Chapter Text
As the sun disappeared behind the hills, leaving behind a strangely purple sky, Kanao was running at full speed, her cape fluttering with every step — she almost looked like a thief.
But the reason for this sudden sprint was, of course, Kocho Shinobu — her master, but also her sister at heart.
As her Tsuguko, it was Kanao’s duty to fulfill Shinobu’s requests as quickly as possible.
This time, what Shinobu wanted was a geranium — a beautiful flower on the outside, but with a not-so-beautiful meaning foolishness.
It wasn’t a usual request for Kanao, but knowing her sister, she guessed Shinobu was using flower meanings for her potions again.
– Master, may I come in? Here are the flowers you asked for…
Shinobu stayed focused on her notes for a moment before lifting her head, that cold, fixed smile on her face. Kanao always found her sister terrifying like that.
– Perfect timing! I needed them right away!
Kanao moved forward to place the flowers near Shinobu but couldn’t find any space — it was true, Shinobu had been locked in her lab for quite a while now, even sleeping there.
Kanao thought her master was working so hard, surely making some remedy against demons.
– Master, you should get some rest. The demons don’t deserve to ruin your eight hours of sleep.
Right after she said that, silence filled the room. For a few seconds, Kanao could feel her cheeks burning, turning as red as a tomato.
Shinobu looked at her Tsuguko with wide eyes, then let out a soft laugh.
– My dear Kanao, I’m not making potions for demons — I’m making them for my fellow Pillars.
Kanao frowned, unsure if she was more surprised by the nickname or the statement.
– The Pillars?
– Yes, the Pillars. It’s for revenge…
– Revenge?
Kanao was even more confused. Who could have made Shinobu angry enough to want revenge?
Flashback...
– It’s crazy how manipulative women can be! If my wives hadn’t argued with each other, I’d have never found out they just wanted me to buy more makeup so they could use it!
– Hm.
That was all Giyuu said as Tengen complained about his wives, with whom he had just had a fight.
– And the worst part? They make me look like the bad guy! I’m the one out of makeup now!
– Hm.
Giyuu stared blankly at him before Shinobu, looking for a bit of distraction, decided to join them.
– Hello.
Silence. Both men immediately stopped talking and slowly turned toward the Butterfly Hashira.
– Oh, look who’s here! Our favorite Insect Pillar!
Tengen forced a grin, while Giyuu simply nodded.
– Thank you for the compliment, but why did you both go silent the moment I arrived?
– Silent? What do you mean? There’s silence everywhere, Kocho — the world is silence! Right, Giyuu?
– Yes.
– Alright, let’s not change the subject then. What were you two talking about before I came in?
She wasn’t sure why she wanted to know so badly, but curiosity and impatience got the better of her.
– Oh, nothing important. Just things you wouldn’t understand.
Shinobu, who had studied human behavior, immediately recognized that body language — he wasn’t planning to open up.
– What do you mean by “you wouldn’t understand”? Are you suggesting I’m too stupid for you? Because if that’s the case, I’m starting to worry about you.
That remark hit Tengen’s ego hard. Feeling offended, he snapped — which was rare for him.
– No, I just mean that, as a woman, you shouldn’t be discussing this kind of thing with us.
Shinobu finally understood — these two men were even more backward than she thought. She looked to Giyuu for support.
– He’s not wrong.
– So you’re excluding me from your conversation just because I have an extra X chromosome?!
– See?! They’re doing it again! Playing the victim!
– I see now…
Two against one wasn’t fair, but she wasn’t going to back down. Straightening her back, she said proudly:
– Men like you — and yes, I’m not generalizing — only know how to think with your feet! I can’t believe there are still misogynists in 1925!
– We’re not misogynists! It’s just that women have life so much easier, and yet you still complain!
– Easier!? Do you even know what we go through every day — mostly because of you!?
– Let me think… a few tummy cramps every month? Haha!
Shinobu’s breath quickened. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. And this man had three wives?!
– Uh…
Giyuu tried to step in, pushing them apart.
– You’re right, Tomioka. It’s useless to argue with him…
But as Tengen moved closer again, Giyuu instinctively pushed Shinobu a little —
– Don’t touch me.
She said coldly, then turned and left.
– Yeah, that’s right! Walk away, Shinobu!
That was the last straw — he’d called her by her first name.
End of flashback...
– So that’s why you’re making this potion…
– Yes. It’s a potion that will temporarily change someone’s gender. I just hope it works.
– I’m sure it will.
Kanao admitted, her cheeks slightly pink.
Shinobu smiled softly, holding the flowers. If everyone were like Kanao, she wouldn’t have to go this far.
The afternoon sun was blazing, heating the stones of the estate and making the air shimmer.
The male Hashira had all gathered, summoned for a meeting that no one knew the reason for.
One was fanning himself, another stared at the ground, as silence stretched between them.
– Who’s the idiot that made us come here just to waste time?!
Sanemi shouted, ready to tear his hair out from the heat.
– It’s definitely not the Master.
muttered Obanai, his snake hissing in agreement.
– Unless…
Tengen said, pointing at a strange cardboard box.
– Is that a gift?
asked Muichiro, returning from his usual daze.
– I think so, a gift to thank us for our service, perhaps. Namu.
After everyone stared curiously at the box, Tengen decided to open it with a grin.
– Alright, here we go!
Inside was a pile of manju — red bean pastries, Sanemi’s favorite. He looked suspiciously at Giyuu.
– It wasn’t me who made them.
– To apologize for my behavior toward some of you the last time. From your fellow Pillar, Kocho.
Tengen read from a small note attached to the box, scratching his head afterward.
– Oh right… I’d already forgotten about that.
Feeling the others’ curious stares, he shrugged and grabbed a manju.
– Come on, let’s eat! For Kocho!
– FOR KOCHO!
they all shouted in unison.
– UMAI! UMAI! UMAI!
Soon, the box was empty. Everyone was full and ready to nap.
Rengoku, however, thought of the girls — it was strange they weren’t there. His kind heart made him keep two manju to give to Mitsuri later if he saw her.
– What are you going to do with those two? burp
asked Muichiro innocently, covering his mouth.
– Give them to Mitsuri, of course! What kind of question is that?!
And so, the pink-haired girl walked happily with two manju in her hands, her smile wide with joy.
Mitsuri was touched that Rengoku had thought of her, even during snack time.
He’s so kind! It’s embarassing that I didn’t get to thank him properly… but I should find Kocho-san and share one with her!
And that’s how Shinobu fell into her own trap.
After finishing her hard work preparing the gender-bend potion, she hadn’t paid attention and told Aoi to bake some sweets — adding the potion to the recipe.
Aoi did as told, then carefully packed them into a box. Seeing Shinobu asleep like a baby, she wrote a quick note in her name and asked a Kakushi to deliver them to the Ubuyashiki estate.
She felt a bit guilty… but Shinobu really needed some rest.
– I swear, munch, they’re perfect, munch!
– I don’t doubt it.
replied Shinobu, taking a bite of one herself.
– And besides, munch, it’s been ages since I last had sweets!
– Oh really? Since when?
– This morning, of course!
– sigh