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Chapter 126: Shinobu Kocho's Secret: Silencing the Witness?
"I really can't win against you, Shinobu."
Kocho Kanae looked at her sister with a helpless smile. "You're just as impulsive as ever."
Although she had some reservations about Shinobu's reckless behavior, what was done was done.
Saying anything more wouldn't change the situation, so Kanae chose to accept it.
Whatever consequences arose from this, she would face them together with her sister.
"I've said this so many times already, but..." Kanae's voice softened as she looked warmly at Shinobu. "I'm home, Shinobu~"
Shinobu's eyelashes trembled. A brilliant, flower-like smile instantly bloomed across her face. "Welcome back, sister~"
If anyone were to ask Suyan whether he was surprised by this turn of events, his answer would be yes.
But not entirely.
It was completely unexpected, yet it made perfect sense.
After all, the bond between Kocho Kanae and Kocho Shinobu was deeper than anyone else's.
In the original timeline, after Kanae's death, Shinobu had begun imitating her. Even though she secretly despised it, she used the gentlest methods to kill every demon she encountered.
As for Kanae, she never formally appeared in the original story until Shinobu was killed by the Upper Rank Two demon, Doma. Only then did she appear in a life-flashing-before-one's-eyes sequence to guide Shinobu's soul away.
That undoubtedly proved that Kanae had been waiting for her all along.
Furthermore, in the modern-day spin-off set after the main story ended, this was confirmed once again when the two reincarnated and became sisters in the modern era.
Nen abilities inherently leaned toward the idealistic and spiritual.
It was completely normal for something like this to happen.
Suyan crushed the Equivalent Exchange Contract Parchment he hadn't managed to hand over.
Since Kanae had also become his Contractor under Shinobu's influence, he didn't need to make the trade anymore.
"Mr. Suyan!"
Kanae let go of Shinobu and looked at Suyan, her eyes filled with genuine emotion. "Thank you."
"No need to thank—"
Before Suyan could finish his humble reply, a fragrant breeze washed over him.
A warm, moist sensation pressed against his cheek.
Kanae had leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on his face.
"Consider this my thanks, Mr. Suyan." Kanae smiled tenderly. "I look forward to being in your care~"
"Sister~"
Seeing her sister kiss Suyan, a sudden wave of sourness welled up in Shinobu's chest.
She just didn't know if she was jealous of Suyan or of Kanae.
"Oh my? Is little Shinobu jealous?" Kanae teased. "My, my, to think you've already become the Insect Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, yet you still act like such a child."
If Shinobu's dark-humored sadism was a byproduct of imitating her sister—while inherently remaining the hot-tempered, impulsive younger sibling at her core—then Kanae's personality was the genuine, authentic brand of sadism.
"I am not!" Shinobu snapped, flustered.
"Well then, how about this?"
Kanae leaned over and kissed Shinobu on the cheek as well. "Is that better?"
Shinobu averted her gaze.
Though she didn't say anything, it was obvious she was overjoyed.
Noticing Suyan looking at her, she immediately shot him a glare. "What are you looking at? You got off easy!"
In front of her sister, Shinobu completely dropped her usual gentle, sadistic facade.
She reverted right back to the hot-tempered little sister she used to be.
Suyan couldn't even argue.
Buy one, get one free. He really had hit the jackpot this time.
And unlike Takagi Yuriko and Saya, these two were actual, genuine sisters.
"Alright, Shinobu, take me for a walk around the Butterfly Mansion."
Seeing Suyan's embarrassment, Kanae covered her mouth and giggled, deciding to bail him out. "I really want to see the looks on everyone's faces when they see me. Especially Kanao. I bet her expression will be absolutely priceless."
Shinobu dropped the idea of giving Suyan a hard time.
Even though she had returned to her true self, the habits formed from such a long period of disguise weren't so easily shaken off.
Hearing that Kanae wanted to go see the others and gauge their reactions, Shinobu's interest was piqued. She grabbed Kanae's arm excitedly. "Let's go, let's go! I'll take you to see Kanao right now!"
"Let me tell you, when I asked her a question about you yesterday afternoon, that girl hesitated for a long time without tossing her coin."
"If she sees that you're back, your presence will definitely help her act more like a normal girl, right?"
"Mr. Suyan... Suyan, would you like to come with us?" Kanae naturally changed her form of address, realizing the shift in their relationship, and invited him along.
"Sister, why bother with him?"
Shinobu deliberately belittled him, her tone laced with dissatisfaction. "Mr. Scumbag is not a good person. If I hadn't arrived in time to stop him yesterday afternoon, he definitely would have made a move on Kanao."
Without waiting for Kanae or Suyan to react, she pulled Kanae by the hand and headed for the door.
Kanae could only shoot Suyan an apologetic smile.
Suyan didn't mind.
Shinobu just hadn't quite grasped the reality of the situation yet.
Once she fully understood what the Contract and being a Nen User actually entailed...
If she truly cared for her little sister Kanao in the future, she might just actively push the girl right into his arms.
Shinobu slid the door open, instantly coming face-to-face with someone familiar.
Outside stood Kanzaki Aoi, holding a tray with Suyan's breakfast, just about to knock.
Startled by the sudden opening of the door, Aoi froze for a second before hurriedly bowing. "Lord Suyan, this is today's breakf—"
Before she could finish, she realized the person standing in front of her wasn't Suyan, but Shinobu.
She immediately lowered her head in apology. "I'm so sorry, Lady Shinobu! I must have come to the wrong room. This was supposed to be delivered to Lord Suyan."
Saying that, Aoi turned to leave.
Shinobu quickly called out to her. "Wait, Aoi. You're in the right place. This is Mr. Scumbag's room."
"Oh, huh?!"
Aoi responded automatically, and then completely froze.
She didn't come to the wrong room?
Then why in the world was Shinobu walking out of Suyan's room first thing in the morning?
As a woman, Aoi could easily tell that Shinobu had clearly just woken up.
Her clothes and hair were a total mess, as if she hadn't even had the time to groom herself.
Could it be?
Did the two of them sleep in the same room last night?
The implication was terrifying.
Aoi couldn't help but panic. I know Lady Shinobu's secret now. Is she going to silence me?
"O-Okay," Aoi stammered, trembling as she slowly turned her head back.
And then, she saw something impossible.
Standing right next to Shinobu, being pulled out of the room by her hand...
Was Kocho Kanae, who had died two years ago?!
Aoi's hands shook. She lost her grip, and the breakfast tray plummeted toward the floor.
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