Shuya stared at the red lanterns flanking the entrance to Kyogoku House and felt a quiet wave of relief.
Good thing Shinobu had sent him instead of coming herself. If the Insect Hashira had walked into Yoshiwara looking like she did now—still adjusting to her new Nen and nowhere near full strength—she would've been in serious trouble the second she crossed paths with Upper Rank Six.
Daki might look like a spoiled, flashy courtesan in the stories, but she had already killed seven Hashira. She couldn't die from a simple beheading, and her big brother Gyutaro was always lurking in the shadows ready to back her up. That butterfly effect was ridiculous. The Entertainment District arc that should've happened two years from now had just landed in Shinobu's lap early.
And somewhere beneath this very building, Daki had carved out a massive underground pit she used as a pantry for her "meals."
Still, none of that was what actually interested Shuya right now.
He was curious about Daki herself.
The most beautiful woman in the entire Demon Slayer world. A real courtesan in Yoshiwara's most exclusive house. Shuya had never set foot in a place like this before. He pushed the curtain aside and walked in.
The interior was quiet. It was still too early for business. A maid in servant's clothes approached him with perfect politeness, ignoring the crow perched on his head like it was the most normal thing in the world.
"Sir, we're not open yet. If you'd like to spend time with our ladies, please come back this evening."
"I know," Shuya said.
The maid relaxed a little, ready to gently steer him back outside, but he cut her off.
"I'm here to eat."
She blinked, giving him a very strange look. A man showing up in the middle of the day at a red-light district just to eat? Then again, he did have a crow sitting on his head. Maybe this was some kind of Western performance art thing the young people were into these days.
"Sir, we don't offer that kind of service. I can recommend some good restaurants nearby if you—"
Shuya flipped his hand. A single golden leaf appeared in his palm.
The maid stared. "What is that?"
"Gold."
She went very still.
Before she could say another word, Shuya turned his hand again. A whole handful of golden leaves rested in his palm, catching the light.
A sharp voice cut through the room.
"Little Hong, what do you think you're doing? Why are you trying to turn a guest away?"
An older woman with heavy makeup and deep laugh lines strode over. She scolded the maid, then turned to Shuya with a professional smile that didn't quite hide how fast she was calculating.
"I'm Mitsu, the madam of Kyogoku House. Please, come with me."
She led him to a lavishly decorated private room and gestured for him to sit.
"Tell me what you'd like to eat, sir. Any preferences or restrictions?"
"Whatever's good. Bring me the house specialties. Plenty of them."
He dropped the handful of golden leaves into her hand like it was nothing.
Mitsu's eyes widened, then sparkled. She tried to refuse once out of habit, but when Shuya made no move to take the gold back, she stopped pretending.
"Understood. I'll have everything sent right away. Would you like a few girls to keep you company while you eat?"
"No need."
"Very well."
She left with a spring in her step, already thinking. A customer this generous who only wanted food? Something felt off, but the gold was real. On impulse, she decided to send their best courtesan—the one who rarely accepted customers.
Kekki.
The woman was beautiful enough to make men forget how to breathe. If anyone could keep a rich, strange guest like this one coming back, it was her.
Mitsu knocked on the door of the top courtesan's room.
A lazy, annoyed voice answered from inside. "Who is it?"
"It's me. Are you awake, Kekki?"
The door slid open. A stunning face appeared—flawless skin, perfect features, and eyes that looked bored until they focused on the madam.
"Old hag. You better have a damn good reason for bothering me."
Mitsu wiped sweat from her brow. Even as the owner, she still walked carefully around this one.
"There's a guest," she said quickly. "Young, extremely handsome. I've never seen a man that good-looking in all my years. He fits your standards perfectly."
Kekki tilted her head, interest flickering across her face for the first time.
"Oh? You're not lying to me, are you?"
"I wouldn't dare."
Kekki licked her lips once, slow and deliberate.
"Then take me to him."
She followed the madam down the hallway, already feeling a strange pull in her chest. When Mitsu pointed at the door and left, Kekki pushed it open with a gentle smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Guest, I'm coming in."
The moment she stepped inside and saw Shuya sitting there, her breath caught.
He was even more beautiful than the madam had claimed.
For the first time in a long while, Daki felt genuine hunger stir.
Not just for food.
For him.