12 Chapter 12: Understanding Inner Emotions

Ace Perspective:

Butterfly Mansion.

As those two figures drew closer, I couldn't help but wonder why Shinobu hadn't given me a heads-up about Love Hashira's arrival. It made me speculate that their visit might have something to do with my agreement with Ubuyashiki.

I shot a subtle, questioning glance at Shinobu, hoping for a hint about why they were here, but she remained tight-lipped.

Instead, without a word, Shinobu stepped right in front of me, with Mitsuri in tow. Then she began inspecting the areas where Kanao had just done some healing for a good ten minutes. Their silence was becoming a tad frustrating. I thought, "Why all this silent inspection? Can't they just tell me what's going on?"

Finally, Shinobu straightened up and looked at me with a satisfied expression. "You're in good hands with Kanao, Ace," she said.

But then she added with a touch of concern, " But Despite Kanao's healing skills, it seems there might still be some complications from your injuries."

As she said that, Shinobu casually grabbed my arm and applied some pressure to a specific spot. There was a distinct crunch, and I felt a rush of relief spreading through me. It was a bit unexpected, but strangely comforting..

I couldn't help but voice my annoyance. "Were you using me as a test subject to check Kanao's skills, Kocho-san?" I asked, with an expression that clearly showed my annoyance.

She responded with a smile, deftly sidestepping the question and moving on to introduce the other girl standing beside her.

With her usual tone, she said, "Allow me to introduce Mitsuri Kanroji, one of the Hashira. She'll be your teacher for a while."

Mitsuri's excitement bubbled over as she began to speak without waiting for my response. "You don't need to introduce yourself, I know all about you. After all, you are quite famous here."

My brows furrowed in confusion as I exchanged a puzzled glance with Shinobu, who seemed to understand my bewilderment.

Shinobu clarified, seeing my confusion, "You are the first person in hundreds of years who got selected without appearing in an exam. It caused quite a stir among the retired and the new Hashiras."

Mitsuri asked excitedly, "How did you get selected without appearing in the selection test?"

I met her enthusiasm with a sly grin and replied, "Well, I charmed my way through that." 

Mitsuri's laughter filled the room at my unexpected answer, while Shinobu, though amused, shook her head in response to my comment.

I turned to Shinobu with a question, "Can Yuki also train with me?"

She took a moment to think before nodding and replied, "But she will have to pass the final selection to become a demon slayer."

I nodded in understanding and turned my attention back to Yuki. Her grateful and determined expression tugged at my heart, and she expressed her emotions in a heartfelt tone. "Thank you very much."

In response to her heartfelt gratitude, I couldn't resist patting her head, a gesture that seemed to catch her off guard. It brought a delightful flush to her cheeks, transforming her serious expression into a more lighthearted one.

I gave Yuki a warm smile and then turned my attention back to Shinobu and Mitsuri, who were still deeply engrossed in their hushed conversation.

As my curiosity got the best of me, I decided to use the Ethereal Insight ability to directly see the Emotion Body of them through Emotional Spectrum.

It is fortunate that he is in a more wuxia type world instead , otherwise it will be much harder to see use the ability as the weight of their existence is much more.

As the ability activated, I began to see the world in shades of grey with the Emotion body of people in the room shining brightly as in the grey world.

As I focused on Shinobu's body, an unusual sight unfolded before me. Her figure appeared like a serene water surface, mirroring everything that was opposite to it. The tranquil surface held a mesmerising quality, offering a reflection of the world around her.

However, a peculiar occurrence disrupted this tranquillity. An orange mist enveloped her body, with occasional pink spots scattered within it. The mist swirled around her, attempting to penetrate her form. But with each attempt, the serene body reflected it back, almost like a barrier guarding her inner self.

Upon closer inspection, subtle, glass-like cracks began to emerge within the mist. These fractures were barely noticeable but indicated that something beneath the calm surface was in the process of transformation, adding an air of mystery to Shinobu's enigmatic presence.

As I delved deeper into Shinobu's body, I was met with a different sight. Within her, a tumultuous storm of red mist raged, akin to a volcanic eruption, spewing forth its fury with relentless force. The intensity of this crimson tempest threatened to consume everything in its path, creating an overwhelming sense of chaos.

This violent display was an incredible contrast to the calm surface that first greeted my gaze. The red mist roiled and churned, as if struggling to break free from its confines, and it left an impression of raw, unbridled anger.

However, beneath the surface of this seething turmoil. There lay an unsightly, dark pond, its waters stagnant and polluted, and its depths teeming with repulsive worms. 

After my examination, I had a clearer picture of Shinobu's complex personality. The orange mist outside her body represented temporary emotions, with orange reflecting happiness and pink spots indicating moments of love and lust. Her calm and playful exterior often concealed her true feelings, which were usually the opposite.

Deeper within, the swirling red mist reflected her unrelenting rage toward demons, embodying her determination and ferocity in battle. Yet, her innermost self was the disturbing dark pond filled with worms, a symbol of her deepest struggles and insecurities, including an underlying inferiority complex.

'Hmmm….. The orange was trying to penetrate her Inner Body, maybe it will be the way to conquer her .' I mused.

Yes, deep down he desired Shinobu. Even in the anime he quite liked her character and now with her in front of me in reality , he wasn't gonna miss a chance like this.

As I redirected my attention to Mitsuri, I found her emotional body to be comparatively more straightforward than Shinobu's. Her surface body was a vivid tapestry of colours, painting an intriguing picture , pointing towards her cheerful, warm and childlike personality.

 In addition, a mist coloured with an inquisitive shade of blue and light pinkish mist that gently enveloped her form, suggesting her curiosity towards me and maybe… developing interest or crush.

However, upon further inspection of her inner body, the same vibrant colours were present, but with subtle pinkish-grey spots scattered within. These spots seemed to reveal Mitsuri's vulnerability and inferiority, particularly in the realm of love. It was as if her emotional landscape was a spectrum of emotions, with curiosity and a budding affection on the surface, while a sense of insecurity lay hidden beneath the surface.

"Ace, you are staring," Yuki said, snapping me out of my deep thoughts.

I glanced around and realised that both Shinobu and Mitsuri were looking at me with curious expressions, as I had been observing them quite intensely. 

'Oops,' I chide myself mentally. 'I need to remember not to use my ability while conversing.'

"Sorry, I was lost in my thoughts," I quickly explained, attempting to clear the air.

Both of them nodded understandingly.

At that moment, a girl with twin tails, dressed in blue clothing, entered the room. I think her name was Aoi Kanzaki. She bowed respectfully to both of the Hashiras and said, "The food is prepared, Shinobu-sama."

With that announcement, it seemed that it was time for us to enjoy a meal together, leaving the peculiar moment behind and focusing on the present.