Do you believe in fate?

Obanai stretched in the shadows, his eyes filled with deep confusion as he muttered, "He stays out here all night just to fool a girl? What a pervert!"

"Sssslither!" Kaburamaru's head bobbed in agreement.

He could tell Hiruma was faking his illness at a glance. He thought something had happened to the guy, only to worry for nothing.

To figure out what Hiruma was up to, Obanai followed him from a distance.

Navigating the intricate alleyways, Shinobu Kocho and Hiruma stopped in front of a dilapidated thatched hut on the outskirts of town.

Hiruma surveyed the flimsy hut, which looked like it could be blown away by a gust of wind, and let out a subtle sigh.

To be honest, seeing the Kocho sisters' living situation made Hiruma's heart ache. He hadn't expected Shinobu to be living in such poor conditions.

If only he had met her sooner.

"It's a bit simple, please don't mind!" Seeing Hiruma frozen, Shinobu Kocho assumed he was disgusted by the rundown hut. Someone who could buy so many dango at once couldn't possibly be short on money.

"No, no, no!"

"It's great, I don't mind at all, really!"

Hiruma waved his hands repeatedly, wishing he could die. After all, who wouldn't long for a better life?

"Mr. Tendo, you're quite strange. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"I get it now!"

Shinobu Kocho was a little confused. She had a vague feeling that Tendo Hiruma was always very careful around her, as if he was afraid she would dislike him.

"I'm not..."

Before Hiruma could finish explaining, a very weak voice came from inside the thatched hut. However, the illness couldn't mask the unique gentleness in it.

"Shinobu, do we have a guest?"

"Or did you get into trouble again?"

A touch of worry mixed with his pathological frailty, Shinobu Kocho's expression shifted from sunny to cloudy, and she hurried into the house.

"Sister, I didn't cause any trouble!"

"And you, lie down, I'll go decoct the medicine right away!"

Hiruma followed her inside. The room was filled with an old scent and dimly lit.

He looked around and found the furnishings extremely simple: just a worn-out wooden table, a straw mat, and some bedding.

The Kocho sisters' lives were even worse than he had imagined. Thinking carefully, how could two young girls without parents live well?

On the straw mat beside them was Kanae Kocho, who had just gotten up. Due to her illness, her face was pale, but her wan complexion held a resilience and maturity beyond her years.

Of course, this young child should have been doted on by her parents. She was also forced by circumstances.

"Mister, has little Shinobu caused you any trouble?"

Seeing Hiruma carrying a sword, Kanae became flustered. Like a mother hen, she shielded Shinobu Kocho behind her and asked with a trembling voice.

"No, no, no!"

"I'm not here to cause trouble!"

Unknowingly, he was mistaken for a bad guy again. Sigh!

"Huh?"

"Doesn't your stomach hurt anymore?" Shinobu Kocho suddenly asked, which made Hiruma very awkward. He secretly thought, Oh no, I forgot about that.

"Uh, well... actually, I feel much better. Maybe it's because I've been different from others since I was a child, hahahaha!" Hiruma scratched his head, not knowing what to do, and gave a silly laugh.

Hearing this, Shinobu Kocho breathed a sigh of relief. It was good that he was okay. From beginning to end, she had never doubted that Hiruma was faking his illness.

"By the way, since I'm here, I'll help you decoct the medicine!"

"You two chat first!"

Hiruma took the medicine packet from Shinobu Kocho's hand and rushed out. When he arrived, he had seen a cauldron outside.

"Sister!"

"Mr. Tendo might be carrying a sword, but he's not a bad person. He helped me!" Shinobu Kocho quickly explained to her sister. As she spoke, she smiled again. Kanae noticed this keenly but said nothing more.

She didn't know what had happened, but she was sure that the peer carrying a sword posed no threat.

Outside the thatched hut, Hiruma sat by the cauldron with a dejected expression, sighing.

It seemed like he was disliked. He shouldn't have brought his sword.

Wuwuwu! (╥_╥)

"Pervert, did they kick you out?"

"You were faking your illness, that's why..."

Obanai appeared beside Hiruma at some point. He crossed his arms and began to tease him mercilessly.

Hiruma reacted quickly, covering Obanai's mouth and whispering into his ear:

"First off, I'm not a pervert!"

"Secondly, give me a chance and don't expose me!"

Hiruma said the most cowardly words with the most defiant posture. Obanai nodded, and Hiruma finally let go of the elusive, omnipresent figure.

Obanai stood to the side with his arms crossed. Hiruma alternated between smiling and sighing, making Obanai think the guy had lost his mind.

This kid is seriously ill!

Just then, the door of the thatched cottage opened, and Shinobu Kocho emerged, supporting her sister.

"Mr. Tendo, I am deeply sorry for the misunderstanding just now!"

"Thank you for saving little Shinobu!"

Kanae Kocho looked at Hiruma with an apologetic expression, her eyes conveying sincerity.

Even though she wore coarse, patched clothing, her every movement exuded the refined demeanor of a young lady from a good family.

After all, the Kocho sisters were born into a family of physicians with considerable wealth, and their upbringing was etched into their very bones. Kanae's demeanor had not been diminished by hardship.

"It's fine, this guy just likes to meddle. Don't mind him!"

"My name is Obanai Iguro, his friend!"

Obanai introduced himself. He didn't understand why Hiruma was approaching these sisters, but he trusted Hiruma unconditionally.

"Hello, my name is Kanae Kocho!"

"If you two don't mind, please allow us to host you?"

"Cough, cough, cough!"

As she spoke, Kanae coughed a few times. She had come out despite her illness.

And so, destinies that should have remained separate began to intertwine due to Hiruma's presence.

The future Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps met each other in this manner.

"Oh, right, we're all about the same age, so don't keep calling me 'Mr.'"

"Tendo Hiruma, but my friends call me Hiruma!"

"Also, the medicine is ready!"

"Wait for me, I'll get it!" Shinobu Kocho said as she helped her sister back inside.

As soon as the Kocho sisters went back in, Obanai asked calmly, his expression placid, "Do you know them?"

Hearing Obanai's question, Hiruma's hand trembled, nearly making him drop the medicine pot.

Obanai became even more certain. The way Hiruma looked at him the first time was similar to how he looked today.

It was the look of someone recognizing a familiar face, an unintentional display of genuine emotion.

"Do you believe in fate?" Hiruma suddenly asked an obscure question. At that moment, the medicinal soup was poured into a bowl, creating a layer of white mist that obscured his eyes.

"Maybe I've seen you in my dreams!"

"Hahaha!"

"Of course, how could that be possible!"

"I just like to meddle!"

Hiruma said with a hearty laugh.

Obanai Iguro paused for a moment, a smile appearing beneath his bandages. He didn't say anything further.

If this was fate, it seemed to be a good one.

Fate had also allowed him to meet a good person and given him a blade sufficient for atonement.