Chapter 76: Happiness?

Nanashi turned to Sayuri.

"It's time to get down to business."

Sayuri pushed aside her swirling emotions and focused.

"You've probably noticed—the clothes they're wearing aren't from this era."

Sayuri blinked, just realizing it.

Now that he mentioned it, their outfits were clearly not modern.

The style resembled something from an earlier time—far removed from today's fashion.

"Are they not from this era?" she asked, her voice curious.

Nanashi nodded. "That's right."

Then, he made his request.

"I plan to let them stay in the unit on the third floor, but they'll need some daily necessities."

"You want me to buy those for them?" Sayuri guessed.

"Yeah. I figured it'd be better if you handled it. Girls understand girls' needs better than I do."

Especially things like... feminine products.

Nanashi had no idea if Kie and the others still experienced periods now that they were demons.

But just in case, those kinds of things needed to be bought.

He also planned to teach them about modern items and culture—passing the knowledge to them the same way he had taught Mitsuri.

To be honest, he was starting to enjoy this kind of hands-on education.

"Sure, that's no problem." Sayuri agreed easily.

She had been feeling a little bored anyway.

With her daughter grown and the house quiet, having some new neighbors—especially these neighbors—might be refreshing.

Her gaze drifted toward Kie and Tamayo.

Wait a minute—wives?

A sudden spark of realization flashed through her mind.

She glanced between the two women, her eyes narrowing slightly.

Are they… married women?

The idea felt… odd.

Nanashi's contracted demon—both mature, both clearly from another time—were wives?

The thought stirred something indescribable deep within her.

It was subtle.

Almost imperceptible.

But beneath the surface, a faint and curious anticipation flickered.

Still, she kept her expression calm.

"I'll handle it," she said softly.

Nanashi smiled. "Thanks, Aunt Sayuri."

Sayuri's brows lifted slightly.

"Nanashi," she said, brushing her hair behind her ear, "don't you think calling me 'Auntie' makes me sound… old?"

The words tumbled out before she fully understood why she said them.

But they carried a strange weight—a subtle, unspoken invitation.

Nanashi blinked, clearly surprised.

"Huh?"

He was confused. Hadn't he always called her that?

But… looking closely at Sayuri, he realized she did seem incredibly youthful.

After a brief pause, he tried again, adjusting his tone.

"Thank you, Sayuri."

Sayuri's lips parted slightly—her voice soft and barely steady.

"Um… Okay."

The name—Sayuri—hit her heart with unexpected force.

A simple change in title.

Yet, it felt like something far more profound.

A shift.

An unspoken change in how Nanashi saw her—not just as "Auntie," but as a woman.

Later—under Nanashi's instructions—

Sayuri helped the girls pick out clothes from her wardrobe, at least for now.

During the process of changing, they shared a few words, starting to get to know one another.

The conversation was light but warm.

They all had good personalities, and it didn't take long for a natural camaraderie to form.

Sayuri found herself especially intrigued by Kie and Tamayo.

Her earlier suspicion was confirmed.

They were wives—

And Nezuko… was Kie's daughter.

However, neither Kie nor Tamayo offered many details about their pasts.

That, Sayuri noticed, was deliberate.

They were holding back.

Why?

Because they had their own plan—

They wanted to draw Sayuri into their circle.

Then—

During the flurry of dressing and chatting—

Sayuri's sharp eyes caught a detail that made her heart skip.

They weren't… wearing any underwear.

Kie, noticing her gaze, blushed.

"I… I washed them this morning," she explained shyly.

Sayuri's breath hitched—

Her well-read, experienced mind connected the dots instantly.

The reason they had no underwear...

It was because of Nanashi.

Instantly, her thoughts spiraled.

Her imagination ran wild—

Scenes, implications, and images flooded her brain.

Her cheeks burned with the heat of far too many improper ideas.

But outwardly—

She fought to maintain her composure.

Don't lose it. Don't let it show.

With immense effort, she reined in her thoughts—

And simply continued helping them dress.

Finally—

The group emerged from the room, each woman radiant and elegant in their borrowed outfits.

All of them—

Young. Beautiful. Unique.

But Nanashi's eyes, lingering for an extra moment, held particular warmth when they reached Kanae.

To help her overcome her lingering shyness, he had ordered her to come along.

"You're coming with us," he'd said firmly.

No hiding. No running.

She needed to face the world—and herself.

Their destination was simple.

They were going shopping.

To buy daily necessities for their new home.

And—

As Nanashi suspected—

It had absolutely been the right decision to bring Sayuri along.

Because only women truly understood what women needed.

He, on the other hand—

Was just there to carry the bags.

At the Mall

A group of beautiful girls surrounded Nanashi, drawing countless envious glances from passers-by.

Nanashi held Nezuko's hand gently, sensing her nervousness in the unfamiliar environment.

His phone buzzed twice—messages from Megumi and Yukino.

Megumi: "Nanashi-kun, are you skipping today because of something important?"

Nanashi: "Yeah, I took the day off. Someone at home needs my help."

Megumi: "Oh, I see. Good luck, then."

Nanashi: "Thanks."

The next message was from Yukino.

Yukino: "Why didn't you come to school today?"

Nanashi's gaze flicked toward Tamayo and Kanae.

Nanashi: "Handling something... supernatural."

Yukino's reply was quick.

Yukino: "Can I help?"

Nanashi's lips curled into a faint smile.

Nanashi: "It's a family matter. Don't worry, I can handle it. Just focus on your studies."

Yukino: "I see… By the way, are you free on Sunday? I could use some help with my moving."

Sunday? He was free. Saturday, he had plans with Marin for a comic convention, though they weren't close enough for him to be sure she remembered.

Nanashi: "Sunday works. Need help moving?"

Yukino: "If you don't mind. I'd really appreciate it."

Nanashi: "Hahaha, you're my maid, remember? No need to thank me."

There was a brief pause before her next message.

Yukino: "…"

Nanashi chuckled to himself, amused at her silence.

Ahead, Sayuri, Kie, Tamayo, and Kanae walked together, chatting and laughing.

Beside him, Nezuko shyly squeezed his hand. Catching his smile, she tilted her head curiously.

"Something funny, Brother Nanashi?" she asked softly.

Nanashi glanced at her warm, apple-like cheeks.

"Just happy to be holding your hand." His voice was light but sincere, a natural expression of affection.

Nezuko's face turned even redder.

"Mm… Nezuko's happy too," she murmured shyly.

Nanashi felt a surge of warmth and, acting on impulse, leaned over to plant a soft peck on her flushed cheek.

"Eep!" Nezuko gasped, her grip tightening in surprise.

Lowering her head, she mumbled bashfully, "Brother Nanashi... I want to live a happy life with you and Mom."

Nanashi's heart throbbed at her pure, heartfelt wish.

"…You heard us last night, didn't you?" he teased, whispering close to her ear.

Nezuko's face burned hotter as she stammered, "I-I... heard… everything…"

Nanashi chuckled softly, finding her embarrassment adorable.

"You're a good actress, you know. I had no idea you were awake."

Though her face was buried, he felt her slight nod.

With a gentle squeeze of her hand, he made his promise.

"Happiness is certain, Nezuko. You have my word."

The double meaning behind his words sailed over Nezuko's innocent head.

"Mm!" She nodded firmly, holding his hand tighter.

Meanwhile

Yui emerged from the hospital, her expression a mix of misery and exhaustion.

"Ugh… I hate IV drips…" she groaned, rubbing her sore arm.

Beside her, a woman who bore a striking resemblance to her—just more mature—lightly flicked her forehead.

"Well, that's what you get for going to bed with wet hair," her mother chided playfully.

Yui winced and covered her forehead. "Hehehe… I know, I know…" she mumbled sheepishly.

She hadn't gone to school due to her fever. Now, with the infusion done, they were heading home.

Suddenly, Yui's steps faltered. Her tired eyes widened slightly.

"Nanashi-kun…?" she murmured.

There he was—Nanashi—walking through the mall, hand in hand with a stunningly beautiful girl. Surrounding him were three more equally gorgeous girls, all laughing and chatting with him as if they had known him forever.

Yui's heart clenched.

Her fevered, cloudy mind struggled to process the sight.

Her mother, Mrs. Yuigahama, noticed her daughter's sudden pause. She followed Yui's gaze and saw only a handsome boy among a group of charming young women.

"Hm?" She arched a brow but remained silent, her sharp intuition catching the faint shift in her daughter's expression.

"Yui?" she asked softly.

Yui quickly averted her gaze and forced a smile. "It's nothing, Mom."

But Mrs. Yuigahama wasn't fooled. She knew her daughter's nature all too well.

Yui had always worn masks—hiding her true feelings to maintain harmony, to avoid conflict, to blend in.

As a child, she'd smile through tears. As a teen, she'd laugh through heartbreak.

Mrs. Yuigahama's heart ached, but she stayed silent.

Her daughter was growing up, and some roads had to be walked alone.

Even so… Yui, she thought, When you can't carry it anymore… come to me.

Yui walked on in silence, but her thoughts refused to settle.

The image of Nanashi—surrounded, smiling, and so distant—etched itself into her heart.

For as long as she could remember, she had lived by the expectations of others.

She smiled when she felt like crying. She nodded when she wanted to scream.

In middle school, she'd clung to shallow friendships, desperate for acceptance. She'd worn their trends, mimicked their habits—smoking, skipping class—anything to belong.

Until she got scared.

Yui felt like she was heading toward a point of no return, but she couldn't bring herself to tell her mother.

Then, one day—

Her phone rang. It was them.

"We're at the bar. Come over. We're waiting for you."

The call ended abruptly, leaving no room for refusal.

Yui hesitated.

She didn't want to lose her circle of friends. 

She didn't want to be excluded. 

So, in the end, she went. 

Her first time stepping into a bar's private room— 

—and she walked straight into hell. 

Her so-called friends had deceived her. 

Tattooed men lounged on the sofas, their gazes predatory. 

The girls laughed, but the sound was hollow—like a trap snapping shut. 

A rough hand reached for her, fingers brushing against her arm— 

Yui's heart pounded. She had to run! 

But her arm—caught! 

No escape! 

At that moment, she realized she had truly stepped onto a path of no return. 

Fear and despair crashed over her— 

Then— 

A hand. 

A strong, familiar hand. 

Grasping hers, pulling her from the brink. 

Nanashi.

He dragged her out of that hell. 

That day, his gaze was not as gentle as it was now. 

Back then, it held something darker—raw, simmering rage. 

He looked like a wild animal on the verge of breaking. 

Even more like a villain than those gangsters.

And yet, it was this so-called villain who saved her. 

She was shoved out of the room. 

The door slammed shut behind her. 

Then—muffled screams. 

The shattering of bottles. 

Moments later, she was forced out of the bar entirely, pushed away from the chaos. 

Her legs trembled as she stumbled home, dazed. 

She never found out exactly what happened that night. 

But she knew two things: 

Nanashi returned to school—safe and sound. 

And her so-called friends? 

They transferred to other schools, vanishing from her life forever. 

Since Then

Yui changed.

She still acted according to others' moods, still smiled to fit in—

—but now, she was more cautious with her trust.

Through that caution, she found a true friend: Yumiko Miura, someone who genuinely cared for her.

And it was all because of Nanashi—because he saved her.

At first, her approach to him was deliberate—a way to repay him for that night.

But along the way… something changed.

They became friends. Real friends.

She watched the shift in him—how his cold, guarded demeanor slowly softened.

She didn't know what had caused his change.

But she was happy.

Happy to see the warmth return to his eyes.

Happy to have him by her side.

And before she realized it—

Yui had fallen for him.

But—

She was too timid to say it aloud.

When she joined the Paranormal Research Club and met Yukino—

—and saw how close she and Nanashi were—

A cold, uncomfortable weight settled in her chest.

But when Nanashi never said that Yukino was the girl he liked—

—that heavy feeling melted away in an instant.

Her heart, always so easy to sway, filled with relief and hope.

Yuigahama Resident

Yui sat on her bed, phone in hand, fingers hesitating over the keyboard.

She bit her lip.

It's just sending him a message…

Finally, she typed—

"Hey, Nanashi-kun, I saw you just now."

Nanashi, lying lazily on his couch, blinked at his phone.

Huh?

Didn't I just skip one day of school?

Then he saw the sender—

Yui.

Nanashi: "Didn't go to school?"

Silly Girl Yui: "Had a fever. Just finished an IV drip at the hospital."

Nanashi: "A fever? Let me guess—did you shower and go to bed without drying your hair?"

Silly Girl Yui: "Ah! How'd you know?!"

Nanashi: "Because you're always so careless."

Silly Girl Yui: "I'm not careless!"

Nanashi: "Feeling better now?"

Silly Girl Yui: "Yeah, the fever's gone down."

Nanashi smirked, his fingers typing playfully—

Nanashi: "You saw me but didn't come say hi. Let me guess—were you jealous because I was surrounded by beautiful girls?"

He wasn't oblivious.

If he couldn't sense emotions this obvious from a girl like Yui, then he'd truly be as dense as a rock.

And he wasn't.

The Paranormal Research Club wasn't just for fun.

When he said he liked beautiful girls—

He meant it.

Silly Girl Yui: "I wasn't jealous! I was just curious... Are they your friends?"

Nanashi: "Yeah. Come over next time, I'll introduce you."

Her reply came quickly.

Silly Girl Yui: "…Do you have a girlfriend?"

Nanashi paused.

A grin tugged at his lips as he typed—

Nanashi: "What a tricky question. Tell me, Yui… do you like me?"

"Ah!!!"

Yui's sudden shriek made Mrs. Yuigahama jump in alarm.

Her daughter's face was scarlet—redder than a boiled crab.

"Yui! Are you okay? Is your fever getting worse?!" Mrs. Yuigahama asked, eyes full of concern.

But Yui barely heard her.

She was staring at her phone, eyes wide, fingers frozen.

Nanashi... he's so direct!!!

Her mind spun, her face burning.

Her thoughts raced—

Wait! What do I say?!

In all the anime, light novels, and dramas she had consumed—

—this was the moment.

If she said "No" or tried to dodge—

—misunderstandings would follow.

Awkwardness. Heartbreak. Distance.

The end of everything before it even began.

And Yui—

She didn't want that ending.

Her heart thudded painfully, fingers trembling as she typed—

Just say it.

Say it before you lose your courage!

With a deep breath—

She hit send.

"I like you, Nanashi-kun!"

As soon as the message flew off—

Yui froze.

Her mind—blank.

What have I done…?

Her stomach twisted.

It's over. It's all over. Why did I do that?!

She fell back on her bed, covering her face, her heart pounding like mad.

Ding!

The notification broke through her panic.

Her eyes snapped open.

Her breath hitched.