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

"It seems... I don't need to bother explaining."

The battle ended abruptly just like that.

Giyu Tomioka silently sheathed his sword and stood aside, staring blankly at the sky, lost in thought.

Shinobu Kocho walked up to Shirakawa Yu and said softly, "Let's go, the lord wants to see you."

Shirakawa Yu nodded and turned to look behind him.

There, a tiny figure was running towards him, making little noises.

It's Nezuko.

She had shrunk to the size of a small bean, swinging her two little hands back and forth as she ran with great focus.

She ran up to Bai Chuanyu, stretched out her little hand, and climbed up Bai Chuanyu's ill-fitting team uniform.

First grab the trouser leg, then pull the hem, and finally kick the belt—

They climbed all the way up to Shirakawa Yu's back.

There, he was carrying a wooden box on his back.

Although Shirakawa Yu changed his clothes once, he naturally didn't forget Nezuko's little house, which he always carried on his back.

Little Bean lifted the lid of the box and climbed inside, leaving only her little head sticking out. She blinked her big pink eyes, looking at the outside world.

In the distance, the sky was beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

She made a grumbling sound of dissatisfaction, then closed the lid of the box.

Bai Chuanyu glanced back at the wooden crate, a smile playing on his lips.

"Go to sleep if you're tired."

A soft "whoosh" came from inside the box, as if in response.

On the other side, Xiaozhi and Xiaozhu stood in the shadows of the woods, watching this scene with great anticipation.

Their eyes were full of envy.

"That's wonderful..." Xiaozhi whispered, "to be carried on my master's back..."

"Tch..." Xiaozhu scoffed, though... she kept staring at them longingly.

"What's there to envy... If I were to go... I wouldn't want to go..."

Shirakawa Yu glanced at them and smiled.

He walked up to a thick, large tree and drew his knife.

With a flash of light, a square hole was cut into the tree trunk.

After cutting this section off, it's just the right size to fit two people.

Shirakawa Yu sheathed his sword and waved to the two little ones.

"come over."

Xiao Zhu took the lead and was the first to jog over.

Xiaozhi paused for a moment before remembering to follow.

Shirakawa Yu pointed to the tree hole, "Go in."

The two obediently crawled inside.

Then, Shirakawa Yu raised his hand.

Crimson Arrow is activated.

The fresh wooden crate was slowly lifted from the ground and suspended in mid-air.

The two little ones inside the tree hollow stared wide-eyed at the outside world.

"This...this works?!"

Bai Chuanyu patted the tree trunk and said with a smile, "This will have to do. Once we get to headquarters, I'll find you a better place."

Xiaozhi and Xiaozhu exchanged a glance, then nodded in unison.

"Ok!"

"Good~"

They didn't know what they would face next, but they knew that, given their master's current attitude...

We will never abandon them.

At least, not until the experiment is complete!

Shirakawa Yu then shaved off another piece of board to use as a cover and pressed it down, before nodding in satisfaction.

Then he looked at Kanao, who was standing quietly not far away.

Even in the moonlight, her face remained red.

It's been red ever since it started.

Shirakawa Yu walked over and stood in front of her.

Kanao lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

"Kanao".

"Kawaba...kun~"

Looking at the blushing, head-down, and flustered girl in front of him, Shirakawa Yu couldn't help but laugh.

"Kanao".

"......Um."

"haven't seen you for a long time."

"......Um."

How have you been lately?

"......Um."

Bai Chuanyu: "..."

He scratched his head. "Besides 'um,' can you say anything else?"

Kanao raised her head, glanced at him, and then quickly lowered it again.

"Yes, yes..."

"What can you do?"

"Can talk...can talk..."

She held it in for a long time, her face growing redder and redder, until finally—

"...Does your butt...still hurt?"

Shirakawa Yu was stunned.

Kanao was also stunned.

After realizing what she had said, she wished she could disappear into the ground.

"I...I didn't mean that...I just...Sister Ren said she stabbed you...I...I'm worried..."

Bai Chuanyu looked at her flustered appearance and suddenly laughed.

He was laughing very happily.

"Kanao".

"......Um?"

"You're so cute."

Kanao's mind went blank for a moment.

It's blank.

Bai Chuanyu looked at her face, which was so red it was almost steaming, and felt great.

"Don't worry, it doesn't hurt anymore," he said. "But if you showed me a little more concern, it might hurt even less."

Kanao lowered her head and remained silent for a long time.

Just when Shirakawa thought she wouldn't respond, a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz drifted into her ears.

"Then...then you...you should be more careful in the future..."

Shirakawa Yu was stunned.

Then he laughed.

"Okay, I've got it."

Kanao didn't say anything more, she just nodded slightly.

Shinobu watched this scene from the side, a warm smile spreading across her face.

As she gazed at the rising sun on the horizon, a trace of reminiscence flickered in her eyes.

Sister...did you see that?

Our little girl has found her boy.

Just as you said, she really has changed...

Things have changed.

That boy was also different; he accomplished what you've always wanted to do but haven't been able to.

He can truly accept ghosts calmly; he can truly live peacefully with ghosts.

Don't worry, I will still always be there for you from now on...

I've been watching all of this for you...