22 Vol. II Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

Shinobu Kocho wearily shrugged off her white coat, standing under the lamp as she rubbed her tired, aching eyes.

She had been tending to the patients brought back from Suzuka for three whole days. Finally, their vitals had stabilized, lifting a heavy burden off her shoulders.

What now?

She wandered over to the bookshelf, randomly pulling out a book on herbal medicine. But no matter how much she flipped through it, not a single word stuck in her head.

Ah, right. I should just go to sleep.

Snatching two or three hours of rest over the last three days was exhausting even for a Breath user.

Setting the book down, she began walking toward her room—only to change course. Maybe I should eat something first?

What's with this sudden brain fog? she thought, slightly annoyed. Have a few sleepless nights turned me into a mess already?

Feeling her way to the kitchen, she flicked on the light. Inside the cupboard was a plate of sushi rolls her sister had left for her.

The faint tang of vinegar from the rice filled the air as she took a bite. The subtle sweetness, paired with the light acidity, was both refreshing and appetite-whetting.

She managed to finish three rolls before rising to fetch some water. Just as she turned, a warm glass of milk was set down in front of her.

Kanae stood there, a gentle, amused smile on her face.

"Aren't you 15 now? An adult, yet still scurrying around the kitchen like a hamster."

"Onee-chan~," Shinobu murmured softly, her voice filled with a mix of exhaustion and fondness.

"You've worked hard. Drink this and go to bed," Kanae said, concern evident in her gaze as she gently stroked her sister's dark curls.

"And you? Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I just finished washing up and was about to head to bed." Kanae yawned delicately, covering her mouth with a hand. "Would you like to sleep with me tonight?"

It was a casual suggestion, something Kanae didn't expect a response to. But after a brief silence, Shinobu nodded.

"…I would."

Hiding her surprise, Kanae smiled warmly. "Then go wash up first. I'll handle these."

Shinobu glanced at the leftover sushi rolls and found herself smiling.

'If it were Haruto…' She trailed off, laughing softly to herself.

Kanae gave her hair another affectionate pat. "Go on, now."

By the time Shinobu emerged from the bath, wrapped in a robe and still damp with steam, Kanae had already laid out bedding for the two of them. Her wet hair was wrapped in a towel, exposing her slender neck and smooth shoulders.

Kanae looked Shinobu up and down, her thin summer robe clinging to her.

"My, my. Our little Shinobu… has really grown up."

"Stop saying weird things!"

Shinobu dove under the blanket, letting out a long sigh of relief as she stared up at the ceiling. The ache in her muscles and the weight of her exhaustion threatened to pull her under immediately.

And yet, she couldn't sleep. Her freshly-cleared mind began wandering, revisiting earlier thoughts she had left unfinished.

Clearing her throat, she murmured, "Maybe none of it matters in the end."

Kanae glanced at her, a knowing look in her eyes.

"Not upset anymore? You've been fuming these past few days."

"…I wasn't fuming."

"Of course, of course. Our little Shinobu has been so busy with patients, she hasn't had time to think about—"

"Onee-chan!"

Flustered, Shinobu reached out to cover her sister's mouth.

"Alright, alright. I won't say it if you don't want me to." Kanae chuckled, turning off the light. In the dark, her soft pink eyes sparkled with quiet amusement.

As Shinobu's breathing began to even out, she suddenly turned toward her sister.

"Originally, I wasn't planning to let him know so soon…"

She paused, frustration creeping into her voice. "It's all that stupid Lower Moon's fault! And Genya too—he's so dense!

I haven't even sorted out my own feelings yet, and that awful demon acted like she'd discovered some huge secret and blurted it out! Honestly, for something so ancient, you'd think she'd have better self-control. Ridiculous!

And Genya! Next time he comes to learn pharmacology from me, I'll make sure to give him a hard time!"

Kanae couldn't help it—she burst out laughing. Her usually reserved sister's sudden outburst was just too endearing.

Shinobu's unguarded moments like this were rare. Since their parents had passed, she had grown more withdrawn, concealing her true feelings behind a practiced smile. But Kanae knew her little sister was still the same sharp-tongued, quick-tempered girl deep down.

"Did Haruto reject you?" Kanae asked, teasing but gentle.

Shinobu hesitated, her voice uncertain. "Maybe. He came all this way just to tell me things like, 'I don't care much about my own life.' It made me so angry."

No one but Shinobu knew what was said during their conversation—not even Kanae, though she was deeply curious.

As Shinobu recounted the exchange, Kanae listened intently. Her expression softened as the story unfolded.

"…He said his entire family has been targeted by a demon. It could take his life at any moment…"

Kanae tilted her head, a small smile forming.

"Oh, Shinobu… You call that rejection?"

"If Haruto really wanted to turn you down," Kanae explained, "he could've sent a crow with a short message. No need to meet in person or go through the awkwardness.

But instead, he came all this way and shared his family's darkest secret. Does that sound like someone trying to push you away?"

Shinobu's words faltered. She wasn't naive, and her sister's explanation gave her pause.

"Haruto is a responsible man," Kanae continued gently. "Maybe he hasn't given you a direct answer because his duties and burdens don't allow him to right now.

He's got his family, the Demon Slayer Corps, and a world to protect. All these things demand his focus and leave no room for distractions.

But you, Shinobu—you're free to make your own choices. Whatever path you take, I believe Haruto would sincerely support you."

Kanae waited for a response, but none came.

When she glanced over, she couldn't help but laugh softly.

Shinobu had fallen asleep, her face serene and content as she curled under the blanket.

"My silly little sister…" Kanae murmured, tucking the blanket more securely around her.