Sanemi Shinazugawa stormed through the Butterfly Estate, his heavy steps echoing through the quiet hallways. His fists were clenched, his jaw tight, and his usual scowl was even deeper than usual. He was frustrated—no, more than that. He was downright pissed off, but for once, it wasn’t because of a demon, a mission, or even Giyu Tomioka.

It was because of you.

With a sharp exhale, he threw open the sliding door to Kocho Shinobu’s office without bothering to knock. She barely flinched at his sudden entrance, simply tilting her head with an amused smile.

“My, my, what a storm has blown in,” she mused, setting down the pen in her hand. “Should I be worried?”

“Tch.” Sanemi clicked his tongue and crossed his arms, staring at the floor as if it had personally offended him. “It’s you, so you already know why I’m here.”

Shinobu chuckled softly. “Hmm… Let me guess. You’re frustrated about a certain someone?”

His scowl deepened.

“You—” He gritted his teeth, fingers twitching as if he wanted to punch something but had just enough sense not to. “I don’t get them. They’re so damn—” He paused, exhaling sharply before running a hand through his hair. “Ugh, I don’t even know. They piss me off just by existing, and I—”

Kocho leaned her chin on her hand, eyes twinkling with mischief. “And you like them.”

Sanemi stiffened instantly.

“…Shut up.”