Muzan: My daughter can't be that weak!

Before Xue Nai could continue with her strange thoughts, the large hand covering her eyes suddenly withdrew.

As light returned to her field of vision, Yukina blinked her slightly uncomfortable eyes and immediately turned her head to look at the corner of the room.

empty.

The spot where a small yellow figure should have been lying was now empty, with only the candlelight reflecting off the wooden floor.

"Huh—?"

Anxiety immediately appeared on her little face, and she turned her head back and forth, quickly scanning the other corners of the room.

"Daddy, where's the puppy? Where did it go?" she asked, tilting her head.

Muzan glanced at her, then reached out and pressed her head against his, turning her back with a little force, forcing her to look away from that empty corner.

"I had Nakime send it back."

"Don't mention that dog again."

He pressed her head down, and she remained quiet for a few seconds. Her long eyelashes drooped, casting a small shadow under her eyelids.

"Oh... okay."

Almost as soon as she responded, she was already frantically trying to contact Narumi in her mind:

"Nakume-neechan? The little puppy... did it go back to Setsuna's yard?"

Nakime quickly responded from the other end of the line of consciousness: "Yes, Yukina-san. She has been safely returned to the garden."

Upon receiving confirmation, Xue Nai's unease and anxiety instantly dissipated.

You've gone back...

Once we're back in the yard, we should be safe.

There are cherry blossom trees and swings there, and the puppy is so well-behaved, it shouldn't run away...

Then I'll stay here and keep Dad company for a while.

Yukina's gaze fell on the low table that was just inches away.

Besides the book Muzan had been reading, there were also pens and several blank sheets of washi paper casually placed on the table.

Her eyes lit up slightly, and she stretched out her little hand, pointing to the pen and paper on the table.

"Dad, can I use this?"

Muzan glanced in the direction she was pointing and immediately understood.

Writing?

This idiot, he only learned a few basic Japanese characters and dared to show them to him...

"……what ever."

Yukina picked up the pen, which was indeed too big for her small hands, and awkwardly gripped it before quickly realizing the problem.

She tried, but the pen tip trembled uncontrollably.

"Dad," she turned her head, "this pen is too big, I can't hold it properly... do you have a smaller one?"

The pen the teacher used for her was much smaller than this.

"No. It's because your hands are so small."

"……snort!"

Upon hearing this, Xue Nai pouted and immediately gave up trying.

She sat in Muzan's arms, leaning back against his chest, then reached out her small hand and grabbed his large hand that was casually resting by his side, pulling it in front of her.

"Xue Nai isn't writing anymore! Daddy will write!"

"Do you know what would happen if another ghost grabbed my hand?" Muzan threatened her ominously.

"What will happen? Will my dad beat me to death?"

Yukina blinked, then shrank her neck in a cooperative manner, giving an expression that said "I'm so scared," but her voice didn't sound fearful.

"You know that, why won't you let go?"

"Dad, but... Xue Nai isn't some other ghost!"

"Daddy's handwriting is definitely the most beautiful, Daddy, hurry up and write!"

She began to shake that hand, while her other hand struggled to shove the pen into Muzan's outstretched palm.

Of course, her own handwriting is the most perfect; do you need to tell her that?

Muzan glanced at the pen that had been shoved into his hand, then looked at the pair of expectant eyes in his arms.

The words of refusal circled on the tip of his tongue, ultimately turning into a barely audible snort.

He gripped the pen.

Seeing her father take the pen, Xue Nai's little face immediately lit up with a smile.

She quickly adjusted her posture in his arms, trying to sit up straight.

The dim candlelight cast two shadows, one large and one small, huddled together on the wall, swaying slightly.

*

Douma strolled leisurely through the intricate corridors of the Infinite Castle, waving a golden fan, a smile on his face.

Ah la ah la,

Judging by the time, Yukina should be in her garden right now!

She really pushed the swing hard last time, and although the way she fell off might not have looked very elegant, it was really funny!

As a considerate uncle, how could I always let the cute little Yukina do the work?

This time, I must push her myself…

She'll definitely like that feeling too.

That's right.

And last time...

What was she doing at Lord Kokushibo's place for so long?

I really want to know.

And...I wonder if she's hungry right now?

I still have quite a few snacks stored up, if they don't suit her taste...

He wandered aimlessly in his thoughts, and with light steps, he arrived at the place he remembered.

He landed lightly in that familiar courtyard.

"Little Yukina~~ It's Uncle Doma! Uncle's here to play with you!"

As soon as he landed, he flashed a bright smile and called out to the center of the courtyard in a cheerful tone, then slammed his fan shut.

no respond.

Doma's smile faltered slightly, and his eyes slowly turned as he looked around.

"Huh—?"

He dragged out his words, his tone tinged with grievance, and his shoulders slumped.

"What the heck... I sensed it was nearby just now, how did it disappear again? I'm all alone again, it's so lonely."

His gaze swept across the empty courtyard, finally settling on the swing.

His eyes suddenly brightened a little more.

"Swing!"

He walked over in a few steps, sat down without any hesitation, put his feet on the ground, and tried to sway gently.

The swing made a soft creaking sound.

After shaking it a few times, the novelty on his face faded, and he pursed his lips.

"Ugh, swinging alone isn't fun at all... It feels so light and airy, not interesting at all. It's much more fun when Yukina pushes me..."

He tilted his head and thought for a moment, then suddenly snapped his fingers and waved his golden fan.

"That's it! Let's try this!"

A small, crystalline princess made of ice crystals took shape beside him, its outline somewhat resembling that of Yukina.

Doma sat up again and gave the prince instructions:

"Come on, give me a push and see?"

The little Yukina, made of ice crystals, remained expressionless. She stretched out her cold little hand, pressed it against his back, and pushed him away forcefully.

The swing rose a little higher.

"Hmm... I'm a little short on strength."

Douma stroked his chin and commented, then laughed, "It's alright! Quantity makes up for quality!"

The fog rolled in again, and then one, two, three...

Five Crystal Princes appeared behind him, and they all reached out and pressed against Doma's back.

"Alright, alright, let's all push together this time! One, two—"

"three!"

Five pairs of cold little hands exerted force at the same time.

"Whoa—!"

The swing suddenly swung forward in a huge arc, and the boy sitting on it was instantly thrown out, drawing a high parabola before falling face down on the grass in the courtyard with a thud.

He lay there, motionless.

A few seconds later, he slowly raised his face.

"Wow...this feeling, flying so high! And the impact of falling down too..."

He muttered to himself, savoring the pain and the feeling of being out of control.

Just then.

"Woof! Woof woof!"

A sudden, alert bark came from the other side of the room.