Nao and Muzan spent almost every night together. Yui, Nao's handmaiden had practically given up on reprimanding her after dozens of times she was able to sneak outside at night. Yui simply told her to be careful because one way or another, Kagaya would find out. And the end results would not be on Nao's favor.

Nao knows this, she does and she would never regret meeting with Muzan just because she would later be punished by her beloved brother for her actions.

Nao loves her dear brother a lot and Kagaya has always cared for her yet their feelings for each other will never be mutual. Nao has lived with the fact that her brother would never truly understand what she feels.

A beautiful wife and five beautiful children, Nao could never compete for his affection and love. Not to mention the fact that Kagaya cares deeply for his other beloved children the demon slayer corps.

Nao sometimes feel as if he cares more deeply for them than her. He talks about them a lot in their letters and he spends his whole life dedicated to them despite his illness.

Jealousy is an ugly feeling and maybe Nao seeks the freedom of the outside world because she doesn't want to drown in this type of emotion. She seeks the presence of other people to ease the gap in her heart, a gap that only her brother could fill.

And sometimes, even the thought of venturing outside and sneaking has become a rather dull thing over the past few years. That was until Nao met Muzan.

His identity as a demon never bothered her because for once in her life, a person finally managed to ease the turmoil of emotions wrecking havoc inside her.

Nao feels a type of bond towards Muzan and the man has only ever expressed such gentleness towards her. He listens to her and treats her in a nice way. A true gentleman despite being demon.

But despite this...

Nao knows he is hiding something.

Nao isn't stupid. Muzan is a demon and with that, he must've lived for years longer than her.

Kagaya has only ever called Nao her nickname, Mimi. Muzan doesn't know her real name...

And he calls her Mimi now.

'Does he know?'

Nao has always felt suspicious despite the trust she has placed on Muzan. Nao is no stranger to demons, having witnessed them kill a lot of people and in turn, seeing dozens of demon slayers behead them. She managed to develop a sense of skepticism but with great moderation.

It is only normal for her to be suspicious of Muzan. He is still a demon and even though it doesn't hinder their friendship, Nao is confident that he doesn't fully trusts her the same she does to him.

They may enjoy each other's company, talk and hold hands in a very familiar manner but there will always be a fine line separating them because of their identity.

Nao knows that their friendship might end soon because one way or another her brother would send someone over to keep her in place.

She dreaded for that day to come so Nao, selfish she maybe, indulged herself for the night and went to see Muzan again.

Yui has blatantly given up and has even stopped nagging, knowing that it would be futile since Nao would never listen.

"Be careful, Nao-sama." And please come back safely, were silently conveyed as Yui bowed her head. Nao could see her clutching her clothes and biting her bottom lip.

Nao is no stranger to the fact that Yui cared for her deeply. Yui was always so protective of her and worried about her that almost anything that Nao does is a great deal to her.

'But she needs to understand that I am no longer a child.'

Nao left the manor again. She was surprised to see Muzan waiting for her so near her place. It was as if he was expecting her.

Nao really feels creeped out with how sharp his senses were. It's like he knows when or where she plans to go everytime and he's always one step ahead of her.

"Nao-san, how are you?"

She tilted her head at him as she gently took his hand, intertwining their fingers together.

"Why does Muzan always seem to know when and where I am?"

His lips twitched slightly as he tried not to smirk.

"It's because Nao-san is somewhat predictable. "

"Somewhat...?" She looked questionably at him as they started walking.

He squeezed her hand softly. "Will Nao-san close her eyes for me. I would like to show Nao-san something."

Nao was about to protest and open her mouth but he placed his index finger on her lips before giving her a knowing look.

"Mimi... " Nao could feel her face flushing at the nickname and she immediately lowered her head to try and hide her expression.

'Kagaya-onii-sama only calls me Mimi.'

A hand slowly caressed her cheek and it made her look up, only to see Muzan's plum red eyes staring back at her.

"Will Nao-san close her eyes for me?" Muzan repeated in calm voice. Nao blinked softly and she squeezed his hand before her eyelids fluttered close.

Nao could feel his breath against her cool skin as he withdrew his hand from her.

A second passed and he squeezed her hand back.

Nao opened her eyes at his initiative. What she saw surprised her. Instead of the clearing outside her manor, they were in some kind of house with an otherworldly setting.

It felt as if this place was not of this world.

Then she heard it, the loud strung of an instrument which made her head whip around. Her eyes widened as she noticed a woman with long dark hair wearing a kimono. She was sitting on the floor while holding a biwa.

The sound must've come from her.

Nao tensed a little, it is so plainly obvious that this woman was a demon. She only has one eye and she was sitting so eerily still like a statue.

Nao unconsciously grasped Muzan's clothes with her free hand while their joined hands remained firmly in place.

"Muzan." Nao called under her breath as her grip tightened. She turned to look at him.

"Is Muzan going to eat me?" She asked innocently.

He leaned to whisper on her ear which made her shut her eyes."Lovely, but no. "

Another loud strung and then the place changed. Nao tensed up again. They were suddenly in another room. When Nao looked around, she noticed that it was some kind of laboratory filled with bottles and concoctions as well as apparatuses.

"This place is..."

Muzan pulled her towards the room.

"This is my laboratory."

He let her hand go but Nao moved closer to him, still feeling unsure inside this weird place or house if that can be called.

Muzan moved a few things until he reached up for something resting on the end of the table.

It was a clear blue liquid.

He slowly turned to Nao.

"Will Nao-san drink this for me?"

Nao's eyes widened and she silently stared at him with the question why.

Muzan's expression remained calm.

"It is a medicine I made for Nao-san. Nao-san told me she is cursed and ill. That is why I made this to cure her."

"But.." Nao hesitated, unsure if she wanted to drink the strange liquid. She silently reminded herself that Muzan is a demon and that she still needs to be cautious infront of him.

As if he could sense her hesitation, Muzan spoke.

"Mimi..." He said. "Do you trust me?"

Nao blinked at him, a look of hesitation crossing her face but as she looked at Muzan's eyes, Nao realized something. Muzan has never harmed her.

Not yet atleast.

Nao bit her lip and moved closer, taking the cup from him with both hands and slowly placing it on her lips. While she was doing this, Muzan watched her intently until she parted her lips and took a small sip.

The liquid tasted nothing and definitely smelled nothing which gave her the go sign to drink everything.

Nao lowered the cup afterwards, turning to Muzan for guidance with a worried look on her face but his calm disposition remained firmly in place.

A few seconds passed and the world was suddenly upside down.

Nao wanted to scream but she couldn't move her body and all her senses started to gradually fade until their was darkness.