Shinobu Kocho's head went rigid. From her chin to her neck, then through her whole body, it felt as though an electric current had run through her.
Burning heat, numbness, stiffness!
Su Chen leaned close to Shinobu Kocho's ear and said in a low voice, "Didn't you write it all in your diary? You like Su Chen, don't you, Shinobu?"
"Pfft!"
Shinobu Kocho turned her head and snatched the diary from under Su Chen's arm. "Give it back! You're awful!"
The girl's cheeks were flushed.
Even through her chest, her quick, anxious heartbeat could be heard.
Could Su Chen really like me?
Was that why he planned to stay?
Argh! That awful guy read my whole diary!
Doesn't that mean he knows what I'm thinking?
How annoying!
Stupid Su Chen! Bad Su Chen! Annoying Su Chen!
"Shinobu, stop injecting yourself with wisteria poison."
Watching Shinobu Kocho stand there lost in thought, Su Chen finally said those words.
Once he said them, the girl's body visibly stiffened.
"You... you knew?"
Shinobu Kocho sounded somewhat surprised.
Su Chen said softly, "I know you've been working hard to kill a certain demon."
Shinobu Kocho fell silent.
Su Chen continued, "Shinobu, sometimes you overcomplicate things. Sacrificing yourself isn't the only way to kill a demon."
"Besides, if you left just like that, don't you think it would be too cruel to Kanao and the others?"
At that, Shinobu Kocho's slender body trembled.
Two trails of clear tears slipped helplessly from her eyes.
"Su Chen, I have no other way."
Shinobu Kocho lowered her head, her glistening tears reflecting her helplessness.
Clenching her small fists, she sobbed quietly. "This is the best way I could think of. That demon killed my older sister. I have to make him pay!"
The girl's voice began to deepen