As Warm as It Should Be

Although Sanemi Shinazugawa knew Tsugikuni Kuuga practiced a strange kind of dance, this was his first time seeing a complete set of Tai Chi.

Tsugikuni Kuuga quickly finished the set of Tai Chi. Though Oyakata-sama could not understand it, he politely applauded.

"You want to teach that thing to Master? Will that work?" Sanemi Shinazugawa questioned.

"What do you know, you ignorant fool!" Tsugikuni Kuuga retorted.

"Though I do not understand it, it feels very profound!" Oyakata-sama nodded.

"Master sees clearly, unlike a certain idiot!"

"Who are you calling an idiot?!"

"I never said it was you. If you think it is, there is nothing I can do about that!" Tsugikuni Kuuga spread his hands helplessly.

"What is this thing that resembles a dance?" Oyakata-sama asked.

"It is a martial art called Tai Chi. Not only does it strengthen the body, it can also improve swordsmanship!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga had originally wanted to say something with deeper philosophical meaning, but it seemed pointless since they would not understand it anyway.

"I hope you can teach me when you have time, while I can still move!"

"No problem. Once you learn it, you will understand the wonders of Tai Chi!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said with a smile.

"Oh, right, I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave. Master, please take care of your health!"

After saying that, Tsugikuni Kuuga left Oyakata-sama's residence. After all, he had promised Uncle Flame Hashira that he would treat Auntie Ruka, and today was the appointed day.

"Do you really intend to learn that strange-looking thing from him?" Sanemi Shinazugawa was deeply puzzled.

"Kuuga is a rare talent. Initial Breathing... perhaps it truly can end this long-standing feud!" Oyakata-sama sighed.

After all, Tsugikuni Kuuga defeating a Lower Rank alone had already proven that he possessed the strength of a Hashira. Moreover, he had truly suppressed his own illness. Could his strength possibly surpass that of the Stone Hashira?

At that moment, Tsugikuni Kuuga had already arrived at the Rengoku Family residence and knocked on the door.

After a while, a young boy opened the gate. He was Rengoku Senjuro, the second son of the current Flame Hashira, whom Tsugikuni Kuuga called the Smallest Flame Hashira.

The boy had long yellow hair, with red coloring along the edges of some strands. Though Senjuro also had thick black sword-like brows, the aura he gave off differed from the Flame Hashira family's refined gentleness.

"Brother Kuuga, why are you here?" Senjuro looked at Tsugikuni Kuuga in surprise.

"Of course I am here to treat Auntie Ruka!" Tsugikuni Kuuga immediately stated his purpose.

Senjuro immediately bowed to Tsugikuni Kuuga. He was truly grateful to him; every time Tsugikuni Kuuga came to treat his mother, Senjuro would thank him first.

Tsugikuni Kuuga hurriedly helped him up and said with a smile, "You called me Big Brother, so I cannot let you call me that for nothing. It is only right!"

"You really do not have to do this every time!"

"Mother says that one should always be grateful!"

Just then, a hearty male voice called out, "Senjuro, who has come? Why has it taken so long?"

"Big Brother, Brother Kuuga is here!"

Sure enough, after a while, someone who looked very much like Senjuro rushed out. In contrast to that refined gentleness, he gave off a blazing passion that was its complete opposite.

The newcomer was the Demon Slayer Big Brother Tsugikuni Kuuga had been longing to see—his eternal Big Brother, Rengoku Kyojuro.

"Big Brother, long time no see!" Tsugikuni Kuuga waved at him enthusiastically.

"Long time no see, Brother Kuuga. I just returned after completing a mission today!"

Kyojuro immediately threw an arm around Tsugikuni Kuuga's shoulders, then happily began recounting what had happened during his mission.

"On this mission, I slew Lower Rank Two Rui. Though he was a demon, in his final moments, he remembered that he had once been a swordsman. I hope he will not be a demon in his next life!"

At the end, Rengoku Kyojuro sighed. A swordsman who had been killed because he refused to lay down his blade, only to become a demon in the end—it was a tragic life.

"Then you are about to become a Hashira, Big Brother. Do not tell me Uncle is retiring!"

"Father truly does have that idea. He wants to spend more time with Mother!"

"That is good too. With someone to succeed him, he should spend more time with his family. As for Senjuro, let him learn something else. We older brothers should bear this danger!"

"Kuuga, you are as gentle as ever!"

"You flatter me!" Tsugikuni Kuuga felt a little embarrassed.

He felt that gentle was not really an appropriate word to describe him. He had never considered himself a gentle person.

Senjuro did not follow the two of them. He was studying diligently. After Tsugikuni Kuuga's guidance, he had decided to become a merchant, so that he could help others as well. As it turned out, he truly had talent in that area, but he was still too young, and his family was unwilling to let him venture out on his own.

Before Tsugikuni Kuuga could even enter the house, the rich aroma of food was already assailing his nose.

When Tsugikuni Kuuga pushed open the door, Ruka Kyogoku entered as well, carrying a plate.

The woman wore a light green kimono, the ends of her long hair tied with a small band. Her dark red eyes added even more radiance to her beauty.

"Auntie Ruka has become even prettier again." Tsugikuni Kuuga greeted her with a smile.

"Kuuga's tongue is as sweet as ever!" Ruka Kyogoku said with a smile, her eyes full of tenderness.

"Go sit down. Shinjuro is still cooking in the kitchen. We will eat together in a moment!"

After setting down the dish, Ruka Kyogoku returned to the kitchen. Tsugikuni Kuuga knew that ever since Auntie Ruka had fallen ill, Uncle Flame Hashira would never let her enter the kitchen. He did not know what was going on today.

"Kyojuro, go call your little brother. It is time to eat!"

"Yes, Mother!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga was about to go with Big Brother, but Big Brother stopped him.

"Kuuga, just stay here. Mother specially cooked today!"

Unable to refuse Big Brother's warm hospitality, Tsugikuni Kuuga could only sit back down, suddenly feeling incredibly happy.

Before long, the entire Rengoku Family had gathered around the table. Naturally, Tsugikuni Kuuga was among them. After all, this was not the first or second time he had come to the Flame Hashira's home to freeload a meal.

"First, a toast to Mother's health!" Rengoku Shinjuro said happily.

Though he was the only one drinking alcohol, as Ruka had forbidden everyone else from drinking on the grounds that they were underage.

"Cheers!"

"Then, a toast to Kyojuro taking over from me soon!" Rengoku Shinjuro said again.

"Cheers!"

"Lastly, a toast to Kuuga!"

Though Tsugikuni Kuuga felt a little embarrassed upon hearing that, he raised his cup as well. The family chatted and laughed as they ate, never treating him as an outsider.

Normally, Uncle Flame Hashira punished evil outside, while Auntie Ruka stayed home caring for her husband and children. The family lived in harmony; the Flame Hashira family was meant to be this warm.

At that moment, every face wore a smile—the mark of happiness.