The wind blew across the eaves, gently ringing the wind chimes hanging beneath them and producing a pleasant, melodious sound.
Kanae Kocho knelt gracefully on a soft cushion under the eaves, holding a needle and thread in her hands as she carefully mended the cuff of a uniform. It was her younger sister Shinobu's Demon Slayer uniform.
As the wind blew, wisteria flowers drifted down, a few landing on the girl's hair. The soft glow of the evening light fell across the side of her cheek, giving her a particularly gentle appearance.
Soma walked in and was greeted by the sight of this gentle young woman.
Sensing someone approaching, Kanae Kocho lifted her head, revealing her delicate, charming face and a pair of warm, gentle eyes.
"You're here, sir."
Kanae Kocho spoke with a smile, gesturing toward a chair beside her. She knew Soma disliked sitting in the traditional seiza position.
The girl's voice remained as warm and gentle as the spring sun.
Soma glanced at the gentle woman, wanting to say something but ultimately holding back. In the end, he said nothing and simply sat down on the nearby chair.
"I'll be done mending Shinobu's uniform in just a moment."
Once Soma was seated, Kanae Kocho lowered her head again and continued sewing the garment in her hands.
Looking at the woman mending clothes so diligently, Soma found it hard to imagine that this gentle girl—who looked every bit like a refined young lady from a noble household—had already become a Hashira who had slain countless demons. This was an achievement very few men could match.
At the very least, throughout the history of the Demon Slayer Corps, the number of women who had become Hashira could be counted on one hand.
"It's finally finished."
After making the final stitch, Kanae Kocho set down her younger sister's uniform.
"Your needlework is excellent."
Seeing the uniform mended so well that it looked almost brand new, Soma praised her sincerely.
"It's just mending some clothes. Anything more complicated is beyond me."
Kanae Kocho spoke softly, sounding very modest. "If you do not mind, sir, you may come to me in the future if you have any clothes that need mending. In the future… if there is still a chance."
"Actually, you don't need to accompany Miho Arakaki on this infiltration mission. The danger is far too great."
Soma hesitated for a moment before speaking up. He knew his words of persuasion probably wouldn't have much effect.
"Isn't Miho Arakaki in danger as well?"
Kanae Kocho looked up, revealing a bright, radiant smile.
"She is only a Kinoe-ranked swordsman, while you are a Hashira. If anything were to happen to you, it would deal a severe blow to the Demon Slayer Corps in its current state."
In truth, it wasn't about her status as a Hashira, nor about the impact on the Corps. He simply didn't want anything bad to happen to Kanae Kocho.
"If we avoid danger simply because it is dangerous, then we would not be worthy of being called Hashira." Kanae Kocho said softly: "As a senior, it is only natural to bear responsibility."
Soma had heard words like these before. In the original story, Kyojuro Rengoku had said something similar aboard the Mugen Train when he died at Akaza's hands in order to protect Tanjiro and the others.
There had been a heavy, tragic grandeur to it.
Now, those same sorts of words came from Kanae Kocho's mouth.
Yet there was not the slightest heaviness in them. Instead, they seemed even gentler.
Perhaps this was the difference between Kanae Kocho and Kyojuro Rengoku.
But what they shared was the same.
As seniors, it was only natural that they shoulder their responsibility.
Hearing Kanae Kocho say this made Soma feel somewhat ashamed. Ever since he had overcome his weakness to sunlight and become a perfect demon, he had been avoiding many things and had lost a sense of duty.
After all, in his view, he had no need to confront Muzan Kibutsuji. As an immortal demon, there was no reason to risk being devoured or overpowered by him. He could simply sit back and watch the Demon Slayer Corps pay the ultimate price in their struggle against Muzan.
However, as his connection with the Demon Slayer Corps grew closer, he gradually found himself beginning to face things head-on.
Because there were many things he could no longer simply watch from the sidelines.
Soma had only recently become aware of this change in his own heart.
Or rather, ever since the day he consumed the Blue Spider Lily, completely overcame a demon's craving for flesh and blood, and gained the ability to walk in sunlight, his mind had already begun to view himself as the most perfect life form.
He had even…
Compared himself to gods and buddhas.
Deep down, he had started to feel that he, as a perfect being, was fundamentally incomparable to ordinary humans who lived for only a century. He no longer clung as tightly to the human identity he once held after becoming a demon.
In the end, this was itself an abandonment of his former humanity.
In fact, after consuming the Blue Spider Lily, Kanao had become his only anchor.
She was probably the anchor that had kept his humanity intact ever since he consumed the flower.
Or rather, his final hold on the humanity he once possessed.
Later, through his interactions with the Kamado family and several Demon Slayer swordsmen, and witnessing their deaths—from initial indifference, his feelings had gradually begun to change.
He had slowly started… to care.
Even though these people seemed to have little to do with him. Even though they were people who might die not long from now.
Just like now. When he thought about how Kanae Kocho was going to infiltrate the Eternal Paradise Faith alongside Miho Arakaki, and remembered that in the original story she would die at the hands of Doma, he found himself unwilling to let her go.
If he truly were a god, a so-called deity, he could change Kanae's mind with a single thought. But he was not a god.
He was a perfect life form. An immortal demon.
Yet in the end, he was still a person.
A person whose heart remained human.
It seemed he was slowly regaining the convictions that belonged to humanity.
"You don't need to worry about this, sir. It really isn't that big a deal. Kanae has faced situations far more dangerous than this before and came through them safely. You should have more faith in me."
As she spoke, Kanae Kocho slightly lifted her head. The gentle aura around her seemed to fade a little, replaced by a glow of confidence.
"I… am a powerful Hashira, after all."
At this moment, Kanae Kocho radiated a unique charm.
"Please be careful. Safety is the most important thing." Soma urged her earnestly.
"I will."
Kanae Kocho smiled, then handed him the neatly mended uniform. "This is Shinobu's uniform, freshly mended. Please help deliver it to her when the time comes."
"I think it would be better if Miss Kanae delivered it to your sister personally."
Soma shook his head and did not take it.
Kanae Kocho did not insist. She simply put the mended uniform away and personally brewed a cup of tea for Soma.
The girl's tea ceremony was graceful, and her movements as she prepared the tea were beautiful to watch.
While drinking tea, they chatted casually. Kanae Kocho showed no nervousness about the fact that she would soon be facing Upper Rank Two, Doma. Instead, she appeared quite relaxed.
Most of their conversation revolved around her younger sister, Shinobu. It was also during this talk that Kanae learned from Soma that Shinobu had discovered he had been calling her "Hobbit."
This made Kanae suddenly understand why, during that period, her sister's letters and conversations with her had been filled with so much resentment toward Soma.
After all, height had always been Shinobu's sore spot—something she was most sensitive about.
However, if her sister were to eventually have children with Mr. Soma in the future, they would probably grow up tall, just as Shinobu hoped.
In a way, that would make up for her sister's complex about her height.
Suddenly, she felt a surge of anticipation, and her heart began to beat faster.
......
Drinking tea while chatting naturally made the time pass pleasantly.
And without them realizing it, time went by very quickly.
When the sun was about to sink and the glow of sunset spilled across the sky, Miho Arakaki appeared at the doorway at some point.
"It is time."
Kanae Kocho stood, gave Soma a slight bow, then followed Miho Arakaki to the Eternal Paradise Faith.
There was no sorrowful farewell, nor did it seem as if they were carrying out something dangerous. It was as though they were simply doing something ordinary, something they did every day.
But this was dangerous.
It might even cost them their lives.
Yet Kanae Kocho still went.
Did she truly not care about her life?
How could that be possible?
But she still made that choice.
And it was not only Kanae Kocho who would choose this. The other Hashira would do the same.
At the very least, Sanemi Shinazugawa would. Kyojuro Rengoku would. Gyomei Himejima would as well.
The only reason they did not go with Miho Arakaki was because they were men. In the Eternal Paradise Faith, which mainly recruited female believers, they were not suitable.
Everyone would make that choice.
Only he would not.
Perhaps this was the difference between Soma and the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Soma understood that as well.
At the very least, he did not possess that kind of resolve to sacrifice himself for others.
Because he had never considered himself a hero. He had no obligation to protect humanity or save humanity, nor did he possess that kind of nobility.
Soma did not think there was anything wrong with his thoughts. He had not received any kindness from this world, so naturally, he did not feel any duty to save it.
What did the lives and deaths of everyone else have to do with him?
He only needed to care about himself, protect himself, or… care about the people he still cared for.
And at present, the people he cared about were only a small handful.
He had never truly been a swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Nor had he ever been some hero. He had not been one from the very beginning.
He was only a demon.
A demon who insisted on holding onto his human identity.
...
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