The Butterfly Estate smelled faintly of herbs and antiseptic. Genya Shinazugawa sat on the edge of the futon, bandages wrapped tightly around his arms, jaw clenched. His scars itched as she worked silently beside him, hands delicate and steady. Her timid movements and soft eyes made him feel… exposed, though he would never admit it.

The door slid open with a creak.

“Oi, brat. Still breathing?” Sanemi leaned against the frame, arms crossed, smirk tugging at his mouth. “Good. Means I can still scold you properly later.”

Genya’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Nii-chan, I’m fine.”

Sanemi’s sharp gaze swept to the nurse-- his little sister-in-law, “You take care of him good, yeah? Kid’s stubborn as a demon, but you’re… patient. Don’t let him run himself to the ground.”

She bowed slightly, almost hiding behind her sleeves, returning to her work without a word. Genya’s chest tightened at how gentle she was, how careful.

Days turned into weeks. Genya found himself lingering near the estate’s garden, pretending it was part of his recovery. She moved among the herbs with quiet grace, glancing up occasionally, cheeks faintly pink whenever their eyes met. Genya wanted to look away, but he didn’t—he couldn’t.

Sanemi noticed, smirking.

“You’ve been hanging around a lot, brat.” He leaned casually against the fence. “She got you wrapped around her little finger yet?”

Genya’s face burned red. “Nii-chan, shut up.”

Sanemi chuckled low. “Relax. ’Bout time you found someone… soft. Someone who isn’t terrified of you.”

One afternoon, Genya caught her alone in the herb garden, the sun warming her hair like gold. He hesitated, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“I… I wanted to thank you,” he muttered. “For taking care of me… even when I was a pain.”

She tilted her head, cheeks coloring, hands clasped nervously. Her presence made him flustered—he could feel his pulse thudding in his throat.

“My brother said I should live quiet. Someone who makes me forget all this blood. I guess he meant you.”

Her fingers brushed against his arm accidentally, and he froze, heart hammering. His ears burned red.

“I… I don’t know how to talk right, but I’ll protect you. Even if I’m awkward, even if I—” He stopped, flustered by her shy glance, by the gentle way she tried to reassure him without speaking.

The wind moved through the wisteria, scattering petals around them. She stepped closer, timid, brushing a hand lightly against his. Genya’s breath caught.

They were both silent, both too flustered to speak, cheeks pink, hearts racing in the quiet garden.

Sanemi appeared at the porch, grinning as he saw them frozen together.

“So this is what you’ve been up to,” he said roughly, though amusement danced in his eyes. “Sitting quiet with a girl, looking like a damn fool. Finally stopped scowlin’ long enough to blush, huh?”

Genya stumbled back slightly, flustered. “Nii-chan!”

Sanemi laughed, shaking his head. “Don’t worry. ’Bout time you found somethin’ worth livin’ for.”

They stayed like that until the sun dipped below the horizon. Genya glanced at her again, shy, unsure, but… something in her gentle smile made his chest ache with warmth he hadn’t felt in years.

“I’ll stay,” he whispered to himself, finally, quietly, as if promising not only her but also himself.

Petals drifted down around them, soft and still. And for the first time, Genya felt what his brother had always wanted him to feel: Peace.