They sat near the edge of the balcony, their legs danging from the gaps between the wooden pillars. Cicadas buzzed in the distance, attracting a mate to seek solace in the cold and lonely night. An owl hooted, alarming the rodents in the area whom scurried away back into their homes. Shinobu blew out a lamb hanging from the ceiling above them and the moths quickly withdrawn back into the wild. The shadows those insects cast annoyed her, she explained.

Cooling breeze from the summer night brushed passed the sole of their feet, causing the two girls to shiver slightly before Shinobu draped her cloak over their shoulders. Her efforts in vain but the action warmed (Y/N)'s heart tremendously.

(Y/N) wanted to ask Shinobu what had worried her so much that she's unable to get a wink of sleep but the girl did not want to be too pushy and insensitive, thus (Y/N) simply sat there, hoping her presence could offer her senior some sort of comfort.

Shinobu sat motionlessly, her eyes fixated on the moon in the sky. The twinkling stars that framed the planet reflected in the older female's purple pupils, bringing out the girl's charisma.

The silence between them was not awkward at all. Neither one of them spoke, but they were able to find calmness amidst the tranquil air around them. The sound of wild life filled the void of serenity.

"...So-" (Y/N) turned over to source of the sound. "About what Daki said just now-"

Shit.

(Y/N) panicked internally, her body physically tenses up as she tried to maintain her composure. Who knew that Shinobu was this sensitive?

Shinobu was about to continue but stopped, as if she was trying to rephrase her words. She spoke again.

"If you were to choose which group to join... Which one would it be? Demon Slayer or Twelve Kizuki?"

(Y/N) hesitated for awhile, thinking of what to say.

"Demon Slayer." She smiled. This wasn't entirely false, but not entirely true either.

Shinobu sighed in relief and leaned back, seemingly more relaxed.

"...I'm glad." Shinobu said, almost whispering. "It's getting late now, let's go back inside."

The older girl stood up, extending her hand to (Y/N) who took it.

As the two girls headed inside, there was a distant sound. The inconsistent strumming of a string instrument, emitting different notes. Despite the sudden and unexpected strumming, animals nearby did not run away, all crowding around the person who sat very still, playing her biwa while watching (Y/N) and Shinobu scurry back into the room.

"I think I know what's going on." Nakime said as she stopped tuning her biwa.

𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬シ︎

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 : 492