And so, Inosuke followed Kotoha into the final palanquin at the rear of the procession.
Ordinary spectators continued cheering and calling out the proprietress's name, but the truly influential guests remained silent.
After all, this was a privately operated establishment backed by the Emperor's authority. No one believed the proprietress of Infinity House was an ordinary woman.
Throughout the journey, Inosuke silently followed Kotoha without asking a single question.
Meanwhile, as the parade returned north, everyone inside Wisteria House hurried back inside to prepare a rescue operation.
Naturally, it was impossible for everyone to charge in together.
After discussing the matter, the task was entrusted to Tengen Uzui, Tanjiro, and Zenitsu.
After a moment's consideration, they decided to bring Muichiro Tokito as well.
If the worst happened, another Hashira might prove indispensable.
On the return journey, Gyokko's popularity remained completely unrivaled.
Even Doma, who ranked second in popularity, was left far behind.
The crowd shouted in perfect unison.
"Lady Tamako's pottery is the most symmetrical!"
Inside the palanquin, Gyokko was so overwhelmed with emotion that tears nearly filled the very pot everyone was praising.
Beside the carriage, Byakuya gently tapped the porcelain vessel.
"Alright… alright…"
"Is it really worth crying this much?"
Back at Infinity House, Kotoha stepped forward and bowed apologetically to the waiting guests.
"My sincerest apologies, everyone."
"Our geisha are exhausted after today's parade."
"Infinity House will be closed for the remainder of the evening."
The customers immediately began voicing their disappointment.
Before the complaints could spread, however, Lady Tamako's enchanting voice floated out from within the building.
"Everyone…"
"Please come visit again tomorrow."
"I'll be waiting for you."
The crowd instantly fell silent.
"Of course, Lady Tamako!"
"Please have a good rest!"
"We'll definitely come back tomorrow!"
Only after Rokuro quietly closed the entrance doors did the voices finally disappear.
Inside Infinity House, Inosuke's body remained completely tense.
His instincts screamed at him.
The overwhelming scent of demons saturated the entire building.
Even so, he continued following Kotoha deeper inside.
He wanted to know why this woman resembled the mother from his fragmented memories so perfectly.
When he entered the main hall, nearly every member of Infinity House was already gathered there.
Doma quietly shut the door the instant Inosuke stepped inside.
Without another word, the demons abandoned their disguises.
One after another, members of the Twelve Kizuki revealed their true appearances.
Although Inosuke always acted fearless…
Facing nearly the entire Twelve Kizuki at once still caused his heart to race.
From Lower Rank Six all the way to Upper Rank One…
Nearly everyone was present.
Only the Upper Rank Six siblings were absent.
Instinctively, Inosuke reached toward his waist.
Only then did he remember…
He was still wearing women's clothing.
His Nichirin Blade wasn't with him.
Before he could react further, Kotoha suddenly wrapped both arms around him.
Tears streamed freely down her cheeks.
She held him tightly while repeating over and over,
"Inosuke…"
"My child…"
"It really is you…"
"My Inosuke…"
The atmosphere inside the room became strangely peaceful.
The Lower Rank demons quietly watched the reunion without interrupting.
Gyokko was still immersed in the joy of today's praise and hardly paid attention.
Hantengu stood nearby, gently comforting Gyokko.
Akaza folded his arms, wearing an expression that suggested he had expected this outcome from the beginning.
Doma smiled more brightly than anyone else.
Even he couldn't explain why.
He was simply… happy.
Feeling the warmth of Kotoha's embrace, fragments of forgotten memories slowly resurfaced inside Inosuke's mind.
A gentle woman…
Holding him in her arms…
Singing softly while rocking him to sleep…
She was…
His mother.
"…Mom…"
Even Inosuke himself found the word difficult to believe.
Yet it escaped his lips naturally.
"Inosuke…"
"It's me."
"I'm your mother."
The moment she heard him call her "Mom," Kotoha finally broke down completely.
Everything she had endured…
Everything she had waited for…
Had finally been rewarded.
Ever since Kokushibo rescued her more than ten years ago…
She had dreamed of this reunion.
She couldn't bear imagining what would have happened if she had remained trapped inside the Eternal Paradise Faith.
Fortunately…
That tragedy never came to pass.
At least…
Not in this world.
After a long silence, Inosuke suddenly remembered where they were.
"Mom…"
"Be careful!"
"This place is full of demons!"
At that exact moment
Doma happily embraced both of them from behind.
His expression looked thoroughly wronged.
"Inosuke…"
"I've gone all this time without eating humans because Kotoha asked me to."
"Doesn't that deserve at least a little appreciation?"
"What are you doing?!"
"Get away from my mother!"
"You bastard!"
Inosuke roared in his trademark booming voice.
Watching the exchange, Kotoha couldn't help but smile awkwardly.
"Inosuke…"
"That's very rude."
"You should address him properly."
She glanced toward Doma's hopeful expression.
Her cheeks gradually turned pink.
"…Call him Father."
Inosuke froze completely.
Upper Rank Two…
This demon…
Was his father?
Did that mean…
Was he half-demon?
"…Father?"
"…Dad?"
Before he could finish speaking, every Lower Rank demon burst into enthusiastic applause.
Even Akaza offered several sincere claps.
"Congratulations."
Watching everything unfold, Kokushibo finally felt satisfied.
Excellent.
If Inosuke joined this unconventional family…
That was one more step toward bringing everyone onto the same side.
Unfortunately…
Peace never lasted long.
Footsteps suddenly echoed across the rooftop.
Kokushibo sighed helplessly before cupping his hands around his mouth.
"If you're planning to come in…"
"Use the door."
"Or the window."
"Please don't destroy my roof."
The instant he finished speaking
A loud thud echoed overhead.
Someone had apparently stumbled.
A moment later, four figures slipped through the nearby window.
The instant they landed, Tanjiro and Zenitsu stiffened.
Every instinct in their bodies screamed danger.
Tengen immediately raised both of his Nichirin Cleavers into a combat stance.
The demons likewise became alert.
Especially the Lower Ranks.
After all, two Hashira had just entered the room.
Only Muichiro remained completely calm.
He never believed his great-grandfather would harm him.
When he was little, he and Yuichiro had often climbed into Kokushibo's lap.
Even when Muichiro wiped tears and snot across his clothes, Kokushibo had never become angry.
Instead, he had always spoiled both brothers.
Whenever their father refused to buy something…
Their great-grandfather quietly bought it for them instead.
"…Great-Grandfather."
Before Muichiro could properly greet him, Kokushibo smiled mischievously.
"Muichiro."
"When did you change clothes?"
"You looked rather adorable dressed as a young lady."
"Those twin ponytails suited you."
"Great-Grandfather!"
Muichiro's face instantly turned bright red.
He had never expected Kokushibo to see him dressed like that.
This was terrible.
Yuichiro would definitely hear about it now.
Watching the affectionate exchange between grandfather and great-grandson…
Both the humans and the demons inside the room became completely speechless.
Weren't they supposed to be enemies?
Were they going to fight or not?
Seeing Inosuke standing between Kotoha and Upper Rank Two, Tanjiro instinctively assumed the worst.
He hurriedly reached for his sword.
"Let Inosuke go!"
Before Tanjiro could draw his Nichirin Blade
Inosuke frantically waved both hands.
"Tanjiro!"
"Don't attack!"
"…This is my mom!"
The Demon Slayer Corps collectively froze.
For the second time that day…
Everyone wore the exact same utterly bewildered expression.
Tengen and Tanjiro exchanged conflicted glances.
Neither knew whether they should attack.
At that moment, Kokushibo quietly sensed movement outside Infinity House.
His expression remained perfectly calm.
"The Manjushiro creatures are outside as well."
He looked directly at Tengen.
"Are you certain you want to begin fighting here?"
"If battle starts now…"
"They'll simply take advantage of the chaos."
Tengen fell silent.
The gap in strength was already enormous.
And now there was a third faction waiting outside to capitalize on any conflict.
After a long pause, the Sound Hashira finally lowered his weapons.
"…We're leaving."
With that, the Demon Slayer Corps reluctantly withdrew, choosing to avoid a battle that would only benefit their hidden enemies.