Chapter 231 - Be With Me (1/2)

A wave of gratitude for Tiago Ferreira for contributing.

***

”I don't know how and when... but I faintly recall a similar sense of... freedom. As if something... or someone finally let go of my shoulders.”

Nik whispered into Shigure's ears as the duo laid onto the mattress. With the deed done, Nik couldn't help but feel an astonishing sense of déjà vu. But why?

”I am... happy. A person... is only happy... when free.”

With her long hair draping Nik's torso, Shigure's petite figure lay upon Nik's while she snuggled her face into Nik's neck.

”Even if it means to let go of the responsibility of your loved ones?”

Shigure shook her head and kissed his neck while letting her words echo within Nik's consciousness fluently, ”There is a thin line between caring for your loved ones and taking their responsibilities. Although, both are taken up voluntarily...

The two emotions can never restrict a person's freedom. To blame restrictions to freedom on responsibilities...

It is a coward's excuse.'

'Oof, how harsh... calling me a coward.'

Nik smiled and hugged Shigure's body tighter while the Kunoichi once again countered back.

'You are not a... coward. Yes, you may represent many things unacceptable by society.

But to your own people, you are the kindest soul.'

”You know how to butter your man up, huh.”

Nik whispered with a satisfied smile as Shigure smirked, ”I... learned from the... best.”

”Yeah, you did.”

Nik took a deep breath before exhaling loudly.

”I may sound like a jerk when I say this out loud... but I gotta go see Yuriko.

Now.

I am done trying to account for what the consequences will be after that... I'll just find a cure for her.”

Shigure grew silent for a while her arms coiled tightly around Nik as she took a deep whiff before sighing into Nik's ear.

”Yeah... you are a jerk. But... get back quickly... I have a surprise.”

”You got it.”

Nik caressed her back and continued the embrace for a few minutes before tucking Shigure in and wearing his clothes. Then, with light steps, Nik walked out of the hut and found that it was already night and yet, the streets were filled with people. Apparently, all of the people that Nik couldn't recognise were the Swordsmiths, or at least, their family members for none of them had their mask on.

Some sported faces streaked with tears while others showed a sad yet reminiscent smile on their lips. But one thing was for sure, the moment Nik found that he could feel the entire village within his Pheromonal Domain, he instantly linked the strange event to himself. And when he tried to pry into the minds of the dazed citizens, he found a rush of thoughts into his consciousness which he instantly worked to organise.

There were events, memories of peoples and objects. The only thing that connected the strange memories was that each of the memory was a turning point for one of the villagers or the demon slayers present in the village. Of course, Nik closed the connection the moment he activated it in fear of his own mind getting overwhelmed by the memories.

Finally, Nik hastily worked his way to control the effects of his own Pheromonal Domain when it hit him that the control over his own Pheromones seemed to have gone through a major change.

Even if Nik could control his Pheromones subconsciously, the feeling this time around felt even more sublime. It was as if he could continue controlling the Pheromonal Domain to its extensive functions even when he didn't actively think of it or hypnotise his own self on a subconscious level.

This was a concept Nik wasn't strange to.

This level of control could only be categorised into the realms of instinct.

The realm which Nik wished to train his manipulation of gravity into.

Exhaling softly, Nik steadied the illusion. The night was young and he didn't want others to find out—

'No...'

On another note, Nik smiled and slowly pulled others from the illusion while making his way towards Elizabeth's stay at a quick pace. In a few moments, Nik identified Elizabeth's presence that was graced by Nezuko's and Yuriko's too as he pushed the door open and met a red-eyed Elizabeth. The moment the brunette looked at Nik, she jumped into his arms without saying another word while an equally saddened Yuriko looked at the scene from her mattress without interrupting.

'Nik, I—'

”Hush, honey. We both know that your kid won't hate you... so don't feel guilty.”