Demon Slayer: Muzan, will you dance too?

The three Butterfly Girls rushed towards Kiyokawa Izumi, tears streaming down their faces. With their pure and kind hearts, they thought they would never see him again.

She cried so hard.

Kiyokawa Izumi comforted the three little ones with a bit of annoyance, then looked at Kanzaki Aoi, who was standing there dumbfounded, and couldn't help but laugh, "Why are you so surprised? Did I scare you?"

"How is that possible? What nonsense are you talking about?"

If there's nothing wrong, why didn't you come back sooner? Why didn't you send a message back via the raven?

"You've caused so many people to feel down because of you, and Sister Ren hasn't smiled for days because of you."

Kanzaki Aoi continued to berate Kiyokawa Izumi.

His fair face seemed to be filled with complaints.

What a troublesome bastard.

"How could a swordsman like me die so casually and so easily?"

Kiyokawa Izumi did not become dissatisfied with the other party's criticism and complaints.

I don't know when it started, but I gradually stopped rejecting forming connections with people.

That sense of alienation from the world is no longer felt.

It turns out that if someone like me were to suddenly die one day, it would also cause others to feel sorry for me, and some people would feel depressed because of it.

My safety is something that others care about, and I've met so many people; it's not like I've lived in vain.

"Waaaaah!"

A blond boy with tears and snot all over his face suddenly lunged at Kiyokawa Izumi—if it were a delicate little girl or a mature older sister, Kiyokawa Izumi would definitely not have shown any disgust on her face.

If it's a sloppy boy, there's nothing to say, just push him away without hesitation!

The above was just a joke, of course.

But Kiyokawa Izumi did not accept his hug.

It wasn't that I was afraid he would wipe his tears and snot on my clothes—that was definitely not the reason. It was just that I was injured and it was inconvenient for me to accept that.

Kiyokawa Izumi didn't mean to dislike Zenitsu. She gently tapped his head, but couldn't help herself. "Wipe your tears and wipe your snot. It's kind of scary."

"Pigs swooping in!"

Another heavyweight.

Kiyokawa Izumi's lips twitched slightly. It was no lie that he was injured. He didn't know why Piggy was so excited and kept bumping his head against him.

With his small frame, he couldn't withstand the pig's fierce charge!

"Stop fooling around!"

Kiyokawa Izumi precisely chopped his neck with a hand chop, then vigorously rubbed his boar hide scabbard. "Were you scared when you saw the Upper Moon?"

Upon hearing this, it seemed as if the sound of a wild boar hissing could be heard. The pig, unwilling to show weakness, proudly puffed out its chest, as if to demonstrate that it was not frightened.

"Stop fooling around, Mr. Kiyokawa Izumi is injured!"

A familiar voice drifted over, and Kiyokawa Izumi turned to look. Under the wisteria trellis, Kocho Shinobu's figure had quietly appeared.

Those purple eyes, which always held a sense of indifference and detachment, now shone with a rare softness.

Her delicate face did not wear a fake, perfectly timed smile. Once she shed her disguise, the smile she revealed was like the warm sunshine of early spring after the snow had melted, gentle and natural.

Kiyokawa Izumi was slightly taken aback, and only then did she truly understand that what touches people's hearts the most is always a smile from the heart.

How fortunate I am to know you all.

……

"Open your mouth!"

"what!"

Inside the room, Kiyokawa Izumi looked at Kocho Shinobu with a puzzled expression as she put on her familiar smile again. She couldn't help but wonder if the smile she had seen earlier was fake.

"The wound treatment was very professional; he's an excellent doctor."

Shinobu Kocho smiled slightly and sat down naturally opposite Izumi Kiyokawa. "And, welcome back!"

"What did you say?"

"I said, the doctor who treated your wound was very professional."

Looking at Shinobu Kocho's expressionless face, Kiyokawa Izumi almost thought he had misheard—actually, it was quite normal. He had a fairly good relationship with her, and a casual greeting didn't necessarily mean anything else.

In the original world, after his elder brother passed away, this person also showed a very sad expression and at that moment took off the mask he was using to disguise himself.

There's nothing to worry about or overthink.

In comparison, there are more important things to say.

"Take a look at these and see if they'll be helpful for your research. They were given to me by the doctor who treated my wound."

Kiyokawa Izumi handed over the Ghost Doctor's research and records to Kocho Shinobu, speaking vaguely because she didn't know how to explain it—if she were to be completely honest with her, would she still be able to accept it so calmly?

Some things still need a trigger.

Even though he is a pillar, he cannot always act unilaterally in certain matters.

He didn't have that kind of absolute authority.

Even if it were the contemporary lord, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, his request might be opposed or disagreed with by the Pillar.

For example, regarding the issue of the Beans, there are quite a few Pillars who express opposition and find it difficult to agree.

Therefore, the name of Kiyokawa Izumi can only be left ambiguous.

Seeing the surprised expression on Shinobu's face, Kiyokawa Izumi said softly.

"There are some things you don't have to bear alone. Whether it's me or the other pillars, they can be your help. You can trust them more."