This man is a demon.

That single line of thought repeated inside Nao's head but before she could speak, he held his hand towards her.

"Let me help you stand."

Nao was hesitant but she took his hands, immediately feeling how cold it is. She felt nervous holding the hands of a demon but she managed to stand back to her feet.

Nao snatched her hand back and bowed her head.

"My deepest gratitude! I'm sorry for causing you trouble...?"

The man smiled gently.

"Muzan."

The name seemed familiar but Nao brushed it off.

"I'm sorry, Muzan-san. But you can call me Nao. "She introduced herself, trying not to sound nervous.

Muzan was a demon, she knows this but for a demon, he was handsome and appealing. His skin was pale and his dark hair curled around his face. His eyes were tantalizing and although it was the eyes of a demon, Nao cannot refuse the fact that she was mesmerized by it.

Nao always seem to know whether someone is a demon or not just by looking in their eyes. She didn't really know why she had this weird talent but she knows that the eyes are the window to the soul and nothing could be hidden by it.

Muzan's eyes were unique. He seemed genuinely concern for her well being but Nao knows that he was simply trying to put on a show. He is a demon afterall.

Nao really disliked demons.

"Muzan is fine. No need for formalities. But what is a woman like you doing outside in the middle of the night?"

She glanced away from him and pointed towards the fireworks in the sky.

"It's because the festival seemed really fun. And most of all, the fireworks are really pretty!"

"I see. I guess you are right." When Nao turned, she was confused to see him staring at her.

"Nao-san, what is your family name?"

She tilted her head.

"Why do you ask?"

He chuckled softly. Nao could swear that she didn't blush, or maybe she tried not to blush.

"Nao-san, you don't trust people a lot, do you?"

She whipped her head to face him. "I do!" She immediately slapped her hand to her mouth for that sudden outburst. Muzan could only stare at her with amusement in his eyes.

"I.. I trust people, just not all the time. My Onii-sama, Brother, he would always tell me to be cautious around people outside the household." She explained in a meek voice as she stared at him.

"Apparently, some people are trying to kill him." She said, leaving the fact that those people were actually demons.

Of course, it was ironic that she was talking to one right now and she couldn't seem to understand why she wasn't running away from him.

Maybe because she knows that he was faster than her, much stronger compared to her frail body.

"How about you? Why is Muzan here?" She asked nicely.

"Just like you, I came to watch the festival. However, after spending so much time around people, I wanted to be alone so I went here where I found you."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Does Nao-san not trust me?"

Nao blushed at the innocent question directed her way.

"Not really... I just met you.."Her answer was completely understandable and he didn't seem suspicious or anything.

"I see. But why is it that someone like Nao-san is alone? Nao-san seems like the daughter of a rich family." Muzan pointed out, gesturing to her lavish kimono.

Nao felt embarrassed. She was completely tactless but she didn't have time to change her clothes. If she did, Yui would have caught her and then Nao wouldn't have been able to enjoy the festival.

"I actually sneaked out.." She confessed in a low voice, her eyes immediately looking at the ground. A wave of guilt passed through her.

But then a hand suddenly held her small one and she looked up to see Muzan staring at her.

"Don't be sad.. Nao-san feels bad about it, right?"

She quickly nodded.

"Then Nao-san won't do it again in the future because it's not safe."

Muzan softly squeezed her hand, Nao could only stare at their joined hands in silence.

"I'll escort Nao-san back to her home. It's dangerous at night. Demons are lurking around. What if one caught you?" He asked. His question almost made her falter.

But the way he was insinuating how fragile she is made her frown.

"I can fend for myself. It'll be fine!" She told him. Again, completely forgetting that she was talking to an actual demon.

"Nao-san, demons are far stronger than normal humans."

They gazed at each other in silence and Nao just sighed in defeat.

She then flashed him a smile." Then, I'll be in your care!" Nao intertwined their hands together which greatly surprised Muzan, making him stare at her intensely.

"Touchy." He ended up saying which made her turn to him.

"You were saying something..?"

Muzan smiled, his eyes instantly showing a deep color of red.

"It's nothing."

Nao paused at his smile that was directed her way. If he wasn't a demon, Nao would have really tried to get to know him better.

When they arrived at the compound, she thanked him politely for his kindness.

"Muzan is really nice. I'm grateful at you for escorting me here."

She wondered why he continued to hold her hand.

"It is my pleasure. Stay safe, Nao-san."

She pouted. "Just Nao is fine."

A few days after that encounter, she never met Muzan again. Nao could not believe how she miraculously survived an encounter with a demon.

Of course, Yui ended up nagging her for the stunt she pulled and the guards around were doubled than usual, making it completely harder to sneak out.

Nao was fine about it, she enjoyed the festival and got to meet a demon. Muzan is nice but still a demon in nature.

She knows how genuinely amused he was at her but interests are fleeting and he may have spared her because of it.

Nao pulled some paper from under her drawer, looking at the present she received from her brother after she sent him his gift and letter.

| Dear Onii-sama,

Are you mad? Yui told you didn't she? I went to sneak out again. I'm sorry. But I can't help it. The festival lured me out. I know that I should've asked for your permission but you know that I'm not really a patient person. But I assure the festival was an unforgettable experience!

I brought you something. I hope it is to your liking. A kind old lady gave it to me. She told me that it will lead me to someone. She was right. I really did meet someone. He was a nice man who escorted me home. I hope this doesn't bother you.

I'm at the perfect age for marriage but I won't be taking any suitors soon. I still want to enjoy what little freedom and time I have. I hope you're doing well, Brother. I miss you. Please stay safe.

Yours truly,
Naomi Ubuyashiki |

In the main headquarters, Kagaya was reading the letter he received a few days ago.

It was the fifth time he was reading it today and it was the 26th time he was reading the content again since day one.

Nao kept her letters short. But Kaguya knows that his younger sibling is doing well. Compared to him, Nao's body is much stronger.

"Mimi..." He whispered her nickname. "Be careful."