Night had fully fallen.
Led by the Kasugai crow, the group descended the mountain and stopped before a grand estate.
At the center of the gates was the crest of wisteria flowers.
"Rest! Rest! The injured may stay here until fully recovered!"
The crow perched on Tanjiro's arm croaked in its sharp, hoarse voice.
Aoyama rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Huh. Two extra people join the team and suddenly this bird's grown bold?
It felt like a well-behaved child acting up just because guests had arrived.
Tanjiro stared at the crow in disbelief.
"We can really rest? I fought this whole time while injured!"
"Caw-haw-haw~"
Yep.
Definitely getting cocky.
A glint flashed through Aoyama's eyes. He stepped forward and casually shoulder-checked Inosuke toward the crow.
"Ahh, I'm hungry. Hard to compete on an empty stomach."
Hearing the word compete, Inosuke immediately clenched his fist and pointed at the crow.
"Then let's eat it!"
His gaze shifted to Zenitsu's sparrow.
"And that one too!"
The crow exploded into flight. The sparrow followed instantly.
Another second and they'd have been featherless barbecue.
The gate creaked open.
An elderly woman with a full head of white hair emerged and led them inside.
The estate was spacious and dignified.
Aoyama glanced around thoughtfully.
Living here with Nezuko… living a shameless, carefree life… that would—
"Senior Brother, why aren't you saying anything?" Tanjiro asked.
Aoyama's face darkened.
He had just been about to indulge in a pleasant daydream.
Now?
Interrupted.
His hand pressed against his chest, patting slowly.
Calm down. Be kind. The world is beautiful. Why so irritable?
Beside him, Inosuke mimicked him exactly, slapping his bare chest loudly.
"Look! Whatever you can do, I can do too! Heh!"
Tanjiro covered his forehead.
This one… might be beyond saving.
Walking behind Tanjiro, Zenitsu tugged nervously at his sleeve.
"That old lady… isn't she some kind of demon granny?"
Thud.
Tanjiro punched him on the head, temporarily shutting him up.
This estate existed solely to serve members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Its master had once been tormented by demons and was saved by a Demon Slayer. In gratitude, he renovated the mansion to offer shelter and care to slayers.
After dinner, a physician arrived to examine everyone.
Aoyama sat nearby, observing thoughtfully.
The crow said injured members can rest until fully healed.
But I'm perfectly fine. If I'm not injured, can I just stay here and freeload?
The diagnoses came in.
Zenitsu: two broken ribs.
Tanjiro: three broken ribs.
Inosuke: four broken ribs.
"HAHAHA! I've got the most broken ribs!"
Zenitsu and Tanjiro stared at him.
Was he… proud of that?
Inosuke ignored them and pointed at Aoyama.
"Check him! He can't have more broken ribs than me!"
The doctor stepped forward with a stethoscope.
Aoyama raised a hand to stop him.
"No need. I've already diagnosed myself. I've suffered emotional damage. An unspeakable wound of the soul."
Silence.
Everyone stared.
That… wasn't in any medical textbook.
Inosuke grabbed the doctor by the collar.
"What emotional wound?! Do I have it too?! Check me! I must have it!"
He roared directly into the doctor's ear, nearly deafening the poor man.
And just like that, the "emotional injury" topic was dropped.
Late into the night—
Under Aoyama's "suppression," everyone lay obediently in their futons.
Only Aoyama remained seated before Nezuko's wooden box, waiting.
Zenitsu stared at the box nervously.
"Hey… Senior Aoyama… That's Tanjiro's box. There's a demon inside. I can hear it. Why do you allow him to carry a demon?"
If Tanjiro didn't carry Nezuko, I'd have happily soloed long ago.
That was Aoyama's inner thought.
But of course, he didn't say it.
A faint sound came from inside the box.
Zenitsu bolted upright and hid behind Tanjiro.
"T-There's a sound…"
The lid creaked open slightly.
"Tanjiro… you carry it… w-why don't you put a lock on it…"
His voice trembled violently.
Aside from Zenitsu, no one else was afraid.
Because—
Nezuko was about to come out.
And she was absolutely adorable.
The wooden lid slowly opened wider.
Moonlight spilled softly across the room.
And in that silver glow—
A small, pink-eyed figure began to emerge.
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