Demon Slayer: My breathing technique went awry after Nezuko pushed me down.

Of course, the meeting wasn't entirely fruitless.

Shirakawa Yu deliberately sat between Shinobu and Mitsuri.

However, out of respect for Kagaya, he did not disturb them during the meeting.

Just quietly, slowly, without stopping for a moment—

Sigh~~ Sigh~~ Sigh~~

I was sitting between two pretty young ladies.

On the left is the faint scent of wisteria blossoms emanating from Shinobu, and on the right is the sweet, candy-like scent of Mitsuri.

so fragrant~

So happy!

[High-potential target of the opposite sex detected!]

Name: Shinobu Kocho (Human)

[Strength Rating: Pillar]

[Potential Rating: Extremely High (Can trigger four levels of analysis)]

Current resolution: 43.03%

[High-potential target of the opposite sex detected!]

Name: Kanroji Mitsuri (Human)

[Strength Rating: Pillar]

[Potential Rating: Extremely High (Can trigger four levels of analysis)]

Current resolution: 16.33%

Bai Chuanyu glanced at the system panel and sighed silently in his heart.

Pity.

During the three-hour meeting, although they sat close together, Shinobu remained in first gear because there was no close contact, and Mitsuri didn't even activate first gear.

As soon as the meeting ended, Bai Chuanyu, unwilling to give up, made his move.

He quickly caught up with Miri, who was about to leave.

"Miss Mitsuri~"

His voice carried a hint of laughter.

"Are you free tonight? I'd like to treat you to dinner!"

That's too blunt.

The obviousness made the pillars around them, who hadn't gone far, stop in their tracks.

A date...?

Is this an invitation to go on a date?!

Mitsuri blushed instantly.

She covered her face with her hands, and steam seemed to rise from her head.

"I...I'm sorry. I...I...I have something urgent to attend to!"

Bai Chuanyu's smile faded, and a hint of grievance appeared in his eyes.

"Oh, is this a rejection?"

"No! That's not it!!!"

Miri waved her hands anxiously.

Her face turned so red it was almost bleeding, and she stammered.

"Before the meeting, I had a mission in the area I was responsible for! To prevent ghosts from harming people, I needed to rush back overnight!"

She bowed deeply, her braids almost touching the ground.

"I'm so sorry!"

"I see..."

Shirakawa Yu shook his head regretfully.

"Can I treat you to this meal next time we meet?"

He paused.

"Or, could you tell me what you like to eat? I'll prepare it and cook it for you next time we meet~"

"Kawaba-kun...can you cook?"

Miri looked up, her eyes sparkling.

Yes, I will.

Shirakawa Yu looked at her with a smile.

"However, ordinary people can't get to eat the food I cook."

He lowered his voice.

"I only make it for cute girls I like."

"Waaaaah~~~"

Mitsuri blushed again.

She covered her face with her hands, peeking out her eyes through her fingers; they were brimming with tears.

I love it!

Cute~~~!

Waaaaah!

Is this... a confession of love?!

Mr. Kawabata is... confessing his feelings to me!?

"If you don't answer, I'll take that as a yes~"

Shirakawa Yu reached out and gently touched the top of Miri's head.

Her hair was soft and smooth.

Oops! It's hot!

No! I can't flirt anymore!

If you keep teasing me, I'll get freckles!

"That's all for now, you go ahead and get busy."

Shirakawa Yu withdrew her hand and said with a smile.

"See you another day."

Miri suddenly stood up straight, her hands pressed tightly against her sides, as serious as a primary school student answering a question.

"Yes, Kawaba-kun! Another day!"

"Is it a deal?"

"It's a deal!"

"Goodbye then, Miss Mitsuri~"

Goodbye, Kawabata-kun~~~

Under the piercing gaze of Obanai beside him, Shirakawa Yu passed by him.

Without saying a word, he simply followed quietly behind Shinobu Kocho.

Obanai stood still, gripping the hilt of her sword, suppressing the urge to draw it.

Mitsuri, steaming with heat, watched Shirakawa Yu's figure disappear around the corner.

Then she suddenly realized her task, and without even bothering to talk to Obanai, she ran away in a flash.

The headquarters is not far from the Butterfly Mansion; they are both on the same mountain.

Shirakawa Hare and Kocho Shinobu walked side by side on the mountain path.

The setting sun cast long shadows of the two of them.

Silent all the way.

Shirakawa Yu could sense that the woman next to him was holding back something.

A smile still lingered on her lips, but it looked different from usual.

"Little Shinobu."

He spoke first.

"Just say what you want to say, don't hold it in."

Butterfly paused in her steps.

She turned her head and looked at Shirakawa Yu.

"So...it's not special?"

"what?"

"Kanao".

Shinobu stopped in her tracks.

She turned around and faced Shirakawa Yu directly.

"Kawaba-kun, do you treat all girls the same way you did just now?"

Shirakawa Yu also stopped.