Chapter 48: Mitsuji, Mitsuji

The next day.

Kanao woke from sleep.

She had slept deeply since yesterday, feeling safe and warm.

When she woke, she found her hand held in another’s.

Turning her head, she saw Zero’s hand clasped with hers, fingers intertwined, asleep beside the bed, guarding her.

At that moment, Kanao felt her heart overflowing with happiness and sweetness.

She sat quietly on the bed, letting Zero hold her small hand, watching his sleeping face.

“Kanao, you’re awake!”

“Xiao Yue?! Thank goodness! You’re finally awake too! Those days nearly scared me to death—I thought you…”

“I’m sorry. Something unusual happened that day, so I fell into a coma. My master fixed me after he returned!”

“I’m so glad you’re alright. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have known how to explain it to Zero…”

“Then I won’t interrupt you two lovebirds. Hehe~” With that, Xiao Yue left the room.

Hearing Xiao Yue tease her, Kanao couldn’t help but blush.

After a long while, Zero also woke.

“Good morning, Zero.”

“Good morning, Kanao. How do you feel now?”

“Much better.”

Zero sat beside the bed and noticed Kanao’s spirit had indeed improved greatly—though still somewhat worn, a little rest would restore her fully.

Their eyes met, then they embraced, lips brushing lightly like a dragonfly’s touch.

Click.

At that moment, the door opened, and Miroku Mitsuji walked in, saying: “Kanao, Mr. Zero, I came to…”

Seeing Kanao and Zero embracing and kissing, she gasped, turned beet red, and steam rose from her head…

Zero and Kanao turned to look at Miroku Mitsuji—they both felt this scene was familiar…

It was just like that first night, somewhere else, when Miroku Mitsuji had stumbled upon them kissing.

The room grew awkward. Kanao’s face burned crimson, like a ripe apple.

“Sugoi desu ne!!” Miroku Mitsuji felt the embarrassment acutely—she had come at the worst time.

As she turned to flee, her feet tangled, and she didn’t notice the doorframe—she slammed straight into it.

Thud!

A small bump swelled on her forehead as she collapsed unconscious.

“…S-sorry~” Even unconscious, Miroku Mitsuji still apologized.

Kanao and Zero watched the whole thing, barely holding back laughter.

How to put it?

Miroku Mitsuji…

Was silly, yet adorable, and a little clueless.

Zero, half-laughing, half-sighing, walked over, picked her up, and laid her beside Kanao. “Mitsuji, you’re way too easily flustered…”

“What do you think of her?”

“She’s foolish but sweet. Always thinking of others, kind-hearted—easy to like.”

“Really?” Kanao thoughtfully recalled Zero’s words…

“Take care of Mitsuji for now. I’m going to bathe—I haven’t washed in days, and it’s uncomfortable.”

“Alright.”

After Zero left, Kanao called to Mitsuji, who lay beside her: “Enough pretending, Mitsuji. I know you’re awake.”

Miroku Mitsuji opened her eyes, touched the bump on her forehead, and said: “You knew all along, Kanao?”

“You~” Kanao sighed, gently poking Mitsuji’s cheek. “You’re a Pillar! With your body, how could you possibly faint from a bump? Only Zero, that idiot, wouldn’t notice!”

Miroku Mitsuji grinned foolishly, then turned serious and said to Kanao: “Kanao, I…”

“You like Zero, don’t you?”

“Huh?”

“I’ve known for a long time.”

“You’ve known? Then why…?”

“Mitsuji, you heard what happened that day, didn’t you?”

“Mm.”

“When I first met Zero years ago, I realized one thing—he’s not ordinary…”

Then Kanao recounted her first meeting with Zero and Xiao Yue, her joining the Demon Slayer Corps, and all her past experiences…

Miroku Mitsuji sat on the bed, listening intently…

Meanwhile, after bathing and changing, Zero suddenly remembered something.

Miroku Mitsuji has eight times the muscle density of a normal person—why did she faint from a bump?

Was she faking it?

But if she was, why?

With these doubts, he slowly walked upstairs, arriving at his room door.

Just as he reached for the handle, he heard laughter from inside—Kanao and Miroku Mitsuji.

“Ara~ Mitsuji, how did you get so big here? I can’t even hold it with one hand! Hehe~”

“N-no… don’t… ah~?”

“Ara? So soft! I wonder what it’d feel like as a pillow?”

“Ah~ It tickles… hahaha… Kanao… no… stop… I can’t… hahaha…”

“If I had this big too, I wonder how Zero would react?”

Zero: “!!!”

Wait, you two girls are messing around, but why drag me into this?

Standing at the door, Zero heard those words and felt a warm stream threatening to burst from his nose…

Unbidden images flashed in his mind—Kanao and Miroku Mitsuji in intimate, sensual scenes inside the room!

He shook his head violently, banishing those strange visions.

Inside, Miroku Mitsuji struggled desperately to escape Kanao’s “claws!”

In her thrashing, a button popped off her clothes—suddenly, her bare skin was exposed!

Luckily, only Kanao was in the room—if anyone else had seen, she’d have died of shame!

“Ara? Mitsuji, you’re not wearing anything underneath…?”

“Aaaah!!! Kanao!” Miroku Mitsuji felt unbearable embarrassment. She rolled over, flipped Kanao onto her back, and sat on top of her.

“I can’t be the only one like this! Hehe~” She reached out and yanked open Kanao’s clothes.

“Yours aren’t small either…”

Thud!

No sooner had Miroku Mitsuji spoken than a crash came from the door—something had fallen.

The two girls quickly fixed their clothes, opened the door, and saw Zero.

He lay unconscious on the floor, face blazing red, eyes spinning dizzily, nose streaming thick red blood that soaked the floor…

“Mr. Zero!” Miroku Mitsuji rushed forward, lifted him, and held him in her arms.

Zero opened his eyes at the sound of his name, saw a flash of white and a deep valley—and another gush of blood spurted from his nose as he fainted again…!

(Author: Thousand-year-old virgin)

(Zero: Get lost!)

Kamado Kie heard the commotion upstairs and rushed over—she saw the scene, gasped, and turned to flee.

The two girls didn’t notice her; together, they carried Zero into the room and laid him on the bed.

At that moment, Kamado Kie entered with a basin of cold water and a towel. “Um… you… you… I left the water here. Please take care of Zero.”

She placed the basin and towel aside, fled the room as if escaping, and shut the door behind her.

Clearly, Kamado Kie had misunderstood.

But now wasn’t the time to think about that. Kanao soaked the towel, wrung it out, folded it, and placed it on Zero’s forehead.

“Kanao, what we did just now… did he hear all of it?”

Kanao also felt embarrassed—she hadn’t expected this to happen.

“Never mind… it’s not a big deal. Just button up your clothes…”

“O-okay…”

…

Night fell.

Zero woke from unconsciousness, his mind hazy.

He looked at the ceiling and realized he was in bed.

Memories of Kanao and Miroku Mitsuji’s words returned, bringing forth strange, sensual scenes…

“It must’ve been a dream… otherwise, how could I be lying here? Huh… I must’ve slept too long and confused reality with dreams…” Zero whispered to himself.

He pulled the damp towel off his head, stood up to leave, and his hand brushed against something soft.

“Gulps…” Zero swallowed hard, turned his head stiffly, and saw Kanzaki Mitsuji.

His hand was gripping her shoulder.

He quickly yanked it back.

Phew—I nearly died!

It’s just Kanzaki Mitsuji!

Then I’m relieved!

It’s fine, it’s fine…

…Bullshit!

How could it be fine?!

Why is Kanzaki Mitsuji in my bed?!

What the hell happened?

Where’s my girlfriend?

Where’s my Shannaihui?

If she sees this, will she leave me because of a misunderstanding?

So what exactly happened?

Can someone please tell me?!

Can someone just come and tell me what happened while I was unconscious…?

Zero’s mind automatically imagined Shannaihui misunderstanding him and leaving him.

A wave of panic and unease surged through him!

“Mmm…” Kanzaki Mitsuji woke from sleep, saw Zero’s panicked, helpless expression, and asked Guanqie ly: “Mr. Zero, what’s wrong?”

“Ah?! Oh, it’s… nothing… wait, something is wrong! Little Mitsuji, why are you here?”

“You passed out and bled everywhere. I and Shannaihui carried you in. Shannaihui went to cook with Lady Kuei, and I stayed to look after you—then I fell asleep…”

“I passed out? Why don’t I remember?”

His mind was a mess—he forced himself to calm down and think carefully about what had happened before…

Zero vaguely remembered: after bathing and changing clothes, he’d planned to return to his room to organize his thoughts. He’d just reached the door when he heard a sound from inside…

Uh…

Okay, now he understood why he’d passed out.

He’d involuntarily imagined some… indescribably stimulating scenes…

Then he’d bled profusely from the nose and fainted.

No wonder he still felt dizzy.

Click! But that’s not the key issue!

“I—I—I… did I… do anything bad to you?”

“Bad? No. You’ve been unconscious for a whole day!”

“Phew… good, good!”

Zero patted his chest, exhaling in relief.

“Ah ra, good what? Zero~”

Shannaihui appeared behind him, speaking.

Hearing the voice behind him, Zero jolted!

He imagined Shannaihui seeing this scene and misunderstanding him.

He spun around quickly to explain: “Shannaihui, I really didn’t do anything! Listen to me! I—I—I don’t even know why…”

“It’s just… like this… I… I really… didn’t do anything… I was just… just sleeping… then…”

Desperate to clarify and avoid misunderstanding, he grew so nervous he stumbled over his words, making it worse.

Helpless, Zero stopped, clasped his hands together, and pleaded: “Shannaihui, please believe me—I truly don’t know how this happened!”

“I woke up like this. I’ll explain everything. Please don’t misunderstand. Please don’t leave me! As long as you don’t leave me, anything you ask—I’ll do it!”

Shannaihui knew Zero thought she’d misunderstand him—and she was secretly delighted he cared so much about her feelings.

She pulled the seated Zero into her arms and said: “Ah ra, Zero, I don’t misunderstand you. I’m glad you think of me.”

“Really?”

“Really!”

“It’s fine. I asked Mitsuji to stay here and look after you while I was away. She has something to say to you.”

“Mm.”

After Shannaihui left the room, Zero turned to Kanzaki Mitsuji and asked: “Little Mitsuji, what do you want to say to me?”

Kanzaki Mitsuji took a deep breath and said: “Mr. Zero, I want to know… what… do you think of me?”

“What I think of you? Hmm~ You’re adorable, beautiful, kind, thoughtful, and sometimes a little clueless.”

“Really? But… you… don’t you think I’m strange?”

“Strange? Where’s strange? I think you’re perfectly normal!”

“But everyone I’ve gone on blind dates with thinks I’m strange—my hair, my body, my appetite…”

Then Kanzaki Mitsuji recounted the things men had said to her during past dates, and how she’d even dyed her hair black for her last one…

She spoke without intent; he listened with understanding.

Zero grasped the reason—but he didn’t think it was Kanzaki Mitsuji’s fault.

On the contrary, he thought those men were clearly mentally defective—putting it bluntly, they’d been kicked in the head by a donkey.

“Little Mitsuji, do you know what I hate most?”

“W-what?” Kanzaki Mitsuji gripped the button of her collar tightly, trembling.

“Liars!”

Hearing this, Kanzaki Mitsuji panicked—she thought Zero meant her last date, the hair dyeing.

Before she could think further, Zero’s next words revealed her misunderstanding.

“You did nothing wrong! Yet those men treated you like this! What right do they have? What Zige do they have to say that?”

“Strange hair color? I think your hair looks beautiful! Besides, if hair color is strange, then I’m strange too—red eyes, white hair, weird face!”

Kanzaki Mitsuji opened her mouth to respond, but Zero raised a hand to stop her.

He continued: “So you’re strong? Good! You can protect your family. You can do what others can’t! Don’t think being a girl who’s strong makes you weird! When those blind-date men face trouble, they’ll come begging to you someday! Of course, I hope you never see them again!”

“Big appetite? So what? Eating well is a blessing—the more you eat, the better your digestion, the healthier you are!”

“Little Mitsuji, honestly—if you were in my country, dozens would chase after you!”

“So, Little Mitsuji, don’t belittle yourself. Be proud of who you are! In your world’s terms—you’re someone blessed by fate!”

As he finished, Kanzaki Mitsuji recalled her lord’s words to her.

“Be proud of yourself, Mitsuji. You are blessed by the gods!”

Overwhelmed with joy, she could no longer hold back—she burst into tears.

“Wah…!”

“N-no, don’t cry, Little Mitsuji! Did I say something wrong? Tell me—I’ll apologize!”

Zero feared girls crying most—he had no idea how to comfort them!

All he could think was: Did I say something wrong? Did I do something wrong?

“Ah ra, Zero made Mitsuji cry~”

“Shannaihui!” Seeing her, Zero felt like he’d found salvation: “Help me! I don’t know if I said something wrong or did something bad—she just started crying!”

Seeing Zero so flustered and embarrassed again, Shannaihui felt a surge of delight.

“I can’t help you with this~ You have to solve it yourself! Hehe~” She turned and left the room again.

Kanzaki Mitsuji was still crying. Zero felt crushing pressure.

Even fighting in Guiwushiwucan ’s Infinite Castle had never felt this overwhelming!

“Damn Guiwushiwucan ! When I get the chance, I’m tearing your Infinite Castle apart again!” Zero thought.

Since he didn’t know what else to do, he blamed Guiwushiwucan . When he got to the Infinite Castle, he’d just suit up and beat him up.

Achoo!

Far away, Guiwushiwucan was chatting with his “wife” when he suddenly sneezed—a chill shot up his spine.

“Damn it! Why did I sneeze?!” Guiwushiwucan thought.

Watching Kanzaki Mitsuji cry harder and harder, Zero made up his mind: “Little Mitsuji, please stop crying! If you stop, I’ll grant you any wish!”

“Really?!”

Zero: Σ(?д?|||)!!!

Instant face flip!

One second: sobbing uncontrollably!

Next second: laughing happily!

But words spoken cannot be taken back—Zero couldn’t retract.

“Y-yes…”

“Then… can you… go out with me?”

“Of course I can… Wait, no, no… That’s not it, Xiao Mili, this… this is really too much for you… Besides, I already have Luo Li and Kanao.”

“It’s fine, I don’t mind!”

“But I mind! Kanao would never agree to this!”

“Ara, I don’t mind at all~” Kanao appeared silently again in the room, standing behind Zero, once more startling him!

“Kanao!? When did you get here?”

“I never left—I’ve been standing right by the door!”

“Then can you help me convince Xiao Mili?”

“Actually, Mili-chan has already spoken to me. Zero, Mili-chan has liked you for a long time—why can’t you try dating her?”

“But…”

“Zero, do you remember what I told you? I wanted to hold a place in your heart, not be just a passing guest. The fact that you care about how I feel and how Luo Li feels already makes me happy.”

“If I ever get the chance to meet Luo Li, I’ll talk to her properly too.”

“So I hope you’ll treat Mili-chan the same way.”

After speaking, Kanao embraced Zero again, pulling him into her arms while he sat on the bed.

“Kanao… Luo Li…”

Feeling Kanao’s embrace, breathing in her scent, his chaotic mind gradually calmed.

Releasing the hug, Zero turned to Kanroji Mili and said: “Xiao Mili, uh… please take care of me!”

Zero dared not look at Kanroji Mili, his hands nervously unsure where to go.

“Mr. Zero… no, Zero, please take care of me too.”

“Xiao Mili, if I do anything poorly or wrongly, you can tell me directly—or you can leave me. I won’t hold any resentment…”

“I won’t! I I… I only hope you won’t reject me!”

“How could I ever reject you!”

Overjoyed, Mili jumped up on the bed and hugged Zero tightly.

Feeling two soft mounds completely envelop his face, a warm stream surged again from his nose.

“Again!” Zero fainted once more!

“Ah! Zero! I’m sorry…”

…………

【When I first wrote this book, my original intent was to create a harem—with Kanao, Kanroji Mili, and my original heroine Luo Li. If you don’t like it, feel free to remove it from your shelf. I won’t hold any resentment or blame you. I offer my deepest thanks for your continued support—I will keep writing.】