Chapter 75: Cute Nezuko is sleeping soundly or not!

Closing the chat group, Nanashi became acutely aware of the uneven breathing on either side of him. 

Kie and Tamayo were still awake. 

In the darkness, the two clung to Nanashi's body, absorbing its warmth. Their heartbeat pounded in his chest. 

Nezuko slept soundly at the periphery, undisturbed. 

Kie and Tamayo were undeniably beautiful, both older women in their own right. Especially Tamayo—youthful in appearance, as delicate as a flower. Yet, in truth, she had lived for over five hundred years. 

Breaking the heavy atmosphere, Nanashi spoke first. 

"Did you hear it yesterday too?" 

A tense silence followed. 

Two pairs of eyes wavered in the darkness. Tamayo's delicate body shifted slightly. Nanashi could feel their breath on his face. 

"I heard… I heard…" Kie's voice was barely above a whisper, timid like the buzz of a mosquito. 

Mentioning last night brought back memories of the deed. Kie and Tamayo recalled the scene all too clearly—especially under Nezuko's ruddy gaze. 

As Nezuko's mother in name, Kie felt even more uneasy. 

A moment of silence stretched between them. 

Nanashi chose to break it—with his hands. 

… 

Morning arrived. 

Nezuko stirred, her sleepy eyes fluttering open. 

"Hmm? Master, where are Mom and Aunt Tamayo?" 

Nanashi had been awake for some time, but Kie and Tamayo were nowhere to be seen. Even the quilts and sheets had disappeared. 

Flexing his slightly sore fingers, he touched his nose and replied seriously, 

"They went to wash the quilts and clothes." 

"Oh," Nezuko mumbled, half-asleep, only half-understanding. 

… 

Daylight settled in. 

It was Friday. 

Because of the arrangements he needed to make for Kie and Tamayo, Nanashi had decided to skip school. He had informed Eriri early in the morning. 

Surprisingly, she was understanding. 

"I know," was all she said, not prying further before heading off to school. 

Next, Nanashi called Shizuka Hiratsuka. 

"Hey, why are you calling so early? Can't this wait until school?" her voice came through the receiver, laced with mild irritation. 

"Ahem, Shizuka-sensei, I'd like to request a leave today," he stated plainly. 

"Huh? And why is that?" 

"I have guests at home. I need to take care of them." 

"Alright, alright… You'd get first place with full marks anyway," she sighed. 

"Thanks, lovely Shizuka." 

"Wh—" 

Beep. 

The call ended. 

Shizuka gripped her phone tightly. 

"This brat…!" 

How dare he act so casually with his teacher? 

Tsk. 

And that ridiculous nickname—Lovely Shizuka? No way that suits her. 

If anything, her students probably saw her as an iron-fisted tigress. 

But as she mulled over it, another headache emerged—Yukinoshita Haruno's request. 

You asked if Yukino was close to anyone at school? 

You don't just want to know that. 

You want to know if she has a premature love affair. 

You want to know if she's been deceived by a boy. 

Well, guess what? 

Your sister Yukino is practically glued to Nanashi! 

What do you want me to do about that? 

Two top students insisting on researching the paranormal together—what a nightmare. 

Shizuka sighed again. 

… 

Meanwhile, back at home, Nanashi wasn't in a rush to head out. Instead, he made another call. 

"Aunt Sayuri, I need your help." 

——

When Sayuri arrived, her expression was subtle, unreadable. 

"Nanashi, what do you need from me?" 

Nanashi studied her carefully. 

"Aunt Sayuri, are you okay? You don't look well." 

Sayuri's expression wavered slightly. 

She had overheard Eriri's voice before. And she had spent far too much time comforting herself through sounds and imagination. 

The lingering guilt weighed heavily on her. 

Now, standing in front of Nanashi, an uncomfortable embarrassment settled in. 

"It's nothing, Nanashi," she forced a calm smile. "Just tell me what you need." 

If she said she was fine, then so be it. 

Without pressing further, Nanashi turned toward his room and called out—

"Come out, all of you."

"Hm?"

Was there someone else in Nanashi's household?

Sayuri looked on in surprise.

Click.

The door creaked open.

Under Sayuri's horrified gaze, three stunning women, each with unique features, stepped out of Nanashi's room one after another.

Her eyes briefly swept over their peculiar attire, but she pushed that thought aside. Only one phrase echoed in her mind:

A beautiful girl and older women in Nanashi house!

However, she quickly regained her composure.

Sayuri knew Nanashi well enough to believe he wasn't the type to flaunt lovers in front of her.

Unfortunately...

He was.

Of course, he had an explanation ready.

Without hesitation, he turned to Sayuri.

"Aunt Sayuri," he began calmly, "I intend to build a harem."

Ordinary people having a harem? Sounds ridiculous. But if you have superpower, that's a different story.

Then, he gestured towards the women. "This is Aunt Sayuri," he introduced, "And they are Nezuko, Kie, and Tamayo."

"They aren't human. They are 'demons' bound to me through a contract. You could say... they chose to follow me."

Nanashi's simple words carried a profound meaning, softening the gazes of the three women.

Especially Kie and Tamayo—their eyes glimmered with affection.

Though the explanation was brief, they understood deeply.

As demons, their fates were entirely at Nanashi's mercy. Yet, he never treated them as subordinates. He had chosen to frame their bond with dignity, calling it a "contract."

This respect for their personhood touched their hearts.

As two women already bound to him in love, Kie and Tamayo felt their affection deepen.

"Huh?" Sayuri's confusion was evident.

Demon?

Harem?

These three beauties are... Demon?

Bound to Nanashi?

Her shock wasn't from disbelief. She had long known that Nanashi was... special.

But processing it all at once?

Impossible.

Sensing her disbelief, Nanashi gave the trio a meaningful glance.

They understood.

One by one, they shifted into their demon forms.

Their transformations weren't monstrous but otherworldly—each exuding an ethereal, captivating beauty.

Nanashi's eyes flickered with intrigue.

This could be... fun.

But—

The aura they emanated sent a chill down Sayuri's spine. Instinctively, she dove into Nanashi's arms.

"..."

For a moment, he froze.

Then, with a soft chuckle, he wrapped his arms around her naturally.

"Don't be scared," he whispered. "They're mine. They won't hurt you."

The warmth of his voice settled her nerves.

Realizing her position, Sayuri quickly pulled away, her face flushed.

Yet...

For a fleeting second, she felt a pang of reluctance.

Embarrassed, she avoided his gaze.

"..."

Tamayo and Kie, both having experienced that same flustered warmth before, shared a knowing smile.

Nanashi cleared his throat awkwardly. "Ahem. So... are you three hungry?"

Nezuko, clutching her stomach, pouted playfully. "Brother Nanashi, I think I might be a little hungry."

Nanashi had told her to call him that.

Wait... he thought, if ghosts get hungry... do they... eat humans?

Maybe they get stronger from human blood?

Could they drink mine... would that work?

Without another thought, he drew his Zanpakutō.

The sharp edge gleamed.

And under the horrified gazes of several people, he slashed towards his palm.

"No!"

A crisp, panicked cry pierced the air.

Suddenly—

A figure materialized.

The Zanpakutō froze mid-swing.

A pair of warm arms wrapped around him.

It was Kanae.

Nanashi's lips curled in amusement. "Finally decided to show yourself? If I didn't know better, I'd think you were sulking."

Kanae's eyes were full of worry. "I-I wasn't sulking... Master... It's just..."

She faltered, her face burning with embarrassment.

"Hm?"

Her hesitation felt... unusual.

Something unspoken lingered between them.

Suddenly—

Her emotions—thoughts—memories—

Flooded his mind.

Nanashi's eyes widened.

"..."

A sharp breath escaped him.

"Kanae..."

Her cheeks turned scarlet, and she averted her gaze.

In that instant, he understood.

Every. Single. Thought.

Everything she felt.

And she knew it.

Flustered beyond measure, she couldn't bear to face him.

Nanashi finally realized the truth:

Kanae had always shared his emotions.

But he was the only one who could open himself to hers.

Which led to a rather... unusual problem.

She had felt... everything.

Including... his... private... desires.

Especially during certain... moments.

The pleasure.

The heat.

The passion.

Her cheeks burned hotter.

And with no body to experience it physically...

She was...

Stuck.

In pure. Unfiltered. Lust.

In short—

Kanae is stuck in a state of intense, unfulfilled desire.

There was more to it than just that.

She had experienced everything he felt with Tamayo and Kie last night.

Even though she had been in Nanashi's consciousness space—she had felt it.

This… this was too outrageous. Too perverted.

No wonder she was too embarrassed to show her face.

She had put on a full display in front of her own sisters.

Like a flood sweeping through the mountain, it had even splashed onto them.

How could she possibly face anyone after that?

So… she suddenly appeared because she was worried about him?

Nanashi's mind was filled with strange thoughts.

He wasn't the kind of man to entertain delusions.

This was something he felt through their shared consciousness.

"Don't… don't look at me like that…"

The composed, graceful older sister that she had always been—shattered.

Kanae shrank back, her voice trembling with humiliation.

"…"

Standing beside them, Sayuri was so overwhelmed that it felt like her head was about to burst into steam.

A beautiful girl had emerged from a sword.

What kind of insanity was this?!

Nanashi slowly withdrew his hand, trying to process the situation.

This was too much.

But at this point, he could only embrace the chaos.

Understanding Kanae's shame and complicated emotions, he simply pulled her into his arms.

Then, he reached out and motioned to Kie and the others.

Pulling them into a hug as well.

Even Nezuko, of her own accord, pressed herself against him.

Nanashi then raised his head and looked at Sayuri seriously.

"Aunt Sayuri, to be honest… Kanae is the spirit of my sword."

"They're all connected to me through a contract. They can't leave me—for the rest of their lives."

"…"

Sayuri processed his words carefully.

He was treating them as his women—just like Eriri.

Logically speaking, Sayuri hated men who toyed with emotions. She despised philanderers who played with Eriri's feelings.

But when it came to Nanashi…

Surprisingly, she wasn't angry.

Because she understood.

The feelings between him and Eriri were genuine. Nanashi wasn't playing around or lying. He was being completely honest.

And, as he said, the contract between ghosts and sword spirits was something different.

They couldn't leave him.

This was for life—a bond of life and death.

Under such circumstances, it was inevitable that emotions would develop.

Rather than anger, Sayuri felt herself calming down.

Becoming rational.

And then, a soft smile formed on her face—a smile of understanding.

Nanashi never intended to keep this a secret from her.

Which meant he wouldn't hide it from Eriri either.

That was the respect he had for them.

"I understand, Nanashi. I understand your situation," Sayuri said gently.

"But I hope you'll talk to Eriri. I believe she's a good girl—she'll understand you just like I do."

Nanashi nodded seriously. "I will."

Hearing his reassurance, Sayuri smiled.

"Alright, then let's continue what we were doing before."

Kanae, her face burning red, glanced at Nanashi again—clearly warning him against any reckless actions.

Nanashi sighed and lightly pinched her cheek.

"How could I harm myself? Aren't we connected through spirit? Didn't you sense my true purpose?"

Kanae froze.

Purpose?

Wasn't it self-harm?

Wait.

Had she subconsciously overlooked something?

She carefully thought it over.

Her eyes widened.

It wasn't self-harm.

Nanashi smirked.

"Now do you understand what I was trying to do?"

"Uh… um…" Kanae nodded hesitantly.

Slowly, she loosened her grip.

But before letting go completely, she added:

"Just your finger."

"Got it."

Nanashi unsheathed his Zanpakutō and made a small cut on his finger.

Bright red blood welled up.

Nezuko and the others watched closely.

"Here," Nanashi said, holding out his hand. "Try it. See if my blood is edible."

He blinked playfully, silently asking: Who wants to go first?

The three ladies exchanged glances before ultimately deciding—Nezuko would go first.

Shyly, she took a step forward.

Then—

"Ah…"

She opened her cherry lips and took his finger into her mouth.

"Mm…"

The moment her tongue touched his blood—

Nezuko's eyes went hazy.

For a second, she seemed completely entranced.

Even her hands unconsciously reached for Nanashi.

"…"

Nanashi glanced at the others.

His expression said it all: I have no idea what's happening!

Though… if he was being honest…

It did feel kinda nice, having his blood sucked like that.

It reminded him of that night.

And before he could even process it—

Under Sayuri's incredulous gaze and Kanae's deeply embarrassed expression—

Nezuko, Kie, and Tamayo all found themselves unable to resist.

Finally, Tamayo recovered enough to give a graceful summary.

"Master's blood is more potent than normal blood."

"It draws us in unconsciously… and makes our body feel full and stronger."

"I'd say it's comparable to a demon consuming humans to get stronger."

As she spoke about the sensation, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks.

"Well, that's good," Nanashi said, relieved.

At least now, he didn't have to worry about them starving to death.

That said—

With Tamayo around, they wouldn't have starved either way.