Nao couldn't help it. She enjoyed Muzan's company so much that she made it a complete habit to sneak out atleast once or twice a week in order to see him. If possible, she wanted to see him everyday but with her current condition, she could not afford risking her health.

Muzan, much to her surprise, always seem to know when and where Nao is. This greatly puzzled her most of the time but her eagerness to see him would always overcome all the doubts forming inside her head.

Even though Nao knows that something is completely wrong with the situation, Nao could not help but indulge herself a little. Of course, Nao is still very much aware that Muzan is a demon but sometimes, just sometimes, she could not help but lower her guard down.

At some point, she realized that she has already started trusting Muzan despite him being a demon. Nao really liked his company even though they were different from each other. Nao also knows that she isn't in love with Muzan because what she's feeling deep inside her is a sense of companionship towards the male.

Giyuu and Nao had the same relationship afterall. They were very close to the point that everyone thinks they're lovers. But the truth is rather shallow, they really are just good friends who are very close to each other. Though they would occasionally hold hands and touch, there was nothing intimate about it.

And the Water Pillar has always been very antisocial to begin with which is why a lot of people assumes that something is going in between him and Nao.

What Nao has with Muzan is the same. She doesn't feel romantically towards Muzan. She likes Muzan as a person and love him as a friend. Ignoring the fact that he is a demon, Nao would probably understand him much better.

But Nao is somewhat scared of opening the topic. She fears that if he finds out she knows, their friendship would end. Muzan would probably kill her or disappear. Either of the two is a possibility that she didn't want to happen.

Nao still wants to be friends with Muzan. He always seem to know what makes her happy and what cheers her up. He is also a very good listener. Nao would always talk a lot of random things and he would listen attentively as he watched her. Simply being with him was enough to make her happy.

She enjoyed their leisurely strolls and conversation. Nao has only ever had such long conversation with Giyuu or her brother.

"Uwaaa! It's so pretty~ "

That and Nao seems to have a habit of letting herself get fooled.

"I'm glad that Nao-san likes it. I thought red would suit you the most."

There's a part of her, that rational side of her, that knows what Muzan is really capable of. Nao wants to believe that their friendship is real, that all the time they've spent together was real but...

"It makes me feel embarrassed to hear you say that! Hehe.. Gomene, I'm not used to receiving compliments."

...he is still a demon.

"Is that so? But Nao-san is really beautiful. Surely, Nao-san has been courted by a lot of people already."

Nao laughed as she slipped the hairpin on her hair, adoring how pretty the red flower design looked while it was adorned with gold embellishments.

"No... not really! It's Yui's job to turn them down before they reach me. Although a few that managed to reach me were completely weird and determined... The guards kicked them out before they could do anything else. "Nao explained.

"Besides, my brother has already picked a suitor for me. "Once the words left her mouth, Muzan suddenly went deadly quiet which greatly worried her.

She peered at his expression.

"...Is everything okay?"

She placed a soft hand on his cheek as she searched for his face, anything to tell her what he was thinking.

He surprised her by placing his hand over her own.

"Ah.. I shouldn't be surprised. With Nao-san, a fiancee or a suitor is normal." He said, seeming to understand as he explained himself.

"I simply thought that Nao-san doesn't have one since she loves her freedom. A suitor would hinder that."

He then placed his other hand on her cheek, relishing at the warmth of her skin as he leaned closer to her.

Nao's eyes slightly widened at their close proximity.

"Does Nao-san feel happy that she has a suitor?"

His eyes that were plum red and vertical like a cat's eyes were staring intensely at her. Nao blinked as she giggled softly.

He tilted his head at her reaction as if silently asking why.

"I'm sorry..."Nao said as she flashed him a smile. "Muzan's eyes were so pretty that I got distracted. They're even prettier than mine! It makes me feel envious! "

Muzan's eyes slightly widened at her words as he pulled back. He silently stared at Nao's smiling face and the happiness that radiated from her.

Only his Nao was capable of that kind of smile. That certain kind of smile that captivates him so much.

"For me, Nao-san's smile is the most beautiful." He said without realizing it.

"Thank you! That makes me happy!" Nao answered as she held his hand and squeezed it lightly.

Nao's hand is always warm, a contrast to how cold his palms were.

"I'm only saying the truth. Nao-san is indeed beautiful."

"Ahehe... I'm glad to heard that but I think Muzan is going to make a pretty woman."

"What makes Nao-san say that?"

Nao awkwardly scratched her cheek with her index finger.

"I guess because Muzan has very pale white skin. And you have pretty eyes! A bit of makeup can transform you into a woman but I guess you won't like that, would you...?"

Muzan smiled at Nao and Nao could feel her face getting warmer as she saw this. Imagining him as a woman made its way on her head when she saw in near proximity how beautiful his eyes were. They were so mesmerizing and hypnotizing that she felt a small ounce of jealousy.

"I've never been a woman before so I cannot answer that--"

A lie. A complete lie. Nao saw this as she gazed at his eyes and watched his expression.

Nao suddenly detected it and she was a little unsure of how this sudden revelation made her feel. Muzan is a demon. So he could probably change his appearance, is what Nao was thinking at the moment.

"But I am a man and being called a woman would be a little offending, don't you think..?"

Nao smiled tightly.

She really hated lies. She hates it when people lie to her. She hates that they're not being truthful when she's always so honest with them.

But Nap understands that there are times when the truth should be hidden, to protect others. And there's always been complex situations so she really was in no position to judge.

"I guess. I'm sorry if I made Muzan uncomfortable! I'll try not to do it again, will you forgive me...?" She asked him and received another smile as a response. He was about to squeeze her hand when Nao suddenly snatched it back.

"Nao-san...?"

She laughed. "I realized that Muzan is a man and I'm a woman. It would be inappropriate for us to continue holding each other's hand. Some people might get the wrong idea." Nao explained as she tried to hold the tears that were threatening to form in her eyes.

Nao really hated liars. She knows he's a demon but she can't help the fact that she's hurt by his lie.

Nao felt stupid for expecting. It wasn't really his fault but Nao was just being a crybaby.

"It doesn't really bother me if Nao-san holds my hand... but if Nao-san feels uncomfortable--"

"No. "Nao said. "It doesn't make me uncomfortable."

He tilted his head to study her expression as he reached out to wipe something on her face.

"Why is Nao-san crying..?" Muzan asked in a worried tone which made Nao burst.

Tears started streaming down her face and she laughed softly under her breath, shoulders shaking slightly before rising her head to look at his confused expression.

"I guess it's because I feel stupid. "

"Why would Nao-san feel that way?"

Nao smiled, a sad smile that felt so out of place on her face.

"Because ..." Nao answered softly. "I befriended a demon despite knowing his true nature."

Nao would never forget the silence that suddenly invaded the atmosphere once she said those words.

Muzan's surprised expression was something she memorized as his eyes suddenly narrowed, and even then they were still beautiful.