Horitake rarely lost his temper, especially with a woman.
Gripping Shinobu's arm, he yanked her closer, staring into her eyes with a fierce glare. "Shinobu-nee, why do you have to take it that far?
"I understand your determination to avenge Kanae-nee.
"But why does it have to cost your life? Why are you so resolute, so reckless, throwing away your life so easily? Have you even asked us? Have you considered the people who care about you, who love you?
"Let's set me aside as an outsider for now! There are five girls in the Butterfly Mansion besides you.
"Kanae, Aoi, Kiyomi, Sumire, Naho.
"They're your subordinates in name, but in truth, they're your family—your sisters.
"You know how much they care about you, how much they love you.
"Are you really so heartless as to abandon them?
"Would they just stand by and watch you sacrifice yourself? If you die, don't you think they'd be heartbroken? To avenge Kanae-nee at the cost of your life, leaving even more people in pain—isn't that selfish?"
Horitake's words were earnest, pressing relentlessly.
They shattered Shinobu's defenses, piercing straight to her heart.
This girl, always hiding behind a smile, always projecting strength, finally revealed her vulnerability. Held by Horitake's grip, she lowered her head, tears streaming down her face.
Though crying, Shinobu refused to yield. Shaking her head softly, she murmured, "You don't understand. You know nothing. My sister… I have to… I can't… I'm sorry to everyone."
Her final apology only fueled Horitake's anger.
This woman! After all he'd said, she was still so stubborn! If I didn't care about her, I'd have slapped some sense into her by now!
Horitake was livid, his movements rougher. He tugged her arm again, grabbing her chin to force her face up.
Tears glistened like pear blossoms in the rain, evoking pity.
But Horitake didn't care how fragile she looked. He roared, "Shinobu Kocho! You stubborn, foolish woman! You're so fixated on sacrificing yourself to kill Douma and avenge Kanae-nee, aren't you!?
"You're too full of yourself!
"Does Kanae-nee need you to avenge her?
"You're throwing away your life for her, but would Kanae-nee agree to that?
"I can tell you with certainty: Kanae-nee would never bear to see you like this! She'd never approve of you giving up your life for her vengeance!
"Shinobu! Let me tell you something. Though Kanae-nee passed, all these years, she's been by your side in spirit, watching over you and everyone at the Butterfly Mansion! Seeing you like this—how much do you think it hurts her!?"
At those words, Shinobu froze, stunned.
She broke free from Horitake's grip, seizing his collar with trembling intensity. "Explain yourself! What do you mean Kanae-nee's been by my side!? Make it clear! Are you saying…"
"Exactly what you're thinking!
"My eyes can see the unseen, including souls.
"Shinobu, you foolish woman, drowning in grief over losing your sister, unaware that Kanae-nee, worried for you, has never ascended. She's been by your side all this time!
"And she was right to worry. With your stubborn streak, you'd do something reckless."
Horitake activated his spiritual vision. He grabbed Shinobu's shoulders, turning her to face a specific direction, then moved behind her, pointing ahead. "You're too stubborn for me to convince, so I'll let Kanae-nee talk you down herself.
"Right now, Kanae-nee is standing in front of you, worried sick.
"You can't see her or hear her voice.
"But that's okay—I'll relay for both of you."
Shinobu blinked, staring at the empty space before her, doubtful. "You… you're serious? My sister's really standing there right now?"
Horitake snapped, impatient. "Why would I lie about something like this?"
He wasn't lying.
From the moment they'd come to the roof, Kanae's spirit, concerned, had lingered nearby, eavesdropping on their conversation.
As their words grew heated—especially when Shinobu revealed her plan to let Douma devour her—Kanae couldn't stay silent. She materialized as a spirit, standing beside them, watching Shinobu with deep concern.
Kanae had sensed something was off with Shinobu before.
But she never imagined her sister would be so resolute, so willing to throw everything away.
Kanae was frantic, desperate to dissuade Shinobu.
But as a spirit, Shinobu couldn't see or hear her.
Thankfully, Horitake could bridge that gap!
Now, Kanae's spirit stood before Shinobu, gazing at her sister with worry.
Seeing Shinobu doubt Horitake, Kanae chuckled softly.
Her spirit stepped forward, reaching to touch Shinobu's head.
At that moment, a pink butterfly fluttered through the night, its path aligning perfectly with Kanae's hand.
Horitake understood: Kanae was guiding the butterfly with her soul, using it to prove her presence to Shinobu.
Shinobu's heart raced with excitement and anticipation as she saw the pink butterfly.
She knew her sister had loved pink butterflies in life.
Could it… really be true?
The pink butterfly landed in Shinobu's hair, just as Kanae's spirit caressed her sister's head.
In that instant, Shinobu's tears fell like rain. "It's her… it's her! I'd never mistake this feeling!"
She reached out to embrace her sister but grasped only air, unable to see or touch her.
"Sister…" Shinobu sobbed, tears streaming.
From behind, Horitake, through his spiritual vision, saw Kanae's spirit embracing Shinobu.
The sight weighed heavy on his heart.
The divide between the living and the dead—what an insurmountable gap.
In a daze, Horitake recalled a phrase he'd seen online in his past life:
The pink butterfly flies away, the purple butterfly chases. The young butterfly tries to leave but is pulled back.
It spoke of the Kocho sisters: Kanae, Shinobu, and Kanao.
The pink butterfly couldn't be saved, but the purple butterfly—he'd hold onto her no matter what.
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