Chapter 41 – This Is Just Treatment (Patreon)

"District 9... that's the Flower Hashira's jurisdiction, isn't it...?"

"Mrs. Yukinoshita, are you certain the girl you saw was wearing a butterfly-patterned haori?"

"Then there's no mistake!"

Mitsuri Kanroji hung up the phone, her pretty face growing serious. From Mrs. Yukinoshita's description, the Flower Hashira had been severely wounded. That meant her opponent was at least an Upper Rank demon!

Without hesitation, Mitsuri grabbed her Nichirin blade and immediately set off toward the location. Along the way, she contacted Shinobu Kocho, confirming that Kanae had indeed encountered an Upper Rank.

"Hold on, Kanae!"

Both girls raced from their respective positions toward Kanae's location.

…

Yukinoshita residence — Underground garage

"Has the Hero Association responded yet?" Mrs. Yukinoshita rubbed her temples and asked Mihoko up front.

"Ma'am, the Hero Association has dispatched a B-rank hero to the scene."

"A B-rank hero?" Mrs. Yukinoshita's brow furrowed, displeasure flickering in her eyes. The Yukinoshita family had invested funds into the Hero Association before, and all they got was a B-rank hero?

"Ma'am, the association said all S-rank and A-rank heroes are currently protecting their senior officials. For now, they can only send a B-rank..." Mihoko's voice carried helpless resignation.

Mrs. Yukinoshita was silent for a moment. "It seems the Yukinoshita family needs to establish its own private forces."

She could foresee that if Kouma's identity as a succubus were ever exposed, countless people would come coveting him. The succubus race had practically vanished from this world, but the legends passed down through the ages still drew endless curiosity. Mad scientists, power-hungry warriors, and those simply wanting a glimpse into the secrets of incubuses—they would all come, and those people often wielded terrifying influence.

Mrs. Yukinoshita couldn't bear to imagine the inhuman treatment Kouma would suffer if he fell into their hands.

"For Kouma's sake, building a force absolutely loyal to the Yukinoshita family is a matter of utmost urgency." Her narrow eyes gleamed with determination. "I will protect everything about Kouma."

…

Nightfall in the park

Leaves swayed in the wind, stretching their forms freely under the moonlight. As the breeze picked up, the leaves rustled in unison, shaking more vigorously in the wind's rhythm. Finally, the wind died down, and the leaves slowly came to rest.

Silvery moonlight filtered through the gaps between leaves, dappling the ground in patches.

In a dim corner of the park, Shiraishi Kouma's childish voice broke the silence.

"Kanae-neechan, how are you feeling now?"

Under the moonlight, Kanae Kocho sat limply against a tree trunk, her once-dying body now miraculously mostly restored. Though she could still sense a few unhealed spots, the pain there was nothing compared to the tingling numbness the sho[t]a's treatment had brought.

At Kouma's voice, Kanae's gentle, beautiful face was already flushed crimson. Her long hair had come loose. Her butterfly hair ornament lay carelessly aside, faint bite marks visible on it.

"Kouma... I'm much better..." Kanae's voice had softened from its usual gentleness into something almost languid.

Then she looked at Kouma's young but handsome face and spoke seriously. "Thank you, Kouma, for being willing to save me."

From the treatment just now, she had learned of Kouma's identity as a succubus. Her heart was overflowing with gratitude.

Kanae had heard rumors about the succubus race—how their unique constitution made them targets of countless coveters. By choosing to save her, Kouma had essentially fully exposed his identity to her. She knew this was an extremely dangerous and risky choice for him.

They were complete strangers, yet Kouma had placed his full trust in her character. Being enveloped by such trust meant more to her than anything.

"If I thought Kanae-neechan wouldn't get to eat candy anymore, that would make me sad. Besides, someone as kind as Kanae-neechan should live forever."

Kanae felt both moved and helplessly amused at Kouma's words. "Humans can't live forever..." she murmured. "But I'll always be by your side from now on, Kouma."

She pulled him into her embrace, pressing her smooth forehead against his. At this moment, despite her body still trembling, she felt an unprecedented peace.

Until a sharp, shocked cry rang out across the moonlit park.

"Shinobu?!"

"Sis?!"

Kanae turned her head in surprise. Under the moonlight, two girls gripping Nichirin blades stood gasping for breath, their faces full of shock as they stared at her and Kouma—half-undressed.

Kanae's brain short-circuited in that instant.

"This—this is just treatment!" The words slipped out before she could think.

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