Here it was—the moment had finally arrived!
After all his relentless pursuit, Horitake threw a curveball, openly confessing his feelings for Shinobu and asking if she'd accept him.
Shinobu hadn't expected Horitake to lay his cards on the table like this!
She was flustered, at a loss, unsure how to respond.
Her grip on the Nichirin Blade weakened, the thrust faltering. Frozen in that stance, she began grappling with profound questions, facing her heart head-on.
What were her feelings for this infuriating Horitake?
There was no doubt—she felt something romantic for him. Otherwise, she wouldn't care so much about the rumors or obsess over his opinion of her.
But clearly, it wasn't just romance stirring her heart. Other emotions were at play.
What kind?
Anger, frustration, and—yes—jealousy.
Why did this jerk Horitake dare covet her?
Why did he think he could have it all, embracing both her and Mitsuri?
Why did he, already having Mitsuri, have the gall to pursue her?
She was the Insect Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, admired by countless people in secret. Why wasn't she the only one in his eyes?
This guy might have some skill, some strength, some status.
Sure, he was the Heavenly Pillar, but did that give him the right to claim two Pillars? Or even more in the future? On what grounds!?
The more Shinobu thought about it, the more indignant she grew.
Her resentment, frustration, and anger, tangled with her feelings for Horitake, made every encounter with him an emotional whirlwind.
After agonizing for what felt like forever, she still couldn't sort it out.
She thrust her blade forward again, tossing the question back at Horitake. "If I reject you, what will you do?"
Horitake answered with a shameless grin. "Nothing much. I'll just keep pestering you, Shinobu-nee, until the day you say yes.
"And if you really won't agree, I'll stick by your side, sinking any man who dares approach you into the sea!
"If I can't have you, no one else will either.
"That's my stance."
Shinobu's jaw dropped, her worldview crumbling. "You… you're too overbearing! Too shameless! If you can't have me, no one can!?
"What a jerk!"
Horitake, far from ashamed, nodded proudly. "Shinobu-nee's got it right—I am a jerk.
"Not sure if I'm a bad guy, but definitely not a saint.
That's me."
This guy was utterly impervious—oil and water slid off him, blades bounced away.
Shinobu had no way to deal with such thick-skinned roguery.
But then something occurred to her, and her exasperation turned to sorrow.
She pulled her Nichirin Blade from Horitake's grasp, sheathed it, and fixed him with a distant, icy stare. "Looks like that's just who you are—incorrigible.
"But fine. I'll make you a promise: even if you can't have me, no one else will either.
"Because…
"Forget it, I won't say it. Just know, Horitake-san, that we have no future together.
"It's not about you. I, Shinobu Kocho, have no future with anyone. I'm destined to…"
She trailed off.
Shinobu tried several times to explain, but the words wouldn't come.
It was clear she carried a heavy burden.
It was also clear she trusted Horitake enough to consider confiding in him. Otherwise, she wouldn't have hesitated—she'd have shut down completely.
With a pained sigh, Shinobu turned to leave.
But from her expression and mood alone, Horitake understood everything.
He stepped forward, grabbing her arm to stop her.
His gaze burned into hers, his tone solemn, his emotions raw. "Shinobu-nee, whatever you're hiding, you can tell me.
"I can say with absolute confidence: in this country, aside from the Emperor and Muzan, there's no one I can't take down!"
Horitake's words carried a commanding aura, enough to make any girl's heart flutter.
Even Shinobu felt a spark.
But that spark was quickly drowned by sorrow and anguish.
She shook her head, her expression bitter. "No, you don't understand. You know nothing. You can't take my place—I have to do this myself… In short, you can't help me!"
With that, Shinobu tried to pull away, struggling to free her arm from Horitake's grip.
Horitake held firm, staring at her earnestly.
Shinobu's temper flared, and she began to thrash. "Let go of me!"
"Shinobu-nee!" Horitake's eyes widened, his voice sharper than ever. "Are you really planning to let Douma devour you!?"
The air froze, still as a stagnant pool.
Shinobu's eyes widened in shock, her body stiffening as she stared at Horitake in disbelief.
Horitake gripped her arm tightly, his gaze piercing hers.
Their eyes locked, emotions swirling between them.
Shinobu's lips trembled as she spoke, voice strained. "You… how did you know…?"
Horitake replied calmly, "Nothing escapes these eyes of mine—not even the future."
Shinobu understood instantly, a mix of realization and bitter relief washing over her. She gave a wry smile. "Did I succeed in the end?"
Horitake's mind flashed to the original story's final scene with Shinobu:
In her last moments, outmatched by Douma, she was embraced by him, her bones crushed inch by inch, swallowed whole. All that remained was her butterfly hairpin, clutched in Douma's hand.
The memory sent a sharp pang through Horitake's heart.
It was a scene he couldn't accept, one that made his heart bleed.
Seeing Horitake's expression, his reaction, Shinobu smiled faintly. She understood. "So, I succeeded."
Horitake looked at her with unwavering resolve. "I won't let you do it. I won't let that happen."
Shinobu's smile turned tragic. "Can you change the future?"
"I've already changed plenty of futures. Yours, Shinobu-nee, is one I'm determined to change too!"
"Why do you get to decide for me? Who are you to me? You have no right!"
"I don't care if I have the right! I can't stand by and watch you feed yourself to Douma! If I let that happen without doing anything, I'd rather die!"
Horitake roared, glaring at Shinobu with rare fury.
For once, he'd lost his temper with a woman.
------------------------------
Hello everyone!
If you like my work and want to support me on this creative journey, you can support me here:
[patreon.com/DaoistRoeoNQ]
Thank you for your support!!