Is there anything different about the Butterfly Mansion today compared to usual?
A familiar figure slowly emerged in Shinobu Kocho's mind.
Shinobu Kocho couldn't help but curse under her breath.
Damn, how can this guy be so bold?
Having an older sister isn't enough, she dares to come here!
I'll teach him a lesson this time!
Despite these thoughts, Shinobu Kocho felt her heart racing uncontrollably.
If you turned on the light, you would see that her face had turned completely blushing.
The shadowy figure continued to approach the bed, and a corner of the blanket was gently lifted.
The dark figure lifted the blanket with one hand, braced itself on the bed with the other, and prepared to crawl under the covers.
Shinobu Kocho had been lying quietly on the bed, suddenly stirred.
A hand quickly reached out and grabbed the hand that was lifting the blanket.
"Why?"
Suddenly, his hand was grabbed, and the dark figure let out a surprised sound.
Before the shadowy figure could react, Shinobu Kocho swiftly pulled it down onto the bed.
She then flipped over and sat steadily on his back, quickly pinning his hands behind his back with her own hands—a smooth and fluid motion.
"Ouch! It hurts! It hurts! Sister Ren, be gentle, be gentle!"
The familiar tone made Shinobu Kocho feel a little confused. " Kanon?"
"It's me, it hurts! Sister Ren, please let me go!" Kanon pleaded, the pain in her shoulder making her frown.
Having confirmed the identity of the person beneath her, Shinobu Kocho released her grip, rolled off Kanon's back, and sat down on the edge of the bed.
Taking the opportunity, Kanon sat up, rubbing her shoulders and complaining, "Sister Shinobu, really, why are you using so much force?"
"It's all because of you, coming over so late at night, I thought..."
Shinobu Kocho replied, but then suddenly paused halfway through her sentence.
How should I explain this? Should I say I thought Teiichi had come and sneaked into my room?
If that were true, it would be fine, but it's clearly a misunderstanding. Wouldn't it be hilarious to say this out loud?
No, no, no, that's not right. What do you mean by "if it's true, then so be it"?
It shouldn't be him! It shouldn't be him!
Shinobu Kocho shook her head, trying to shake the thought out of her mind.
"Who do you think it is?" Kanon asked, puzzled.
"I... I..." Shinobu Kocho thought quickly, "I thought it was my older sister!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Kanon asked suspiciously, "Are you really that violent towards Kanae?"
"Stop nagging!" Shinobu Kocho embarrassment and quickly changed the subject, "What are you doing here so late at night?"
Upon hearing Shinobu Kocho's question, Kanon didn't pursue the matter further. Recalling the interaction between Teiichi and Kanae at dinner that evening, she asked about the purpose of their visit.
"Sister Shinobu, are Sister Kanae and Brother Teiichi..."
Hearing Kanon begin to ask about the real purpose, Shinobu Kocho breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that Kanon might have continued asking.
She glanced at Kanon sitting on her bed; having kept her eyes open in the dark for so long, she could now make out Kanon's face fairly clearly.
"You're only finding out now?"
"Huh? Just now? Are they really together?" Kanon asked in surprise.
"Although they didn't say it explicitly, judging from their posture, it's pretty much true!"
"When did they start?" Kanon asked curiously.
Shinobu Kocho up and thought for a moment, "Didn't my sister encounter Upper Rank Two last time? And then Teiichi to save her, that's probably when it all started!"
"Huh? A hero saving a damsel in distress!" Kanon said dejectedly.
Hearing Kanon's envious tone, Shinobu Kocho retorted irritably, "Envious of what? Weren't you saved by him too?"
"That's different. I was only a few years old back then," Kanon shook her head.
"What do you mean you were only a few years old back then? You're not that old now either!"
Kanon retorted, "I'm not even two years younger than you! I'm all grown up now!"
"Okay! Okay! Okay! Kanon has grown up too!" Shinobu Kocho lay down and said perfunctorily.
Hearing Shinobu Kocho's perfunctory words, Kanon had no choice but to lie down on the bed.
Even though I already knew the result when I came here today.
But when she actually heard the news, Kanon still felt a deep sense of loss.
The image of the boy who saved me when I was young still seems vivid in my mind.
Even though she knew the other person seemed to only see her as a younger sister.
But a glimmer of hope still rose in my heart.
if...
I wish I could be with Teiichi.
I had been able to hold back my tears after confirming the news, but as I pondered the situation, I could no longer hold them back.
Tears streamed down her face.
The soft sobbing made Shinobu Kocho look up.
Looking at the tearful girl in front of him.
Shinobu Kocho suppressed her usual outward display of fierceness and revealed a rare gentleness.
He raised his hand and gently stroked Kanon's head.
"Okay! Okay!"
The gentle words warmed Kanon, as if she had returned to her mother's embrace many years ago.
The sobs grew softer and softer.
Shinobu Kocho glanced down at the sleeping Kanon, and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
Then the smile slowly faded.
Turning her head to look out the window at the bright moon in the sky, she murmured softly inside the room.
"Sigh! Who isn't like that?"
The next day.
Teiichi and Shinobu Kocho brushed past each other in the corridor.
The familiar face brought back memories of the misunderstanding I had last night.
Shinobu Kocho's pretty face couldn't help but blush.
"Sigh, just bear it!"
The words coming from behind made Shinobu Kocho turn around.
"What?"
"Why is your face so red?" Seeing Shinobu Kocho's flushed face, Teiichi asked curiously.
"Mind your own business! What do you want?" Shinobu Kocho said irritably.
Ding Yi clicked his tongue in surprise at being Teiichi rebuked.
Shinobu Kocho before the Kanae incident really wasn't as cute as she was later.
"If I'm staying here now, should I pick up my old sparring sessions again and practice every day?"
"Okay! Then let's stick to the original time, every afternoon?"
Shinobu Kocho raised her eyebrows upon hearing this; it was always better to fight against a strong opponent than to train alone in silence.
"Okay, then I'll go and Kanon to Kanae again!"
"No need, I was just about to go find Kanon. You go and tell my sister, I'll take care of Kanon," Shinobu Kocho replied.
Teiichi in agreement and then went their separate ways.
Months passed silently, like sand slipping through fingers.
During this period Teiichi basically spent all his time training at the Butterfly Mansion.
When Kanae, Shinobu Kocho, and Kanon aren't out on missions, there will be an additional sparring session with them.
And so, Teiichi spends another New Year at the Butterfly Mansion.
Time quickly passed, and it was time for the routine post-New Year's Hashira Meeting.