When Tanjiro saw Nezuko, his face immediately lit up.
She had been acknowledged at the Hashira Meeting.
She could remain in the Demon Slayer Corps.
And he could continue fighting.
To Tanjiro, that was the best possible outcome.
Holding Nezuko's hand, he smiled so widely his eyes turned into crescents.
From under his blanket, Zenitsu shot him the resentful glare of a ten-level abandoned housewife.
He wanted to hold Nezuko's hand too!
But with Aoyama standing right there, he only had the heart—no courage.
His cheek still burned from the nurse's slap.
He felt like the most pitiful child alive.
No one loved him.
No one cared for him.
And no one wanted to marry him.
Tears soaked into his blanket.
Aoyama sighed.
"Zenitsu, if you want to do something, just do it."
"Really?!"
Zenitsu shot upright.
Aoyama nodded calmly.
"As long as it doesn't involve getting within three meters of Nezuko. Aside from that, you can climb to the heavens or dive into the oceans. If you need help, just say the word. Your senior cares about you."
Zenitsu's hopeful smile collapsed instantly.
If he couldn't hold Nezuko's hand…
Couldn't get close to Nezuko…
Couldn't rest his head on Nezuko's lap…
Then what was the point of living?
The biggest obstacle between him and Nezuko wasn't Tanjiro—
It was Aoyama-senpai.
Knock knock.
"Hello~ May I come in?"
That gentle voice—
Even without turning around, Aoyama knew.
Shinobu Kocho.
Behind her stood the same nurse from earlier, pointing furiously at Zenitsu.
"Lady Kocho! It's him! That pervert grabbed my hand and said I liked him and should marry him!"
The nurse listed Zenitsu's crimes in one breath.
Shinobu hadn't expected such… entertainment in her Butterfly Estate.
She approached Zenitsu's bed with her usual gentle smile.
Wagging one finger lightly, she said sweetly:
"Zenitsu, grabbing a girl's hand without permission isn't good behavior."
Zenitsu sniffed loudly, sucking his runny nose back in.
"I—I understand… wuu…"
Her smile didn't fade.
Tanjiro had a bad feeling.
Aoyama quietly stepped back beside Nezuko.
His instincts told him—
Violence was imminent.
Zenitsu, however, was still floating in bliss.
In his eyes, Shinobu was elegant, kind, gentle—
And smelled nice.
He clung to her hand.
"The medicine is too bitter… but if I can lie on your lap while drinking it, I think I can manage…"
Tanjiro froze.
What did you just say?!
The nurse looked ready to ascend to the heavens from shock.
Was he insane?!
Shinobu's smile remained.
But killing intent subtly filled the air.
Aoyama calmly covered Nezuko's wide eyes with one hand.
The next scene would not be appropriate for innocent demons.
BOOM.
Zenitsu's bed split cleanly in two.
He fell flat onto the floor, hands still in a clasping pose.
Shinobu smoothly sheathed her blade.
Then—
Left hook.
A perfect dark purple bruise bloomed around Zenitsu's eye.
What followed was a dazzling, relentless barrage.
Zenitsu's leg twitched weakly in the air.
It wasn't that he didn't fight back—
He simply had no opportunity to.
It happened too fast.
Even while being beaten, his palms still remembered the warmth of her hand.
Shinobu finally stopped.
She turned around with a bright smile.
"Oh dear~ I may have gone a little too far."
Tanjiro stared at the wreckage.
A little too far?!
That was attempted demolition!
The nurse hurried out to call assistance.
Zenitsu, now sporting fresh fractures, was carried to another bed.
"Be careful," Shinobu advised pleasantly. "He probably has multiple fractures. Wrap him gently, or it will hurt a lot."
Terrifying.
Tanjiro silently updated his understanding of Shinobu Kocho.
Poison not yet cleared.
Now multiple fractures added.
Zenitsu lay on the bed, tears streaming endlessly.
This cruel world was especially harsh to him.
Nezuko gently pushed Aoyama's hand away from her eyes.
"Mm?"
She looked confused.
What just happened?
She tugged Aoyama's sleeve, clearly unhappy at being blocked.
Aoyama stroked her head reassuringly.
Shinobu then stepped closer to Tanjiro's bed.
Tanjiro stiffened completely, sweating.
Seeing his nervous state, Shinobu giggled softly.
"Don't be so tense. I'm just checking your injuries. I do like getting along with everyone."
"Y-Yes…"
Tanjiro believed only half of that.
He had just witnessed Zenitsu's fate.
After examining him, Shinobu stood up.
As she left, she glanced at Aoyama and smiled faintly—saying nothing.
Aoyama frowned slightly and turned toward the door.
She was already gone.
For some reason—
That silent smile felt more dangerous than any blade.
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