Chapter 285 - Aspirations (1/2)

After the meeting, Ray and Obanai took their departure and left Nik alongside his partners.

”Phew~ Those things are scary!” Mitsuri whistled as she nestled her chin and spread her arms over the table with an exhausted expression. Even her hair was slightly disheveled.

”I hate them...” Shinobu hissed in dissatisfaction, ”Wisteria poison doesn't work and even the recent concoctions only have slight effects. What do you think Shizuka? Can't we use their own blood to find something useful?”

Shizuka placed her index over her lips as her forearm squished her left breast, ”We could... ah! Why don't we try to counter the zombie's blood with a demon's? It's worth a try and Yuriko doesn't have anything else going on.”

”You two do that, Shigure, Saeko, with me,” Elizabeth proclaimed and matched her students' gaze, ”It is time that your experience benefit me in my training.”

Instantly, all the girls had their plans except for Mitsuri. Nik's eyes widened in surprise and he instantly spoke up, ”Hey, wait, I have a surprise.”

Nik spoke up hastily. He was happy and he wanted to 'share' his happiness with all of them.

”I found a way to convert the energy of the zombies into a type of energy beneficial to the human body... so... I am completely energized, want to have some fun?”

He grinned happily, alas, his happiness was met with the exhaustion of everyone present.

”Nik, we have less than sixteen hours until the next wave, if we utilize more than three of these hours for personal satisfaction then we won't be any different from the foes who underestimate one's enemies.”

Elizabeth words pulled approving nods from others while Mitsuri tip-toed towards Nik and gently pecked his cheeks with an apologetic expression, ”I- I am sorry, Nik. But I usually cook for more than half of the villagers present... I wish I wasn't such a great cook.”

Seeing the look of exhaustion flash on Mitsuri's face, it was all too clear that he wouldn't get the desired rewards... and to think he was happily skipping around, slaughtering zombies with anticipation bubbling in his heart.

”No need to be sorry, sweetheart,” Nik smiled and hugged Mitsuri tightly, using his [Adonis' Touch] alongside to relieve her body from half of its exhaustion and tension as the pinkette let out a content and relieved sigh, ”We can have fun after all of this is settled.”

Nik then looked at the remaining girls and smiled wolfishly, ”Of course, it won't be just three hours then.”

But that wasn't all. Now that Nik had come to know about the fact that the girls were accumulating a lot of frustration and tension, Nik made an improvised decision to only cater to their needs. As for his own needs, Nik had a great idea for that.

”After your cooking duties are over, give me a message. I have a surprise for you.”

Nik stroked Mitsuri's back gently as Mitsuri nodded and nuzzled her face against Nik's chest one last time before getting up swiftly, ”All charged up!”

As the girls dispersed for their tasks, Nik contacted Yuriko and the others only to find that they were sleeping due to exhaustion, all except Nezuko. While Nik had plans to relieve himself that did not include Nezuko, he still made a beeline towards the little demoness that was accompanying Tanjiro in the patrols towards the edge of the village.

”Nik... is here.”

Nezuko and Tanjiro were jogging past the perimeter of the village when the little demoness suddenly stopped and tilted her head towards the village while she sniffed the air heavily.

”Nik-san? The meeting is already concluded? Does that mean that Ray and Obanai-san are free?”

Tanjiro's crimson pupils lit up slightly, but his nose also picked up Nik's scent and he decided to wait for Nik to greet him. The siblings leaned on the tree trunk waited patiently.

”Oni...”

Nezuko's whisper attracted Tanjiro, ”What was... mother like?”

Tanjiro had already known that Nik had specifically made Nezuko forget much about her past that could link her memories to the violent incident with Muzan. And he appreciated Nik for that.

”Mom... she was just like you,” Tanjiro smiled warmly and gently stroked the top of Nezuko's head, ”Always gentle and caring. I am sure, you will grow to become just as warm and kind as our mother.”

Nezuko nodded silently and closed her eyes. She only enjoyed head pats from Nik, Tanjiro, and Mitsuri. Their head pats were warm and full of affection. She liked this feeling.

”Did you guys wait long?”

Nik's shout was followed by his swift emergence as he grinned and waved towards Tanjiro. Unlike others, the Kamado siblings were in high spirits as Tanjiro stood straight and waved his hands.

”No, we had just stopped for a moment!”