In the cozy hot spring town of Kusatsu, Horitake and Mitsuri officially became a couple—a cause for celebration!
With a bit more time to nurture their bond and boost their affection, they could soon enjoy those delightful moments everyone loves to see. Truly a joyous…
(At this point, a mob of readers storms in, pummeling the author: "Is that all you think about, you filthy, shameless degenerate?!")
Ahem. Anyway, they were thrilled.
Horitake was over the moon, and Mitsuri was equally elated.
Mitsuri's joy stemmed from finding her destined partner—someone she loved who loved her back.
She had no regrets.
Horitake's happiness came from confirming his relationship with Mitsuri and… well…
Arm in arm, their bodies close, he could feel Mitsuri's perfect figure.
It was fantastic!
Nezuko's figure couldn't compare to Mitsuri's yet, and Shinobu-nee's was probably on par.
Ugh, thinking of other women at a time like this? Sinful, sinful.
Mimicking Himejima's solemnity, Horitake mentally chanted Amitabha in repentance, then focused solely on Mitsuri, strolling through Kusatsu's enchanting nightscape.
Was it because Kusatsu thrived on tourism?
The town sparkled with lights, bustling with people enjoying the evening, brimming with charm.
Horitake and Mitsuri wandered happily together.
Occasionally, spotting a late-night food stall, Horitake teased:
"Mitsuri, that looks tasty—want to try it?"
"Mitsuri, that looks good too. Give it a go?"
"Mitsuri, this one seems amazing. Taste it?"
Mitsuri, both shy and exasperated, retorted, "Horitake-nii, stop tempting me! I ate enough today!"
"What's the big deal? Your body doesn't gain weight no matter how much you eat. Every woman envies that. What's there to worry about?"
"I'm not worried about gaining weight!" she huffed. "I know you just want to see me make a fool of myself eating. I won't let you!"
"Aw, caught me," Horitake sighed. "But you're wrong, Mitsuri. I love watching you eat—not because it's embarrassing, but because you look so happy."
Despite his words, Mitsuri firmly refused to eat more.
Fair enough. A girl gorging herself while her boyfriend feeds her with a grin might be sweet for him, but for her, it's mortifying.
A gluttonous trait, on a girl, always brings some embarrassment.
So, in Kusatsu's evening glow, Horitake and Mitsuri roamed a while longer.
As night deepened, it was time to find a place to stay—preferably a hot spring inn for a proper soak.
But…
As the saying goes, you never know what comes first: an accident or tomorrow.
Horitake encountered something… concerning.
While choosing an inn and passing through an alley, a child brushed past them.
Mitsuri, caught up in the shops' allure, didn't notice anything odd about the child.
But Horitake's sharp sixth sense tingled. Something was off.
The child exuded a grim aura—sorrowful, hopeless, almost lifeless, like a walking corpse.
Horitake knew that vibe too well. It was eerily similar to the children in Toma Town!
His relaxed mood vanished, replaced by sharp vigilance.
Could there be children oppressed by demons in Kusatsu too?!
He quickly dismissed the thought.
Kusatsu wasn't Toma Town.
Toma was a small, ordinary town, easily controlled by demons, its people too scared to speak out.
Kusatsu, a bustling tourist hub, teemed with travelers daily.
Secrets couldn't survive in such a place.
Demons typically avoided towns with heavy human traffic.
Plus, Horitake and Mitsuri had spent the day eating and exploring, finding only lively, hospitable people and a peaceful atmosphere—no sign of demonic torment.
So what was up with that kid?!
Uncertain but cautious, Horitake grabbed Mitsuri's hand and whispered, "Mitsuri, something's up!"
Mitsuri, a trained Demon Slayer, snapped to attention despite her lovestruck state.
She met his gaze, whispering, "Horitake-nii, what is it? A demon?"
"Not sure, just a hunch."
"What now?"
"Don't alert anyone. We move quietly."
Nodding, they maintained their arm-in-arm closeness but subtly slipped into an alley.
Once inside, their demeanor shifted to sharp professionalism.
Horitake scanned the surroundings and said, "Follow me, quietly."
"Got it!"
Horitake leaped onto a rooftop, Mitsuri right behind him.
Like ninjas, they avoided lights, blending into the night, moving swiftly and silently across rooftops.
Soon, Horitake spotted the child from earlier.
They landed on a roof, concealing themselves to observe.
Mitsuri noticed Horitake's focus on the child and whispered, "Horitake-nii, what's with this kid?"
"What's different about him compared to normal kids?"
"Different?"
Mitsuri peered closer, hesitating.
"He does seem off. His eyes are panicked, his aura gloomy—not lively or sunny like most kids. Almost… withdrawn, depressed?"
Horitake shook his head.
"It's more than that. I've seen this before—a group of kids, lifeless, like walking corpses.
They were controlled and oppressed by demons."
"Horitake-nii, you think this kid is…?"
"Maybe, maybe not. Could be my imagination."
Horitake trailed the child discreetly, unnoticed by anyone.
The child hurried to a crossroads and stopped.
This spot was peculiar—the edge of Kusatsu, leading to the mountains, a gateway of sorts.
Horitake and Mitsuri, tracking him, shared a question: What's this kid doing here? Is he waiting for someone?
They stayed hidden, watching.
Soon, more children arrived, gathering at the crossroads.
Horitake noticed something odd: each child wore a colorful scarf covering their face, and each carried an empty large basket on their back.
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