Chapter 63

"For my lover..."

"Apologize!!"

The father and son of the Masamura family were so frightened they nearly fell out of their seats.

Yet Masamura Saburo remained stubborn, trembling as he said, "C-c-could I be wrong? A girl with such monstrous strength, who knows if the next generation she bears will also become just like her..."

Before the words had even faded, a flash of cold light streaked by!

Clang!

Masamura Saburo's glasses were split in two and fell to the ground.

Hearing those words, Zero turned his mechanical left hand into a palm-blade, giving him a small warning.

"M-monster..." Masamura Saburo saw Zero's bizarre left hand, his body trembling uncontrollably.

However, Zero's next move made them even more terrified, to the point where they even suspected Zero's background was incredibly powerful!?

Zero pulled out the 【Alloy Paralysis Gun】 hanging from his leg and hidden by his trench coat, pressing it against Masamura Saburo's forehead, and warned: "You can talk about me, but don't talk about my Mitsuri, otherwise..."

"So what if Mitsuri has a big appetite? Being able to eat is a blessing! So what if her hair color is strange? If hers is considered strange, wouldn't this head of white hair and my eyes also be very strange!? So what if she has great strength? At the very least, she can do many things you cannot!"

The chill from the cold muzzle made Masamura Saburo dare not make any further trouble; a whole heap of retorts stuck in his throat, not daring to be spoken.

"W-wait a moment... t-this lord, my foolish son is ignorant, I beg you to show mercy and not hold it against him..."

Seeing his son with a gun pointed at his head, Masamura Jiro immediately stood up, bowed 90 degrees to Zero, and pleaded for his son in a begging tone.

In his heart, he kept guessing which big shot Zero actually was.

Even if he wasn't, being able to be equipped with a firearm was definitely something an ordinary person could not achieve!

Ever since the "Sword Prohibition Order" appeared, those so-called samurai had rarely appeared, and it was basically the guards who patrolled.

And some higher-ranking guards were even able to be equipped with firearms and ammunition.

So Masamura Jiro guessed that Zero's identity might be a superior of the guards, or perhaps even higher in rank!

If he were to bring people to investigate his background, he feared that even if there were no problems, they could find some!

Unknowingly, the deep-thinking Masamura Jiro had already imagined a whole heap of things about Zero's identity, and his body trembled even more violently...

If Zero knew what he was thinking, he would only sneer.

Seeing Zero did not reply, Masamura Jiro did not dare to stand up, maintaining the bowing posture, a drop of cold sweat sliding down his face.

Mitsuri came to Zero's side, took his right hand, and placed it on her chest, saying: "Zero, it's okay, I don't care what they say, don't be angry anymore."

Seeing this, Zero finally put away the gun and said: "Remember, disaster comes from the mouth! You may go."

"Thank you, my lord! Thank you, my lord! I will take my son and leave immediately, I hope you won't take it to heart!"

After speaking, he immediately grabbed Masamura Saburo's hand and left the Kanroji residence.

Masamura Saburo only then reacted, and just as he wanted to speak, his father covered his mouth.

"If you want to die, stay here yourself, I won't care about you!"

The small interlude between the Masamura father and son ended just like that.

After the Masamura father and son left, Zero retracted his gun, yet he discovered his right hand was still being held by Mitsuri against her chest, pulled tightly.

Surging waves, full of elasticity.

Feeling the warmth from Mitsuri's chest in his palm, he really didn't know how Mitsuri's "chest weapons" grew so large?

"Ahem... Mitsuri, son-in-law, you haven't eaten yet, right? Why not go eat first, and we can talk about anything later?" Mitsuri's father was the first to break the awkwardness.

"Yes, yes, you must be tired after traveling all day, tell us what you want to eat, and I'll go make it!" Mitsuri's mother chimed in.

There was no help for it; the area around Mitsuri and Zero was filled with that faint, pink atmosphere.

At least look at the atmosphere; they could at least find a place with no one around to be intimate...

As for why Zero had a gun, Mitsuri's father didn't care at all.

He could tell that Zero was no ordinary person; at the very least, the temperament he carried could not be compared to just anyone.

As long as he wasn't some heinous villain, even if Mitsuri found an ordinary person, it would be fine.

Moreover, from the previous incident, it could already be seen that the partner Mitsuri found doted on her very much!

He was unwilling to see Mitsuri suffer any grievances!

It was just that Mitsuri's father had one thing he was puzzled about; he didn't know if it was an illusion, but he seemed to see vicissitudes and the hesitation between life and death on Zero...

"It must be an illusion, right? After all, no matter how you look at him, he's just a child about the same age as Mitsuri..." Mitsuri's father thought to himself.

"Eh? Tired? I'm not tired~ Zero was the one moving all day today, I didn't move at all, I'm not tired at all~ It's just that my legs are a bit uncomfortable~" Mitsuri said.

Zero:!!!

Kanroji couple:!!!

Why did this sound so strange?

Mitsuri only then realized she had said the wrong thing and hurriedly explained: "No, no, I meant that Zero was the one carrying me while moving all day today..."

Uh...

Zero helplessly covered his face.

Mitsuri's parents' brains fell into a brief system crash.

Mitsuri wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

The more she explained, the messier it got; Mitsuri didn't know how to continue, her face burning, and she could only cover it with both hands to hide her embarrassment.

Her head seemed like a boiling kettle, with visible white steam rising from it.

"Ahem... Uncle, Aunt, I was the one driving and carrying Mitsuri back today, but Mitsuri said these shoes were uncomfortable, so I carried her for the remaining short distance."

Mitsuri's father: "I-is that so? We understand... Hahaha..."

Mitsuri's mother: "You've really worked hard, Mitsuri is sometimes not very good at expressing herself, please bear with her."

"Don't worry, Uncle and Aunt, I will cherish her well."

As they were talking, five little heads appeared around the corner in the distance; it looked like they were Mitsuri's younger siblings.

Zero waved at them to say hello.

"Mom, Dad, I'll take Zero out for a walk first, we'll come back for dinner later." Mitsuri just wanted to leave this place now; she saw her younger siblings giving her playful smiles.

Clearly, they had heard those words just now.

"Alright, remember to come back early tonight."

"Mitsuri, don't go too far, you hear?"

"Mm-hmm, I know, Mom and Dad."

After speaking, she directly took Zero's hand and ran outside.

Watching the two figures leave, Mitsuri's parents smiled at each other.

"Our daughter has finally found her other half, I can finally rest easy."

"Yes, it's clear our son-in-law loves Mitsuri very much, I just don't know when we'll be able to hold a grandchild?"

"Isn't it too early to say that now?"

"Too early? When I was in my teens, you were already..."

Before Mitsuri's mother could finish speaking, her husband covered her mouth.

"Hey, hey, hey~ let's not talk about the past anymore, and the children are still here!"

Mitsuri's mother rolled her eyes, ignored him, and directly put away the gifts Zero had given them.

"Wait a moment, my lady, that's the wine my son-in-law gave me, I haven't even tasted it yet!"

"Drink it tonight!"

Regarding this, Mitsuri's father indicated that was fine too; he would drink with his son-in-law tonight.

"Come over and help me, let's make a delicious dinner for Mitsuri and our son-in-law tonight~"

"Coming right away."

The scene shifts to Zero and Mitsuri.

Mitsuri held Zero's hand and jogged to a quiet place.

It looked refreshing here, and there was a large pond in the middle with a small bridge built over it.

In the large pond, you could see colorful koi, and cherry blossom trees were planted all around.

"Zero, about what happened just now, I didn't mean it."

"It's okay, Mitsuri, as long as you're happy, I'm happy."

This sentence touched Mitsuri's heart, and the look in her eyes toward Zero was filled with love.

She wrapped her arms around Zero's neck and kissed him.

After a long while, their lips parted.

"Zero, if you want to, actually I can..."

"Mitsuri, I know what you're worried about, after the matter with Muzan Kibutsuji is over, I will promise you."

"Mm~"

Rumble~~...

Mitsuri's stomach chose this inappropriate moment to growl, clearly protesting that it was hungry and wanted to eat!

This made Mitsuri feel somewhat ashamed, and she buried her face in Zero's chest.

"Let's go, let's go eat something together, I'm hungry too."

"Really? That's great!"

Upon hearing about food, Mitsuri didn't care about her image anymore and jumped up, hanging onto Zero.

"Alright, alright, get down first, you don't intend to have me carry you to eat like this, do you?" Zero teased.

"Hehe~" Mitsuri chuckled, got down from Zero, and held his hand as they headed to a nearby restaurant.

Before long, the two arrived at a ramen shop.

This was a ramen shop Mitsuri often came to; she was an old regular here.

"Yo! Mitsuri, you're back! You're patronizing my ramen shop again, what a rare guest!"

"Boss, long time no see!"

"Yes, long time no see! Counting it up, it's been several years, right? Hahaha! What do you want to eat today... Hmm? Who is this beside you?"

The ramen shop boss only then noticed that Mitsuri had brought an exquisitely looking girl over; the boss knew everyone in the neighborhood, so he figured it must be Mitsuri's friend or younger sister?

"He is my... husband."

"Ah?!" This time it was the ramen shop boss's turn to be shocked; he knew Mitsuri had always been troubled by matchmaking, so why did she find a girl now...

Could it be that Mitsuri...

"Hello, Boss, don't misunderstand, I just look more like a girl." Zero explained, clearly seeing that the boss, like Mitsuri's parents, had misunderstood.

"So that's how it is, hahaha! Sorry, sorry! What do you want to eat today?"

"Then please, Boss, give us ten bowls of ramen."

"Coming right up!"

After speaking, the boss ordered his subordinates to prepare the ramen together.

"Zero, can you finish eating so much?"

"It's not ordered for me, it's for you! Mitsuri, you don't need to be so reserved in front of me in the future, eat whatever you want, don't wrong yourself."

"Mm-hmm!"

A moment later.

The boss and his subordinates brought out ten extra-large bowls of ramen from the kitchen and placed them at Zero and Mitsuri's seats.

There was also a large plate of tempura.

"Ramen is here! This plate of tempura is on the house! Also to celebrate Mitsuri finally meeting her other half!"

"Thank you, Boss!" x2

"I'm digging in!" After speaking, Mitsuri picked up the ramen in front of her and ate it in big mouthfuls, her eating style very heroic.

However, in Zero's eyes, this was Mitsuri's true nature, and also one of the main reasons Zero liked her.

He just sat on the side watching Mitsuri eat, occasionally picking up some tempura and putting it into Mitsuri's bowl.

Every move Zero made made others envious.

Even some female customers at the neighboring tables were envious of Mitsuri.

The ramen shop boss saw it all, and from the bottom of his heart, he was happy for Mitsuri.

He could tell that Mitsuri's male partner doted on her very much.

The ten extra-large bowls of ramen were wiped clean by Mitsuri in no time.

"Are you full?" Zero asked.

Mitsuri touched her stomach and felt she was still a bit hungry.

"Boss, ten more bowls of ramen."

"Coming right up!"

While the boss was preparing, Zero said to Mitsuri: "Mitsuri, wait for me here for a moment, I'm going out for a bit, I'll be back soon."

"Mm-hmm, come back early, I'll wait for you!"

Not long after, Zero walked back from outside, returned to his seat, and was holding a bag of things in his arms.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, a little dessert after the meal."

Opening it, it was full of sakura mochi.

This moved Mitsuri to tears, and tears flowed down uncontrollably.

"W-what's wrong? Do you not like it? Then I'll buy some more!"

Seeing Mitsuri crying, Zero was suddenly a bit flustered; the boss saw this and explained: "It's okay, Mitsuri is just moved by you."

"Eh?"

Immediately, the boss explained that Mitsuri used to be troubled by matchmaking, and those men who had gone on dates with her sometimes mocked her.

Except for her parents and siblings, no one had ever doted on Mitsuri like him; the behavior just now was like how her parents treated her when she was little, also having some sakura mochi as dessert after a meal...

After the words were finished, Zero finally understood what was going on; he had thought he had done something wrong that made Mitsuri cry.

Wiping away Mitsuri's tears, he comforted her: "Alright Mitsuri, it's all in the past, it's okay! Eat quickly, for the next few days, I will accompany you well!"

"Mm!" Mitsuri then turned her tears into smiles, feeling that today's sakura mochi was exceptionally delicious.

After finishing the food, they said goodbye to the ramen shop boss and went everywhere with Mitsuri, starting their date.

Night fell.

The Kanroji family had prepared a sumptuous dinner.

And Zero and Mitsuri returned to the Kanroji residence at this time.

"Mom, Dad, we're back!"

Zero was carrying Mitsuri, and Mitsuri was holding her high heels in her hand; Mitsuri's mother saw this and said somewhat coquettishly: "Daughter, why are you letting Zero carry you again, how old are you~"

"It's okay, Aunt, I feel quite happy carrying her."

"You just keep doting on her like that, sooner or later she'll be spoiled by you~" Mitsuri's mother's tone seemed like a reprimand, but in reality, she couldn't be happier!

The more she looked at this son-in-law, the more satisfied she was.

"Good son-in-law, how about drinking a little with me tonight?" Mitsuri's father said.

"Of course!" Zero replied.

"Brother-in-law!" x5

Mitsuri's five younger siblings also liked Zero quite a bit and all started calling him brother-in-law.

"Hello everyone."

Subsequently, he placed Mitsuri in her seat, and everyone began to take their seats to enjoy the delicious dinner.

Mitsuri's father took out the white wine Zero had given him, took out two cups, and poured a small cup for himself and Zero.

"Zero, I toast you with this cup, thank you for always taking care of Mitsuri."

Over the years, Mitsuri had often written letters home, so their family naturally knew how Mitsuri was doing in the Demon Slayer Corps.

"Uncle, you're too polite! However, this wine cannot be drunk in one go, you have to drink it slowly."

"Hahaha! It's okay, it's okay! It's just wine, it's all the same how you drink it!"

After speaking, he downed it in one gulp, then continuously poured himself a few more cups and continued to down them in one gulp.

(Shinjuro Rengoku: I'm familiar with this!)

Seeing this, Zero also downed it in one gulp; after all, for him, this white wine was no different from plain water.

Mitsuri sat beside Zero, looking at his profile, a blush appearing on her face.

Under the table, she reached out and quietly held Zero's right hand.

Zero smiled at her, their ten fingers tightly interlocked.

During the meal, Mitsuri took advantage of everyone not paying attention, secretly poured herself a cup of white wine, and downed it in one gulp.

She felt that besides the rich aroma of the wine and the somewhat stimulating taste, it didn't seem like anything else.

How could Zero not know about this little action?

It was just that she was so happy today, so let her be; anyway, he was there to take care of her.

As time passed, the alcohol kicked in, and Mitsuri's father only felt a wave of dizziness, finally collapsing onto the table.

Mitsuri was the same, the blush on her face even more obvious; if it weren't for Zero's quick eyes and hands to support her, she probably would have fallen to the ground.

"What... what happened to the two of them?" Mitsuri's mother asked.

"Uh... actually, I already said just now that this wine should be tasted in small sips, otherwise this would happen..."

Seeing this, Mitsuri's mother immediately covered the bottle of white wine that hadn't been finished, patted her chest, and said: "Good thing I didn't drink it, otherwise I wouldn't know how to clean up after this!"

"Aunt, which one is Mitsuri's room? I'll carry her back to her room to rest first."

"Turn left at the stairs, it's the second room. You can rest with Mitsuri tonight, the rest of us will clean up."

"Then I'll trouble you."

"Goodnight, brother-in-law!" x5

"Goodnight."

Carrying Mitsuri to the door of her room, he used his foot to hook and pull open the wooden door.

The room was cleaned spotlessly, and he could smell a faint, fresh scent of cherry blossoms; on the tatami, there were two futons laid out together, clearly done by Mitsuri's mother.

He gently placed Mitsuri in the futon, went downstairs to fetch a basin of warm water to wash her face, and incidentally helped her change into clean pajamas.

It was just that the process was a bit difficult; although he had seen Mitsuri without clothes, seeing her at such close range now, his heart was more or less stirred in an indescribable way!

Especially the two large "headlights" wrapped in tight-fitting clothing that were shaking, which almost made him have a nosebleed again.

"What kind of feeling is this? Why am I having such a situation?"

Shaking his head, he threw those strange thoughts out and suppressed the restlessness in his heart.

After doing all this, he took the basin back downstairs, returned to the room, covered Mitsuri with the quilt, and planted a kiss on her alluring lips.

"Goodnight, Mitsuri."

Afterward, he just sat on the side watching over her.

Incidentally, he took out a notebook and pen and started writing a diary.

【May 31st, Night, Weather: God is sleeping】

【Today, I accompanied Mitsuri to her home to see her parents, but encountered a guy who spoke rudely to Mitsuri...】

After finishing the diary, just as he was about to close the notebook, he discovered one thing.

"Today is May 31st... Mitsuri's birthday is June 1st, which is tomorrow... It seems I need to prepare a surprise for her tomorrow, just like the birthday party for Kanae that time!"

He made up his mind to throw a birthday for Mitsuri, so he couldn't let Mitsuri know tomorrow.

Putting away the notebook and pen, he kissed Mitsuri's lips again, lay down beside her, and gradually fell into a deep sleep.

Early the next morning, Zero was awakened by a tingling sensation; opening his eyes and looking closely, it was Mitsuri riding on top of him, using her hair to tickle his face.

Her chest collar was slightly open, spring scenery leaking out, the deep, bottomless canyon faintly visible.

"Good morning, Zero~"

"Morning, Mitsuri, what are you doing?"

"That, I... did you... help me change my clothes last night..."

"Yes, but don't worry, I absolutely didn't do anything to you..."

"No, no! That's not what I meant! I... I... actually I..." To the words at the end, Mitsuri couldn't say them no matter what, shyly covering her face.

Suddenly, Mitsuri felt her body being lifted up a bit, and looking down, she felt even more embarrassed...

Not to mention Zero, this feeling was too awkward; suddenly he missed going to the Infinity Castle to have another fight!

(Muzan Kibutsuji: Don't come over here!)

However, just at this moment, Mitsuri's mother's voice came from outside the door: "Mitsuri, Zero, have you not... gotten... up... yet...!!!"

Opening the door, she saw Mitsuri riding on Zero; this posture was hard not to misunderstand.

But in Mitsuri's mother's eyes, it seemed as if her daughter was the one being proactive.

"Strange, did Mitsuri and Zero go out so early?" Mitsuri's mother muttered to herself, incidentally closing the door.

Pretending she hadn't seen anything and didn't know anything about what had just happened.

In her heart, she was still looking forward to holding a grandchild.

The two in the room stayed frozen in this posture; the situation just now was completely an accident.

"Mitsuri, aren't you getting down yet?"

"Ah? Oh..."

Mitsuri climbed down from Zero and directly burrowed into the quilt, sticking her butt up, ignoring the head while exposing the butt.

Seeing this, Zero just smiled and said: "Mitsuri, I'm going out for a trip today, I'll probably be back at night."

"Where are you going?" Upon hearing Zero was going out, she poked her head out from the quilt and asked.

"Secret, you'll know when night comes~"

"Alright~ I'll wait for you."

"Mm, don't worry, I'll be back early at night."

After speaking, he leaned down and gave Mitsuri a kiss.

Changing his clothes, he left the Kanroji residence, arrived outside the town, took out his motorcycle, and headed to his destination.

Asakusa, Tokyo.

Zero arrived at Tamayo's villa with ease and walked directly through the front gate.

"After so long, I wonder if that guy Yushiro has successfully confessed to Tamayo?"

Yushiro, who was writing a diary about Tamayo inside the villa, suddenly sneezed, feeling that something bad was about to happen.

Arriving at the villa's backyard, he knocked on the door.

It was daytime now, so only here was there no sunlight.

Click.

The door opened.

Greeting Zero was Tamayo.

"Long time no see, Zero, what a rare guest!"

"Yes, long time no see."

"Come in and sit for a while."

"Thank you."

Arriving at the living room, the curtains all around were drawn, and only the lights inside the room were on.

Just as he sat on the sofa, Chachamaru directly pounced onto Zero's lap and lay down.

"It seems Chachamaru really likes staying with you, Zero, is there anything you came for this time?"

"There are indeed some things, how is your research progress?" Zero asked while petting Chachamaru.

"It's already one-third complete, if there were more of Muzan's blood, perhaps it would be faster!"

"Mm, since that's the case, then I will help you once more."

Reaching out into the void beside him, he took out a tube of blood and placed it on the table.

So much time had passed, yet this blood remained active, with no signs of coagulation.

"This is..." Tamayo could clearly feel that this blood contained a large amount of powerful aura; it seemed like Muzan Kibutsuji's, yet also seemed like others'.

"I don't know whose blood this is either, anyway, it might have blood from Upper Moons One, Two, Three, Four, and Six, and it might even include Muzan Kibutsuji's."

Tamayo was a bit dizzy from being told this; what did it mean that blood from Upper Moon demons was all here.

"Actually, I previously fell into Muzan Kibutsuji's Infinity Castle and beat them all up, so I managed to collect some of their blood."

"So that's how it is, you fell into Muzan Kibutsuji's..."

!!!

What did he just say?

Fell into Muzan Kibutsuji's Infinity Castle?!

"You mean you fell into Muzan Kibutsuji's Infinity Castle?!!" Tamayo could no longer maintain her lady-like image and exclaimed loudly!

"Lady Tamayo, what happened?" Yushiro heard the commotion downstairs from upstairs, and plus hearing Muzan Kibutsuji's name just now, he thought they had encountered some trouble and immediately ran down.

"Zero?! Why are you here?"

"Why? Not welcome?"

"No... no... I mean..." Yushiro finally understood what that bad premonition in his heart just now was about; now seeing Zero, he recalled the sentence Zero had said to him more than half a year ago.

"It's okay, Yushiro, go prepare some tea and snacks."

"Yes, Lady Tamayo!"

Tamayo sat back on the sofa, calming down the shock and tension in her heart; the amount of information was too massive, and she couldn't digest it in a short time.

This was even more shocking than the incident when Zero first said he encountered Muzan Kibutsuji.

Infinity Castle, that was Muzan Kibutsuji's base camp, where all the Upper Moon demons gathered!

She didn't expect Zero to have actually fallen in there and still be able to escape from the Infinity Castle; what exactly had he experienced in there?

After a good while, Tamayo finally calmed down, and Yushiro also brought tea and snacks and placed them in front of Zero, then stood behind Tamayo holding the wooden tray.

"You didn't do anything to Muzan Kibutsuji, did you?"

"No, I mean, did Muzan Kibutsuji not have anything done to him by you?"

Tamayo said at the end, somewhat incoherently; she still hadn't finished digesting the information just now.

Zero was long used to this; after all, back at Taoshan, Jigoro Kuwajima had the same expression.

"I know what you want to ask, if such a thing had really happened, I wouldn't be appearing here."

"Also true, sorry, it was my ignorance."

"No matter, it's not a big deal anyway! If it weren't for the fact that Muzan Kibutsuji had a demon who could manipulate space by his side, I could have directly dismantled the Infinity Castle!

It's just a pity that the second time I went to the Infinity Castle myself, Muzan Kibutsuji wasn't there, otherwise I should have been able to collect some more of his blood to speed up your research!"

Tamayo:...

Yushiro:...

How should he put it?

Why would Zero say "pity"?

And, why did a trace of sympathy for Muzan Kibutsuji arise in their hearts?

However, this trace of sympathy quickly disappeared, replaced by the feeling of relief for Tamayo and Yushiro.

If they were also present, they would probably clap and cheer!

"Thank you, Zero, with this blood, I believe it won't be long before we can break through the current stage of research! Also, thank you for the hairpin you gave me, I like it very much."

"Hairpin?"

"Don't you remember?"

Tamayo pointed to the hairpin she was wearing in her hair.

Seeing the hairpin on her head, and then looking at Yushiro, he had probably guessed what happened.

"Y-you're welcome... Heh... hehe..." His gaze turned to Yushiro, a fake smile on his face, as if telling him: You brat, you really don't change! You are rotten wood that cannot be carved!!

Yushiro:!!!

It's over!

Lady Tamayo, I hope I can still stay by your side in the next life! When I'm not around, you must take good care of yourself...

Gods, I beg you to bless Lady Tamayo to have her great revenge! In the next life, I will definitely thank you well...

Yushiro had already written his will in his heart, as if he were about to be judged by the Grim Reaper!

"Tamayo, I have one thing I want to say to Yushiro alone, could you please avoid us for a moment?"

Tamayo was a bit puzzled; she didn't understand when the relationship between Yushiro and Zero had become so good?

Moreover, she also felt a certain emotion of "hating iron for not becoming steel" toward Yushiro from Zero's eyes!?

"Illusion?" Tamayo thought to herself, then replied: "Alright, then I won't disturb you two."

After speaking, Tamayo picked up the tube of blood Zero had given her and turned to leave, preparing to continue her research.

"Lady Tamayo, wait a moment, I'll help you..."

"Yu~shi~ro!"

A hand rested on Yushiro's shoulder, preventing him from taking this opportunity to escape.

As for Chachamaru, it lay on the sofa with its eyes squinted, pretending it knew nothing...

"Ahhhhh!!!!"

Not long after, an extremely miserable scream came from the living room!

Tamayo in the basement heard it, but just thought she had misheard and continued to bury herself in research.

A moment later.

Yushiro, with three bumps of different sizes on his head, sent Zero to the villa's backyard.

"This is the last time I'll help you, if this situation happens again, I can only tell Tamayo myself about you having a crush on her!"

"I... I understand..."

"No need to see me off, I have things to do, I'll say goodbye first!"

"Zero... you take care of Muzan Kibutsuji yourself!"

"Mm, I will, goodbye!"

Watching Zero leave, he closed the door, looked at the gift box in his hand, and sighed slightly.

Just as he was about to go help Tamayo record her research, Tamayo also appeared behind him at this time.

"Yushiro, has Zero left?"

"Lady Tamayo! Y-yes... he has already left."

"What are you holding in your hand? Is it another thing Zero asked you to pass to me?"

"N-no..."

"Is it not?"

"Y-yes..."

Just after speaking, Yushiro fell into despair again.

It's over! He said the wrong thing again!

Chachamaru on the side also rolled its eyes in a human-like way, shook its head, and walked away from Yushiro with a gait that didn't recognize its own kin.

Meow~

As if saying: Rotten wood cannot be carved~

Tamayo took the gift box from Yushiro's hand, opened it, and saw a very beautiful bracelet.

Looking at the bracelet in her hand, she smiled slightly, completely unaware of Yushiro's desperate expression at this moment; his soul was almost about to run out of his mouth...

Zero, who had just walked far away from the villa, suddenly sneezed again, feeling that something incredible had happened!

"Illusion? It shouldn't be Yushiro saying the wrong thing again... probably..."

He stopped thinking about it; there was a more important thing to do now.

Looking at the cake shop in front of him, he thought about what to do next.

Arriving at the shop, he was greeted by a woman wearing a kimono.

"This customer, I am the manager of this shop, what do you need?"

"Hello, Manager, I have something I would like to ask for your help with..."

Zero stated his purpose; at first, the manager was a bit hesitant, but finally agreed.

There was no help for it; he paid too much!

However, she was also envious of the lover Zero spoke of.

She didn't expect someone to be willing to make a cake for their sweetheart's birthday with their own hands!

This was the first time she had seen it.

Kanroji residence.

Mitsuri sat in her room, looking out the window, her thoughts drifting to who knows where?

It was hard to imagine that a girl who was usually carefree, enthusiastic, and cheerful would show such emotions for the first time.

Even when her mother called her, she didn't react.

"Mitsuri? Mitsuri?"

"Ah? Mom, what's wrong?"

"What are you thinking about? So absorbed?"

"I..."

"Are you thinking about Zero, right?"

Speaking of this, Mitsuri recalled the incident this morning, her body started sweating hot again, her face blushing to her ears.

Mitsuri's mother smiled knowingly, sat beside Mitsuri, and asked: "Good daughter, have you and Zero planned when... to have a child? After all, what you are doing now is too dangerous, Mom is worried about you... if it really doesn't work, you and Zero can move here together and stay at home."

"I... I..."

"What's wrong? Have you and Zero not done it once?"

"Mm..."

"Then this morning... could it be that Zero he..." Mitsuri's mother thought Zero had a problem in that regard.

"No, no! Zero told me that we have to wait until this matter is resolved, and... and... it's not that he can't, it's just that it's not the time yet..."

"So that's how it is... since that's the case, then decide according to what you two think, I will support you."

"Really? Thank you, Mom!"

Mitsuri happily gave her mother a hug.

"Phew~ finally finished!"

Looking at the three-layer large cake he made with his own hands, Zero showed a satisfied smile.

This cake was as big as the one he made for Kanae's birthday before.

Next, he just needed to pack it well.

The female manager took out a large box and handed some ribbons she had prepared in advance to Zero.

He packed the finished cake with his own hands and lifted it carefully.

"Thank you, Manager!"

"You're welcome, customer, also, this gift is for you! Wish your lover a happy birthday!"

The female manager packed a small chocolate dessert in an exquisite box and handed it to Zero's other hand.

Zero paid too much, so this gift was considered a bonus, and it wasn't a loss when calculated.

"Many thanks."

Carrying the cake and the gift, he left the shop, arrived at a relatively remote corner, and put them into the 【Nano Space】.

Subsequently, he walked around Asakusa, picking out some gifts; these were for Mitsuri's younger siblings.

"Time to go back, otherwise Mitsuri will worry again."

Leaving Asakusa, Tokyo, he took out his motorcycle and sped all the way back.

Night.

Mitsuri was somewhat listless, unable to even eat her favorite sakura mochi.

Although Zero had said he would be back at night, her heart felt empty.

Suddenly, she saw a figure appear at the gate from the window, and a happy smile appeared on her face.

"Zero!" She waved at Zero from the window.

She ran all the way downstairs and threw herself into Zero's embrace.

"What's wrong, Mitsuri? Missing me after just one day?"

"Mm~"

"Alright, my little silly, didn't I come back? Let's go, there's a surprise tonight!"

"Really, really? What surprise?!"

"This can't be said, otherwise it wouldn't be a surprise! You'll know in a while."

Zero deliberately kept her in suspense.

"Oh~ alright~"

Although she didn't know what the surprise was, seeing Zero was better than anything.

"Mitsuri, go take a bath first, change into this dress, and then you'll be able to see the surprise!"

He took out a dress and handed it to Mitsuri; it was a pink kimono printed with cherry blossom patterns.

"Okay!"

Holding the dress Zero gave her, she happily headed to the bathroom, also looking forward to the surprise Zero mentioned.

"Now, time to go prepare the surprise for Mitsuri." Zero muttered to himself.

Arriving in the house, he explained the situation to Mitsuri's parents and her younger siblings.

The seven of them agreed without hesitation.

And they would never leak it out before Mitsuri saw the surprise.

Mitsuri's parents didn't expect Zero to remember Mitsuri's birthday, which made the couple's satisfaction and favorability toward Zero as a son-in-law reach the max!

The five children were also happy for their sister for finding a good brother-in-law.

Inside the bathroom.

Mitsuri lay in the bathtub, carefully washing her whole body from head to toe, humming a little song from time to time.

Under the illumination of the lights, the scenery inside the bathroom appeared so alluring.

"I wonder what surprise Zero prepared for me? So looking forward to it!"

La~? La~? La~?......

"Is everything ready?"

"Son-in-law, everything is ready!"

"I have no problems here either, the dishes are all done!"

"Brother-in-law, we are all ready too!"

"Since that's the case, then I should go get Mitsuri."

After speaking, Zero headed toward the bathroom.

After taking a bath for more than half an hour, Mitsuri changed into that kimono, her head of cherry-pink hair just hanging down casually.

"Mitsuri, are you done washing?"

"Mm-hmm! Zero, wait a moment, I'll be out right away."

Click!

The bathroom wooden door opened, and Mitsuri walked out from inside.

"Cover your eyes first, I'll let you see the surprise in a moment."

"Really? So looking forward to it~"

Taking the cloth strip Zero handed her, she covered her eyes, and then Zero once again carried Mitsuri in a princess carry.

Arriving at the living room, he put Mitsuri down.

"Are you ready, Mitsuri?"

"Ready!"

"3... 2... 1... Happy Birthday!"

The moment she took off the eye cloth, Mitsuri saw the table full of food and snacks, as well as the three-layer large cake on the table.

Mitsuri's mother: "Mitsuri, this is a cake Zero made for you with his own hands, you must finish eating it well~"

Mitsuri's father: "Mitsuri, happy birthday, I'm also happy for you, for finding a partner who loves you so much."

"Sister, happy birthday!" x5

Looking at everything in front of her, it felt unreal, yet it was happening right in front of her.

She didn't expect Zero to remember her birthday!

The memories of living with her family, the memories of living with Zero and Kanae Kocho, flashed through her mind like a revolving lantern.

She could no longer suppress the emotion in her heart, threw herself into Zero's embrace, and tears flowed out like rain!

"Waaaaah..."

"Mitsuri, today is your birthday, you should be happy, if you keep crying, you'll turn into a little kitten!"

"I... I'm too happy... I didn't expect you to really... remember my birthday... I used to envy Kanae... but... being able to be with you, I never asked for anything else... I didn't expect... I didn't expect... woooo..."

"Little silly~"

Feeling Mitsuri in his arms, he gently patted her back to comfort her.

Seeing this scene, Mitsuri's parents also felt like crying; how could they not be worried about their daughter.

What she was doing was life-threatening at any time, and they were afraid that one day they would never see her again.

And now, finding a partner willing to stay with her for life, this also resolved the worry they had held for many years.

Subsequently, under the gaze of her parents, Mitsuri made a bold move, raised her head, and directly gave Zero a passionate kiss.

After the kiss, she was a bit shy, covering her face and not daring to look at everyone.

Although it was only a few seconds, this was her most proactive time.

"Alright, you two, talk about anything when you go back to your room! Good daughter, make a wish first!"

"Mm..."

Mitsuri put her hands together, made a wish, and then blew out the nineteen candles in one breath.

Picking up a small knife, she cut the cake with Zero and distributed it to everyone.

Of course, the portion of cake given to Mitsuri was the largest.

The birthday ended, and Mitsuri and Zero were directly chased back to their room by the Kanroji couple, under the pretext of letting them rest early.

Lying in the quilt, holding Mitsuri.

"Zero, thank you."

"Little silly."

"Guess what wish I made?"

"Could it be... you want a child?"

"N-no..."

"Then what wish was it?"

"I... I hope that I, you, Kanae, and Sister Luo Li whom we haven't met yet, and Xiao Yue-chan, can all live happily together for a lifetime."

"This wish of yours will definitely come true."

"Mm, that, Zero... I..."

"What's wrong?"

"You just said you wanted a child, actually I can... give my... body... to you now..."

"Mitsuri, do you remember what I said before?"

"I... I know... but, I'm afraid that one day..."

"You don't need to worry about this, I will personally resolve the Twelve Kizuki and Muzan Kibutsuji! No matter who it is, everyone will survive!"

"Mm, I believe in you!"

"Rest early, I will accompany you well these few days, and I have to go back in a few days!"

"Mm."

Chu~

The two kissed each other, embraced together, and fell into a deep sleep just like that.

Not a word was spoken all night...

Three days later.

Mitsuri, under the reluctant gaze of her family, sat on Zero's motorcycle and left the town.

These past three days were the happiest days she had ever spent.

But now, she had to leave!

There were still many things to do in the Demon Slayer Corps, and as long as the Twelve Kizuki and Muzan Kibutsuji were not eradicated, there would not be a single day of peace.

Time returns to the present.

Mitsuri patrolled the area for him during the seven days Zero served as an examiner for Mount Fujikasane.

After seven days, having finished patrolling Zero's area, she spent another day returning to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters and arrived at Zero's residence.

She saw Zero organizing his weapons and equipment in the backyard.

"Zero, I missed you so much!"

She flew over and threw herself into Zero's embrace.

"You've worked hard, Mitsuri, patrolling the area for me."

"Not hard, if we're talking about hard work, you're the one who worked the hardest!"

"Get down first, I still have to check the equipment, I have to go out again tonight to see if I can collect some intelligence on Muzan Kibutsuji."

"Mm."

Looking at the neatly arranged equipment, Mitsuri's face was full of curiosity.

"Zero, what is this? It seems like you used this to fight Muzan Kibutsuji when you were in the Infinity Castle before!"

Mitsuri picked up the 【Alloy Missile Launcher】 and learned from Zero to carry it on her shoulder.

"This is the 【Alloy Missile Launcher】, the missiles inside can cause massive damage to demons, but be careful, there is still one missile inside that I haven't..."

Boom!

Whoosh!!!

"Taken... out..."

Zero: Σ(? д? |||)

Before he could finish speaking, Mitsuri accidentally pressed the switch, and the small missile that hadn't been taken out was launched just like that!

Looking at Mitsuri, she was currently looking in the direction the small missile was launched in a panic; if this exploded on their own people, the consequences...

"Zero... w-w-what should I do... I-I-I... I didn't mean to... I just..."

"N-n-no... it's okay Mitsuri, I'll go take a look first... y-y-you wait for me here..."

After speaking, he ran quickly in the direction the small missile flew.

Bang!

A loud noise, a small forest not far away was blown up.

"My god! I hope no one was hurt! Otherwise, how can I explain this... No, I can only say I did it myself! I can't let Mitsuri be blamed by everyone for this!"

"Luckily I hadn't put in the 【Energy Crystal】, otherwise it would have turned into a fire!"

Arriving at the scene, he found a large crater blown into the ground, and several trees around were also blown down, but fortunately, it wasn't very serious.

"Phew~ good thing no one was hurt... uh... it seems that's not the case..."

Not far away, there was a pitch-black figure, their hair turned into an afro, spitting black smoke from their mouth, looking at the sky in a daze.