"Teacher?"
Loaded down with bags of all sizes, Genya was surprised to see Haruto at the entrance.
Carrying disinfectant and other medical supplies, Yushiro shot him a vicious glare, then pattered into the residence without so much as a greeting.
Haruto watched his short figure retreat with amusement, then turned to Genya. "What did you buy?"
"I passed the Pastry Shop, and they had Fresh Meat Pepper Buns just out of the oven, so I bought a dozen." Genya fished a still-warm oilpaper parcel out of his bags and handed it over. "They smell amazing, Teacher. Eat them while they're hot."
"What about that one?"
"These are Hagi Mochi..." Genya scratched his head sheepishly. "My brother loves Hagi Mochi."
"Oh~"
Haruto popped a pepper bun into his mouth. The mildly spicy pepper and savory meat juices burst across his tongue, and he nodded in satisfaction. "...Go give your brother the Hagi Mochi first, then come somewhere with me."
The place he intended to take Genya was Mount Kumotori, which he had left three months earlier. Cang Kong had delivered an old Nichirin Blade to the Kamado Household's boy over two months ago, and he wondered whether the kid had started practicing seriously.
Even he, a supporting character, was working so hard that he had nearly paid with his life. As the protagonist, Tanjiro had no business slacking off.
"Is he your new Tsuguko, Teacher?" Genya asked, turning toward him as they walked along the mountain path.
"Not exactly. He hasn't agreed yet, just like that proud brother of yours..."
Haruto, whose prospective Tsuguko always turned him down, shook his head. "I only passed on a Breathing Style. This is my first time coming to teach him."
Since he couldn't practice a Breathing Style himself, Genya wasn't upset that his teacher