"Iguro-san!" Mitsuri exclaimed. "Hm?" he snapped back to reality. "You were on the verge of overcooking my ramen," Mitsuri scolded. "Wait, wha-?" Obanai realized his mistake as he quickly apologized. "I'm sorry... let me plate it for you," he offered, grabbing a bowl for her.

"I understand that we both feel guilty about what happened, and we need to handle the consequences maturely," Mitsuri said with a frown. 'Me? Feeling guilty? I was literally daydreaming about... that,' he thought, feeling ashamed. "You're right... Kanroji," he mumbled, looking down.

"Woah! This looks delicious!" she exclaimed, slurping up the noodles. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," Obanai replied, a small smile forming on his face.

"Kanroji... I'm sorry for that day. If I had consumed less alcohol and controlled myself better, maybe you wouldn't have faced this situation," he confessed. "Iguro-san, you mustn't blame yourself for what happened. I could say the same thing. If I hadn't had alcohol and controlled myself, you wouldn't have received so much backlash," she reassured him. "We're both at fault, so let's not blame ourselves and apologize to them in person," she suggested. ".... You're right," Obanai chuckled. "And when will you let me meet Kaburamaru?" she inquired. "Soon... once you let me meet your cat," he replied. "Okay, sure," she agreed, taking a sip of the remaining broth in the bowl.

________________________________________

"The judge declared Douma guilty of his crimes," the judge announced, causing Shinobu and everyone else to jump in surprise. "Well done, Kanao!" Shinobu exclaimed happily, embracing her before the judge could announce his punishment. "Each victim present will receive 5 million yen, a public apology, 1 year of community service, 3 years of jail time, and Hashibira's son will receive 20 million yen," the judge stated. Kanao smirked at Douma before he shouted in protest, "This is unfair! You both bullied me! Screw you!!"

 As the guards dragged him away, Inosuke sneered at him and asked, "So, Enemia, what are you going to do for your master?" Enmu corrected him angrily, "My name is Enmu...how could you mess that up?"  Inosuke replied "Just like you messed up this case?" He laughed mockingly.

Shinobu, Kanae, and Kanao shared a warm hug. "I'm so proud of you," Kanae said with a teary voice. Kanao smiled and replied, "Nee-san, I'll do anything for you, no matter what."Shinobu inquired, "Where is Shinazugawa-san?" Kanae replied, "He's speaking with Tomioka-san...both of them weren't allowed to enter." Shinobu chuckled at Kanae's remark and said, "I see, I'll go inform him about the verdict," as she grabbed her purse and headed out.

She walked out of the court and went through the hallway "Ma'am this door is closed, please head out from the parking" the security said "uh sure....." she said suspicious of him. She soon went towards the parking lot. 

Before she could leave, a group of people dressed in brigade uniforms approached her. Their uniforms had the brigade's name inked on the back, and their sleeves and hakama were secured with black stretchy fabric on their forearms and shins. One of them stepped forward and apologized, "I'm very sorry, Kocho-sama, but I have to do this!" Without any hesitation or explanation, they swiftly struck Shinobu on the neck, causing her to collapse into the awaiting car.

Despite her fame and prominence, no one had seen her anywhere.

Giyuu anxiously wondered, "Where is she?" as he checked his phone, which was currently dialing her number.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After an hour had passed, Shinobu slowly regained consciousness in the car. Letting out a muffled groan, she turned her attention to Goto-san, who was sitting beside her. "Um, Goto-san, should I remove the tape?" she asked, her voice still shaky.

Goto-san nodded as she carefully removed the tape from her mouth. Exhaling deeply, she couldn't help but let her emotions get the best of her. "What do you want from me?!" she exclaimed, frustration lacing her words.

"Please calm down, Kocho-sama," the girl, whose name was revealed to be Hisako, pleaded. "Oyakata-sama wishes to meet with you."

Shinobu's anger pulsed through her veins as she observed their disguises. "So, you dress up as kidnappers and actually kidnap me, and now you're telling me to calm down? And who on earth is Oyakata?" she snapped, her tone seething with irritation.

Hisako offered a sympathetic smile. "You will find out soon enough. Just be patient," she replied in a gentle voice.

Wanting to decipher the situation and the people who had taken her, Shinobu demanded to know their identities. Hisako took a deep breath before explaining, "We belong to the secret organization and we are known as the Kakushi, who work under the Ubuyashiki family. Our masks are necessary to hide our true appearances. I am called Hisako, and he is Goto."

Shinobu's frustration grew upon hearing their explanation. "Do you even realize who you are kidnapping? My sister is a famous lawyer, and I am known by many!" she retorted, her voice laced with defiance.

"We are fully aware, yet we still managed to capture you," Hisako replied with a mischievous smile, which only served to further infuriate Shinobu.

Taking a deep breath to compose herself, Shinobu sternly warned, "You had better have a good explanation for all of this."

Several hours later, they arrived at Kagaya's residence. Hisako spoke up, addressing their leader, "Oyakata-sama, we have brought her as you requested."

"Please, bring her in," Kagaya responded calmly. Shinobu gingerly entered the room, her eyes settling on the enigmatic pale man sitting before her. His smile sent shivers down her spine as he spoke, his voice dripping with a sinister charm. "Welcome, Insect Hashira... Kocho Shinobu," he greeted her, his words hanging in the air.

As the tense atmosphere enveloped her, Shinobu realized that her journey was far from over. She braced herself for the truth and the unforeseen challenges that lay ahead.

________________________________________

A/N- no instagram posts in this chappie hahahahbhhabhs (i am trying my best to not let this book get deserted)