Feeling everyone's gaze, Mitsuri's face quickly turned red, then she shyly covered her face and whispered, "Sorry..."
Seeing this, everyone no longer focused their attention on her.
Obanai looked at Sanemi. He was quite speechless after hearing Sanemi's explanation just now. As someone whose personality was quite similar to Sanemi's, he admitted that they both often bullied lower-ranked Demon Slayers.
Therefore, after hearing Sanemi say what he just said, he didn't understand whether Sanemi's self-perception was truly like that, or if he was just making an excuse.
"Are you serious?"
Obanai looked at Sanemi and spoke.
Sanemi also knew what his image was in others' eyes. He had indeed bullied lower-ranked Demon Slayers quite a bit, just not as much as Obanai.
Because of Mitsuri's inability to hold back earlier, he felt his face getting hot.
"Of course."
However, since things had come to this, Sanemi decided to keep up his stubborn facade.
Obanai had nothing more to say upon hearing this.
Immediately after, Sanemi turned around and, with an indifferent expression, said to Genya, "Don't flatter yourself.
Also, a good-for-nothing like you, who can't even use a Breathing Technique, doesn't deserve to be in the Demon Slayer Corps. I advise you to quit as soon as possible, otherwise..."
From Musashi's explanation just now, Sanemi also knew why Genya was here. He felt that it might be for some dangerous mission, so he didn't want Genya to participate.
Although he verbally claimed not to acknowledge Genya as his younger brother, Sanemi had privately inquired about a lot of information regarding Genya and also learned that he couldn't use a Breathing Technique, though the information he received was a bit outdated.
"Brother, I've already learned the Breathing Technique, and this time I even participated in the battle against Upper Moon Four! My strength is no longer weak! I don't want to always be under your protection, I also want to be able to help you! To be able to fight alongside you!"
Sanemi's actions just now had confirmed Musashi's previous analysis for Genya, making him believe that Sanemi didn't resent him, but was rather being rough with him to keep him out of danger.
The suppressed emotions erupted at this moment. Genya interrupted Sanemi and shouted loudly at him.
"Before, you said that the two of us would protect Mom and our younger siblings... but in the end, everything was borne by you alone... I've always been a burden to you, Brother... letting you protect me... I also want to protect you like you protected me... Please give me a chance to atone for my mistakes back then..."
As Genya spoke, tears already streamed down his face. He completely poured out his heart, and by the end, he was tear-streaked.
At this moment, he no longer cared who was around him; in his eyes, only Sanemi remained.
Mitsuri, who had been covering her face in shame, was now also in tears. Although she wasn't clear about the specific events, Genya's emotions had completely infected her.
Sanemi listened to Genya's words, first stunned, then fell silent. Recalling the past through Genya's words, he also felt a slight ache in his nose and eyes, but he held it back; he was strong enough.
When Genya said the first part of his speech, he still wanted to retort and carry out his will to the end, but after Genya finished the latter part, he started to understand.
Before, he always thought that no matter what, it would be enough for Genya to survive as an ordinary person, ignoring Genya's own thoughts.
Now, hearing Genya's heartfelt words, he realized that his younger brother had also grown up.
After saying those words, Genya lowered his head uneasily, unsure of what would happen next.
"You didn't make any mistakes, so there's no need to atone. A younger brother should still stay behind his older brother..."
After much thought, Sanemi gave his answer. He acknowledged Genya and expressed that he didn't blame him for his actions back then, but still wanted Genya to live under his protection.
Hearing that Sanemi finally acknowledged him, Genya raised his head, meeting Sanemi's gentle gaze.
Pretending to be rough with Genya was not easy for Sanemi himself, but he would rather let Genya suffer a bit than have him perish while hunting demons.
Now, Genya's heartfelt words made him no longer want to pretend.
"Brother..."
Seeing Sanemi revert to his old self, Genya's tears again flowed uncontrollably.
Musashi smiled at this scene; his accidental idea had indeed played a role.
"Waaahhh!!! How touching! Shinazugawa-san has finally reconciled with his brother!"
At this moment, Mitsuri, who was off to the side, suddenly cried out.
Actually, it wasn't really sudden; she had been crying ever since Genya finished speaking, it was just louder now. Although she still didn't know what exactly happened between Sanemi and Genya.
Mitsuri's shout startled both Genya and Sanemi. They had been so focused just now that they had even ignored everyone else around them. Now, Mitsuri's voice made them realize what environment they were in again.
Seeing the others looking at them with smiles, both of their faces turned a bit red.
As luck would have it, Giyuu walked in at this moment. His gaze immediately fell on Sanemi, as this situation was something he had never seen before.
Sanemi also noticed Giyuu walking in at this moment, and even met his gaze. Sanemi's heart instantly jolted.
Giyuu looked at Sanemi expressionlessly for a while, pondering why Sanemi had shown such an expression just now.
Could it be... he's happy because of my arrival...?
Looking at Giyuu's usual blank face, and how he kept staring at him, Sanemi sensed a mocking implication. Moreover, he absolutely did not want anyone to see how he had been acting just now, and he instantly became enraged.
Finding an outlet and a direction to divert others' attention, Sanemi walked towards Giyuu.
He must be trying to greet me... Could it be that Shinazugawa was the one muttering about me on the road last time...?
Looking at Sanemi walking towards him, Giyuu thought to himself. However, Sanemi's next words shattered his illusion.
"Tomioka, your patrol area is clearly the closest, so why are you so late? Are you looking down on us?"
It was a similar reason to last time; Sanemi had already rolled up his sleeves.
"Stop! Corps rules forbid members from fighting each other!"
Tanjirou, who was next to Musashi, immediately ran forward upon seeing this situation, wanting to stop the two from fighting.
Giyuu felt a bit disappointed upon hearing Sanemi's words, realizing that Sanemi didn't seem to be trying to greet him.
Remembering how angry Sanemi seemed last time when he didn't respond to his question, Giyuu decided to respond properly this time.
"I'm not looking down on you all, it's just that my strength is different from yours."