Muzan: My daughter can't be that weak!

The front yard suddenly fell silent, leaving only the gray dog ​​curiously peering around.

The only sounds during the waiting period were the faint sounds of scrubbing and water coming from afar.

Yukina and Kokushibo were sitting in the room in the front yard.

Yukina first looked around the yard, then around the various furnishings in the room, and finally her gaze couldn't help but drift toward the silent teacher beside her.

She moved closer to Kokushibo.

"Teacher...have you ever kept any pets before?"

She felt that the teacher knew a lot, even thinking of finding a place to bathe the dog.

"...No."

In the human era, as the eldest son who was highly anticipated by the nation, his world consisted only of swords, cultivation, etiquette, and responsibility.

His father was a powerful and influential figure, and his family was very strict in raising him. Anything unrelated to the proper path was considered a waste of time and was not allowed.

"Wow, then the teacher is even more amazing!"

Xue Nai blurted out the praise, her little face full of sincere admiration.

"You've never owned one before, yet you know how to take care of a puppy! You're so thoughtful, like...like a teacher who can handle anything!"

"...Just a normal consideration." Kokushibo glanced at her and replied in a deep voice.

But Xue Nai's praise didn't stop there. She went on to ask some innocent questions like, "Teacher, your handwriting is so beautiful, have you practiced for a long time?" and "What color do you like, teacher?"

No matter how brief or even just a simple "hmm" Kokushibo's answer was to any question, she could always offer a fresh and sincere exclamation of admiration.

"The teacher knows so much!" "The teacher must work very hard!" "The teacher even knows this, that's amazing!"...

Her gaze toward him grew brighter and brighter, almost overflowing with adoration.

Kokushibo remained silent, but felt somewhat helpless.

This child seems to have a peculiar ability: no matter what others say or do, she can always find something praiseworthy in it.

And it was expressed in a way that was so straightforward that it was impossible to resist.

This kind of completely trusting, filtered admiration made him feel a sense of unfamiliarity and disorientation.

Is this really Muzan-sama's daughter?

Before he could sort out these subtle emotions, Xue Nai's attention was drawn to the tall tree in the courtyard.

"Teacher, look over there!"

She pointed her little finger at the tree, her voice filled with the excitement of discovering a new continent.

"That tree...it looks a bit like our teacher!"

Kokushibo looked in the direction she was pointing.

It was a black pine tree, with vigorous branches and a canopy that almost towered over the courtyard wall and roof, silently stretching towards the sky.

"...Why?" he asked.

How are trees and people similar?

"Um……"

Yukina tilted her head, rested her chin on her hand, and began to think very seriously.

"Because this tree grows in the yard, tall and big, it's like... like it's waiting for us here, it gives a very reliable feeling! The teacher is the same, bringing Yukina here and helping Yukina think of solutions, he's especially reliable too!"

She struggled to organize her thoughts, trying to express the vague feeling in her heart.

"And...this tree looks so strong, it's not afraid of the wind, it just stands here...that's the feeling Teacher gives Yukina too, incredibly strong and amazing!"

The more she spoke, the more she felt she hadn't expressed herself clearly. Her face scrunched up slightly, and she raised her hand to touch her head in annoyance.

"Oh dear, I've rambled on so much... I don't think I've fully expressed what I was thinking... I really need to learn more about writing and reading more books with my teacher..."

Hei Shimu listened quietly to her somewhat incoherent yet sincere metaphors, his gaze falling on the black pine tree, and he couldn't help but fall into deep thought.

Xue Nai didn't know that black pines love sunlight and need plenty of sunshine to grow lush and green.

Kokushibo knew this, but at this moment he did not think of the fact that black pines are also known for their drought and cold resistance, their ability to take deep root in barren soil, and their unyielding growth toward the sky.

"...It's alright."

After a long silence, he spoke in a low voice.

A child's words don't need to be perfect; he already understands their meaning.

In that brief silence, a commotion came from the backyard.

"Oh my, what a lively little fellow..."

The woman came out looking somewhat disheveled.

She was carrying a small bamboo basket covered with a clean, soft cloth, and inside the basket was the little yellow dog, which was clean and smelled of soap.

The puppy's wound was simply wiped clean, and it looked much more energetic.

The woman's own front and cuffs were soaked, and water droplets splashed on her face.

"Madam, are you alright? Your clothes are all wet." Upon seeing this, Xue Nai immediately asked with concern.

"It's alright, it's alright!"

The woman waved her hand, her face still bearing that ingratiating smile. "Just a little water, it's no problem! The puppy is very well-behaved, really!"

"Take a look, are you satisfied with the wash?"

As she spoke, she tried to hand the puppy back to Xue Nai.

"You should go change into some dry clothes, or you'll catch a cold and get sick."

Xue Nai was still a little worried and offered her advice earnestly.

At the same time, her attention was also drawn to the fragrant little dog in the basket.

She carefully reached out and hugged the still somewhat timid puppy, nuzzling its half-dry, soft fur affectionately against her cheek.

"It smells wonderful! Thank you, madam!"

She thanked him happily, hugging the puppy tightly, afraid it would get dirty again.

The woman was still worried that she couldn't carry the child, but when she saw Xue Nai holding the not-so-light puppy easily and steadily, she was stunned for a moment, swallowed her words, and instead smiled.

"What a kind and strong child!"

As she saw them to the door, the woman looked at Yukina, who was holding the dog, and Kokushibo, who was silently paying the bill, and flattered Kokushibo with a beaming smile:

"Sir, your daughter is so well-behaved and adorable, and she loves animals so much. You are truly blessed!"

She was busy washing dogs and collecting money, and didn't notice how Yukina addressed Kokushibo, so she naturally mistook the two for father and daughter.

In her view, it's never wrong to praise your child in front of your parents.

Upon hearing this, Kokushibo frowned slightly.

He wanted to speak up and correct this misconception, but when the words came to his lips, he felt it was unnecessary.

Explaining these things to a person you've just met and will forget in the blink of an eye is completely superfluous.

He ultimately said nothing, only nodded slightly, accepting the undeserved compliment.

Meanwhile, Xue Nai's entire attention was occupied by the smelly puppy.

She brought her face close to the puppy's clean, soft fur and took a deep breath.

Wow, it smells so fresh, like soapberry!

Although it's still a little damp, I can already imagine how fluffy it will look when it's completely dry!

It smells so good after washing, I can really rub it against the toilet when I get home!

I wonder what Dad's expression will be when he sees this?

Even though Dad says he doesn't like dogs...

But perhaps Dad would also find this clean and adorable puppy a little bit cute?