"Let's not go back tonight..."
Gentle words flowed softly from Teiichi's lips.
The tone was like a devil's whisper, making Kanae feel even weaker, as if she needed more strength to even stand up.
Kanae lowered her head shyly, avoiding Teiichi's expectant gaze, her voice barely audible:
"This kind of thing... it's not possible yet... it can only be done when we get married..."
Though his voice was low, it revealed a hint of determination.
Upon Teiichi, Dingyi's lips curled into a gentle smile.
Perhaps this won't satisfy my desires, but...
It's precisely because of girls like this that they deserve to be cherished...
He reached out and gently, almost indulgently, stroked Kanae's head, as if comforting a frightened kitten.
"It's okay! I'm already very content just being able to hold Kanae!"
"That... that won't work either..." Kanae stammered.
"Huh? Why? Didn't we sleep together in each other's arms last time?"
"Last time... it was an accident!"
And because of what happened last time, I ran into Aoi when I went out this morning!
Why do you think I suddenly asked you to discuss giving Aoi special training that morning?
That's why!
"Oh--, I see!" Teiichi said suddenly. "That's alright, go to your room. I'll go out in the morning. I'm thick-skinned, I won't be afraid even if I run into someone!"
Kanae firmly stated, "No! We can't even let them see it!"
Teiichi, "Huh? Why? So what if they saw us? They already know about our relationship anyway!"
Kanae shook her head again, "No means no!"
Teiichi sighed helplessly, "Sigh, alright!"
Kanae looked up and saw the dejected look on Teiichi's face, and her heart trembled. Her cherry lips hesitated for a moment before she finally opened them.
"It's not necessarily impossible..."
Kanae's words made Teiichi look up, staring intently at Kanae.
Kanae became even more shy under his intense gaze, and her cheeks flushed even more.
"But... but we can't let them find out!"
Teiichi chuckled softly, leaned close to Kanae's ear, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Then I'll leave before dawn, is that alright?"
"... Um..."
A soft, almost inaudible "hmm" escaped Kanae's lips.
"Ah--!"
A gasp came from the corridor, and then, seemingly realizing she had spoken too loudly, Kanae lowered her voice again.
What are you doing?
Teiichi seemed not to hear her rebuke, but simply picked up Kanae in his arms and quickly walked towards her room.
"It's so late, you should go to sleep!"
Upon Teiichi, Kanae loosely clenched her right hand and lightly punched Dingyi twice.
"Put me down, I can walk by myself!"
"Didn't I just hold things up for you?"
"You! It's all your fault! Put me down, I've rested enough!"
"Goodbye, we're almost there!"
"We haven't arrived yet."
"Isn't it ready now?"
"It's all because you deliberately dragged it out..."
With the soft sound of the door closing, the two people's voices slowly faded away in the hallway.
Only the swirling snowflakes witnessed this scene.
The next day at dawn.
Before the night had been completely dispelled by the morning light, Teiichi slowly opened his eyes in the soft light and shadow.
My gaze involuntarily fell on the person beside me.
At this moment, Kanae was lying quietly on the bed, seemingly blending into the night, her long black hair cascading down her pillow like a waterfall.
Her eyes were gently closed, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows beneath her eyelids like meticulously crafted fans.
A faint smile played on her lips, as if she were having a sweet dream.
Teiichi stared quietly for a while before slowly shifting his gaze to the window.
The sky was still pitch black, but a faint glimmer of light could already be seen.
Teiichi slowly got up; he should still keep his promise to Kanae from last night.
Otherwise, it wouldn't be good if others saw us going out too late.
As Teiichi up, the blanket covering the two of them inevitably slipped down slightly, creating a tiny ripple.
As a result.
Kanae's eyelashes trembled slightly a few times, then she slowly opened them.
Her purple eyes darted around for a moment before quickly focusing on Teiichi's face.
A bright smile bloomed on Kanae's face. Without saying a word, her fair arm slowly emerged from under the covers and gently stretched towards Teiichi.
Seeing this, Teiichi smiled and responded, lying down again and holding Kanae tightly in his arms.
Although he is Hashira Rank player and has been training continuously.
But Kanae's body wasn't stiff; instead, it was full of suppleness and elasticity, making it very comfortable to hug.
The two embraced tightly, their breaths filled with each other's scent.
Kanae nestled against Teiichi's chest, gently rubbing against him, enjoying this rare moment of intimacy.
After a long while, she gently patted Teiichi's back and softly urged him:
"Alright, you'd better hurry up and leave! Otherwise we'll get caught!"
"Okay, then you can sleep a little longer!" Teiichi responded gently.
Kanae nodded obediently.
Teiichi, I tucked the blanket around Kanae to prevent the cold air from getting in.
Kanae Teiichi whole time, her eyes filled with an unyielding affection.
After tucking the cup in, Teiichi gently leaned down and kissed Kanae on the forehead before walking towards the door.
Bang!
Click!
The door was gently pushed open and quickly closed, but almost simultaneously, it was opened a crack again.
Kanae looked at the figure at the door with a puzzled expression.
I hope I won't bump into anyone this early?
As she suspected, Teiichi hadn't bumped into anyone else; he had just come to explain something.
"Remember to leave the door open for me next time!"
These unexpected words made Kanae's cheeks flush slightly. She nodded shyly and replied softly:
"Knew!"
Teiichi chuckled twice upon seeing this.
cute!
Without disturbing Kanae any further, he closed the door and headed towards his room.
These few days of the New Year.
Kanae organizes activities every day to make the members at the Butterfly Mansion feel more warmth during the New Year.
Everything was a great success, and every day you could hear people shouting "Kanae!"
I reckon that once they're discharged from the hospital, Kanae's statement will be circulating again within the Demon Slayer Corps.
As the New Year comes to a close.
Life gradually returned to normal.
Teiichi provides daily training guidance to Aoi Kanzaki and Kanao, and also spars with Kanae, Shinobu Kocho, and Kanon when he has free time.
Although they were supposed to be practicing together, now it's mostly Teiichi guiding them.
Even Kanae is no exception.
There was something slightly different from usual.
Every night and at dawn, there is always a figure sneaking in and out stealthily.
Time slowly passed until the day of the Demon Slayer Corps ' annual Hashira Meeting.