"Master."
The black-and-white twins led the two of them inside and addressed the man respectfully. Though they were father and children... they used an honorific.
Only after hearing the twins did Makomo, who had walked in behind Keqing, realize who the man before her was. She hurriedly bowed in greeting. "Master."
"So it's Makomo!"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki seemed to know Makomo and greeted her with a smile.
It could be said that he had recorded every Demon Slayer Corps member's life and preferences in his mind. Not for any particular purpose, but simply because he did not want those who risked their lives fighting demons to be forgotten.
Only then did Kagaya Ubuyashiki turn to the girl beside him and Makomo, speaking with a hint of apology. "Could everyone allow me to speak with Miss Keqing alone for a while?"
"Yes, Master."
Makomo did not refuse upon hearing Kagaya Ubuyashiki's words. The girl beside the Master seemed to want to say something, but her elder sister tugged at her, and she fell silent. She could only leave the room along with the others.
Before leaving, however, the girl could not help casting several suspicious glances at Keqing, leaving Keqing utterly baffled.
If she was not mistaken, that girl should be Shinobu Kocho, right? They should not have had any dealings with one another. After thinking it over for a few seconds, Keqing roughly guessed what was going on.
As the people around her departed, only Keqing, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, and the woman who looked very much like Shinobu Kocho remained in the room. She should be Shinobu's elder sister... a Hashira-class swordswoman, the Flower Hashira, Kanae Kocho.
"This is the Flower Hashira, Kanae Kocho..."
Seeing Keqing curiously examining the girl beside him, Kagaya Ubuyashiki introduced her directly.
Kanae Kocho being here was