"...Muichiro couldn't make it back, so he might not be able to attend..."
At the entrance to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, the White-Haired Swordsman was chatting with his fellow disciples.
Shinobu stood to one side, staring absently at the hem of Haruto's clothes. After a long stretch of fighting, Shinobu Kocho had finally met the promotion requirement of killing fifty demons and had recently become a Hashira. Today was her first Hashira Meeting.
Her face betrayed little emotion, but both Kanae and Haruto could tell that the girl was feeling awkward.
Don't worry. Everyone has to go through this once.
Kanae shook her head gently at Haruto, then looked away with amusement in her eyes.
Seeing her younger sister grow into an outstanding demon slayer filled her with both pride and sorrow.
She was proud that those frail arms could wield a blade and slay foul demons, breaking free of her body's limitations; yet she grieved that both sisters were trapped in the cage of fate, bound to demons for the rest of their lives.
"Mr. Haruto!"
A bright shout suddenly rang out from the courtyard. Haruto turned to see Kyojuro standing at the entrance, his eyes sparkling, as a girl with long, pale pink hair brushed past his shoulder and ran outside.
Swordsmen below Hashira rank were generally forbidden from entering the Ubuyashiki Residence at Headquarters, but Kyojuro strode inside without hesitation. Haruto immediately understood what that meant.
"Is Mr. Shinjuro still not ready to attend the Hashira Meeting?"
Kyojuro nodded. "The Master summoned me to ask about my father."
Standing nearby, Gyomei Himejima sighed. "It feels as though I haven't seen Mr. Shinjuro in quite some time either."
"I remember you were promoted to Kinoe Slayer recently, weren't you?" Haruto rubbed his chin. "What about your demon