Muzan: My daughter can't be that weak!

Yukina blinked and rested her head on Muzan's shoulder.

Looking at the jade pot that was still excitedly waving its countless tiny hands and praising her endlessly, she asked somewhat shyly:

"Is this uncle... praising me?"

Although she didn't quite understand the specific meaning of words like "achievement," she vaguely felt from the exaggerated tone and gestures that it was probably expressing praise...

To be praised so enthusiastically...

She was a little embarrassed.

Hmm...it's not actually that amazing~

Upon hearing this, Yu Hu immediately twisted her upper body into what she thought was an elegant and alluring curve, with countless forearms clapping in unison, and her mouth stretching into an exaggerated grin.

"Of course! My dear little companion! Is there anything more artistic in this world than praising the art of my jade pot? Your vision itself is a kind of..."

He didn't finish his sentence.

The last bit of patience in Muzan's eyes finally ran out.

This noisy, useless pot that provides false information and wastes his time.

Not only did she dare to flaunt herself in front of him, but now she even dared to endlessly chatter on and on with those cringe-inducing, exaggerated words at the little fool in her arms who was already a bit silly.

This idiot's eyes actually lit up as he listened, looking like he was floating on air from the praise and almost believed it!

One dares to exaggerate and praise wildly, while the other dares to accept everything without question.

They're just... utterly stupid!

"Click".

A soft sound.

The jade pot's incessantly chattering head separated from its body and rolled onto the cold bluestone floor, its mouth still in the comical shape of being half-open while speaking.

Huh...?

Yu Hu's thoughts paused for a moment.

But he was, after all, the fifth Upper Moon, possessing powerful regenerative abilities, so this level of separation was almost imperceptible to him.

After a brief pause, countless thoughts swirled within him as he tried to understand the deeper meaning behind Muzan's actions.

Immediately, an interpretation that instantly invigorated him flashed into his mind like a flash of inspiration.

Ah!

Is Muzan finally going to start toying with my beautiful, artistic head, Gyokuko?

He felt very honored.

After all, being personally dealt with by that person is a kind of respect, isn't it?

This thought invigorated his head, which had rolled to the ground.

His upside-down eyes struggled to turn in Muzan's direction, and his few small arms struggled to support his head as he began to crawl little by little toward Muzan's feet.

While climbing, he tried to speak in a fawning voice:

"M-My lord...would you like to admire it up close? I'm always ready to offer you the jade pot at the most perfect angle..."

The more he spoke, the more his voice trembled with excitement.

However, he managed to move his head over with his few pitiful little arms.

Apart from the corpse and the bloodstains and broken pot belonging to Yu Hu on the ground, the alley was completely empty.

The second after Muzan severed his head, he grabbed Yukina, who was still not fully aware of what was happening, and disappeared from the spot.

The head of the jade pot, lying alone on the cold ground of the alley, blinked blankly.

Looking at the empty space in front of him, and then at his own pitiful body of the pot, which had lost its upper body and looked bare, not far away.

...Gone?

The adult just left like that?

There was no playing, no appreciation, no further interaction...

Did he not even glance at it again?

Overwhelmed by immense loss and indescribable sadness, he was instantly engulfed.

He felt completely ignored, as a work of art.

This was even harder for him to accept than being scolded or punished.

"Waaaaah..."

A loud sob escaped from his upside-down mouth.

The few small arms supporting his head went limp, and his head slammed to the ground with a "thud".

Then, the head began to roll back and forth, still close to the ground.

"How could I... how could I just abandon the jade pot like this..."

"How can we ignore this head, which embodies countless efforts and is full of unique beauty..."

"That's so heartless, so unartistic! Waaah..."

……

Infinite City.

"Dad, are we really okay with not worrying about Uncle Yuhu anymore?"

Yukina was placed on the ground in the courtyard by Muzan. Her little feet were firmly planted, but her mind was still not completely free from the alley she had just left.

She tilted her little face up and looked at Muzan.

Uncle Yuhu's head fell to the ground and rolled around all alone.

They look a little pitiful.

Although that uncle did look... well, very unique, and his way of speaking was so exaggerated that it made people a little dizzy.

But he kept praising her, so he can't be a bad guy, right...?

Muzan was frowning slightly as he looked at the courtyard that Nakime had newly decorated.

Pink and white cherry blossoms, tender green grass, brightly colored swings, and those childish toys in the corner...

Too warm and too bright, it clashes with Nakime's temperament.

Upon hearing Xue Nai's words, he turned his head without much emotion, his tone indifferent.

"What, you can't bear to part with it?"

"That's perfect. He'll be very happy to have you as a companion."

He remembered Yu Hu's distorted aesthetic sense and preferences, which seemed to have a particular fondness for fresh and tender materials.

Sending a noisy brat over there might actually be an extra bonus for that pot.

Although the jade pot probably wouldn't actually dare to drink it, scaring this little fool and shutting her up would be just right.

Huh...?

Why is Dad talking nonsense again!

Yukina was terrified and immediately pounced over like a frightened koala, clinging tightly to Muzan's leg with her little arms and shaking her head desperately.

"don't want!"

"Dad, you're not allowed to say things like that! Otherwise I'll... I'll..."

She tried hard to find a punishment that was strong enough, her little brain working at lightning speed.

After holding it in for a long time, he finally managed to squeeze out a weak, protesting "Hmph!"

What an idiot!

There will be no threats.

Muzan chuckled inwardly and ignored her.

Having finished looking at the courtyard, he decided to leave this overly pink space that didn't suit his taste.

He took a step forward, but his leg was firmly held down by a small pendant that had suddenly become heavy.

He instinctively tried to pull his legs out of Xue Nai's embrace.

In the past, he only needed to exert a little force, and the little thing would stagger or simply let go due to the disparity in strength.

This time, however, he felt the resistance had increased significantly.

Muzan's eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Why am I so much stronger this time when I woke up?

Yukina was completely unaware of Muzan's brief pause; her attention was quickly drawn to the rattan swing in the courtyard.

Seeing the swing reminded her of the joy she felt when she swung alone before, the wind blowing across her cheeks and petals falling on her head.

I wish I could play with my dad!

She looked up, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Muzan, her little hands still clinging to his leg.

"dad,"

She pointed to the gently swaying swing, "Don't you think that swing looks really fun?"

"If Daddy wants to play, Xue Nai can play with you~~"