After saying that, Shinobu Kocho seemed to remember something and turned to Teiichi question.
"By the way, you still haven't told me if our new dishes are good or not?"
Kanae turned her head upon hearing this, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
Teiichi nodded and said, "It's delicious!"
"Tch, no sincerity!" Shinobu Kocho turned her head away and said.
Upon Teiichi, Ding Yi was speechless and began to comment on each point.
"This steak is good; it's chewy but not too tough, and it successfully locks in the juices..."
This pizza is good too. The crust is baked just right, and the most important thing is the toppings. Although there are many, it doesn't look cluttered...
Shinobu Kocho nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this; it was worth it for them to have gone to Mitsuri to learn so many foreign dishes.
So which one do you think tastes the best?
Teiichi while, then looked up at Kanae, hoping to see some clues.
To his disappointment, Kanae wore a faint smile and made no attempt to indicate which dish she had made.
Looking down at his remaining plate, Teiichi moment and said:
"What I'm most satisfied with is this white rice..."
"Um?"
"What I'm most satisfied with is this stewed meat!"
The Shinobu Kocho a mournful cry.
"Okay, you guessed right, sister!"
Kanae chuckled, "I told you Teiichi 'd prefer the kind of food I usually eat!"
"I just feel like dishes I haven't tried before are more exciting!" Shinobu Kocho said, sprawled on the table.
"Alright, alright! Let's have a drink!"
Kanae raised the glass in her hand.
"Happy New Year!"
Seeing this, the others followed.
Even the three new girls followed suit and raised their cups from the table.
"Happy New Year!"
A snowy night.
Teiichi and Kanae stood in the dimly lit corridor, admiring the snow scene outside the window by the faint moonlight.
After cleaning up the mess, the rest of the group seemed to intentionally give the two of them time, and gradually went back to their rooms to rest.
Kanae suddenly spoke up.
"Hey! Teiichi!"
"Um?"
Teiichi slightly turned his head to look at Kanae.
At that moment, Kanae stood by the window, one hand resting on the glass, quietly watching the snowflakes falling outside.
"When my parents were still alive, they would take us to the shrine to pray during the Lunar New Year!"
Teiichi quietly watched Kanae.
"If you'd like, we can go tomorrow too!"
Kanae was somewhat tempted by this, but then shook her head slightly.
"No, the Butterfly Mansion has a lot of injured people lately, and I can't leave. Besides, the nearest shrine is a bit far from the Butterfly Mansion, so I'd better not go!"
Hearing Teiichi nodded and didn't try to dissuade him further; this year was indeed not a good time.
Teiichi thought for a moment and suggested:
"Then, why don't we pray here?"
Kanae turned to look at Teiichi.
Is this okay?
Teiichi smiled gently.
"Yes, sincerity is key! Make a wish!"
Kanae's eyes flickered slightly.
"Then you come too!"
"Okay, together!" Teiichi nodded.
Upon hearing this, Kanae turned her head to look out the window and withdrew her hand from the windowpane.
He clenched his right fist, placed his left hand on top of his right, and silently closed his eyes.
Teiichi stood to the side, silently watching Kanae, a slight smile on his lips.
Soon after, Kanae slowly opened her eyes.
Seeing that Teiichi was still staring at her with his eyes open, Kanae asked.
Didn't you make a wish?
"I've already made my promise!" Teiichi replied.
"Oh? What did you wish for?"
You go first!
"Me..." Kanae turned to look at the falling snowflakes outside the window and said slowly, "I hope you and Shinobu can live healthy and happy lives, like ordinary people, until you grow old!"
"Besides.."
"I hope we can defeat Muzan Kibutsuji in our generation!"
Upon hearing Teiichi's heart skipped a beat.
The fact that Kanae placed himself and Shinobu before others speaks volumes about his position within Kanae at that moment.
Teiichi raised one hand and placed it on Kanae's cheek, his thumb gently stroking her smooth skin.
"We need you too, otherwise there's no happiness to speak of!"
Upon hearing this, Kanae couldn't help but smile happily.
So what is your wish?
May you have peace and joy!
Teiichi spoke, Kanae into his arms.
Kanae did not resist and gently leaned closer to Teiichi's hand.
"Peace and joy..."
Kanae murmured softly in Teiichi's arms.
Although it was the first time she had heard the word, she quickly understood and came to like it.
"Hey! Teiichi!"
"Hmm!" Teiichi responded softly.
Kanae asked, "When are we going to get married?"
"Marriage..." Teiichi murmured.
Kanae said, "Yes, I'll be 21 after the New Year. Getting married at this age is no longer considered young!"
"Are you 21 yet...?"
Teiichi murmured.
In this day and age, getting married at 21 is indeed not considered young.
Tengen Uzui, who is about the same age as Kanae, has been married for many years.
but...
Teiichi gently rubbed his chin against Kanae's head twice.
It's been four years since Kanae was rescued from Doma...?
Does this mean Tanjiro may have already gone to Mount Sagiri for training...?
Is it really only three years until it all ends...?
Three years...
"Um?"
Kanae didn't quite hear, and gently lifted her head from Teiichi's embrace, looking directly at Teiichi.
"Give me three more years, then we'll get married!"
Three years...?
Kanae murmured, as if she had thought of something, and smiled as she said:
"That's true, you're only 19, it's a little too early for you to get married!"
Receiving a definite promise completely put Kanae at ease, and she couldn't help but smile.
Seeing that Kanae had misunderstood, Teiichi didn't explain, but instead raised a hand and smoothed Kanae's hair.
I don't want you to have to worry about this kind of thing after we get married...
Their gazes met silently in mid-air.
A deep love flowed between them...
At a certain moment.
I don't know who made the first move.
The two faces drew closer and closer... closer and closer...
Their lips met, and their crimson lips parted slightly.
Love flows continuously from the nimble tip of the tongue to the other person.
After a long while, the lips separated.
The delicate silver thread was gradually stretched... stretched... until... it broke...
Heavy breathing came from the two of them.
Although the two have secretly kissed many times over the years.
But each kiss made Kanae feel as if all the bones in her body had been removed, leaving her weak and powerless.
Half of his weight had to be on Teiichi, otherwise he was worried he would fall to the ground.
Their eyes met in mid-air, lost in thought, each seeing their own reflection in the other's pupils.
"Let's not go back today..."