"Rokuya..."
"But I know your hatred of demons is no less than anyone else's. Your parents, your former comrades-they all died at the hands of demons. I have no right to stop you from taking revenge." Rokuya clasped Kanae's hand in return and took Shinobu's hand with his other hand.
"All I can do is protect you as best I can." Rokuya looked into their eyes. "So I have one request."
Kanae and Shinobu both looked at him nervously.
"If the Master's trap doesn't kill Muzan outright, if Muzan manages to escape and activates his Blood Demon Art, pulling all of us into that unknown alternate space for the final battle..." Rokuya's voice became utterly resolute.
"Please, do not leave my side, no matter what."
Rokuya tightened his fingers slightly.
"No matter what happens, no matter what kind of enemy we face, don't leave my sight. As long as you're beside me, I can guarantee your safety. Anyone who wants to hurt you will have to step over my dead body first."
Two patches of red instantly bloomed on Kanae's cheeks. She lowered her head, not daring to meet Rokuya's eyes, but her grip on his hand tightened.
"You always say such embarrassing things, Rokuya." Kanae's voice was barely a whisper.
Shinobu's face turned scarlet too. She turned her face away and gave a soft huff.
"Who said I was going to leave you? You idiot, without me beside you to treat the poison, those Upper Ranks would've poisoned you to death hundreds of times already. I'm not leaving you." Though Shinobu put on a tough front, she couldn't hide the tenderness in her eyes.
"Then it's settled." Rokuya let go of their hands and picked up his chopsticks again. "Eat more meat tonight. We're going to show those demons