"Nezuko's Cuteness Overload and Tanjiro's Dumbfoundedness"
Nezuko immediately turned her gaze to Aoki, who stood behind Tanjiro. She gently disengaged from Tanjiro's embrace and slowly approached Aoki. Tanjiro was completely bewildered.
"Um…" Aoki stammered, unable to speak as Nezuko approached. Cold sweat trickled down his face. Despite his immense strength, he still couldn't overcome his shyness around girls.
Nezuko's unwavering gaze made him avert his eyes. Then, a warm hand gently rested on his head, stroking his hair.
Looking up, Aoki saw Nezuko's hand on his head, a peculiar smile on her face.
Nezuko's thoughts: "Brother's senior, human family."
Aoki's thoughts: "Whoa, whoa! She's so cute! I'm going to melt!"
Tanjiro's thoughts: "Oh no! Nezuko's being too forward. Senior Aoki's going to get angry!"
Tanjiro instantly appeared beside Nezuko.
"Nezuko, that's very rude! Take your hand away!"
He tried to remove Nezuko's hand from Aoki's head, but hesitated, unable to bring himself to be forceful with his sister.
Aoki's thoughts: "She touched my head! Can I touch hers?"
Aoki slowly reached out towards Nezuko's head, beads of nervous sweat visible on his hand.
"It's over! Senior Aoki's angry!"
Tanjiro, misinterpreting Aoki's intentions, pulled Nezuko away from him.
"Senior Aoki, she's my sister! My own sister! Please don't do anything! Beat me up instead! Please don't hurt my sister!"
Tanjiro's eyes bulged, fearing Aoki would attack Nezuko.
Aoki, his hand halfway to Nezuko's head, stared blankly as Tanjiro pulled her away, uttering incomprehensible words. His eyes widened in surprise.
Nezuko, clearly confused by Tanjiro's actions, protested with soft "Mmm" sounds.
"Is this guy an idiot?"
Realizing Tanjiro's intentions, Aoki looked at him as if he were a complete fool.
A deep cough interrupted them. Urokodaki Sakonji, wearing his red tengu mask, stood outside the hut, observing them.
"Master Urokodaki!" Tanjiro quickly released Nezuko and bowed deeply.
Aoki, however, was less respectful. "Well, old man, did I make you proud?" he said with a smug smile.
Urokodaki Sakonji smiled slightly, though his mask hid it from Aoki and Tanjiro. If they had seen it, Aoki would have teased him mercilessly.
Two years ago, Urokodaki Sakonji found an unconscious Aoki in the mountains. Incredibly lucky, Aoki had spent a night there without being discovered by any demons.
A few days after taking Aoki as a disciple, Giyu Tomioka, the current Water Hashira and one of Urokodaki's disciples, sent a letter recommending Tanjiro as a disciple. This is how Aoki and Tanjiro became close brothers.
That evening, Urokodaki Sakonji prepared a lavish dinner. Aoki, however, thought it was inferior to a three-yuan bowl of hot dry noodles from a street vendor on Earth. Still, sharing the meal with his closest companions in this world was enjoyable.
Exhausted, Aoki and Tanjiro retired to their rooms and fell fast asleep.
The next morning, they woke late, but Urokodaki Sakonji had prepared a hearty breakfast. During the meal, Aoki mentioned killing the Hand Demon, urging Urokodaki to let go of his grief.
Urokodaki Sakonji was moved. While outwardly stern, he deeply cared for his disciples. The deaths of his students on Mount Fujikasane had caused him immense pain.
With the Hand Demon dead, a weight lifted from his heart.
Urokodaki Sakonji gave the steel to the swordsmith, promising delivery in two weeks.
Aoki was indifferent; he already had a Nichirin Sword. But Urokodaki Sakonji explained that Aoki's current sword was of the lowest grade, and the high-quality steel would yield a superior blade.
Aoki agreed to avoid an argument.
After breakfast, a communication crow arrived.
"Notice! Notice!" the crow croaked. "Demon Slayer Corps, Mizunoto-rank slayer Aoki, report immediately to Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. The Master wishes to see you!"
"Repeat: Demon Slayer Corps, Mizunoto-rank slayer Aoki, report immediately to Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. The Master wishes to see you!"
Urokodaki Sakonji, washing dishes, froze. He rushed to Aoki's room, his voice commanding.
"Aoki, put on your Demon Slayer Corps uniform and go to headquarters immediately!"
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