บท 13: 13. At Any Cost
Live in the present...
Now, he was about to get married. Why should he worry about the future? Future concerns should be left to his future self. For the moment...
"Kotaro-sama, what happened?"
Kotaro turned to look at his partner, Mitsuri Kanroji. There was a noticeable difference now. Her black hair had returned to its iconic pink-green, and she resembled more closely the look he was familiar with.
"It's nothing. I just thought you looked more beautiful with pink hair. I'm glad you changed it."
"T-That's...!"
That's right. For the moment, all he needed to do was flirt and tease Mitsuri. With the town conducting a festival, Kotaro had invited Mitsuri out for a date. Now, she had changed a lot, considering that a month had passed since their first date.
"Hahaha!"
His sudden compliment took Mitsuri by surprise. Because she hadn't been praised by anyone before, her resistance to it was quite low, making Kotaro's compliments especially effective. But Mitsuri wasn't an idiot. Hearing his laughter, she realized that Kotaro was teasing her. She puffed up her cheeks and complained in front of him.
"Kotaro-sama, it isn't fair!"
"Sorry, sorry. But…"
Kotaro wiped his tears of laughter and apologized before bowing a bit and softly muttering near her ear, "I didn't lie when I said you look more beautiful with pink hair. Never change it again, understood?"
"U-Umm."
While Mitsuri had developed some tolerance to retaliate against Kotaro, the soft compliments whispered in her ear were still overwhelming! Her face turned as red as a tomato, and the pink hair only accentuated her blushed state. Kotaro backed away, and seeing Mitsuri in her flushed state, he understood that she was completely embarrassed.
She looked like a cute, struggling rabbit, which only made Kotaro want to tease her more. Still, Kotaro was quite happy that Mitsuri had retaliated. Before, she had been passive, possibly afraid to speak or express her thoughts and emotions for fear of ruining their relationship. But now, she stood up to him.
And that was a sign that their relationship had progressed!
This fleeting time was enough for Mitsuri to recover from her flushed state, and she glared at Kotaro with her pale-green eyes, understanding that Kotaro had pulled a trick once again.
"Kotaro-sama!"
"Sorry, sorry. This time for real. I just can't resist it. After all, you're too cute!"
"Hnn…"
Mitsuri felt happy to be called cute by Kotaro, but she was conflicted that he treated her like a toy, teasing her as much as he wanted. Not that she hated it—rather, she liked it—but for some reason, she felt as if she was being underestimated.
She puffed up her cheeks once again and then, with her slender arms, repeatedly punched Kotaro's chest.
"Alright, alright. I promise I won't do this again."
"Really?"
"Really!"
'Damn! It hurts!'
While he carried a smile on his face, Kotaro groaned inside with pain. Although Mitsuri only hit him lightly, her unnatural strength made Kotaro feel as if some ribs on his chest had been broken.
It made him realize once again that his wife was not a simple, innocent girl but one who could slay demons!
And here Mitsuri, despite his promise, still looked at him with a bit of doubt, making his heart ache. Where was that innocent girl who trusted him all the time?
Mitsuri, who had spent more time with Kotaro, had gradually come to understand his mischievous personality. She knew that despite this apology, he wouldn't stop teasing her.
But the same was true for Kotaro. He knew the perfect way to make up with Mitsuri very well. And today, he was prepared.
"There is no other way. As an apology, I will treat you to as much food as you like. How about it?"
"Kotaro-sama…"
"What is it?"
"I forgive you!"
If it's food, then all can be forgiven!
...
"I was prepared! I was prepared, yet…!"
Kotaro's hands shivered as he looked at his purse. The loaded purse was about to become empty. All the bills were disappearing into thin air—no, into Mitsuri's belly. Now he understood that he had underestimated her appetite. His career as a teacher might not be able to sustain her eating capacity.
"Kotaro-sama! Kotaro-sama! Come here!"
But now, seeing her happily enjoying the festival, Kotaro couldn't complain. If he could buy her happiness with a bit of money, then it was all worth it.
He was living in the moment!
So, putting his purse aside, he stepped ahead to enjoy it all with her. He had come to the festival with Mitsuri, and it would be a shame if all he did was worry about money and couldn't make good memories with her.
'So, what is she calling me for?'
The smile on his face froze as he looked at the stall Mitsuri stood before. It was a food stall!
"Please, give me five, no, ten of them!"
"…"
Now, Kotaro was seriously considering joining the demon slayers. What life? He needed money here to survive!
While he was contemplating his decision to join the demon slayers, Mitsuri extended her hand, startling him.
"K-Kotaro-sama, here."
Mitsuri stood there, her face flushed with a delicate blush, as she extended a piece of takoyaki towards him. Kotaro's eyes widened in surprise, but they soon softened with affection.
Her hands trembled slightly, and her eyes fluttered away from direct contact as if shyly avoiding his gaze. Looking at her, Kotaro knew that despite her shyness, she did it… all for him.
'Ah…'
These small moments were the ones that warmed his heart.
"It's good."
Kotaro ate it, making Mitsuri's eyes brighten. Hearing his compliment, Mitsuri nodded and began to comment on it as well.
"Right? I ate it and was surprised by how good it is. I love it! The flavors…"
Seeing her so enthusiastic made a smile bloom on Kotaro's face. He didn't know if he would become a demon slayer or not, but at least one thing was certain: he would protect this life—this life consisting of him and Mitsuri—at any cost.
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