Muzan: My daughter can't be that weak!

Upon hearing this, Muzan paused in his reading.

What a hopeless little fool.

So easily led astray by a single sentence, they lack even the most basic judgment.

With looks like that, you think you can be a bad guy?

They'd probably be sold out and still help count the money.

Thinking about this, an image involuntarily surfaced in his mind:

One night, a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman coaxed the bewildered little boy in a feignedly gentle tone: "Take us to your father, and when dawn breaks, we can help you turn into humans."

And what about her?

They'd probably immediately brighten their foolish eyes, as if they'd received some incredible blessing, and while their teeth were practically spitting out words, they'd hurriedly offer their thanks:

"Really? That's wonderful! Thank you so much! I'll definitely lead the way!"

The scene was so vivid that the slight smile on Muzan's lips vanished instantly.

"I was lying to you."

He suddenly spoke, interrupting Yukina's difficult mental preparation for becoming a bad guy. His tone was cold, even carrying a hint of obvious disdain, "What an idiot."

Schnee: ...? !

She was still grappling with her choice to "sacrifice kindness for new teeth" when she was suddenly struck by this statement, leaving her completely disoriented.

First she was told a terrible truth, and now she's suddenly being told it was a lie?

And then they called her stupid!

Her little head couldn't process such rapid information shifts and personal attacks, and her grievances and anger suddenly flared up again.

"Dad! If you call me an idiot again, I'm really, really going to get angry!"

She felt that she shouldn't beat around the bush when talking to her father.

Because he seems completely unable to understand euphemisms!

Upon hearing this, Muzan frowned and glanced at her sideways, seemingly seriously considering how her so-called anger would manifest itself.

Is she about to start crying again?

The thought flashed through his mind, and his gaze unconsciously swept over his brand-new black kimono.

This is a brand new one, made of expensive material. It absolutely cannot be ruined by tears and snot like the previous one.

Yes, we can't get our clothes dirty anymore.

In order to save the clothes, tolerating the little thing's noise and stupidity for the time being seems like an acceptable price to pay.

"Um."

He finally let out a perfunctory apology through his nose, barely accepting her warning.

Seeing that Muzan had actually agreed, Yukina blinked, a little surprised, but more so smug.

See? You have to be direct and honest when communicating with your dad!

Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to hear it at all!

Could it be... that it's really because I'm too old and my hearing isn't good anymore?

"Be quiet."

Xue Nai immediately pursed her lips and nodded, indicating that she would be good.

Then, holding her tiny tooth, she looked at it over and over, still wondering when the new tooth would finally come in.

As I watched, a nearly forgotten memory suddenly surfaced from the depths of my mind.

That was a long time ago. Her mother was combing her hair, and said in a gentle voice, "Little Xue Nai, if any of your upper teeth fall out in the future, remember to throw them hard onto the roof. That way, the new teeth that grow in will be neat and beautiful."

roof?

Yukina tilted her head back and looked up at the high ceiling of the room, which was covered by beams and dark wooden planks.

So high...

She definitely couldn't throw it up there by herself.

Her gaze involuntarily drifted toward Muzan, who was sitting quietly reading a book to the side.

Dad's word will surely work, right?

He's so tall and so strong.

"Daddy," she leaned a little closer, "could you throw my tooth up on the roof for me?"

Muzan immediately understood what she was thinking.

And he was naturally aware of this ridiculous custom.

In his memories as a human child, it seems that his servants also mentioned it.

But he never believed it, nor did he ever try it. After all, whether teeth grow straight has nothing to do with whether they are thrown on the roof or not.

"I'm busy."

Undeterred, Yukina scooted forward, her voice growing more urgent: "Then...when can it be? I want my teeth to grow in quickly..."

"Not now. If you say another word, you're out."

Muzan wanted to tell her to get out, but before he could finish speaking, the image of her wailing earlier flashed before his eyes.

The word "get lost" that was about to burst out was swallowed back by him, and he replaced it with a slightly calmer "go out."

"...Oh, okay, okay." Yukina pouted, obediently agreeing on the surface, and stopped pestering her.

Her little head started spinning quickly.

Dad won't let me throw it away... No problem!

I can go find Nakime-neechan! Nakime-neechan is so strong, she could easily throw a tooth onto the roof!

Or... Uncle Doma seems to be quite tall too? And he always says we can play with him.

Okay! I'll go ask them for help later!

Yukina sat quietly for a while, but her gaze was involuntarily drawn to Muzan, who was reading a book beside her.

What is Dad looking at?

An idea quietly came to mind.

Then, taking advantage of Muzan's inattention, she held her breath and slowly crawled under his drooping arm.

She first tentatively leaned in, and finally adjusted to a comfortable position, lying on her back on his lap.

The soft fabric clung to my back.

She turned her small face slightly to look up.

From this novel angle, you can clearly see Dad's drooping eyelashes and straight nose.

Muzan naturally felt the weight and subtle movement coming from his legs.

His fingers holding the book paused slightly, but he didn't move immediately; he glanced down at it.

I want to see what this little troublemaker is up to now.

Then, his gaze met those round, red eyes.

Yukina was staring at him intently, and from this upward angle, her gaze was full of intimacy.

"What are you doing?"

Yukina didn't answer, but looked at him and suddenly chuckled.

She stretched out the hand that wasn't holding her teeth, pointed to below her chin, and then pointed to Muzan.

"Dad, look at you... you even have a double chin! Hahaha!"

Muzan's brow twitched, and his fingers tightened slightly as he gripped the book.

He lowered his eyes and looked at the child lying on his lap, who was still brazenly mocking him.

"Speak again and you're out of here."

It wasn't that he didn't want to immediately pick Yukina up and throw her aside, but if she were scolded and cried now, her tears would definitely fall directly onto this new dress.

That's it.

Upon seeing this, Yukina immediately covered her mouth with her free hand, leaving only her bright eyes exposed, and quickly nodded to Muzan to indicate that she would be quiet.

Muzan withdrew his gaze and turned his attention back to the pages of the book.

However, the extra weight on his legs made it difficult for him to fully immerse himself in writing as before.

Just then, he heard a muffled sound coming from below.

"Dad, you're not allowed to say you don't want Xue Nai next time, or I'll be very, very sad."

She paused for a moment, as if thinking about how to express it more accurately, "Dad is the most important person to Xue Nai."

After saying that, he seemed to realize something was wrong and quickly corrected himself, "No, it's the most important ghost."

As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Muzan looking down at her, and she immediately turned her head away.

She buried her flushed little face in the fabric of Muzan's chest, leaving only her furry back of her head facing him.

"This...this is the last sentence! Really!"

A moment later, a very soft response came from above.

"Um."