"Nao-sama, please! Don't you dare sneak out tonight! I will personally tie you up if you continue this habit!" Yui warned her.

Nao could only laugh.

"Yui, I'll try not to."

"Nao-sama, you always say that... Yet you still end up sneaking out!"

True to Yui's words, Nao really did sneaked outside again, swiftly escaping the guards.

Nao went to town instead, exploring places and chatting with some people along the way.

She was getting gradually tired because of her frail body. Nao almost fell down the road if it weren't for an arm that held her waist before she could kiss the dirt.

"Ehh... ?" She looked up to see who helped her.

Nao's eyes widened slightly.

"Nao-san can be really clumsy. Are you okay?" Muzan stared back at her, his question left hanging in the air. Nao blushed a deep shade of red.

"M-Muzan." Nao immediately straighten herself.

"Why are you here..?"

He smiled. "I came to meet with someone. Then I noticed Nao-san so I decided to approach her. It's a good thing I did."

Nao felt thankful that he did approached her but she knew that it was not a good thing. There was a reason he came to her.

She noticed that his eyes had drifted to her neck.

"I remember that Nao-san wasn't wearing a necklace before. Is it new?"

Nao instantly felt nervous. Her brother gifted her the necklace and just like her, he gave her a silver one with the same wisteria design engraved on it.

"My brother gave it to me just recently. Does it not suit me?"

His eyes didn't blink and in a low voice, Muzan replied. "It does."

Nao smiled. "That makes me happy! I thought it wouldn't suit me since Yui said that jewelries or accessories do not go well with my personality."

His eyes looked over with a certain gleam. "It's because Nao-san is the reckless type despite being from a rich family. "

Nao stared at him with confusion. "Is Muzan telling me that I'm not very ladylike?"

He smiled and good lord, it was mesmerizing. Nao's eyes widened before she quickly shook her head and gave him a pointed glance.

"Smiling at me won't let you get away with it."

"I know." Was his reply and he held his hand out to her.

"Because Nao-san is still a beautiful woman even though she likes to sneak out."

She pouted immediately. "You're indirectly telling me how much of a naughty brat I am. Muzan is really mean..." She sulked before taking his hand and intertwining their fingers together.

He gently squeezed their hands and led her.

"I'll make it up to Nao-san."

She looked up to see his face. He was starting at her with mild amusement which made her frown a little.

"You're being mean to me. "Nao bluntly said.

He squeezed her hand again which sent her a wave of calmness.

"But I did saved Nao-san didn't I?"

He has a point which got her thinking a little.

"I guess... " She murmured dejectedly for a moment. Nao was actually feeling quite confused at the fact that she once again willingly took the hand of a demon, knowing how dangerous they are.

Nao couldn't even place this weird feeling inside her chest. She felt as if she knew Muzan but despite racking her brain from information, it will all still lead to the fact that she first met him during the festival.

Nao couldn't explain the readiness and comfort she was feeling with him. It was questionable since he was a demon to begin with and Nao is human. A sick and frail human that would be too weak to fight a demon.

"Oh! There's the old lady from before!" Nao said when she caught side of the old woman who gave her the necklace. She ran towards the woman which ended up with her dragging Muzan since they were holding each other's hands.

"Uwaa! Obaa-san! It's you!" Nao yelled which made the old woman turn to her.

"Ojou-san, we meet again. "The woman's smile which made her wrinkled face wrinkle even more was a refreshing sight for Nao to see since she rarely had any elders to look up to.

"My brother liked the bracelet a lot! Thank you so much!" She said as she bowed her head.

"I'm glad to hear that, Ojou-sa--" The old lady was surprised when Nao suddenly wrapped her arms around her before giving her a small peck on the cheeks.

"I'm really grateful, Obaa-san! Brother was so happy! And his happiness makes me happy! He even gave me something that matched! Look!" Nao gestured to the necklace on her neck, eyes beaming brightly as she smiled.

The old lady gave her another smile.

"You are a kind soul, Ojou-san. The necklace suits you a lot."

"Thank you!" She replied eagerly.

The old lady then narrowed her blurry eyes.

"Ojou-san... that is?"

Nao looked behind her and she grinned. She took Muzan's hand and gently squeezed them.

"Obaa-san, this is Muzan. Muzan is my new friend!" Her answer suddenly made the demon's eyes widen. Muzan turned to Nao, surprised at how easily she declared the words without hesitation.

His chest tightened. Even though centuries have passed, she was still the same. He squeezed her hand back and faked a smile, ignoring the feeling inside his chest.

He knew what it was and he blamed himself for staring so openly at that one smile that only Nao could make.

The old lady merely looked at Muzan which greatly puzzled Nao.

"Ojou-san, be careful." The woman said once Nao and Muzan was far.

As they walked along the village, Nao kept talking and talking, saying all sorts of things with ease and a carefree smile on her face. She didn't seem to remember that she was having a conversation with a demon because Muzan kept listening quietly at her stories.

"My brother is really wise! He's also the kindest brother I know! He runs the family and he cares a lot for his children! My niece and nephew are probably maturing so rapidly right now because of my brother's wisdom! I miss them so much!" She said.

Muzan chuckled. "Because it's been years since you last saw them. "

"Yes, you're right. Brother won't let me see them though.... " Nao whispered before a yawn suddenly left her lips.

A hand gently squeezed her hand which made her look up to see Muzan. He was staring at her with a worried look on his face.

"Nao-san, you're tired. It seems that we've been walking for too long."

Nao blinked and rubbed her eyes before another yawn left her lips.

"Sorry... I guess I'm tired. My body is really weak. Our family is cursed."

Muzan tilted her head, watching her face as she tried to stay awake. His hand twitched, readying itself since he knows that she won't be able to walk another step soon.

"I forgot to tell Muzan. "She said, looking apologetic at him. "But my family is cursed and everyone in the family has a weak and frail body."

Nao slowly pulled her hand away. "I think I should go. I don't want to trouble Muzan any longer."

He shook his head. "Nonsense. Nao-san isn't a bothet at--"

Nao suddenly fell forward and he went to catch her before she could fall to the ground.

"-all.."

His eyes narrowed.

He looked at her resting face and noticed that she only fell asleep. He couldn't seem to understand why a woman like her would trust a stranger they just met. She was quite naive but he knows that Nao isn't stupid.

In a way, he knows that she trusts him. Even though centuries have passed, their bond was still present which was why Nao seemed so at ease with him.

Of course, his Nao doesn't remember him. But a drop of his blood is the only thing hindering that.

"Onii-sama... Kagaya-onii-sama.... " Nao murmured which made him froze.

'Our family is cursed.'

'Everyone in the family has a weak and frail body'

Muzan stared at Nao, feeling indignant at the irony of the situation.