Chapter 23: Are You a Monster?

The wind started to blow as night fell, making the forest seem eerie.

Hatsune opened his eyes. Perhaps it was due to the atmosphere, but this time, he maintained the "Total Concentration, Constant" state from the moment he fell asleep until he woke up. Naturally, he was also keenly aware of Nae sleeping on his lap.

At this moment, his leg had gone a bit numb. However, this strange girl still hadn't woken up. She had promised to "keep watch for you" but ended up sleeping more soundly than anyone else. Such carelessness, showing no sense of crisis at all.

Hatsune raised his hand and gently patted her cheek. After a few taps, Nae mumbled softly, her little mouth moving.

"Wake up, don't sleep."

Hatsune patted her a few more times. Although this girl was talkative and annoying, her soft cheeks were surprisingly pleasant to pat.

"Hmm? Is it time to eat?"

Nae, half-awake, sat up and pouted. She rubbed her eyes and turned to see Hatsune coldly staring at her, his handsome face showing a hint of annoyance.

"Hatsune, you're awake." Nae grinned happily.

Hatsune wondered where this girl came from. Did she have no worries at all? Why was she always smiling so foolishly? No wonder others disliked her. Aside from being timid and insecure, her constant cheerfulness was probably another reason.

"It's getting dark. We need to prepare."

Nae looked around. Indeed, the sky was darkening rapidly, and even the air smelled different—foul, dangerous, restless.

Only now did her expression become slightly serious, but that seriousness quickly crumbled, dragging Hatsune down with it.

It happened the moment Hatsune lowered his head.

"We should eat something first. When the fight starts, we probably won't have the time or appetite."

Hatsune reached for the bag behind him, and as he lowered his head, he caught a glimpse of something white. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Nae's exposed chest.

At some point, her shirt had come undone, revealing half of her ample bosom.

Hatsune's face turned bright red with embarrassment. He quickly looked away, accidentally bumping his nose against the rock wall, tears almost streaming from the pain.

Nae, unaware of what had happened, just noticed Hatsune's odd behavior. Seeing him bump his nose, she quickly asked, "Are you okay?" She got up, trying to check his injury.

Hatsune, eyes shut tight, waved his hand to stop her from approaching. Stammering, he said, "It's... it's exposed. Cover it up."

Exposed? What's exposed? Nae looked around and finally noticed her shirt had come undone.

"Oh, how did it come undone again?"

Again? She actually said "again"! What kind of monster is she? Hatsune's skin prickled, wishing he could find a crack in the stone to hide in.

Nae, however, spoke calmly, unaware of how much this affected others. To her, it seemed as natural as eating or drinking.

"All done, it's buttoned up." Nae sighed in relief.

Hatsune had never seen someone get tired from buttoning their shirt. He was speechless.

He glanced at Nae's chest, confirmed it was covered, and then turned back cautiously, his face as red as a ripe apple. Angrily, he said, "You're a girl. How can you be so careless? If you know your shirt easily comes undone, why not wear something else? Do you know how much trouble this can cause for others?"

Seeing Hatsune angry, Nae's bright smile faded. She lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong, and weakly said, "I'm... I'm sorry. I don't have any other clothes. I sneaked out from home."

Seeing her cautious demeanor, Hatsune's heart softened. He felt guilty for being so harsh. Sneaking out meant she probably didn't bring any food.

Hatsune glanced at Nae. Indeed, aside from her Nichirin Sword, she had nothing else.

Hatsune didn't want to pry into why she snuck out or why she joined the Demon Slayer Corps selection. Other people's personal matters didn't interest him, especially since they would part ways after the selection. Knowing wouldn't make a difference.

Hatsune took out a simple bag from behind him, opened it, and inside were neatly stacked meat and vegetable pancakes and a few bottles of water.

The fact that the Butterfly Mansion trio prepared these showed their thoughtfulness.

Hatsune's impression of them improved.

"Eat something and drink some water."

Hatsune took out a pancake and placed the rest between them, within reach for both.

"Eat up. The selection just started. While we still have the appetite, eat as much as you can. The next six days will probably be too stressful to eat."

Nae looked at the pancakes in the bag, they seemed delicious. She wanted to eat but felt embarrassed. Eventually, her grumbling stomach won out, and she took a pancake, smiling sheepishly at Hatsune, and ate it eagerly.

Hatsune thought women were strange creatures—beyond strange and utterly unpredictable.

"Where are we going next?" Nae asked while eating.

"We're not going anywhere. We'll stay here. We don't know the forest well, wandering around is too dangerous. The two little girls said we just need to survive on the mountain for seven days. They didn't say how. So, even if we hide and do nothing, as long as we survive seven days, we pass the selection."

Nae nodded, "I'll follow your lead."

"Why didn't you join that guy Kimura's team? They seemed to like you. If you wanted, they would've welcomed you."

Hatsune stared at Nae, finding her as blank as a piece of paper, seemingly clueless about everything.

"Why should I join them? What does it matter if they like me? I don't know them."

Nae pondered Hatsune's words, finding them both sensible and nonsensical. "If they invited me, I'd be happy, but they didn't want me."

"Humph, it's good they didn't. Not everyone is as foolish as you. How have you survived being so naïve?"

Instead of getting angry at Hatsune's slightly contemptuous words, Nae felt happy. She knew he accepted her, which is why he spoke like this. She shrugged, indifferent.

"That's why I'm following you."