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"This young man." Amidst Zenitsu's screams, Kaito reached out and touched him.
However, with only a faint flicker of spiritual power, he withdrew his hand.
"Huh? It doesn't hurt?" Zenitsu wore an expression of someone who had narrowly escaped disaster.
"Rest assured," Kaito said directly to Kuwajima. "This young man's body is fine. Although..." He smiled. "...getting struck by lightning while climbing a tree was rather unlucky, he seems to have profited from his misfortune. His body has actually become somewhat stronger than an average person's."
"That's good, that's good. It's fine as long as he's okay. Thank you," Kuwajima said, looking very pleased.
"So Grandpa was worried about my health? Sniff... Grandpa, you're so good. I misunderstood you," This time, it was Zenitsu's turn to be moved to tears.
Kaito shook his head and proactively brought up the earlier topic.
"Just now, I heard that almost everyone has plans for the future. That leaves only Mr. Iguro and Miss Kanroji who haven't had a chance to speak yet."
He looked towards the Serpent Pillar and the Love Pillar.
"So," he asked matter-of-factly, "when are the two of you getting married?"
"M-M-M-M-MARRY?!!" Mitsuri was so startled by Kaito's blunt words that her voice cracked.
"Yes!" Kaito, for his part, also wore a surprised expression. "Aren't you going to get married?"
"Wh-Wh-Wh-Why would you say that..." Mitsuri covered her face with her hands again.
By now, the other Pillars were also looking at Obanai with amused, expectant eyes.
Obanai was clearly caught off guard by Kaito's question. Although his expression was hidden by his face covering, his heterochromatic eyes were wide with shock, and his gaze seemed somewhat dazed.
"What do you mean, 'why'?" Kaito now found their reaction strange.
"Based on the rumors I've heard, Miss Kanroji, your purpose for joining the Demon Slayer Corps was to find a strong husband, wasn't it?"
"Y... yes." Mitsuri admitted softly from behind her hands.
"That settles it then," Kaito said. "Since that was your goal, and it's obvious to everyone that Mr. Iguro likes you very much, and you aren't exactly indifferent to him either, then you can get married!"
"This does indeed seem like a joyous occasion," Kagaya chimed in, now also interested. "If the final event before the Demon Slayer Corps disbands were a wedding leading to happiness, it would indeed be a perfect ending."
"I can help with the arrangements," Ms. Amane said as she entered the room through the doorway.
"Mitsuri has her family. As for Mr. Iguro's side, Kagaya-sama and I can take on the roles of his relatives."
"Everyone can help!" Tengen laughed loudly and clapped Obanai on the shoulder. "As a man with three wives, I can teach you a lot of tricks!"
"Th-Th-Three wives!!!" Zenitsu, who had just recovered his wits on the other side, screamed again, his eyes turning red with envy.
"You two shouldn't participate in the next part of the conversation. Get out now."
Kuwajima couldn't resist knocking him on the head again, then shooed both boys outside.
After the two youths left, everyone began discussing enthusiastically again.
"For such a happy event, we will all help!" Kyōjurō declared loudly, his face beaming with joy.
"I guess" Sanemi expressed his "strong" support.
"I'll help too," Giyū said, still trying to be more sociable today.
"Ara, when will the wedding be held? How exciting!" Kanae clasped her hands beside her cheek, her expression dreamy.
"Namu Amida Butsu." Even Himejima Gyōmei stopped crying.
"Ev-Ev-Ev-Everyone... i-i-it must be a misunderstanding!" Mitsuri exclaimed frantically. "Although Mr. Iguro is a very good person... and he's very kind to me... and I enjoy talking with him... and he gave me warm tights... b-b-but Mr. Iguro has never confessed to me! If everyone says things like that, it will cause trouble for Mr. Iguro!"
"..."
In that moment, Mitsuri felt that everyone present was looking at her as if she were an idiot.
"Wh-What is it?" she grew increasingly flustered.
"Mitsuri-chan... you..." Kanae suddenly reached out, hugged Mitsuri, and stroked her hair. "...are such an oblivious child. So cute, too cute!"
"Hey, Obanai!" Tengen nudged Obanai with his elbow. "If you're a man, a real man, when things have reached this point, you are not allowed to retreat anymore!!"
"No." Obanai's voice was hoarse as he spoke.
"I cannot marry Kanroji."
The moment his words fell, the atmosphere in the hall instantly shifted. Everyone looked at Obanai with incredulous eyes.
"Eh?" Mitsuri's face paled slightly, but she quickly forced a cheerful smile.
"I... I told you, right? Everyone's words have troubled Mr. Iguro! It's... it's okay, Mr. Iguro. After all, for a special girl like me, not being able to accept it is... is normal..."
As she spoke, tears suddenly began welling up in her eyes.
"HEY!! OBANAI!!!" Tengen, furious, grabbed Obanai by the collar.
"What are you doing?! Everyone can see that you obviously like Kanroji! Making the woman you love cry is not what a real man does! It's utterly unflashy!!!"
"Hmph, never thought you had such a cowardly side, Obanai!" Sanemi crossed his arms, also looking at Obanai with disdain.
"This is indeed not the conduct of a manly man, Obanai!" Kyōjurō also looked at him disapprovingly.
"N-no... it's not like that!" Mitsuri held back her tears and waved her hands desperately. "Mr. Iguro is a kind person! Everyone must have misunderstood!"
"Hey! Kanroji is still speaking up for you! Just what kind of man are you?!" Tengen released his grip but shoved Obanai to the ground.
Obanai, unusually, offered no resistance. He wordlessly climbed back to his feet and walked silently over to stand before Mitsuri.
"I... Iguro-san?" Mitsuri looked up at him with tear-filled eyes.
"I'm sorry," Obanai bowed directly.
"Th-This... It's really okay. It was just everyone joking around," Mitsuri flailed her hands in a flustered panic.
"No, everyone is right. I do like you very much," Obanai suddenly stated.
"Eh? EHHHHHHHH?!" Mitsuri was utterly stunned in an instant, her face immediately turning red enough to steam.
"But I cannot marry you," Obanai continued.
"I..."
He suddenly reached up and ripped away the bandages covering the lower half of his face, revealing the horrific scars where both corners of his mouth had been severely slit open.
"This terrifying appearance of mine, and this filthy bloodline."
He clutched the removed bandages tightly in his hand.
"I think unless I were to be reborn and obtain a completely new body, I am unworthy of you."
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