Shinobu's grip on my wrist tightened, her fingers trembling slightly. Her normally calm, composed demeanor cracked for the first time since I'd met her. Her eyes, wide and sharp, locked onto mine with an intensity that felt like a blade pressed against my skin.
"What did you just say?" she asked again, her voice barely above a whisper, but the weight behind it was undeniable.
I raised an eyebrow, feigning nonchalance. "I said I met the demon who killed your sister. Upper Moon Two, Doma. He's quite an... interesting character, though I imagine you wouldn't see him the same way."
Shinobu's jaw tightened, and her nails dug slightly into my skin as she clenched her hand. Her breathing quickened, her composed mask slipping further.
"Where is he?" she demanded, her voice laced with a mix of rage and desperation.
I tilted my head, pretending to think about it. "Where is he now? Hmm, that's a complicated question. For the moment, let's just say he's... somewhere out of reach."
"Don't toy with me, Alex-san!" Shinobu's voice rose, her eyes blazing with fury. "If you know where Doma is, tell me. I'll—"
"You'll what?" I interrupted calmly, cutting through her outburst like a knife through butter. "Rush off to face him alone? You're smart enough to know how that would end, Shinobu. I brought him up because I want you to think, not act recklessly."
Hearing that, Shinobu took a deep breath, calming her anger. Now that she had a clear mind, she noticed that how did Alex know about the demon, who killed her sister? Only a handful of people know that.
How do you know about Doma? Only a few people are aware of the details of my sister's death."
Her voice was calm now, but there was an unmistakable edge to it. Shinobu wasn't one to let such a critical detail go unnoticed, and her curiosity was quickly morphing into doubt.
I gave her a small, knowing smile. "Let's just say I have my ways, Shinobu. I'm not exactly an ordinary individual, as you've probably gathered by now."
"Then why did you bring it up then?" Shinobu asked.
"Because I can kill him for you." I said.
"And why would you do that?" Shinobu asked.
"I know for a fact that if your intention is to get eaten by Doma so that the wisteria in your bloodstream can poison Doma."
Hearing this, Shinobu's eyes once again widen with surprise.
"How do you know about the wisteria in my blood?" she asked, her voice low but trembling with a mix of anger and disbelief. "Only Master Kagaya and Gyomei-san know about that. It's supposed to be a closely guarded secret."
I smiled softly, unfazed by her reaction. "Shinobu, let's just say I'm not exactly bound by the limits of your world. I know far more than you might be comfortable with. But I didn't bring it up to alarm you—I brought it up to stop you from doing something reckless."
Her eyes narrowed, her skepticism returning. "Reckless? You think wanting to avenge my sister is reckless?"
"Not the desire itself," I clarified. "But your method, your plan to let Doma consume you so the wisteria in your blood would poison him... That's reckless. Sacrificing yourself for the hope that it might work? I can't allow that."
Shinobu's eyes widened slightly, her composure faltering for the second time. She stepped back, releasing my wrist, though her expression remained guarded. "How do you even know about that?" she asked, her voice quieter now, almost a whisper.
I shrugged lightly, folding my arms. "Shinobu, I know many things—things you consider secrets, things that haven't even happened yet. But that's beside the point. The real issue here is that I can't let someone as extraordinary as you throw her life away for a gamble."
Her cheeks flushed faintly at my words, but her sharp gaze didn't waver. "Extraordinary?" she echoed, her tone carrying a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
I took a step closer, holding her gaze firmly. "Yes, extraordinary. Do you think your sister Kanae would want you to end your life this way? To fall prey to the very demon you're trying to destroy? I doubt it. And frankly, I wouldn't allow it either."
She blinked, caught off guard by the conviction in my voice. "Why do you care what happens to me? We've only just met. Why would you go to such lengths to stop me?"
I leaned in slightly, just enough to make my presence feel larger, more personal. "Because it would be a tragedy to lose someone as brilliant, as beautiful, and as determined as you to some demon who doesn't deserve to lay a finger on you."
Her face turned a deeper shade of red, her lips parting slightly in surprise. "I... I'm not sure what to say to that."
"You don't need to say anything," I replied smoothly. "Just think about it. You're not alone in this fight, Shinobu. You have allies, people who care about you, and now you have me. If you want Doma dead, I'll kill him for you. You don't need to risk your life."
Shinobu bit her lip, her brows furrowing as she processed my words. "You say that as if it's so simple."
"Because it is simple for me."
~~~
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