CHAPTER 81: CHAPTER 81: SLEEPLESS NIGHTS

Shinobu, resigned to her fate, didn’t even subject Sosuke to her usual "routine interrogation." Her dejected expression lingered even during meals, her mind clearly elsewhere.

At random moments, she would glare at Sosuke’s back, grinding her teeth. Her hatred burned especially fiercely whenever he fawned over her sister, making her teeth itch with resentment.

’That bastard... he definitely got what he wanted!’

It was no wonder Shinobu harbored such suspicions. For one thing, their trip away from home had lasted longer than usual—over a month in total.

During that extended period, they had been alone together the entire time. Given their mutual affection and the isolation, it was only natural for things to escalate.

Moreover, she had overheard some rumors from the Kakushi.

Knowing that Urokodaki’s residence had limited rooms, it seemed these two had been sharing the same room for quite some time.

This gossip-mongering group had delivered such explosive news that Shinobu’s head was buzzing!

The images conjured in her mind were all pixelated, but she could vaguely make out a plump, tusked boar carrying away the flower she had painstakingly cultivated, strutting off with a disdainful glance.

"Aaaaaaaah!"

The more Shinobu imagined, the more frantic she became.

Just as everyone was about to leave after finishing their meal, she suddenly threw herself onto Kanae. "Sister!"

Her voice was so mournful that everyone within earshot was moved.

Kanae, completely unaware of the chaotic thoughts swirling in her younger sister’s mind, glanced at her with mild confusion before smiling and ruffling her hair. "Missing me, huh?"

Shinobu looked pitifully at her sister before finally nodding.

"Then let’s sleep together tonight," Kanae said.

"Okay!" Shinobu agreed immediately.

In truth, ever since becoming a member of the Demon Slayer Corps—no, ever since their parents died and the sisters resolved to be strong—they hadn’t slept together.

Back then, Shinobu believed she had to be strong. Her sister was so gentle and needed her protection.

’I must grow stronger,’ she thought. ’I can’t let some outsider pig steal our family’s flower.’

But now... seeing that pig still staring at her, she hugged the flower in her arms even tighter and glared fiercely at him.

Sosuke was bewildered. ’What’s going on here?’

He could tolerate her childish tantrums when it was just the three of them, but Kanao was right there! Doesn’t she know she should set a good example for the child?

He shook his head helplessly and reached out to ruffle her hair. "You’re such a kid."

"Grrr!!!"

Shinobu bared her teeth, snarling. Fortunately, Sosuke withdrew his hand quickly, or she might have actually bitten him.

Sosuke felt he couldn’t afford to provoke such a ferocious sister-in-law. He immediately nodded to Kanae and retreated to his own courtyard.

By the time the two returned, it was already dusk.

After finishing dinner, night had fully fallen.

Back in his room, he noticed several letters on the table.

One was from the Village Chief, another from Mitsuri, and, surprisingly, one from Rengoku Kyojuro.

He promptly opened each letter in turn. The Village Chief’s contained little of substance, mainly cautioning Sosuke against becoming too distracted.

While the Automaton was important, he mustn’t neglect his swordsmithing skills.

Moreover, since he intended to become a swordsman in the Demon Slayer Corps, consistent training was essential.

The letter was filled with earnest advice and well-meaning admonitions.

Warmth filled Sosuke’s heart as he finished reading. He picked up his brush to reply, assuring the Village Chief that all was well and that he wouldn’t disappoint him. At the last moment, he hesitated, wanting to mention the forging method he’d been pondering, but ultimately sighed and decided to suppress the urge for now.

After sealing the first letter, Sosuke opened Mitsuri’s.

’Hmm... the content is even simpler.’ She was asking Sosuke to come train with her. She’d recently come up with many new methods to help swordsmen improve and wanted him to try them out, hoping they might lead to a breakthrough.

Sosuke’s lips twitched as he wrote a perfunctory reply.

For some reason, while writing, his mind kept drifting not to Mitsuri, but to Obanai’s furious face and his serpentine sword.

"Terrifying! Absolutely terrifying!"

After sighing, he finally opened Kyojuro’s letter.

This letter was much more normal. First, Kyojuro explained that he had tried to visit Butterfly Mansion, but was told Sosuke wasn’t home, so he couldn’t proceed. Second, he mentioned that his Nichirin Blade was damaged and needed repair. He asked Sosuke to reply immediately upon receiving the letter so he could bring the blade over.

Sosuke pondered, his thoughts drifting back to his original plan to visit the former Thunder Pillar.

But with this letter in hand, his next destination would now be the Rengoku family.

He immediately picked up his brush and began writing a reply—a necessary courtesy.

Whether the letter arrived first or he did was of little consequence.

After replying to three letters, Sosuke yawned, laid down, and pulled the covers over himself.

He expected to fall asleep quickly, but he tossed and turned, feeling as if the bedding was too large, as if the empty space beside him lacked something.

The warmth beside him was gone, or perhaps the sudden lightness in his arms felt unsettling.

He lay there, flipping over and over like a pancake, unable to sleep.

Suddenly, it struck him: "Is this... what they mean by ’sleepless on a lonely pillow’?"

He had heard the phrase before, but never truly understood its meaning. Now, it resonated with a profound clarity.

On the other side of the room, the sisters had decided to sleep together that night.

Naturally, they had much to talk about. Shinobu, like a clingy little piglet, leaned against her sister, watching her spread out the bedding and arrange the pillows.

Finally, she watched Kanae pat the quilt. "All done," Kanae said with a gentle smile. "Let’s rest."

Shinobu quickly shed her clothes and lay down, her sister settling beside her.

Shinobu had so much she wanted to say, but before she could speak, she noticed something odd about Kanae.

Kanae seemed to want to move closer, but suddenly restrained herself.

"Sister... what’s wrong?" Shinobu asked.

Kanae’s face flushed crimson as she shook her head hastily. "Nothing at all."

Sometimes, habits can be terrifying things.

Kanae was so accustomed to snuggling into Sosuke’s arms that she had almost instinctively tried to snuggle into her sister’s embrace.

Her face flushed hot, yet she couldn’t stop thinking about Sosuke.

’I wonder... is he asleep right now?’