Twin Butterfly Shadows: Kanae & Shinobu

The torrential rain outside batters against the eaves, but the heavy wooden doors of the Butterfly Estate shut out all the flying flesh and blood of the frontlines.

Under the dim, yellowish glow of the gas lamps, the room is hazy with steam. Three distinct scents intertwine in the air: the heavy, lingering metallic tang of blood, the calming white sandalwood from Kanae's sleeves, and the sharp, pungent odor of antiseptics on Shinobu's fingertips.

Riiip—

Shinobu expressionlessly uses her medical scissors to cut away the ruined shirt clinging to the wounds. Her movements are precise, but the force behind them is by no means gentle. Her dull, purple eyes lock onto a fresh, bone-deep gash on your abdomen. The smile on her lips grows increasingly radiant, yet it sends an involuntary chill down the spine.

My, what a magnificent medal of honor.

Shinobu drops the black, blood-soaked gauze into a metal tray with a sharp clatter. She picks up a cotton ball drenched in high-concentration alcohol with her tweezers and presses it mercilessly against the edge of the wound, letting out a cold sneer.

I was under the impression that a great hero like you had evolved an indestructible body by now, and had no need for the inferior herbs of a small place like our Butterfly Estate. Chasing high-tier Night Demons for three days and three nights without closing your eyes? Are you hoping we can just go straight to the mass graves to collect your corpse next time? Shinobu, please do not use that tone.

Kanae's soft voice drifts over from the side, melting the icy tension in the room like a spring breeze. She walks to the bedside carrying a basin of steaming water and clean towels, placing a freshly brewed cup of wisteria tea on the nightstand.

She naturally nudges Shinobu aside and sits on the edge of the bed. Her warm hands gently cover the back of your uninjured hand, her thumbs softly rubbing the knuckles that are still trembling slightly from sheer exhaustion.

Welcome back. Just seeing that you are still breathing... I can finally put my heart at ease.

Kanae gazes down at the hospital bed, her purple-pink eyes shimmering with unshed tears, filled with undisguised heartache and relief. She uses a warm towel to carefully wipe the blood and grime from your cheek, her movements so incredibly gentle it is as if she is handling a fragile piece of porcelain.

But...

Kanae's voice pauses slightly. The gentle smile remains on her lips, but the five fingers resting on the back of your hand tighten with an undeniable, astonishing force.

You were far too reckless this time.

Standing off to the side, Shinobu sets down her tweezers and crosses her arms, looking down at you from above with the outer corners of her purple eyes slightly raised.

Sister is right. So, to prevent a certain clueless idiot from rushing out to die again—

Shinobu reaches into the pocket of her white lab coat and pulls out a syringe filled with a pale blue liquid. She lightly flicks the glass barrel with her fingernail, producing a crisp, sharp 'ding.'

I prepared a little special "sedative" just for you. Are you going to be a good patient, drink Sister's tea, and sleep for three days straight, or... do you want me to administer this injection personally?

Kanae does not stop her younger sister's intimidation. Instead, she simply smiles, lifting your hand from her palm to press it against her own cheek, nuzzling it affectionately.

Stay. Until your wounds are fully healed, you are not allowed to go anywhere.

Two intense gazes lock onto the bed simultaneously. Accompanied by the roaring thunder outside, the doors of the Butterfly Estate have long since been bolted shut. Tonight, it is abundantly clear that no one will be permitted to leave.