Hearing Kanao's question and seeing the obvious change in Nezuko's eyes, Kanzaki Kumo guessed roughly what had happened.
He sighed inwardly, feeling a little helpless.
"Thank you for your help, Nezuko. Go get some rest with Kanae and Makomo."
"Mm, okay." Nezuko nodded and left with Kanae and Makomo. With Kanao like this, they could only leave it to Kanzaki Kumo to resolve.
Only after the three had left did Kanzaki Kumo turn back to Kanao, who stood quietly to one side as though she understood nothing.
"Kanao, it's been a long time since we went to the playground together. How about I take you there now?"
Kanao's eyes flickered. She raised a hand and pointed at Kanzaki Kumo's still-bandaged right shoulder and his right arm, which had been immobilized to keep it from moving. "But your injuries..."
It was precisely because she was mindful of Kanzaki Kumo's injuries that Kanao had not plunged straight into his arms. Instead, she had stood in front of him and let him pat her head.
"These little injuries won't get in the way. Come on, it's been ages since I really spent some time playing with you." Kanzaki Kumo shook his head and took Kanao's hand with his freely moving left hand, leading her toward the mountain behind the mansion.
"Mm."
Kanao was naturally happy to be with Kanzaki Kumo. As for his injuries, if need be, she would simply get him to sit and chat with her at the playground.
Because someone regularly tended to the little playground, none of the equipment had gathered dust, even though Kanao had not come to play for some time.
As soon as they arrived, Kanao took the initiative to pull Kanzaki Kumo toward a bench at the edge.
It had originally been put there