Hearing Horitake's greeting, Muichiro Tokito turned his head, speaking calmly, "Didn't we just meet a few days ago?"
His tone was so flat it made Horitake a bit awkward. "Uh… I meant Himejima, Shinazugawa, Iguro, and Tomioka. It's been a while since I saw you four, right?"
Quickly brushing off the embarrassment, Horitake gestured to Mitsuri beside him. "Everyone, some of you know her, some don't, so let me introduce: this lovely lady is the Demon Slayer Corps' newest Love Pillar, Mitsuri Kanroji!
"And also my girlfriend."
The earlier four Pillars, already familiar with Mitsuri, nodded. The other three, aside from Iguro, seemed less acquainted.
Iguro nodded. "I've met her. We crossed paths in Kusatsu."
Himejima recalled, "Oh, she's the girl who was with you during the Final Selection, Horitake."
Giyuu Tomioka turned, glanced at her, then looked away, uninterested. "Got it."
Sanemi Shinazugawa, the most hotheaded, reacted with his usual brashness. Eyeing Mitsuri, he scoffed, "Huh? She's the new Love Pillar? Just a little girl—doesn't look that strong. Is becoming a Pillar this easy now?"
"Shinazugawa…" Horitake smiled. "You seem to have missed the other thing I said. Mitsuri's my girlfriend.
"So, since you doubt her strength, how about a spar with her?"
Shinazugawa shook his head. "I don't fight women."
"Then how about I stand in for my girlfriend and spar with you?"
Shinazugawa's expression shifted, a flicker of panic crossing his face. His hand instinctively gripped his Nichirin Blade's hilt, his body tensing as he took a step back, eyeing Horitake warily. "A spar? Fine! I'm not scared of you! My strength's on a whole new level now!"
Horitake smiled faintly. "Oh? So you've started blending your Gale Swordsmanship with Wind Breathing. That combo's got some serious potential.
"What, you think just because you've improved, I'm no longer a threat?
"Don't forget who taught you that Gale Swordsmanship.
"And don't forget, you're not the only one progressing—I haven't been standing still either.
"So, Shinazugawa, you sure you want to spar with me?"
Shinazugawa's mind flashed back to the last time Horitake's lightning left him charred, miserable, and humiliated.
He instinctively shrank back.
Once bitten by a snake, you fear ropes for a decade—that was Shinazugawa's mindset now.
But admitting defeat outright? He couldn't swallow his pride.
So he stood there, frozen, awkward.
Suddenly, Iguro threw out a question, saving Shinazugawa from his predicament. "Horitake, if Miss Kanroji is your girlfriend, what about Kocho!?"
The question turned every Pillar's attention to Shinobu, Horitake, and Mitsuri.
They looked at the trio, realizing things were getting interesting.
Gossip is human nature, and the Pillars were no exception.
Shinobu squirmed under their curious stares, her discomfort quickly turning to anger—directed at Horitake!
It's all that jerk's fault! Making me look this awkward in front of my colleagues!
Mitsuri, facing the Pillars' gazes, gave an embarrassed smile.
Only Horitake, with his shamelessly thick skin, answered bluntly. "They're both my girlfriends! Mitsuri and Shinobu-nee—I'm planning to marry them both! And I'm already working on it!
"Oh, and about those recent rumors at headquarters? I'll just confirm them.
"Yes, I've been staying at Shinobu-nee's Butterfly Mansion with Mitsuri lately.
"All that talk about me 'embracing both' and 'lingering in bliss'? Total nonsense.
"But I'm definitely working toward that goal!"
"Shut up!" Shinobu snapped, kicking a white pebble. It shot like a bullet toward Horitake's forehead, but he tilted his head, dodging effortlessly.
Horitake's words stunned the Pillars—shocked by both his audacity and the content.
This guy, already with the Love Pillar, dared to go after the Insect Pillar too!?
And Shinobu only told him to shut up—she didn't deny it.
Didn't that mean she was acknowledging it as true!?
Good heavens! Horitake was actually pulling this off! The Corps had only two flowers among the ten Pillars, and he was aiming to claim both!
Thankfully, this was the Demon Slayer Corps, where the Pillars prioritized slaying demons over romance, so they kept their opinions to themselves.
In any other profession, every man present—except Horitake—would've ganged up on him!
No question, this guy was too much!
There were only two flowers among them, both breathtakingly beautiful, and he was taking both! Had he even considered the single men!?
Well, except Tengen Uzui—he already had three wives.
As the atmosphere grew oddly charged, Yoyoi appeared.
This time, he walked out alone, with only little Kiriya by his side.
Emerging from the house, he stood on the veranda, smiling warmly at the Pillars, his joy genuine. "My dear children, you're here."
"Lord!" The nine Pillars, including Mitsuri who quickly joined the lineup, knelt on one knee, showing deep respect.
Horitake watched the nine Pillars, a touch of awe in his heart.
The nine Pillars from the original story were finally assembled.
After they finished their salute, it was Horitake's turn. He performed his usual clasped-hand bow, which everyone was accustomed to.
After bowing, Horitake looked up at Yoyoi's complexion, noting it looked healthy.
Not only that, he noticed something else and smiled. "Lord, the scars on your face seem to have faded a bit. It looks like, with the curse lifted, your health is gradually improving."
Hearing this, Yoyoi smiled happily. "It does seem so. I feel lighter than before. Thanks to you, Horitake, for breaking the curse."
The Pillars observed Yoyoi closely, confirming Horitake's words. He wasn't just flattering—the Lord's complexion was better, his scars less pronounced.
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