As expected, only Kanae could do it.
Only Kanae's direct intervention could dispel Shinobu's stubborn obsession.
Through Horitake's relaying, Shinobu was scolded into a meek, submissive state—Horitake had never seen her so subdued.
After the lecture, the sisters talked for a long time.
Separated by the divide between life and death, communication was difficult. Thankfully, Horitake's spiritual vision served as a bridge, allowing Kanae and Shinobu to pour out their hearts to each other.
The conversation stretched deep into the night, the hour growing late.
Horitake finally interjected, "Kanae-nee, Shinobu-nee, it's getting really late.
"My spiritual vision can hold up, but Kanae-nee, you've been gone for years. Maintaining your spirit form for too long could harm your soul.
"So, let's wrap up this rare chance to talk for now."
Shinobu's eyes widened in panic. "What? It's ending already?"
Horitake nodded. "It's been long enough. Continuing would do Kanae-nee's soul more harm than good."
Shinobu lowered her head, reluctant, silent.
Kanae, ever the understanding sister, smiled gently at Horitake, her gratitude sincere. "Thank you, Horitake-san. Without your help, we sisters wouldn't have had this chance to talk. Without you stopping Shinobu in time, who knows what awful thing she might've done."
Horitake replied, "No need to thank me, Kanae-nee. Didn't you ask me to look after Shinobu-nee? I can't slack off.
"Besides, I care about Shinobu-nee myself. I couldn't just watch her jump into a fire pit.
"Today, I had no other choice, so I called on you.
"But if we keep going, your soul might get damaged. You should rest now, Kanae-nee.
"Leave the rest to me."
Kanae nodded with a warm smile. "Thank you, Horitake-san. I'm entrusting Shinobu to you from now on.
"Oh, and please tell Shinobu for me: she needs to change her personality. She can't be so stubborn or extreme anymore."
With that, Kanae's spirit gradually faded, retreating to rest somewhere unseen.
Horitake closed his spiritual vision, rubbing his tired eyes.
Shinobu grabbed his arm, urgently asking, "Is Sister gone?"
"Don't worry. Kanae-nee's just hidden herself—she hasn't moved on to reincarnation. She's still watching over everyone at the Butterfly Mansion."
"Then… can I talk to her anytime? Please, I'm begging you!" Shinobu pleaded, her usual cool composure gone, replaced by a pitiful, vulnerable look.
Seeing her like this, Horitake's heart softened, tempted to agree.
But he couldn't.
He looked at her earnestly. "Shinobu-nee, the order of yin and yang, life and death, is a fundamental rule of this world. It can't be broken.
"Breaking it recklessly would lead to terrible consequences—I guarantee, worse than the creation of Muzan Kibutsuji.
"Helping you talk to Kanae-nee this time was already bending the rules.
"Talking to her anytime in the future? That's impossible.
"Doing this too often would bring bad outcomes for you, me, and Kanae-nee."
Seeing Horitake's serious tone, Shinobu bit her lip, reluctant and unwilling but understanding.
Horitake softened, comforting her. "Come on, what's with that look? This isn't the Shinobu-nee I know.
"Kanae-nee hasn't vanished or reincarnated. She's still silently watching over everyone at the Butterfly Mansion. Isn't that enough?
"If something major comes up in the future, I'll make an exception and let you talk to her again."
Shinobu knew pushing further wasn't right. She nodded. "I'm counting on you, Horitake-san."
"Oh, by the way, Kanae-nee had a final message for you."
"What?"
"She said you need to change your personality—no more being so stubborn or extreme."
"Oh…" Shinobu's voice was small, subdued.
Seeing her so meek, Horitake suddenly got an idea. "Kanae-nee said something else too."
"What?"
"She entrusted you to me."
"Huh?"
"Huh, what? Kanae-nee said it herself: 'Shinobu's in your hands now.'
"She also told you to listen to me from now on, to follow the rules once you join my household, to get along with the other sisters, not to cause trouble, not to lose your temper with me, to be gentle and virtuous, and…" he rattled off a long list.
At first, Shinobu was stunned, but she quickly caught on, her gaze turning dangerous.
In no time, the frail, vulnerable Shinobu was gone, replaced by her usual poised self.
With a polite smile and a chilling aura, she asked, "Oh? Horitake-san, did my sister really say all that? Why don't I believe you?
"Can you swear on your lifelong happiness that those were her words?"
"Uh…" Horitake froze.
Swearing on his lifelong happiness? That was too steep a price.
He gave an awkward laugh, coming clean. "Alright, alright, Kanae-nee didn't say all that.
"But the first part's true—she did say she's entrusting you to me!
"I've got the official approval of Kanae-nee, my future sister-in-law.
"So, Shinobu-nee, you can't escape. Just prepare to surrender and join my household!"
Shinobu rolled her eyes. "In your dreams! Surrender and join your household? It's late, but not late enough for dreaming!"
Horitake wasn't having it. He shot back, "Hey, Shinobu-nee, this is straight from Kanae-nee's mouth. Are you going to defy her?
"Parental orders, matchmaker's words—your elder sister's like a mother. Kanae-nee's words are set in stone. You can't go against them!"
"What are you, some ancient relic? Parental orders, matchmaker's words—that's all outdated.
"I'm Shinobu Kocho, Insect Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, a modern woman. I won't be bound by elders or sisters when it comes to my feelings. So, Horitake-san, you're just indulging in wishful thinking!"
With that, Shinobu turned and walked away.
Horitake stood there, puzzled. "Modern woman? This era's hardly modern. Sure, some things are advancing fast, but people's mindsets are still pretty traditional—especially here in good old Nippon."
As Shinobu prepared to leap off the roof, she paused, turned back, and said something that sent Horitake's heart soaring.
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