Chapter 9: Being So Kind Will Only Make You Suffer
Tatsu, in the dark corner, curled his lip and adjusted to a more comfortable position.
"Go to sleep. I'll be right here watching. If any blind rat dares to come in, I'll help you prepare an extra meal... Uh, no, that's not right, I'll help you clean them up."
The room fell silent.
Outside the window, the sky was already bright. Although the sun couldn't be seen, one could feel that disgusting heat spreading through the air.
Tatsu could feel a faint stinging sensation on his skin; that was his instinctual rejection of daylight as a demon.
But as he watched the steady, rhythmic breathing from the futon not far away, and looked at Kanae's face, which still held a hint of a serene smile even in her sleep, the restlessness in his heart miraculously calmed down.
He slowly closed his eyes and began to sort through his thoughts since he had transmigrated.
"Transmigrated into a demon, started off by meeting the Flower Hashira..."
"This script is actually quite interesting. But then again, this girl... she really has zero defenses."
He glanced at the Nichirin Sword placed on the table, then looked back at the defenseless, sleeping Kanae.
If he wanted to, given the current distance, he could pounce over in a second and bite through her throat.
But he didn't move. Not only did he not move, he even deliberately slowed his breathing, afraid of waking that girl who was too kind for her own good.
"Forget it, let's just say it's... for the sake of this rare touch of humanity."
Tatsu sighed silently in the darkness, like a dragon guarding a treasure, or perhaps a knight guarding a princess.
Although this knight had fangs, feared sunlight, and was full of nonsense.
In the room, dust motes danced in the dim light. On one side, a demon slayer slept peacefully in the light. On the other, an evil demon kept watch in the darkness.
If anyone else from the Demon Slayer Corps saw this scene, their jaws would likely drop.
But at this moment, in this small room, it was so harmonious that it felt like a still painting, revealing a faint glimmer called "bond" that transcended race and stance.
Outside the willow house, the early birds began to chirp. As time passed, the streets outside gradually became lively.
The cries of peddlers, the sound of carriage wheels, and the laughter of children drifted into the room, muffled by the thick walls and wooden boards.
These sounds full of "humanity" usually meant a signal of "food" to a demon.
Every clamor represented fresh flesh and blood, representing energy that could fill an empty stomach.
Tatsu's Adam's apple bobbed up and down. This was a physiological reaction.
As a demon, no matter how firm his will was, or that he possessed a human soul, the body's craving for flesh and blood was still like a drug addiction, surging up from time to time, especially in such moments of half-sleep and Spiritual relaxation.
A faint, elusive fragrance seemed to drift through the air. That was... the scent on Kanae.
It wasn't the fragrance of wisteria, but a purer, more tempting allure belonging to "Rare Blood".
Although the original work didn't explicitly state that Kanae was Rare Blood, as a Hashira-level powerhouse, the energy contained in her blood was definitely a top-tier delicacy for a demon.
Tatsu's pupils contracted slightly in the darkness, and his originally round pupils instantly turned into needle-like vertical slits.
His fingers gripped the edge of the chair back tightly, his nails sinking deep into the hard wood, emitting a tiny "click-click" sound.
"Calm down... take deep breaths... think about the Chu Shi Biao... think about Newton's Second Law..."
Tatsu frantically recited knowledge from his past life in his mind, trying to distract himself.
"If I pounced over and took a bite now, what would it taste like? Strawberry-flavored jelly? Or top-grade Wagyu beef?"
Damn it! Why am I getting hungrier the more I think about it! Tatsu gave his own thigh a hard slap.
Just then, Kanae, who was on the futon, turned over.
A corner of the blanket slipped, revealing her fair neck.
In the dim light, that neck appeared exceptionally fragile and alluring, as if it would snap with a gentle break, and a sweet nectar would gush out with a gentle bite.
Tatsu's breathing became heavy. He felt the two fangs in his mouth growing uncontrollably, and his saliva secretion accelerated.
"Is this... the instinct of a demon?"
Tatsu stared fixedly at that neck, his body leaning forward slightly.
However, at that very instant, Kanae murmured in her sleep: "Be careful... don't be afraid..."
The voice was very light, as light as a feather falling on the surface of water. But these words were like a thunderbolt, striking Tatsu's head hard.
He woke up at that instant. Was she dreaming? What was she dreaming about? Was she still protecting people in her dream? Or was she saying "don't be afraid" to him, a demon, in her dream?
Looking at the girl who still carried a trace of worry between her brows even in her sleep, the appetite in Tatsu's heart was instantly overwhelmed by a huge sense of shame.
You are a human! Tatsu! Although your body has changed, your soul is human! How could you develop an appetite for a girl who trusts you and protects you like this? This is worse than being a beast!
Tatsu took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the restlessness within his body.
He closed his eyes, mobilizing the meager strength within him, forcing his fangs to retract and his pupils to return to normal.
When he opened his eyes again, his gaze had become clear.
He stood up and walked to the side of the futon on tiptoe. It wasn't to attack, but to help her cover herself with the blanket.
His movements were extremely light, as if he were afraid of disturbing a Kocho resting on a petal.
After tucking in the corner of the blanket, Tatsu didn't leave immediately, but squatted by the side of the futon, observing this gentle Flower Hashira at close range.
Up close, he could see her long eyelashes and the fine down on her skin.
"What a... fool." Tatsu whispered.
"In this dog-eat-dog world, being so kind will only make you suffer. In the original story, it was because you were too kind that you died at the hands of that pervert, Doma..."
Thinking of Doma, Tatsu's eyes instantly turned cold, and a sharp murderous intent flashed by.
Since I have come, and since I have taken advantage of your hospitality... pfft, since I have accepted your kindness, then I will absolutely not let that ending happen.
Upper Rank Two? The Eternal Paradise Faith?
"I don't care what kind of monster or demon you are; if you dare to touch my long-term meal ticket and amulet, I will twist your head off and kick it like a ball."
He made a vow in his heart. Not just for survival, but to protect this rare warmth in this cruel world.
Seemingly sensing the change in the atmosphere around her, Kanae's breathing faltered slightly, but she didn't wake up. Instead, as if she had found some sense of security, her brows relaxed, and the smile at the corners of her mouth deepened.
Tatsu smiled and returned to that dark corner.
He sat in the chair, closed his eyes, and began to try to perceive the power within his body.
As a demon, although he couldn't use Breathing Style, his control over his body was extremely strong.
Since he was going to be a pendant for his amulet, this pendant had to be made of titanium alloy.
He began to simulate battles in his mind, simulating how to use the demon's physical characteristics to cooperate with Kanae's "Flower Breathing".