"Nezuko needs a bath."
This lighthearted remark was like a drop of water splashing onto Tanjiro's already fiery mind.
He instantly went on high alert. His crimson eyes widened, and his back stiffened.
"Y-You better not even think about it!" Tanjiro blurted out, his voice rising with nervousness.
"You're bringing that up again, aren't you? I'm telling you, it's impossible! Absolutely impossible! There's no way I'm letting you bathe Nezuko!"
His posture, as if facing a powerful enemy, made Shirakawa roll his eyes involuntarily.
But Tanjiro's strong reaction was understandable.
After all, every half month, Shirakawa would argue with him about this exact issue.
Compared to before, this reaction was already considered mild.
Just think back to the first time Shirakawa had "innocently" suggested, "Nezuko hasn't bathed in so long. Wouldn't she feel uncomfortable? Why don't I help wipe her down?"
Tanjiro had nearly unleashed a "Water Breathing: Brother's Fury" on the spot, chasing Shirakawa from inside the house all the way outside, circling Mt. Sagiri three times.
Since then, the word "bath" had become taboo—every mention of it precisely struck the nerve of Tanjiro's sister complex.
However, today Shirakawa didn't seem interested in "fighting" at all.
He slowly finished his last bite of rice and casually ruffled the hair of Nezuko, who was sleeping by the fire with rosy cheeks.
"Same as usual," Shirakawa said calmly.
"I'm taking Nezuko down the mountain to the bathhouse to ask Granny Saka for help. I'll also buy some daily supplies. Do you need anything?"
"Eh?" Tanjiro froze.
The pestering, the twisted reasoning, even another round of their usual "Nezuko tug-of-war" he had mentally prepared for… none of it happened.
Shirakawa just gave up like that?
That wasn't like him at all.
Tanjiro eyed him suspiciously, his nose twitching slightly as he tried to sniff out any trace of a "scheme."
But all he smelled was rice, pickles… and something else.
This guy seemed a bit distracted today. Not like his usual playful, teasing self.
"I… I don't need anything," Tanjiro finally said, shaking his head, though the caution in his eyes hadn't fully faded.
"You… you're really just taking Nezuko for a bath?"
"What else?" Shirakawa glanced at him sideways. "Throw her into the river? Or pickle her like kimchi?"
"Don't talk about Nezuko like that!" Tanjiro immediately protested.
"Alright, alright. I know—you're the best big brother in the universe."
Shirakawa waved his hand, too lazy to argue further.
"Once you're done eating, hurry up and go train with your rock. Try to split it sooner. Don't delay me from going to the Final Selection next year."
At the mention of splitting the rock, Tanjiro's face immediately fell. The solid resistance of the boulder and the numbing shock in his arms seemed to return.
He gave a muffled "Mm" and lowered his head, quickly finishing the rest of his meal.
Watching Tanjiro's dejected figure disappear along the path toward the mountaintop, Shirakawa let out a soft sigh.
He returned to the house and began his afternoon training as usual.
Only after the sun had completely set behind the mountains did Shirakawa finally finish and stand up.
He gently picked Nezuko up in his arms, carefully adjusting her position so her small head rested in the crook of his shoulder.
The sleeping Nezuko unconsciously nuzzled against his neck, letting out a faint, kitten-like purring sound.
A smile unconsciously formed at the corner of Shirakawa's lips.
He picked up the empty cloth bag he had prepared earlier, tied it with a rope, and slung it over his shoulder. Then, holding Nezuko securely, he stepped into the deepening night and headed down the mountain.
He was already familiar with the path. Even while carrying someone, his steps remained steady and light.
A small village lay a few miles from the mountain's base. After about ten minutes of walking, faint lights began to appear.
The village wasn't large, with only a few dozen households.
Shirakawa followed the familiar route to the edge of the village and stopped in front of a small cottage emitting wisps of steam—the family inn and public bathhouse run by Granny Saka.
"Granny Saka, I'm here again!" Shirakawa called out.
The wooden door creaked open, and an elderly woman with white hair, a slightly plump figure, and a kind smile peeked out.
"Oh my, Little Shirakawa! Come in, come in."
When she saw Nezuko in his arms, her smile grew even warmer.
"Bringing your sister for a bath again? You really are a thoughtful, good brother."
"Hehe, sorry for the trouble." Shirakawa smiled as he stepped inside and carefully handed Nezuko over.
Granny Saka had been introduced by Sakonji Urokodaki. She was a kind and discreet elderly woman who lived alone.
She seemed to vaguely understand that Shirakawa and Sakonji Urokodaki were not ordinary people. After all, he would occasionally come to the village to deal with certain "problems."
Not just demons, but sometimes wandering thugs as well.
Because of this, she never asked about Nezuko's unusual condition. Instead, each time, she simply prepared clean hot water and towels, carefully helping bathe her.
"Don't worry, leave it to me."
Granny Saka gently took Nezuko, as if holding a delicate doll.
"As usual, you go take care of your errands first. I'll call you when she's done."
"Alright, thank you, Granny!"
Shirakawa didn't say much more—he was already used to this routine.
Carrying the cloth bag, he turned and left.
He first went to the village grocery store, buying rice, salt, pickles, and some vegetables that would keep for a long time. He also restocked needles, thread, and soap.
After thinking for a moment, he picked up a small bag of maltose for Tanjiro. That kid trained hard—every now and then, he deserved something sweet.
The allowance given by Ubuyashiki to Sakonji Urokodaki was actually quite generous, but with two people to support, along with equipment wear and daily needs…
Life still felt a bit tight.
After finishing his shopping, he returned to the bathhouse with the now full cloth bag.
Granny Saka hadn't come out yet. From inside came the faint sound of splashing water, along with the soft humming of a tune.
Shirakawa simply undressed, entered the men's bath next door, and enjoyed a relaxing soak.
The warm water washed away the mountain chill and the fatigue of the day. Leaning against the edge of the pool, he let out a long breath.
After finishing, drying himself, and changing into clean clothes, Granny Saka happened to come out carrying Nezuko.
She was now clean, fresh, and dressed in a soft pink kimono—one Shirakawa had left there earlier.
After the bath, Nezuko's skin looked even clearer, her cheeks slightly flushed. Her hair fell softly around her, and she carried a warm, clean scent—like soap and sun-dried bedding.
"Thank you, Granny!" Shirakawa's eyes lit up as he stepped forward and carefully took her back.
Feeling her soft, warm weight in his arms, his mood instantly brightened.
"No need to thank me," Granny Saka said with a smile. "Head back soon—it's late. Be careful on the road."
"Mm! Goodbye, Granny Saka!"
After saying his farewell, Shirakawa picked up his things, held Nezuko securely, and began the journey back up the mountain.
The moonlight was bright, casting a gentle glow over the path and making the road easy to see.
The night breeze was cool, but Nezuko in his arms was like a small heater, chasing away the chill.
In his good mood, Shirakawa even started humming—though the tune had no real melody.
But the peaceful moment didn't last long.
Not far from the village, as they reached a bend in the path, a cold, unsettling aura suddenly crept in, accompanied by faint rustling sounds from the bushes ahead and to the side.
Shirakawa stopped, his brows slightly furrowing.
In the next instant, a twisted figure slowly crawled out from the shadows.