"Sorry, I kept you waiting…" Mitsuri returned after a quick bath, her wet hair loosely falling on her curved back, accentuating her beauty.
"It's alright. I had nothing better to do anyway," he said with his usual smile. After placing Kie inside his temporary room in complete darkness, he had been leaning against the hallway door, waiting for Mitsuri. Though Kanae was there to kill the time.
Despite his eyes being closed, her sensual figure was still easily perceived by his mind, making him marvel at her naturally luscious appearance.
Kanae hovered beside him, muttering next to his ear in her melodious teasing voice. "Mm, I'm aware you can see her… Heh, isn't she pretty…"
'… Is she really going to act like this all the time?' Tanjiro thought, not knowing whether to laugh or cry about his situation.
Seeing that she incited no reaction from him, Kanae pouted and narrowed her eyes playfully. 'He is mature enough to control his emotions, has full power over himself. Possesses unthinkable strength, unimaginable senses, and comprehensive ability beyond his age... too weird… He's simply too mysterious despite how easygoing he presents himself…'
There was a deep, profound look on her face as she stared at his calm disposition. However, that was all she could do.
'Hah…' Sighing in defeat, a strong longing to be alive unknowingly erupted from her core, yet it was subdued almost instantly.
'I'm already dead. What's wrong with me, hah…'
Tanjiro's eyes were closed, so he missed observing the most human emotions she had shown since awakening.
"Let's go." He said, leaving to meet Kagaya. Mitsuri followed him side by side.
Kanae, unusually quiet, floated with an unreadable expression.
As they walked, Mitsuri questioned with a thoughtful look. "I wonder what kind of person Oyakata-sama is. He's definitely kind and caring like Amane-san, that much I can tell from the hospitality they've shown us…"
Tanjiro nodded. "Hm, he is the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, so he's obviously charismatic enough to run the entire organization smoothly. And even though he's suffering from an untreatable illness, he still cares more about others' suffering, treating them like his own family. So looking from that perspective…" Flashing a genuine smile, he added, "He's definitely a great guy."
Taken aback, Mitsuri couldn't help but nod silently, admitting his reasoning. "Tanjiro, you're really smart… Sometimes I forget that you're four years younger than me, hah."
Kanae also nodded unknowingly.
Hearing her admiring tone, he clicked his tongue playfully. "Girl, stop buttering me up. There's no way I'd go easy on your training because of some sweet words…"
"Ehh, I wasn't!" She protested immediately, puffing her cheeks.
He saw her comical face and chuckled loudly. "I was joking with you, haha… You're so easy to tease, Mitsuri."
He wouldn't lie, it was fun to rouse emotions out of her.
Kanae's lips curved up in amusement. 'This girl… Does she not realize how cute she is…?'
Mitsuri's eyes showed shock for a second before they flickered wildly. The next moment she pinched his hand out of nowhere. "You…! Do you find it fun to tease Nee-chan who's a lot older than you, hmm?" she said with a haughty smile, clearly using her age card to win the verbal match.
Caressing the spot where she pinched him, he turned his head toward her and nodded with a cheeky smile. "Heh, of course it's fun. Seeing girls all flustered is a wonderful treat for my mind, haha."
"Shameless…" Kanae murmured.
Mitsuri bumped her shoulder against his playfully. "Bad boy…"
A few seconds later, Tanjiro led her to the place where life signatures were gathered, on the east side of the manor.
....
From some distance, Tanjiro noticed the whole Ubuyashiki family seated on the engawa. Amane was teaching the children while Kagaya gently patted a crow perched on his hand.
Mitsuri's mouth opened in shock for a second when she saw Kagaya. More than half of his left forehead down to his eye was sickly and shriveled, a painful-looking pink that spoke of constant suffering. For someone like Mitsuri, who had never witnessed such an illness up close, it was a jarring sight.
Kagaya had very pale skin and a frail physique of average height. His shoulder-length black hair was parted in the middle.
With a calm, serene expression, he turned his head toward them as they approached.
"Please, have a seat," he said in his gentle voice.
Tanjiro and Mitsuri nodded and sat comfortably on the wooden floor as well.
In midair, Kanae released a heavy sigh. 'His illness isn't improving at all… What is this curse…'
Kagaya looked at Tanjiro's blindfold and flame-like Mark with his working right eye, showing a rare surprised smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you both, Kamado Tanjiro and Kanroji Mitsuri. I am Ubuyashiki Kagaya, leader of this organization. An urgent matter arose yesterday, preventing me from greeting you properly. I left in rather poor manner, so please forgive me for that." He gave a slight bow.
"Ah, it's not Oyakata-sama's fault…" Mitsuri replied instantly, shaking her head.
Tanjiro returned the bow politely. "Yes. We can blame the circumstances… It's nobody's fault."
Amane and the children quietly left for another room, giving them privacy. Only the three of them remained, plus a crow sitting motionless on the shade.
Kagaya revealed a gentle look. "Both of you are considerate and have passionate hearts. I'm truly glad to have you join our family in defending humanity from the terror of demons. Thank you."
Tanjiro and Mitsuri accepted his words with polite smiles.
"Well then, shall we discuss the procedures for your future in detail?" With an expectant gaze, he continued. "Tanjiro joining the ranks of Hashira, Mitsuri becoming an apprentice, and several other official matters to complete…"
Mitsuri replied joyfully. "Okay."
Tanjiro nodded. There was no reason to refuse—this was why they were here.
Kagaya couldn't help but show a happy expression. Although he had no trouble conversing with rude or impolite people thanks to his skills, talking with someone of similar gentle personality was far more pleasant.
He recalled how his first conversation with Sanemi had not gone smoothly and felt relieved that Tanjiro and Mitsuri were calm and easy to talk to. They shared common ground, which made everything smoother.
And so the meeting began immediately.
From time to time, tea was served by Koyuki-san. Before they knew it, two hours had passed.
Tanjiro received Kagaya's old Nichirin sword, which had been preserved for Kiriya. The child possessed neither talent nor stamina like his father, so the blade was passed to him instead. It turned pitch black in his grip before shifting to bright red due to his unnatural strength.
He also received a wisteria carving on the back of his hand, which could manifest when he flexed the muscles there, the mark of a Hashira.
His official uniform was ordered, to be completed by the new year. As a Hashira, it would be made from extremely comfortable, top-class material.
Additionally, he was given a weekly salary of several thousand yen. Though generous, money didn't drive him.
Kagaya even offered to gift him a mansion, but Tanjiro politely declined.
He was staying at the Butterfly Mansion. There was no question about it.
Like that, his time at the Ubuyashiki Manor came to an end.
....
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