"Whew..." Kanzaki Kumo took a series of deep breaths and gathered his thoughts.
He felt he had taken another step toward mastering the Transparent World. Although he was still some distance from complete mastery, he had begun to get a faint sense of it.
It was like looking at flowers through fog. Though they were still indistinct, he could vaguely make out their outlines and colors.
He only needed some more time to settle his mind, or a little external stimulus, to pierce that last thin veil of fog and fully enter that realm.
Kanzaki Kumo gently rested his chin on top of Shinobu Kocho's head and said softly, "Shinobu, thank you."
"We've lived under the same roof for three years. What do we need thanks for?" Shinobu Kocho replied, tilting her head up.
"We're supposed to be celebrating your birthday, but you've been considering my wishes all along the way. I haven't thanked you for that, so why get all sentimental over a few words from me?"
"I..." The emotion Kanzaki Kumo had just begun to summon was immediately dispelled by Shinobu Kocho.
In particular, the sense of indebtedness that had instinctively risen in his heart was snuffed out before it could even take root.
Blinking, Shinobu Kocho seemed to think of something. Her red lips parted slightly. "In that case, I need to express my thanks too."
"You don't have to..." Before Kanzaki Kumo could finish, Shinobu Kocho interrupted him.
As though she had already rehearsed what would happen next in her mind, her fair, rosy face took on a pink blush, looking even lovelier in the sunset.
Her bashful purple eyes glared at Kanzaki Kumo.
"Oh, stop talking and close your eyes."
"Hm?" Kanzaki Kumo was still a little dazed and tilted his head in confusion.
"Hurry