After the Hashira meeting ended, Okita and Kanao left the Ubuyashiki mansion.
Near the mansion entrance, under the shade of a wisteria tree, Ushiwakamaru was standing neatly, waiting for them.
She had not yet risen to the Hashira position, so she was waiting outside the meeting hall.
"Okita-san, Kanao-sama. Did the meeting end safely?"
Ushiwakamaru approached and bowed respectfully.
"It ended well~ Were you bored waiting?"
Okita answered while stretching.
"No. Seeing both of your expressions, it seems there was good news."
"Huhu, you have good eyesight, Ushiwakamaru-san. This time, the Demon Slayer Corps' medical facility has been decided to be the mansion I will receive. Of course, the residence is planned to be Okita-san's mansion."
Kanao answered with a smile. Ushiwakamaru seemed genuinely happy, her eyes shining.
"Congratulations. As expected of Kanao-sama, you're already steering the flow of the Demon Slayer Corps. Now, let's return quickly. There are too many eyes and ears here."
The three of them left the send-off from the attendants behind and headed to the secret hideout prepared for Demon Slayer Corps members in the forest on the outskirts of Tokyo.
They could go to the main house, but since Akatsuki Trading Company might be problematic, they stay at the residence provided by the Demon Slayer Corps to avoid suspicion.
Until the mansion is completed, they must stay in a temporary residence.
The three who arrived at the hideout relaxed as if their tension had eased and settled into the living room sofa.
"Haa… Being with that old man is exhausting. I'd rather fight a demon."
Okita grumbled.
"But he was a good person. He listened to my story well."
Kanao said while fiddling with the teacup.
"That's exactly what's scary about that guy. It's like cosplaying as a saintly gentleman."
Okita clicked her tongue.
"Normally, people would grab by the collar or get angry. But there, he gives a sincere apology and sheds tears? This is high-level psychological manipulation. Making you think, 'Ah, this person understands me~' and extracting loyalty, it's a very vicious method. Like a cult."
"Is, is that so?"
"Of course. From the start, I know such cult leaders too. Like that old man who likes yellow scarves. I also know several agitators. Like David or Caesar. Ubuyashiki, you have to be especially careful of that type of human."
Okita shook her head seriously.
"Later, I should ask Kiyohime-san and Benienma-san for mental training again. Kanao-san's eyes are wavering a bit now. Remember, the only person we follow is Akira-sama."
"Ah, no! I will only follow Father! That… doesn't change."
Kanao hastily denied it. But in one part of her chest, there was a strange aftertaste of meeting an adult worthy of respect in a different meaning from Akira.
Ushiwakamaru, watching Kanao's face from the side, decided to tell Kiyohime later. Trying to bewitch an immature child, Ushiwakamaru indeed didn't like the Demon Slayer Corps.
Bzz~
At that moment. The space in the middle of the living room rippled, and a black magic pattern was intricately drawn in the air. A mysterious sight as if the space itself became a door and opened.
It was Tamamo's spatial movement magic.
"You have come, Master."
Ushiwakamaru was the first to react, kneeling and showing respect.
Akira walked out from the gap in space. He was dressed in his usual suit, as natural as if he had come from the next room.
"Welcome, Father."
"You have come, Master."
Kanao and Okita also rose from their seats to greet him.
"Yeah, everyone worked hard. Since I can't come home, I came directly."
Akira sat on the sofa's head seat and looked at the three with satisfaction.
"I heard the story through the flame. The act was perfect, and I heard you were very dignified at the Hashira meeting. Kanao, Okita. I sincerely congratulate you on becoming Hashira."
"Yes! I, became the Flame Hashira! And Okita-san became the Water Hashira."
Kanao reported with a flushed face. Although she was usually less expressive and calm, in front of Akira, her eyes sparkled like a child wanting praise.
"Water Hashira… Indeed, Okita's movements suit the Water Hashira. I expected it, but Flame Hashira, it really suits our Kanao well."
Akira rose from his seat and approached Kanao. And he placed his hand on her head and softly stroked it.
"You pointed out the unfairness of the Final Selection to Ubuyashiki? Very excellent. The achievement of breaking that hypocritical tradition is yours alone for hundreds of years. You can be proud."
"Ah… Father…."
At the touch of Akira's large hand sweeping through her hair, Kanao's heart pounded. Her face turned as red as a beet.
To her, Akira was more than just an adoptive father. He was the god who saved her when she was a slave, the entirety of her world, and the object of her secretly held first love.
But to Akira, she was just a precious and lovely daughter.
'Father's hand… it's warm….'
But Akira only saw her reddened face as the reaction of a daughter embarrassed by praise.
'Praise me more… touch me more….'
Insensitively, he messed up her hair once more and then withdrew his hand.
"Truly proud, my daughter."
"…Yes, I will work harder."
Kanao fiddled with the place where Akira's hand had left, as if regretting it.
Will there ever be a day when this heart reaches him? Will there be a day when Akira sees her as both a daughter and a woman?
For now, with her heart not yet fully prepared, she had to be satisfied just being by his side.
The warm atmosphere subsided, and Akira's expression became somewhat serious. He put down the teacup and spoke quietly.
"By the way, recently, near the Asakusa main store, it's a bit noisy."
"Did something happen?"
Kanao asked with a worried look.
"The Demon Slayer Corps is loitering around the trading company. Among them, there are also members secretly tracking and monitoring my movements. Probably suspecting that our trading company is related to demons."
At those words, Kanao's eyes sharpened. The usual gentleness was nowhere to be seen, and a killing intent towards the enemy threatening her father flashed.
"Surveillance… daring to do that to Father? How unpleasant."
Ushiwakamaru, who was waiting nearby, also placed her hand on her sword hilt.
"Master. Shall I handle it? Snapping the necks of little rats is no task at all. Tonight, I will erase them without a trace."
Her voice was polite, but the killing intent contained within was real. But Akira shook his head sideways and chuckled.
"No, leave them. Rather, that's an opportunity."
"An opportunity?"
"Yeah. Even if those guys suspect me, us, and surveil. What can they discover? I am a being beyond demons."
Akira rose from his seat and approached the window.
"I can stroll under the sun without any magic, and eat human food deliciously. The characteristics of demons they know don't apply at all. Our children are also perfectly disguised as humans, so they won't know."
A perfected being unknown to the Demon Slayer Corps. Even if they investigate with demon characteristics, the Demon Slayer Corps can't find out.
"Showing them me strolling the streets in broad daylight, doing business, and eating meals itself becomes the strongest alibi for them. So I'll let them surveil to their heart's content. Rather, if I hide, it only raises more suspicion."
At Akira's relaxed attitude, Ushiwakamaru admired and bowed her head.
"As expected of Master. I apologize for causing concern."
"No, I well know the heart with which you worry about me."
Akira checked his wristwatch.
"I should get going soon. I have an important meeting with a foreign client early tomorrow morning. Since starting this canned food business, I've been busy."
Currently, Japan has been producing canned food since the Meiji era, but the production volume isn't high yet. In the current Taisho era, Japan is accelerating canned food production for various things like military supplies.
Of course, it's not made for military supplies.
In the past, regarding instant curry or curry powder, the Japanese government came to propose military supply transactions.
Of course, naturally, he who doesn't view the Japanese military and government favorably, brainwashed those who came and sent them back, and didn't make the transaction.
This canned food business is a civilian business. Ordinary people have difficulty accessing canned food, and since canned food is perceived as preserved food, ordinary people tend not to buy it.
From the start, since the war is in full swing, it's supplied as combat rations.
So Akira planned to make premium canned foods that are difficult with current canned food technology.
Like ramen canned food or rolled egg canned food, etc., he planned to make foods that citizens can buy cheaply. This is also an advanced business in Japan.
Until the mid-20th century, processing and selling canned food, which was preserved food, military food, with the purpose of enriching citizens' tables, was an innovative thing for the era.
This is also an opportunity for the trading company to make a fortune, so he pours his heart and soul into it.
Akira stretched his hand into the air again and opened the space door. The black magic pattern rippled and showed the scenery of the Asakusa main store's office.
"Now, you all rest well. For the time being, focus on Demon Slayer Corps activities."
Akira stepped beyond the door.
"Right. Later, I'll introduce a new family member. This time, with my Blood Demon Art, I called a new child?"
"A new, family member?"
"We haven't heard of it either, Master?"
"It's a secret. Later, when I have time, I'll introduce you."
Akira entering beyond the space.
"Goodbye, Father…."
Kanao watched the departing Akira's back with a sorrowful gaze. The warm warmth that had been stroking her hair just moments ago was already missed.
Akira didn't look back, waved his hand, and disappeared beyond the door, and the magic door slowly closed.
Soon, the space completely closed, and silence returned.
Kanao stared blankly at the spot where Akira had been standing. One corner of her chest ached.
How long must I hide behind the name daughter and conceal this heart?
'Father….'
She clasped her hands to her chest and firmly resolved. Becoming the Flame Hashira, stronger, more adult… someday, she will stand confidently before him.
'Next time we meet… I will definitely convey it.'
Not respect or filial piety, but this hot affection harbored as a woman.
'That I love you.'
While longing for her beloved beyond the closed space, she was secretly nurturing a love like a red flower bud.
And Akira, who arrived home, gazes at the disguised Demon Slayer Corps members exchanging information in the alley far away.
"Then, let's go eat confidently. Today's meeting is deliberately set at a Western restaurant that serves a lot of vegetables."
He felt annoyed, wondering when the Demon Slayer Corps would naturally fall away. He planned to watch for a few days, and if they continued to be bothersome, he would manipulate their minds and send them back.
"But when does Kanao plan to wear that? Okita probably suits it, and Ushiwakamaru's current outfit is more decent. Isn't the new clothes coming? I don't like the Demon Slayer Corps or other men looking at our child's chest."
In the midst of that, Akira was worrying about his daughter's chastity while thinking of Kanao's outfit.
Without knowing that very daughter has sinister thoughts hoping Akira will look at her chest.
Around the perfected being, there was no normal woman.