Su Mu returned to the Kamado family's dilapidated house holding Kanao's hand. As soon as he arrived, he saw a woman at the entrance wearing a white scarf and a purple-and-white kimono.
Her hair was gathered into a simple bun secured with a plain wooden hairpin, with loose strands falling along her neck.
Seeming to notice them, she hurried over.
"M-my lord."
Kie Kamado called out nervously. As she bent forward in a bow and lowered her head, she glanced behind Su Mu. Not seeing Tanjiro, her downcast eyes filled with a measure of fear.
"Mrs. Kie, you're still awake this late!"
Su Mu remarked. Seeming to notice her worry, he smiled and said, "Tanjiro's behind us. He'll be back soon."
Only after hearing this did Kie Kamado seem to breathe a slight sigh of relief.
Su Mu chuckled, then led Kanao toward the house by the hand.
Kie Kamado waited until Su Mu had passed her before lifting her head and rising onto her toes to look into the distance. She could vaguely make out a familiar figure walking toward them.
Only then did Kie Kamado feel completely reassured, and she hurried after them with short steps.
He lifted the heavy straw curtain over the doorway. The lamp inside was still lit, its flickering light illuminating the room. In the adjoining room of the thatched house, a little head suddenly ducked back out of sight.
Su Mu entered holding Kanao's hand and went to the room Kie Kamado had cleaned for him that day. The bedding and everything else had already been neatly folded.
He patted Kanao's head. "I'll get you some hot water to wash your feet, and then you can rest."
"Okay."
Kanao nodded, walked to the bedside, and took off her shoes and socks, revealing her