"Take me with you. I'll go back with you."
Kurozawa's reason didn't stop Hongyue; she closely followed him, wanting to go back with him.
How could that be possible? If he really took Hongyue to Mount Sagiri, Sakonji Urokodaki's stubborn personality and his Enhanced Sense of Smell that could detect Demons would immediately turn hostile.
Then nobody would survive.
"No, I want you, Hongyue, to feel welcomed and valued when you come to my home."
"So, I'll go back first, tell my family about you, and then come back to pick you up."
"If I suddenly bring you home and cause problems with my family, and I can't host you properly, I won't be able to forgive myself."
Kurozawa's seemingly heartfelt words made Hongyue frown and ponder. After a moment, Hongyue smiled lightly and nodded in agreement with Kurozawa.
"Alright then, I'll wait for you in Asakusa." Her voice paused, and then Hongyue casually asked again, "Where do you live? I still don't know."
Kurozawa didn't hesitate, his expression sincere, "Mount Fujikasane, I live on Mount Fujikasane."
As soon as he said this, Iguro Obanai looked up again, watching Kurozawa strangely. If he remembered correctly, Kurozawa had said he lived on Mount Sagiri.
Did I hear wrong before? Kurozawa's demeanor was too natural, making Iguro Obanai doubt his own memory.
"Mount Fujikasane, I've noted it down." Hongyue nodded, then reluctantly let go of Kurozawa's arm. At the same time, Kurozawa subtly sighed in relief.
"Here, a gift for you."
"You also feel like the moon, beautiful and serene. This gift should suit you."
From the package he was carrying, Kurozawa took out a gift he had just chosen, originally intended for his junior sister, and used it to further stabilize Hongyue.
It was a pure white necklace with a delicate little crescent moon pendant, looking small and exquisite.
The moon... the moon that hangs in the sky with the sun... This was the first time Hongyue had heard herself described this way.
"You put it on for me."
Looking at the crescent moon pendant necklace in Kurozawa's hand, Hongyue was silent for a moment before suddenly breaking into a brilliant smile. This smile seemed to cause ripples, instantly making everything around them lose its luster.
Kurozawa moved behind Hongyue, reached out and lifted her ink-black hair, then put the crescent moon necklace on her. As he did so, his fingers brushed against Hongyue's fair neck, feeling only a delicate smoothness. Hongyue's eyes curved, looking very happy.
At this moment, Hongyue was just like an ordinary human girl, joyful over a gift she received.
This contrast plunged Kurozawa into deep self-doubt. Was his judgment wrong? Was it all an illusion back then?
Unfortunately, reason told him that this normal, girl-like Hongyue was fake; what he saw in Asakusa that day was the reality.
"Done."
It was his first time putting a necklace on a girl, and Kurozawa had no experience. He fumbled for nearly a minute before finally managing to get it on.
"Mm, it looks very nice, it really suits you."
The pure white necklace, of moderate thickness, further accentuated Hongyue's already perfect collarbone, making it even more beautiful and refined.
"Thank you, not many people give me gifts." Hongyue lowered her head and softly thanked him.
The moment she lowered her head, on Hongyue's serene and beautiful face, Kurozawa seemed to catch a glimpse of loneliness, but it was fleeting, and he couldn't be sure.
"If you like it, I'll give you more in the future." Kurozawa smiled brilliantly again. The light of the sun seemed to be stolen by this smile and gathered upon it.
There were also some girls nearby who were unintentionally Charmed by Kurozawa's smile, momentarily stunned. However, under Hongyue's casual gaze, they quickly felt a chill despite the hot weather and hurried away.
Charm Stat seems to be a passive Skill, I can't quite control it... Kurozawa sighed inwardly. He had always told himself not to laugh so easily, but as a person, he often smiled unconsciously.
Afterward, Hongyue personally escorted Kurozawa and Iguro Obanai to the city gates of Asakusa. She held Kurozawa's arm the entire way, occasionally leaning in to whisper, the two of them looking like a close couple.
When they reached the Asakusa city gates, they stopped.
"This is far enough. Once I handle things at home, I'll come to Asakusa to find you."
Kurozawa didn't specify a time, so taking seven or eight years to handle things before returning would be perfectly reasonable.
"Okay, then hurry. And remember, I'll be waiting for you."
In her slightly flat tone, Kurozawa could tell that she genuinely wanted him to stay, but she still chose to listen to Kurozawa and let him leave Asakusa.
"Can you give me your umbrella? If I miss you, I'll have something to ease my longing." After a moment of silence, Kurozawa looked at the red paper umbrella in Hongyue's hand.
She had held the umbrella the entire way, never letting herself be exposed to the sun. This was Kurozawa's final test; Hongyue would absolutely not give him the umbrella.
He was still hoping he had made a mistake, because Hongyue's normal appearance was too captivating. Just a simple glance made Kurozawa repeatedly wonder what it would be like to be Ning Caichen for a change? However, for now, he knew too little about Hongyue, and his thoughts could only remain as thoughts.
After Kurozawa spoke, Hongyue looked up, her brows slightly furrowed, watching Kurozawa.
"...Okay."
An unexpected answer came from Hongyue's mouth, making Kurozawa's heart tremble.
Handing the red paper umbrella to Kurozawa, Hongyue's lips curved into a shallow smile, "Take good care of it, this umbrella has been with me for a long time."
"...Don't worry." Not knowing what else to say, Kurozawa took the red paper umbrella, then turned and walked out of the Asakusa city gates. His senses kept relaying information from behind; Hongyue's gaze was on him.
Thinking of Hongyue now exposed to the sun, Kurozawa even felt a touch of absurd worry, and he couldn't help but look back.
Under the sunlight, Hongyue was smiling, her eyes curved, seeing him off. Her face, at this moment, was terrifyingly pale, and he could see her clutching her hands, her body slightly trembling, trying desperately to endure.
Her abnormality under the sun had proven Hongyue's identity. The result was as expected; the sun couldn't instantly kill her, but it definitely had a terrifying effect on her. After only a few seconds of exposure, Hongyue's aura drastically plummeted, rapidly weakening.
To think she could do this much. Why? I've only met her once.
The thought that raising his Breathing Technique to the fifth stage and attacking her now was almost the best timing appeared in Kurozawa's mind, but he couldn't act on it.
Strictly speaking, Hongyue hadn't harmed him. Kurozawa always kept a clear distinction between grudges and favors. Hearing about the Demon King's terror from others wasn't enough for him to harbor an absolute desire to kill Hongyue. He had no enmity with Demons; in fact, Kurozawa actively hunted Demons to become stronger, making him the 'villain' to them.
Kurozawa turned his head, his body almost a blur, and quickly moved out of Hongyue's sight.
On the other side, after Kurozawa's figure disappeared from view, Hongyue's figure vanished instantly and reappeared in a dark alley.
Horrific burn marks appeared on her face, emitting black and red ash, but they quickly healed.
"Susamaru, Yahaba."
A cold voice came from Hongyue, and at the same time, two figures suddenly appeared in the shadows. They half-knelt on the ground, lowering their heads and avoiding direct eye contact with Hongyue.
A female-looking Demon sensed Hongyue's weakness and couldn't help but say, "My Lady, that person is a Demon Slayer Corps Swordsman. He's very vigilant and seems to have noticed something unusual about you."
The other Demon quickly echoed, "That's right, My Lady. You could choose someone else. That person might attract the Demon Slayer Corps; it's too dangerous."
"Shut up!" A chilling voice came from Hongyue's mouth. Unlike the slight softness in her voice when she spoke to Kurozawa, her voice now was like deep winter.
Immediately after, blood-red chains instantly formed from Hongyue's fingertips, tightly binding the two Demons.
In the dark alley, faint wails and pleas for mercy sounded, only to be quickly swallowed by silence.
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