. Great kindness needs no words!"

"I know some medicinal knowledge, so please don't hesitate to ask if you need any help!"

Hiruma quickly helped Shinobu Kocho up, smiling faintly. He felt it was no big deal.

"It's nothing, don't worry about it!"

If he needed repayment for helping Shinobu, he'd be worse than an animal.

"By the way, I'm carrying a blade, aren't you afraid of me?" Hiruma asked casually, as he saw the owner of the Saisai Dango shop was quite scared.

Shinobu Kocho's answer was direct. This was the real her, a straightforward girl.

"Because you helped me, I'm not afraid!"

"By the way, what's your name?"

Hiruma straightened his clothes. He looked into Shinobu Kocho's eyes and said earnestly, "Tendo Hiruma, those familiar with me call me Hiru!"

A brilliant, spring-flower-like smile bloomed on Shinobu Kocho's dirty face. The smile was like sunlight piercing through clouds, warm and bright, as if the whole world had been illuminated.

This smile stunned Hiruma; she was truly beautiful.

Of course, such a smile was very rare. Perhaps due to life's hardships or her personality, Shinobu Kocho rarely smiled normally.

"Mr. Tendo, hello. My name is Shinobu Kocho!"

"Thank you again for your help!"

At this moment, Hiruma's heart was cheering. He had finally exchanged names with Shinobu, a wonderful first step.

"It's alright, I just saw injustice and drew my sword to help. I helped because I wanted to, Miss Kocho, you don't need to feel any burden."

"Then we part ways here. I need to go home to make medicine for my sister!"

Shinobu Kocho smiled again. This was the second time this year she had smiled at someone other than her sister. In her opinion, Mr. Tendo, who helped without expecting anything in return, was truly a good person.

Hearing this, Hiruma visibly panicked.

He needed an excuse to stay by Shinobu's side. If he followed her, he'd definitely be seen as a pervert.

As soon as the thought arose, he immediately suppressed it.

He had finally made a good impression on Shinobu.

What should I do?

What should I do?

Seeing Shinobu Kocho about to leave, Hiruma panicked even more.

Maybe I should cut myself. That would definitely work. After all, Shinobu comes from a family of doctors, and doctors are meant to save people.

Ahahaha!

I'm a genius!

Facing Shinobu Kocho, Hiruma, who was usually calm, actually entertained the thought of self-harm. He was truly beyond help.

So, he decided to feign illness. When it came to acting, it was a piece of cake. To avoid the old man's training, he had already perfected the art of pretending to be sick.

"Ouch!"

"It hurts so much, my stomach really hurts!"

Hiruma was a man of action. He clutched his stomach and let out a pained wail, his expression as if he were dying.

As expected, Shinobu Kocho, upon hearing the noise, turned back. Her voice, filled with concern, made Hiruma's heart swell with joy.

"Mr. Tendo, what's wrong?"

"I think I ate something bad. It suddenly started..."

"Ouch, it hurts!"

"Come to my place. I remember we have painkillers at home, and I can take a look at you then."

Shinobu Kocho supported Hiruma, partly because he had helped her, and partly out of her responsibility as a physician.

Just then, the vendor selling Saisai Dango ran over with a large bag of the treats.

"Young man, you haven't picked up your dango yet."

Catching the aroma, Hiruma almost broke character.

But without a second thought, delicious food was definitely not as important as Shinobu.

Saisai Dango: So, love disappears, right?

"No wonder your stomach hurts. This looks like enough for ten people!"

Looking at the large bag of Saisai Dango, Shinobu Kocho took it and nodded. The vendor quickly scurried away.

"Mr. Tendo, I personally advise you not to overeat, especially sweets!"

"Your stomachache is well-deserved!"

Shinobu Kocho, with her professional habits kicking in, became stern and said with a serious expression.

"Alright, alright!"

"I definitely won't overeat anymore, so let's eat these dango together!"

"Mr. Tendo, doesn't your stomach hurt anymore?" Seeing the energetic Hiruma, Shinobu Kocho felt relieved. She had been worried it might be some kind of acute illness.

If that were the case, they would have to go to the hospital.

"Ouch!"

"It hurts so much!"

Hiruma immediately entered performance mode, his voice becoming noticeably weaker.

"Let's go to your place quickly, I need painkillers!"

"Oh, oh, oh!"

Shinobu Kocho couldn't help but quicken her pace. She asked softly, "Walking this fast, will it worsen your pain?"

"It's fine, the faster the better!"

"Alright, alright, just bear with it a little longer!"

Shinobu Kocho supported Hiruma as they slowly walked away, their figures gradually disappearing into the distance.

However, in a dark corner not far away, a solitary figure stood silently, observing Shinobu Kocho and Hiruma.