Horitake carried the uniforms into the changing room, searching for anything suspicious—no cameras, no peepholes, nothing odd. Everything seemed fine.
Strange. Was I wrong? Horitake began to doubt himself.
After changing into the Demon Slayer Corps uniform, he stepped out, checked himself in the mirror, and tested its fit.
Goto asked eagerly, "How is it, Lord Horitake? Does it fit?"
"Yep, fits well. I'll take these."
Goto quickly packed the uniforms for him.
Miri went next to change.
Horitake subtly watched Maeda, the tailor, who showed no odd behavior—just anticipation as he stared at the changing room door, waiting for Miri.
What's this guy up to?
The door opened. Miri peeked out, blushing, then stepped forward, looking troubled.
Horitake's jaw dropped. Good grief! An open-chest top! A super-short skirt! Isn't this… Miri's outfit from the original story!? So this is where it started!?
Under Horitake's intense gaze, Miri fidgeted, shyly covering herself. "Is… is this really the Corps uniform? It feels a bit…"
Maeda, unfazed, said, "No worries, it's standard. Looks perfect on you."
The gullible Miri hesitated. "Oh? Is… is that so?"
Goto couldn't take it anymore, pointing at Maeda. "Maeda! You're at it again!?"
"What's the problem? Doesn't it look great? Lord Horitake's enjoying the view, isn't he?"
Horitake rubbed his nose to hide a potential nosebleed, giving Maeda a cold chuckle. "Heh, I'm enjoying it, alright. But you, you sleazy tailor, need a lesson! Rising Dragon Fist!"
Horitake sent Maeda flying with a punch. Maeda collapsed, unable to get up.
Horitake shot Goto a blank look, signaling him to turn around.
Goto complied instantly, not daring to move.
Looking at the clueless Miri, Horitake sighed. "Miri, this tailor tricked you. Change back. I'll make him get you proper clothes."
"Oh? Really…?"
With no choice, Horitake nudged the naive girl back into the changing room to change.
Maeda struggled to his feet, clutching his swollen jaw, glaring at Horitake with resentment and fear.
Fear's understandable, but resentment? What's that about!?
When Miri emerged in her original clothes, Horitake grabbed the outrageous uniforms, piled them on the floor, doused them with lamp oil, and set them ablaze in front of Maeda.
As the uniforms burned, Maeda looked devastated, collapsing as if life had lost all meaning.
Goto was horrified. Lord Horitake, starting a fire in the clothing department? Trying to burn the place down?
As the flames died down, Goto doused them with a bucket of water before they spread.
"Oh my, what's going on here?"
A gentle voice rang out.
Horitake turned to see a stunning woman—lovely features, calm demeanor, black-purple hair adorned with butterfly accessories, and a butterfly-patterned haori. This was the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho!
Noticing Shinobu's ever-present gentle smile, Goto bowed. "Lady Shinobu!"
Horitake greeted her casually. "Hey, Shinobu-nee."
Shinobu blinked, as if a breeze had brushed past her. No guy had ever dared call her "Shinobu-nee."
Intrigued by the unfamiliar boy, she asked, "A new face. Are you a Demon Slayer Corps rookie?"
Horitake grinned, introducing himself. "Yep, I'm a newbie. Name's Horitake. Nice to meet you, Shinobu-nee."
"Horitake…" Shinobu clapped her hands, surprised. "Are you the one who defeated that ferocious burrowing demon at Fujikasaneyama? The so-called strongest rookie, Horitake-san?"
"That's me. My fame's spread that far already?"
"Of course, Horitake-san. The Hashira have heard of you."
"That's… humbling."
Shinobu noticed the smoldering, charred fabric on the floor, Maeda sprawled nearby, and the slightly clueless Miri. With her own experience, she pieced it together.
Though her smile remained, it carried a dangerous edge. "Oh my, looks like this lecherous tailor hasn't learned his lesson."
Horitake raised an eyebrow, catching on. "Wait, Shinobu-nee, did you get stuck with clothes like these too?"
"Indeed. When I joined the Corps, this guy gave me similarly shameless uniforms. I burned them in a fit of rage. Maeda's expression back then was just like now. Horitake-san, seems we handled him the same way. Kindred spirits, perhaps?"
"Huh, no kidding…"
Horitake couldn't help imagining Shinobu in an open-chest top and mini-skirt…
"Oh my, Horitake-san, are you thinking something rude?" Shinobu was suddenly in front of him, smiling sweetly.
That dangerous smile sent a chill down his spine. He scrambled to recover. "Uh… sorry! It's just, Shinobu-nee's so pretty, I couldn't help it. Haha…"
"Oh?" Shinobu eyed him. "Flirty boys aren't very likable, you know."
Miri, watching their exchange, felt an inexplicable irritation. She stepped forward, seemingly asking but really interrupting, "Lady Shinobu, what brings you here?"
Shinobu gave Miri a knowing glance. "Nothing major. My clothes got damaged in recent battles, so I stopped by for new ones."
Maeda, somehow back on his feet, sidled up to Shinobu, fawning. "Lady Shinobu, why trouble yourself with such a small errand? Just say the word, and I'll deliver to the Butterfly Mansion! Oh, I've designed some new Corps uniforms. Would you like to—"
"Maeda-san…" Shinobu's smile was saccharine.
"Y-Yes…?"
"Care to try my Insect Breathing?"
"Uh… no thanks!" Maeda broke into a cold sweat.
"Then fetch me some normal clothes."
"Right away!" Sensing her killing intent, Maeda scurried off, unlikely to pull any more tricks.
Goto clutched his head, exasperated.
Horitake looked at Shinobu with admiration. That's Shinobu-nee for you!
After getting her clothes, Shinobu bid everyone farewell with a smile and left.
Soon, Miri received proper Corps uniforms, and the two left the clothing department together.
Though reluctant, Horitake and Miri decided to part ways at the Corps headquarters, each going their own way.
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