The weather was perfect today, the sun shining brightly, completely dispelling the gloom of yesterday.
The only problem was the persistent cold wind. Concerned that Big Hamr couldn’t withstand the chill, Kanae asked for a small blanket and wrapped him up snugly.
Based on their route, they expected to return to the Butterfly Mansion before nightfall.
The dayti journey passed uneventfully. Before they knew it, sunset was approaching, the evening sun hung low on the horizon, and the Butterfly Mansion ca into view.
Having been away for so long, Sosuke felt as if he were seeing the Butterfly Mansion for the first ti. He couldn’t help but quicken his pace alongside Kanae. As the mansion grew clearer in their vision, Shinobu appeared at the entrance, standing as still as a waiting wife.
"Yo!" Sosuke waved to Shinobu from afar.
He had missed seeing his "half-butt" after all this ti.
Kanae’s face lit up with joy. She cradled White Wolf Hamr in one arm while waving to Shinobu with the other.
At first, Shinobu seed equally excited, waving back at Sosuke and Kanae.
But as she waved, she suddenly froze, her arm suspended mid-air. The next mont, she sprinted toward them with astonishing speed.
"This child must miss terribly," Kanae chuckled. "We’ve never been apart for this long before."
Sosuke nodded. "You two are each other’s only family. It’s natural."
"Sosuke!!!"
Shinobu’s voice rang out, reaching their ears.
Kanae looked surprised. "I didn’t realize she missed you so much. It seems she truly considers you family now."
Sosuke nodded, but sothing felt off. He murmured, "Don’t you think her voice sounded a little strange when she called my na? Almost...gritted?"
"Did it?" Kanae shook her head. "I didn’t notice."
"Look again. Her running style seems off too. And why is she gripping her sword hilt?" Sosuke asked, puzzled. "Is this her way of welcoming back? So new, special ceremony?"
"I’ve never heard of welcoming soone with a sword," Kanae said, feeling a bit bewildered. *Could my sister have learned so new tricks while Sosuke and I were away from the Butterfly Mansion?*
"Oh no, she’s drawing her sword!"
"Why do I feel like I should hide?" Sosuke asked.
"No need... right?" Kanae’s voice was filled with uncertainty.
"No need? She’s coming straight for !"
Sosuke had already planted his feet. In the next instant, Shinobu had assud her starting stance.
He knew her swordsmanship too well; a single glance told him exactly which technique she was about to use.
*Insect Breathing—Butterfly Dance: Frolic!*
Butterflies sward through the air. Sosuke’s pupils constricted sharply. In the next mont, his Nichirin Blade was in his hand, and with a swift turn of the blade, five consecutive clashes of tal rang out.
He and Shinobu passed each other in a blur.
But as soon as her feet touched the ground, the girl spun around and charged at Sosuke again.
This ti, it wasn’t a breathing technique. Instead, she swung wildly at him with no rhy or reason.
Sosuke was completely bewildered. Dodging her attacks, he couldn’t help but shout, "What’s this? Trying to murder your own brother-in-law?"
"Not even a real one yet!"
At that, Shinobu burst into tears. "I trusted you so much! I even tacitly approved of your relationship with my sister! But how could you do this? You took advantage of her without my consent. And now, you’ve even gotten her pregnant! Sosuke, you will pay for this!"
She cried and shouted, all while her hands never stopped working.
Her attacks were chaotic, lacking any pattern or technique, resembling a child’s ga more than a serious assault. Ultimately, it was just an emotional outburst.
Sosuke dodged her strikes, growing increasingly puzzled. "A child? Where did this child co from?"
Shinobu flew into a rage. "My sister is holding the baby right now! Are you still trying to deceive ? Do you think I’m a child?"
With that, she abruptly ceased her attacks, sheathing her sword with a clang. "Rember this!"
She then hurried back toward the Butterfly Mansion.
Sosuke and Kanae exchanged bewildered glances. Big Hamr looked from Sosuke to Kanae before deciding to take a nap.
"It seems there’s been so kind of bizarre misunderstanding," Sosuke said, looking at Kanae.
Kanae was torn between laughter and exasperation. "She’s throwing another childish tantrum. But thankfully, she showed restraint. Though she used her swordsmanship, she didn’t go all out, using only the speed and force we use during sparring."
Sosuke nodded. "I thought she was just eager to see how much I’d improved. If she hadn’t said that about the child, I wouldn’t have realized what was going on."
Kanae nodded deeply. "Misunderstandings can be cleared up with explanations. But she attacked you without even trying to understand. She needs to be taught a lesson."
In that mont, Kanae exuded the aura of an elder sister.
Sosuke quickly interjected, pleading for leniency. "No, no, no! Just a mild scolding will do. Please don’t resort to corporal punishnt. Make her increase her training, clean the toilets, or sothing like that. Physical discipline will help her realize the gravity of her mistake. A scolding should be enough..."
Kanae nodded, then turned to Sosuke. "Why do I get the feeling sothing’s off? But you’ve given an idea. She really needs to understand the consequences of her actions."
Sosuke sighed. "Well, if you’ve already made up your mind, I can’t change your decision... Heh heh heh."
"That’s a really devious laugh!" Kanae glared at him. "You’re just worried I won’t punish her enough, aren’t you? Hmph! Want to tell her later how much her future brother-in-law cares about her? How tirelessly he pleaded for her?"
"You’re practically starting a war," one of them joked as they approached the entrance of Butterfly Mansion.
They were greeted by Shinobu, her cheeks flushed and tears still glistening on her face, her expression a mix of sorrow and indignation over the stolen flowers.
Seeing her state, Sosuke imdiately drew his Nichirin Blade, his eyes narrowed warily.
Shinobu glared fiercely at him, while Kanae felt she needed to explain the situation. Just as she was about to show the Big Hamr to her sister, Shinobu pulled out a set of tiny baby clothes from behind her back, biting her lip as she declared, "I told you, I was prepared for this!"
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