Master, Oyakata-sama

Tsugikuni Kuuga stood at the entrance to the Butterfly Mansion, but he did not dare knock. He had no idea how many deep breaths he had taken by now.

After another long silence, Tsugikuni Kuuga finally gathered his courage and knocked on the door.

Shinobu Kocho was the one who opened it. The moment she saw Tsugikuni Kuuga standing outside, she threw herself at him. Looking at the person in his arms, Tsugikuni Kuuga was at a loss for what to do.

"Shinobu, um, I can explain!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said.

Shinobu Kocho did not answer him for a long while. Then, all of a sudden, she grabbed his ear and dragged him inside.

"So you still knew to come back. I thought you'd decided to live on Mt. Sagiri. And why do you smell like other girls? You'd better explain that clearly." Shinobu Kocho placed particular emphasis on the last sentence.

Tsugikuni Kuuga was stunned. Other girls? Had he met any girls besides Makomo? He racked his brain.

"Oh! I remember now. Lower Rank Four was a woman too. I fought her. If my sword hadn't broken, she'd have been dead for sure!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said with a hint of pride.

"You still dare bring that up? You scared us to death!" Shinobu Kocho said angrily.

"I was wrong. Could you let go of my ear? It hurts!"

Shinobu Kocho ignored Tsugikuni Kuuga and dragged him by the ear all the way to the entrance of the Butterfly Mansion.

"Big Sister, that guy's back!"

The moment Shinobu Kocho finished speaking, the door opened. Kanae Kocho saw the scene before her: Tsugikuni Kuuga had his head tilted from Shinobu Kocho tugging his ear, yet he was still smiling at her.

"Big Sister, I'm back!"

Kanae Kocho covered her mouth and laughed. It seemed that ever since Shinobu had heard news of Tsugikuni Kuuga, she had not slept at all.

"You deserve it. I can't save you this time either. Ever since Shinobu heard about you, she hasn't been able to sleep or eat properly. Every so often, she'd go wait by the door! And—"

"Big Sister, don't talk nonsense!"

Shinobu Kocho hurriedly released Tsugikuni Kuuga's ear and covered Kanae Kocho's mouth. At last, Tsugikuni Kuuga's ear could get a break.

"Um, it was my fault. I made you worry, Shinobu!" Tsugikuni Kuuga apologized sincerely.

"I never did any of that. Don't listen to Big Sister's nonsense. I'm going to sleep. I'll deal with you when I wake up. Hmph!"

After saying that, Shinobu Kocho let go of Kanae Kocho and headed toward her room. She truly was exhausted beyond measure.

Tsugikuni Kuuga followed Kanae Kocho back into the living room. The table was covered with dishes he liked, all still steaming hot.

"You must be tired from the journey. Hurry up and eat!"

Kanae Kocho sat down to one side as she spoke. One look at Tsugikuni Kuuga told her that he had been traveling nonstop.

Tsugikuni Kuuga sat down and started eating. As he ate, he said, "Nothing beats Big Sister's cooking. It's so good!"

Ever since leaving Mt. Sagiri, Tsugikuni Kuuga had been rushing toward the Butterfly Mansion without stopping much along the way. He had been in a hurry, afraid that if he came back even a little later, they would worry a little longer.

"Slow down. No one's going to steal it from you!" Kanae Kocho reminded him with a smile.

Tsugikuni Kuuga swept through the entire table like a whirlwind, leaving nothing behind.

"Oh, right. Master wants to see you, but he said you can go after you've rested!" Kanae Kocho said.

Tsugikuni Kuuga had thought Oyakata-sama would summon him immediately. He had not expected him to be so considerate of his subordinates. Compared to the utterly violent Scum Boss, Oyakata-sama really was more suited to being a leader.

"Then I'm going to sleep. I don't know whether this trip was unlucky or fortunate."

Tsugikuni Kuuga got to his feet, ready to leave, when Kanae Kocho suddenly spoke.

"You want to see whether your ability can help Master, don't you?" Kanae Kocho asked with a smile.

Tsugikuni Kuuga froze. That was indeed what he had been thinking. Oyakata-sama was an excellent leader, and he wanted to see if he could heal him. Even if he could not cure him, letting him live a few more years would be enough.

"Uh... well... I guess I did think about that."

Tsugikuni Kuuga felt a little guilty under Kanae Kocho's gaze, which seemed to see through everything.

"You act so frivolous every day, but you're far too kind inside. You always do everything you can to save others, never thinking of yourself!"

"Though as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, you could die at any time, as your big sister, I don't want you to be like this!"

Kanae Kocho was deeply conflicted. Tsugikuni Kuuga was her family, but he was also a member of the Demon Slayer Corps.

When it came to their family, people always hoped they could live better lives and did not want them to be in danger. Before the greater good, that might be selfish, but it was not wrong.

Tsugikuni Kuuga walked over and hugged Kanae Kocho. "Big Sister, you don't need to worry. I won't let anyone die, including myself. That's a man's promise!" he said gently.

Coming home to hot food already prepared, having someone you loved and someone who worried about you—such ordinary days were the dream of some people. They had once been Tsugikuni Kuuga's dream as well.

"Then just do your best. Take care of yourself, and don't push too hard!" Kanae Kocho urged.

"Big Sister, don't worry so much. Someone who values his life as much as I do would never be willing to die!"

"All right, go rest. You must be exhausted!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga then went to rest. Watching his retreating figure, Kanae Kocho murmured, "He's grown up!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga truly was tired. He slept until noon the next day, then went to Oyakata-sama's residence after eating.

Every Hashira in the Demon Slayer Corps had their own residence, like the Flower Hashira's Butterfly Mansion. Hidden deep in the mountains, there was plenty of room.

As Tsugikuni Kuuga walked along the road, passing Corps members greeted him from time to time. They were all people who had benefited from him. Without Tsugikuni Kuuga's healing technique, they might have died.

When he reached the entrance, the hotheaded guy came walking toward him. Sanemi Shinazugawa's first words were:

"So you didn't die. Impressive!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga: "..."

Tsugikuni Kuuga's face darkened. If you did not know how to talk, then do not talk. It was like Sanemi Shinazugawa wanted him dead.

"Why are you here?"

"I finished the mission of catching demons on Wisteria Mountain and came to report in. I really don't know which bastard did it, but I had to work overtime for ages!" Sanemi Shinazugawa complained.

"Uh, then the Wind Hashira has really worked hard!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said mockingly.

"Oh, right. When are we going to spar? You can even fight a Lower Rank. Looks like you really are strong!" Sanemi Shinazugawa looked eager to give it a try.

Suddenly, Sanemi Shinazugawa dropped to one knee and said respectfully, "Master, why have you come out!"

By the time Tsugikuni Kuuga reacted, Oyakata-sama was already standing at the entrance, smiling at them.