Yuichiro gradually grew accustomed to life at Aoba's place.
Every morning, he would head into the mountains to gather firewood and fetch water, then return to prepare breakfast. After the meal, he would tend the flowers and plants together with Aoba. Once lunch was finished, he trained in swordsmanship under Aoba's guidance until nightfall…
Compared to his former life, the only real differences were the addition of sword practice and having to cook for a few extra people.
As for why he was the one doing the cooking—Yuichiro felt that he himself could manage just fine, but he couldn't bring himself to watch his younger brother continue to destroy his stomach.
He had no idea how Aoba and Hiru had managed to survive for so long without eating themselves to death.
Today, however, was slightly different from usual. When Yuichiro returned home, there was an unfamiliar masked man inside. Judging from Aoba's attitude, he held this person in extremely high regard.
"Haha, we were just talking about you two, and here you are." Aoba pointed toward Yuichiro. "Yoriichi, this is one of the two children Hiru brought—the older brother. His name is Yuichiro."
Yuichiro set the bundled firewood by the doorway, but his gaze couldn't help drifting toward Yoriichi. After all, this was the first time he had ever seen someone who seemed to possess no presence at all.
He's really like a plant…
"Yuichiro, is it…" Yoriichi looked at the calm, composed boy and smiled gently. Then he nodded to Aoba. "Thank you for taking care of the children."
"It's no trouble," Aoba waved his hand, his expression helpless. "As long as you don't let Hiru come over again, it's not troublesome at all."
"Sounds like Hiru caused you quite a bit of difficulty."
Aoba shook his head with a smile. "I wouldn't call it trouble… His handiwork doesn't interfere with my flowers and plants, and there are some pieces I absolutely love. It's just that he keeps eyeing the medicinal herbs reserved for the team's orders and testing the waters—that part really puts a lot of pressure on me."
Yoriichi smiled faintly. "That does sound like him."
By then, Yuichiro had finished putting things away and walked over. "I hear Hiru mention you all the time. In any case, thank you."
"There's no need to thank us…" Yoriichi smiled softly and reached out to rub Yuichiro's hair. "This is simply what we should do."
Yuichiro found it strange. Ever since Hiru had met them, he treated being kind to them as something only natural. Even someone as close as family would have grown cold after being driven away for months, yet Hiru remained stubbornly kind.
Yuichiro had asked him why before, but Hiru had only smiled and said it was an old debt from their ancestors, refusing to explain further. Now, he wanted to ask Yoriichi the same question.
After hearing Yuichiro's inquiry, Yoriichi paused slightly. After a moment of silence, he spoke.
"Rather than an ancestral debt, it's more accurate to say… the descendants of old acquaintances."
"Does that mean you knew our parents?" Yuichiro asked. "But you're only less than ten years older than us, aren't you?"
"It goes back much further than that," Yoriichi said with a faint smile. "There are some things we don't wish to say aloud ourselves. But when fate aligns, you may soon come to understand."
Yuichiro nodded, only half understanding. "Then I'll go make dinner. Muichiro and the others should be back soon."
Yoriichi stood up. "I'll do it."
Yuichiro looked at him suspiciously. "Aren't you a swordsman? Swordsmen know how to cook?"
His doubt was understandable—every swordsman he had encountered so far was catastrophically bad in the kitchen.
"Yes. I've dabbled a little."
Seeing how serious Yoriichi looked, Yuichiro couldn't bring himself to refuse. He led him into the kitchen, already planning to let Muichiro eat a bit less tonight and make it up to him at lunch the next day.
But once he saw Yoriichi's movements and smelled the mouthwatering aroma, Yuichiro finally understood why Hiru always said Yoriichi was overly modest.
This is "dabbling"?
Anyone would believe he was a professional chef.
"Smells so good!" Muichiro rushed in carrying a bucket of water, not a single drop spilling despite his speed. "Big brother, what did you make today?!"
"N–not me," Yuichiro stepped out of the kitchen when he heard him. "Hiru's older brother is here."
"Hiru's older brother?" Muichiro set down the bucket and craned his neck to peek inside. "So when brother Hiru says someone's amazing, does he mean amazing at cooking?"
"Probably not…" Yuichiro said hesitantly. "Even Yukinashi-sensei treats him with a lot of respect."
"Wow—! Then brother Yoriichi must be an even stronger swordsman than Yukinashi-sensei!"
"Probably," Yuichiro replied, unsure. "But he doesn't feel stronger than Hiru."
"That's where you're wrong," Aoba said as he arrived, one hand leading Kanao and the other carrying a basket.
"When Hiru and Yoriichi spar, Hiru can't even touch the corner of Yoriichi's clothing. Yoriichi is the strongest Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps—no, calling him the strongest swordsman wouldn't be an exaggeration."
"You flatter me by calling me the strongest," Yoriichi said as he came out, wiping his hands, his voice tinged with helplessness. "We're merely standing in one small corner of heaven and earth. How could I possibly be the strongest?"
"Why not?" Aoba shrugged with a grin. "With your efficiency in slaying demons, who can compare? At least, I haven't seen anyone stronger than Yoriichi yet."
"So that means brother Yoriichi is really stronger than brother Hiru?" Muichiro looked up at Yoriichi eagerly. "brother Hiru was always praising brother Yoriichi when he was around!"
"How could that be?" Yoriichi crouched down and smiled gently. "My strength is only on the surface. Hiru's strength comes from within. Hiru is much stronger than I am."
"Hey, hey… you brothers should really tone down the mutual praise," Aoba shook his head. "I can't bear to watch this."
"Haha… sorry about that," Yoriichi said, glancing at the three children. "Dinner's almost ready. Go wash your hands."
"Putting that aside," Aoba said, setting his things down and lowering his voice as he watched the twins lead Kanao off to wash up and serve the food.
"Yuichiro and Muichiro truly have exceptional talent in swordsmanship. Yoriichi, you and Hiru really don't plan on letting them join the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"…There's no need to force it," Yoriichi replied, withdrawing his gaze. "If possible, I would rather Yukinashi teach them how to live like ordinary people. Besides, isn't our effort to slay demons precisely so children can grow up without worry, and so those we cherish won't be taken from us so easily?"
"Hah… I really lose to you brothers," Aoba sighed, hands on his hips, then smiled. "Alright, I understand. But there's one thing you should be mentally prepared for."
"Hm?"
"The talent of these two children is outrageously high," Aoba said, looking at the three little ones already waiting eagerly by the table. "Even though I've never taught them Breathing Styles, from my observations, they've already figured out the rudiments just by watching my actions.
"And although I haven't deliberately guided him, Muichiro is extremely interested in becoming a swordsman. Ever since Hiru left, he's been constantly pestering me with questions about the Demon Slayer Corps… In short, don't say I corrupted the kids when the time comes."
"Heh… if that's the case, then let them follow their hearts," Yoriichi chuckled softly. "After all, I'll be here.