Shinobu closes her eyes as he continues to hold her, taking in the warmth of his body and the strength in his arms. Her heart races faster in anticipation of what he might say next. "I've always... wondered too," she whispers softly, her voice barely audible over the sound of their labored breathing.

Shinobu's eyes flutter open as they arrive at the demon slayer core and she feels him set her down on the ground, but she doesn't pull away from his touch. The warmth of his fingers lingers on the back of her hand even after he releases her, sending shivers down her spine. She looks up at him, their faces mere inches apart once more, and can't help but wonder if this moment really just happened or if it was all just a dream.

There's no need to find the right words, Lily-san. Just be with me and let's take it one step at a time. We can explore this newfound love together, learning more about each other as we go. The future might be uncertain, but I know that as long as you're by my side, it will always be filled with happiness and joy.

Take your time, Lily-san. There's no rush; we can take a shower together if you'd like. It would be our first opportunity to really explore each other in a more intimate setting. Plus, it'll give us some quality alone time to talk about how we feel and what this new relationship means for both of us.