Chương 22: The "Collared" Shinobu

[Warning: This chapter has some softcore content, which is hit or miss for some people. Read it at your own risk!]

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--- Chapter 22 ---

A week has passed since Tenma's dreadful simulation. His mental state has recovered to its peak.

Well, it was a pretty eventful week. Tenma followed his usual routine.

Waking up, training, sparring with Shinobu and Kanae, eating and sleeping.

Of course, something is bound to happen, like Shinobu's attempt to get him back on their first spar. At first, they started small by spanking the loser's butt or pinching various spots.

Not surprisingly, Shinobu never won. However, her mouth consistently taunted and provoked him to smack her around.

She also made various excuses, but they were just empty words. She's all bark and no bites.

"H-Hmph, I bet you like to smack me around so much, you asshole!"

"This time, I will win, I swear... Um, I accidentally fell earlier. Tomorrow, I will win!"

"Damn it. It hurts so good~! I mean, It hurts so much!"

"I will remember this, Tenma!"

Slowly but surely, Shinobu realized sparring with Tenma was only her way to get a 'thrill' from him. It doesn't work with her sister, as she felt nothing when Kanae smacked her around.

However, Tenma is different.

Shinobu doesn't want to admit it. But she actually felt euphoric every time Tenma pinched her cheek or smacked her butt. The shame kept Shinobu's young, gullible heart beating like crazy!

...

Today, Kanae got a message from the Demon Slayer Corps.

According to what the Kasugai Crow relayed, some people have reported seeing demons in this prefecture. As the new Flower Hashira, Kanae has no choice but to take this mission.

So, she reluctantly said goodbye to Tenma and left Shinobu in the Wakami Village. Unlike Kanae, Shinobu didn't have much responsibility.

Unknown to Kanae, she's giving Shinobu a 'wonderful' chance to explore her newfound addictions!

Behind Tenma's house, he and Shinobu sparred again.

"Come on, Tenma!" Shinobu taunted while waving her wooden sword.

"Show me how great you are at handling that spear!"

"I will." Tenma snorted indifferently and smacked her on the wrist with the wooden spear.

Shinobu hissed in pain, laughing. "Hehe, I knew it! You want to beat me with that long and stiff thing~!"

"..." Tenma.

This girl has lost too deep.

In the simulation, it took Shinobu a month to fully realize her newfound obsession. Of course, it was long because Tenma refused to spar with Shinobu and give her what she wanted.

"I'm done with you." Tenma gave her a tired look and tossed his wooden spear away. He entered the house, searching for something to cook and eat.

"Eh? Why leave so soon? We still have all morning!" Shinobu chased after him, pleased to continue the spar.

Tenma turned deaf and kept cooking.

Seeing Tenma like this, Shinobu couldn't help but pout.

'If Tenma hit me a bit harder... Yes, just a bit harder with those cold, obsidian eyes~!' She crossed her arms and bit her cherry lips in frustration.

"Are you okay there, Shinobu-chan? Your face is red," asked Tamako, who placed her cold hand on Shinobu's forehead.

Shinobu stared at the kind Tamako and felt somewhat horrible. After all, Shinobu is using Tamako's son to fulfill her vile desire.

Later that day, Shinobu asked Tenma to follow her deep into the forest.

Beneath a snow-covered pine tree that had slowly melted, Shinobu stared at the calm-looking Tenma and took a deep breath.

"T-Tenma-kun." She said with a stutter.

"I have something to confess."

Tenma knew the drill but played a fool. "What? Don't tell me you have fallen for me, Shinobu?"

Shinobu was flustered. She hesitated before replying. "No, not that."

"I might have different feelings for you. I like you, Tenma. But not that kind of liking. I like you bullying me!" She hurriedly uttered, looking very embarrassed and cute. Her heart is beating rapidly.

"This... Are you joking?" Even though Tenma expected it, he was still surprised by her boldness. And cuteness?

"Are you setting me up? Where is the cameraman? Are we on prank-tube right now? Ah, wait. This era has none of those things..."

"This is not a setup. I-I really like it when you beat me!" Shinobu added in panic, thinking Tenma might reject her.

She puffed her chest, "Hit me! I won't dodge, and it will be my proof! So, hit me! Slap me!"

Pa!

Tenma frowned and slapped Shinobu across her face, sending her into the thick snow.

Shinobu is 'obviously' buried in the snow.

Shinobu should have felt cold, but the searing heat on her face made her feel alive.

After a few seconds, Shinobu eagerly returned to her original position and stared at Tenma with bright eyes. A palm mark appeared on her beautiful yet reddened face.

"D-Do it.

"Do it again!"

"No," Tenma replied flatly.

"I will do anything, please~?"

"Call me Tenma-sama with a bow and sincere apology for all your actions so far."

"T-Tenma-sama, please forgive my rudeness all this time. So, please punish me, hit me." Shinobu bowed at him. She folded faster than a folding chair.

"Very well." Tenma nodded and did the deed, slapping Shinobu's butt this time.

"Aaahhn~!"

Shinobu moaned in pleasure.

They keep doing this for half an hour, and Shinobu is panting on the ground while hugging Tenma's leg.

'Yes~! It is what I've been waiting for. It is what I desired!' Shinobu howled in her mind.

Tenma kicked Shinobu from his leg. "Shinobu, you can't be like this in public."

"You can't function like a human being if you continue to act like this."

"And... Kanae Nee-chan will be so disappointed in you and me."

"So, let's make it a private thing. From now on, you're my pet." He flashed a dashing smile at her.

Shinobu's breath hitched when Tenma called her pet. "M-Me? Pet?"

"What, you are not agreeing with me? No more slaps then."

"N-No, I will be your pet! Please, not the slap!" Shinobu panicked.

Tenma nodded, "Good. What a good girl you are, Shinobu."

Shinobu felt extremely humiliated but increasingly warm in her heart when Tenma called her a good girl.

Tenma pulled a purple-colored leather choker from his pocket and tossed it to Shinobu indifferently, "Once you wear that, we have a contract with each other. However, I won't do it, you will. It shows you're willingly wanting to be mine."

"I don't force you into this."

Shinobu gulped, swallowing her saliva. She looked down on the purple choker and then at Tenma again. She hesitated before gradually putting the choker around her neck, sealing her own fate.

After that, she bowed and vowed with a breathy voice, "F-From now on, I'm Tenma-sama's pet..."

"Sure, let's get a long... Shinobu-chan~!" Tenma squatted and patted Shinobu's head, making her feel good and accepted.

"By the way, we should keep this secret. I don't want Kanae Nee-chan to know and beat me up later."

"Ah, I know. Let's start with safe words."

"Safe words?" Shinobu pondered.

Tenma nodded and explained, "When there are no people around, we can use the safe words as a sign for you. A sign that allowed you to become whatever you are right now."

"Isn't this a good thing?"

"Yes..." Shinobu felt there was nothing wrong with Tenma's words.

Tenma rubbed his chin and said, "What is your most hated fruit, Shinobu-chan?"

Shinobu replied immediately, "Kaki (Persimmon)."

"What is your most hated food, cooking method-wise?"

"Agemono (Deep fried)."

"Then, your safe word will be Kaki-Age." Tenma rubbed her cheek gently.

"Remember that, okay?"

"Mm, Kaki-Age..." Shinobu felt excited inside.

Tenma chuckled and healed all the redness, exposing Tao to Shinobu. He wasn't afraid Shinobu would tell this to Kanae or others because she didn't want to lose her dependency on him.

And the more they kept this going, the harder it was for Shinobu to betray him.

For Tenma, this is a win-win situation.

Shinobu gets what she wants, and he gets his.

Shinobu felt amazed by Tenma's Wood Tao treatment. The marks all over her body have disappeared in a matter of seconds.

"Let's go," Tenma said, pulling Shinobu from the ground.

'What am I even doing? Yet, I felt so happy and fulfilled.' Tenma followed Tenma back to the house, touching her new accessory with a faint smile on her face.

...

Unknown to Tenma and Shinobu, someone is spying on them not too far away. They didn't notice this person because she was bathing in the pond beneath a waterfall, where sound scattered.

It was a total accident.

"M-Ma-kun?"