Haruto's POV — Wandering the Butterfly Mansion
Haruto stretched his arms the moment Shinobu left him with strict orders:
"Rest. Do not touch anything. Do not work."
The irony was enough to make him snort.
"A workaholic telling me to rest?"He shook his head.She hasn't changed at all.
The Butterfly Mansion felt… different.More people. More noise. More busy footsteps.Yet everything still smelled faintly of wisteria and disinfectant—like always.
He walked casually through the hallways.
Aoi saw him first.Their eyes met.
Aoi turned into a red, panicked blur fleeing the opposite direction.
"…What did I do?" Haruto muttered.
Then he noticed three tiny heads peeking from behind a pillar—Naho, Sumi, and Kiyo.
He waved gently. "Come on, don't be scared."
They froze.
He took a chocolate bar out of his pocket, breaking it open.Their eyes widened like he had shown them forbidden treasure.
In less than two seconds, they sprinted toward him.
"Kyaa! Foreign sweets!"
"It smells so sweet!"
"Where did you get it?"
He kneeled to their height and laughed."I brought a lot. Want to share?"
They nodded eagerly, cheeks puffed with chocolate.He listened to their chattering — about chores, Lady Shinobu, how tall he was, how handsome he looked, how funny his hair was.
They never mentioned demons.Of course—they thought he was a civilian.
He ruffled their hair. "Be good girls, okay? I'll bring more next time."
They saluted like soldiers.
Haruto stood and continued walking until he reached the one room he had been searching for.
He slid the door open.
There she was.
The silent butterfly.
Kanao Tsuyuri.
Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly in shock.
"Hey, Kanao," Haruto smiled. "Still flipping coins?"
Kanao blinked once—twice—Then ran.
Straight into his arms.
"Big… bro," she whispered into his chest.
Haruto froze for a second.Then his arms wrapped around her gently.
"…Not flipping, I guess," he murmured, ruffling her hair.
She sniffed softly but didn't let go.Kanao was never expressive.
Except with him and Shinobu.
Her family.
Dinner Time — The Chaos Begins
Tanjiro sat politely at the table.Inosuke sat like a wild boar forced into human society.Zenitsu, however—
Zenitsu was trembling.
His eyes were locked on Shinobu who was cooking in the kitchen.
Shinobu.
Cooking.
Even Tanjiro's breathing technique couldn't save him from sensing it:
Shinobu's heartbeat was a whole jungle gym.
Zenitsu gulped. "S-She's actually… cooking."
Tanjiro whispered, "She must be in a really good mood."
Inosuke snorted. "Maybe she killed a strong demon. She looks suspiciously happy."
Then—
The door slid open.
"Sorry for being late—Kanao was kidnapping me."
Haruto walked in with Kanao still holding onto his sleeve.
The entire table froze.
Tanjiro blinked.
Inosuke tilted his head.
Zenitsu's soul evaporated.
Man. Tall. Handsome. Kanao attached to him. Shinobu cooking.
Zenitsu's brain broke.
"A-A-A MAN?? INSIDE THE MANSION??? SMILING AT LADY SHINOBU??? WHO IS HE? WHY IS SHE BLUSHING?! WHY IS HE BREATHING?! TANJIRO, HELP!"
Tanjiro calmly raised a hand. "Zenitsu, breathe. Aoi mentioned a visitor."
Zenitsu grabbed Tanjiro's collar."THAT IS NOT A VISITOR. THAT IS A RIVAL. A THREAT. A— A—"
Haruto walked past him smiling awkwardly.'whats wrong with this kid' he thought to himself
Zenitsu fainted.
Shinobu placed the dishes on the table, her ears red."Everyone, this is Hinode Haruto."
Tanjiro bowed politely. "Nice to meet you."
Inosuke pointed rudely."YOU. WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE A CITY PRINCE?!"
Haruto blinked. "Uh… born that way? you guys must me Tanjiro, zenitsu and Inosuke" he addresed the boys one by one "my, my you guys are a chaotic bunch"
Tanjiro smiled awkwardly but there was this ease in his heart,'this man his scent is so cheerful'
Kanao pulled Haruto to the seat next to her, refusing to let go of his sleeve.
Shinobu glared."Kanao. Let him eat."
Kanao: No.
Shinobu: sighs.
The dinner began—with absolute chaos.
Tanjiro asked polite questions.
Inosuke tried to steal his food.
Zenitsu woke up only to dramatically faint again.
Shinobu watched Haruto eat her cooking.He took one bite.
Paused.
She tensed.
Then—
"This is the best food I've had in months."
Shinobu nearly exploded.
"W-Whatever, idiot. Eat quietly."
He smiled.
Everyone noticed. This is certainly new they thought when suddenly.
"Hellooooo! I came to say hiiii—"
Mitsuri barged into the dining room with her usual cheerful energy.
Then she stopped.
Her eyes landed on Haruto.
Her expression shifted.
"Shinobu… who… is this handsome man?"
Shinobu's smile cracked."This is Haruto."
Mitsuri leaned in, sparkling."So tall! So clean-looking! So elegant! Waaaah! He looks like he came out of a romance novel!"
Haruto blinked. "Um. Thank you?"
Shinobu's eyebrow twitched.
Mitsuri grabbed Haruto's hand."I'm Kanroji Mitsuri! What's your name? Are you single? Do you like strong women—?"
Shinobu grabbed Mitsuri's collar and yanked her back like a cat.
"Mitsuri," she whispered, smiling dangerously,"He is. Not. Available."
Mitsuri gasped. "HE'S YOUR—???"
Haruto coughed."Fiancé."
The room exploded.
Zenitsu shrieked.
Inosuke spat rice.
Tanjiro smiled gently.Kanao's grip tightened on Haruto's sleeve.
Mitsuri's eyes sparkled with rainbow joy.
"SHINOBU YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU HAD A FIANCÉ!!!"
Shinobu fought the urge to sink into the floor.
Haruto simply smiled at her with a fond, teasing warmth.
"Sorry," he murmured softly,"Did I cause trouble?"
Shinobu muttered under her breath,"You have no idea."
But her heart was full.
Too full.