Yushiro

As the vagrant fled in panic, Yuko's eyes could already see the swordsman's heart pounding with fear, his pulse racing.

The frequency was almost enough to meet the conditions for activating the Markings.

The breathing rate, the movement of his lungs—forget Total Concentration Breathing, he was clearly an apprentice who hadn't mastered any breathing technique.

He was worse off than Namiko.

At most, he could handle a demon that had only eaten one or two people, or perhaps no people at all.

The most important issue was his mindset.

She had walked over very ordinarily, without any intention of hiding herself.

Yet he was terrified to this extent.

This meant that as a demon slayer, the swordsman before her was unqualified.

Because of Muzan and Kokushibo's targeting, the Demon Slayer Corps had really been struggling these past few years.

Someone of this caliber was already out hunting demons alone.

This wasn't meant as criticism, just a statement of fact.

Even if he were lucky enough to investigate the Eternal Paradise Cult, the only outcome would be him being eaten.

One could say Yuko had saved his life by doing this.

Yuko stripped off his outer garment, thought for a moment, and then used her knife to write a few words on the ground.

'That's not a demon you can handle, go back.'

After finishing, Yuko covered the swordsman with nearby wild grass to prevent him from getting cold in the night.

She was truly too kind.

Snatching the swordsman's uniform, Yuko returned to the medical clinic and happened to see Tamayo preparing to go out with her medicine box on her back.

Yuko asked, "Is there a patient?"

"Mm..." Tamayo first responded, then looked at the clothes in Yuko's hand and asked back, "Is that... a Demon Slayer Corps uniform?"

"Did you get in touch with the Demon Slayer Corps?"

Yuko shook her head, "No, I just happened to encounter a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman while investigating a demon."

Tamayo's face turned pale, "You... him...?"

Yuko's expression became speechless.

Tamayo's expression recovered, and the corner of her mouth lifted, "Just kidding."

"But Yuko, are you planning to act under the guise of the Demon Slayer Corps by stealing his clothes?"

Yuko asked confusedly, "Why couldn't someone have happily lent them to me, or even gifted them to me?"

Tamayo was silent for a moment, "Do you even believe that yourself when you say it?"

"..."

Yuko changed the subject and asked again, "Are you going out?"

Tamayo nodded slightly, "Yes, there's a critically ill patient."

As a Demon Doctor, Tamayo only went out for house calls at night.

Yuko suggested, "Then I'll accompany you."

Tamayo looked at the clothes in her hand, "Will it interfere with your plans?"

Yuko shook her head, "No, there was a small incident. I'll go tomorrow."

They were having a family reunion, she shouldn't be so inconsiderate.

"That's good then." Tamayo nodded with a smile.

"Give it here." Yuko reached out her hand.

"Then I'll trouble you, Yuko." Tamayo skillfully handed the medicine box to her.

"It's nothing."

Yuko casually slung the medicine box over her shoulder and tossed the clothes onto the counter.

"Let's go."

It wasn't the first time Yuko had accompanied Tamayo on an outing.

It wasn't solely for her safety; mainly, Yuko felt bad about freeloading.

When she was at home, she could still rely on her elders.

Out in the world, she had to help out a bit.

Even if she wasn't acting as a bodyguard, helping carry the medicine box was a good start.

The moon was high, and the weather was growing cooler. Yuko couldn't help but shiver.

Yuko followed Tamayo to a courtyard. It was evident that this family was quite well-off.

The two arrived at the house, and weak panting sounds reached Yuko's ears.

It seemed he was indeed critically ill.

Tamayo opened the door, and on the tatami floor of the room lay a boy, appearing to be around ten years old, very young.

But due to the torment of illness, the boy's face was not pleasant to look at, even somewhat gaunt.

Although his gaunt face made him look a little different from the person in her memory, Yuko still recognized him.

Yushiro.

To be honest, with her current memory, if she hadn't seen him with her own eyes, it would have been difficult for her to recall his appearance just from his name.

It was like trying to remember what a middle school classmate looked like twenty years later; you'd have a hard time recalling their face.

Yuko hadn't expected Yushiro to have met Tamayo this early.

The two walked into the room, and Tamayo sat beside him.

Yuko, meanwhile, removed her hat and loosened the white cloth, revealing her delicate nose bridge.

It was suffocating her.

Tamayo touched Yushiro's forehead, and Yushiro groggily woke up.

The first thing he saw felt like being struck by lightning.

In his eyes, Tamayo behind Yuko was automatically ignored; only the gentle woman in front of him remained.

His heart began to beat faster.

Yuko keenly noticed.

This guy... is he falling in love with Tamayo at first sight?

"Medicine box," Tamayo's ethereal voice rang out.

Yuko quickly placed the medicine box beside her.

"Water."

Yuko hurried to fetch a basin of water.

Tamayo folded a towel and placed it on Yushiro's forehead to alleviate his symptoms, beginning to examine his body.

Yuko couldn't understand what was happening and just stood by, waiting to help.

After a while, Tamayo slowly put her things away.

She spoke to Yushiro, wanting to say more but hesitating, "Please wait a moment."

Tamayo stood up and nodded slightly at Yuko.

Yuko understood and followed her out of the room.

Tamayo slowly began, "His illness, I'm afraid... cannot be cured."

Tamayo shouldn't have said this to her; she wasn't family or the patient herself.

Yuko saw Tamayo's inner thoughts and calmly said, "Why not turn him into a demon?"

Tamayo suddenly turned to look at her, her brows furrowed, "But... can such a thing truly be permitted?"

She was actually hesitating, which was why she said this to Yuko.

She saw Yushiro's desire to live, so she wanted to help him.

Yuko smiled, "Why not ask him directly?"

Tamayo's eyelids drooped. Before she could respond, Yuko continued.

"Besides, if he's with you, I'll be more at ease."

Tamayo looked up in surprise, "Yuko, you..."

Yuko pursed her lips and smiled, explaining to her, "I have something I want to do..."

She explained to Tamayo that she wanted to find information about the Upper Ranks.

And to investigate these demons, she would have to leave.

Originally, she was still worried about Tamayo, but since Yushiro had appeared, leaving him to her was the best option.

After all, Yushiro was the one in the story who always stayed by Tamayo's side.

Tamayo listened to Yuko's explanation, her expression becoming hesitant, and said with some concern, "The Upper Ranks are the demons closest to Muzan, having received a large amount of Muzan's blood..."

Yuko interrupted, "Don't worry, I won't lose even to Kokushibo."

She hadn't been trained by Yoriichi for nothing all these years.

She had the confidence that she would absolutely not lose to Kokushibo again.

If they really met, it was highly likely she wouldn't be able to hide her identity anymore, but she had no intention of bothering Kokushibo.

It wasn't time yet.

Tamayo saw her determination and closed her eyes slightly, "I understand."

Yuko smiled, "Yes, let's go in and ask. I think he'll agree."

His heart was already racing.