➥ chapter 46: a haunted shrine

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WELCOME, (L/N) (Y/N)

WELCOME, (L/N) (Y/N)

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"YEESH..." (Y/N) muttered as she stared up at the overgrown shrine before her, the building clearly debilitated whilst vines and foliage creeped between the cracked and broken foundation, scattering darkened shadows in their wake. "This definitely look like a place demons would dwell..."

"You said it," Tengen murmured, doing his best to keep his eyes off of her.

God, it was hard though.

"Mm..." Gyomei nodded in correspondence to their words as he placed his hands in the prayer-like fashion that he was fond of doing. "I sense nothing but malevolence from this place. It is true that there are many demons lurking here, but I believe that they are not of Upper or Lower Moon caliber."

"Still..." (Y/N) mumbled, her brows creasing. "The town did seem pretty... somber."

"It is to be expected when there are demons present," Gyomei uttered without an ounce of hesitation, believing every word he spoke. "They always bring a shroud of darkness with them."

"It's so unflashy," Tengen mused.

"Definitely," she exhaled.

Tengen couldn't help it anymore—he had to look at her. His eyes were drawn to her as if she were a magnet, his entire expression softening as soon as he did so. Before he could stop himself, his hand was already reaching out to gently pat her head, ruffling her hair and messing it up much to her chagrin. Swatting his hand away with a huff and retouching her hair so it was out of her face, (Y/N) didn't notice the way he looked on with clear fondness.

He then cupped his chin.

Hm...

I wonder how she would feel if I asked her to become my fourth wife?

Ah, she'd look so pretty in a shiromuku...

I wanna marry her so bad...

He then halted his train of thought.

Wait...

What am I doing?

What about...

Immediately, his mind flashed to Kyojuro whom already professed his love for (Y/N) to him. Instantly, guilt plagued him for ever thinking stealing one of his closest friend's love, tearing his gaze away from her as if burned. He thought back to how (Y/N) said he was a good person, rubbing his neck with a twisted expression.

Hah...

I guess I'm not as good as you think, (Y/N).

Not at all.

Trying to push his complicated thoughts away, Tengen refocused back on the mission at hand. He couldn't allow himself to get swept up because of a single woman, but it was becoming hard not to.

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