"Quit drinking? Who are you putting on a show for after all this time?!"
The wine cup was once again brought to his lips.
Shinjuro sniffed the wine, swallowed, and turned his head to the right.
"Master, have a sip."
"I told you I'm not drinking!"
"Master…"
"Scram!"
"…"
If he really didn't want to drink, he would have just left. Why put on an act? Ryan said he didn't believe in such nonsense!
On the other side, Kanao also opened the door and saw two unfamiliar figures.
Oh… it's not Senjuro. Who are these two beautiful older sisters?
Across from her, the Butterfly Sisters were also surprised to see Kanao.
Shinobu had expected a drunken, slovenly old man to open the door, and she was prepared to endure the smell of alcohol. She didn't expect a little girl to appear, looking rather silly. Did they come to the wrong place?
Kanae, however, was surprised by Kanao herself. At first glance, she felt a strange connection with this child. They both had pinkish-purple eyes and wore similar butterfly hair ornaments. Besides that, there were many other details that made her want to get closer to her.
If I had another sister, she would definitely be like this.
Suddenly, this thought popped into Kanae's mind, but she quickly snapped back to reality. Now was not the time to think about such things. Not stating their purpose would be impolite.
Kanae showed a friendly smile and said in the gentlest tone, "Oh my, good afternoon, little sister. We are here to visit Mr. Purgatory. May I ask…"
But halfway through her sentence, her smile froze on her face.
In the courtyard ahead, a black-haired, black-eyed young man was forcibly encouraging someone to drink, while a red-and-yellow-haired man was dodging the wine cup at his lips. He could have just walked away but stubbornly remained seated on the stool. The two looked like they were playing around.
Judging by his hair color, that man must be Mr. Purgatory. What is going on here?
Then the subsequent conversation made her feel even more bizarre.
"Old man, stop slacking off! Drink up!"
"You brat, when did drinking become my proper business?!"
"Pfft!"
"What are you laughing at?! Don't shake your hand, the wine almost spilled."
"My apologies, my apologies. I understand what you mean, good Master. This cup of wine is a token of your disciple's sincerity. I beg you to drink it."
"Gulp…"
"How about this, today I won't ask you to brag… ah, no, I mean impart your experience. If you don't want to talk, then don't. Just drink to your heart's content."
With words spoken to this extent, Shinjuro helplessly said, "This… I really can't do anything with you, kid."
He put on a reluctant expression, but inwardly, he was secretly delighted. Isn't what a person wants just face? Since an opening has been given, then he should follow his heart.
So Shinjuro decisively took the wine cup and gulped it down.
Seeing this scene, Kanae's usual smile could no longer be maintained. Wasn't this Flame Pillar said to be an alcoholic? Why did he need someone to force him to drink?
It wasn't just her who was bewildered; her younger sister, Shinobu, was even more shocked.
"Sister, you really guessed right. The Flame Pillar has indeed become much more normal. Instead, it's that kid next to him who's abnormal."
"Oh my…"
Kanao stared blankly at the two sisters. What was wrong with them?
After seeing his master take the bait, Ryan let out a sigh of relief. Once the other party was half-drunk, wouldn't it be up to him to decide? After relaxing, he finally noticed the movement at the door.
Who was speaking just now? It seemed to be a girl's voice.
Turning his head, Ryan's expression instantly froze.
Standing at the door were not Senjuro, but two young girls. From their appearance, they seemed to be sisters.
The shorter one had short black hair, styled in a night-curl, with a large butterfly hair ornament at the back. The tips of her bangs had a touch of purple; he wasn't sure if it was dyed. Besides that, the girl's attire seemed rigid and serious.
The other older sister looked much gentler. She had a beautiful face and long hair reaching her waist, with large butterfly hair clips on both sides. Coupled with the butterfly-patterned haori draped over her shoulders, her whole being exuded a gentle and elegant aura.
Isn't this Kanae Kocho and Shinobu Kochou?
Ryan, having read the original work, recognized the identity of the newcomers at a glance. It was precisely because of this that he was so surprised. Why were these two here? And…
Why were they looking at me with such complex expressions?
Shinjuro also noticed Kanae standing at the courtyard gate at this moment and recognized the newcomers as well.
Why is the Flower Pillar here? But after a moment's thought, Shinjuro guessed her intention and couldn't help but frown. He wasn't familiar with this Flower Pillar. Her coming here must be to convey the Master's words, urging him to pull himself together or something. It was so annoying. And what did that look mean? It was so… Huh!
He understood. The Flower Pillar must have heard his conversation with the brat just now and thought he was quitting drinking, which made her feel incredulous. What kind of situation is this!
Aside from Kanao, the four people present looked at each other, each with complex thoughts.
A strange silence fell over the small courtyard.
Finally, Kanae broke the inexplicable atmosphere.
"Forgive our intrusion, Mr. Purgatory. We are…"
Kanae briefly introduced herself and explained their purpose, her tone gentle and polite, making people feel favorably towards her.
"Oh, so it's the Flower Pillar. Come in, and you two brats come in too."
But Shinjuro didn't fall for that.
He led the Butterfly Sisters into the house and to the reception room.
After everyone was seated, Ryan and Kanao served tea and quietly sat to the side. Shinjuro, as the host, sat at the head, looking indifferent.
After only a few sentences, the atmosphere became awkward again.
Kanae carefully chose her words, trying to find a topic, and inadvertently, she looked towards the young man who had left a deep impression on her.
"Mr. Purgatory, may I ask if this Ryan is your stepson?"
"No, he treats me to drinks, and I teach him Breathing Technique. That's our relationship. And that little girl is also self-studying Flame Breathing. Ryan is the one teaching her, and it has even less to do with me."
"Oh my, I see. Then…"
"Just say whatever you want to say. Those two little ones aren't outsiders. There's no need to hide Demon Slayer Corps matters."
Shinjuro interrupted impatiently. The Flower Pillar wasn't familiar with him, and in terms of seniority, she was his junior, so it was understandable that she spoke cautiously, but he just hated such formalities.
"Alright, then I'll be direct. This time, I've brought greetings from the Master. The Master said in his letter…"
Shinjuro listened to Kanae's relay, feeling the Master's concern for him. His heart was very complex. This Master, a generation younger than him, was undoubtedly a good leader who was considerate of his subordinates.
But the Master was too young and simply didn't understand what it meant to lose a wife. Instead, it stirred up his own bad memories.
After listening, Shinjuro's only feeling was a desire to drink. After expressing a few words of thanks, he wanted to end the conversation.