Obanai's pupils abruptly contracted.
"Coward." Rokuya spat out the word and turned to leave. "You don't even have the courage to face your own fate. All you dare do is wallow in self-pity in this sunless corner. Since you've chosen to become demon shit, I won't disturb you."
"W-wait!"
Just as Rokuya was about to step through the cell door, Obanai lunged forward and clung desperately to the hem of his black Demon Slayer Corps uniform. His knuckles turned white from the force of his grip, and tears finally spilled from his eyes.
"I don't want to... I don't want to be eaten... I don't want to become that monster's food..." Obanai broke down sobbing. "But what can I do? I can't beat it! I can't even stand up to my own clan!"
Rokuya stopped. He turned and looked at the boy kneeling on the floor, crying bitterly. A barely perceptible trace of approval flashed through his eyes.
As long as he still wanted to live, he wasn't beyond saving.
"Let go. If you get my uniform dirty, that tigress Shinobu will kill me." Rokuya hauled Obanai up from the floor. Although his tone remained harsh, he deliberately gentled his movements. "Listen closely, kid. I'm not going to give you any pretty speeches. But as long as you walk out that door with me today, your life will belong to you from now on."
Just then, a jumble of footsteps came from the far end of the dungeon corridor.
"Hurry, hurry! Our god is getting impatient!"
"We have to deliver that little freak today!"
A cold gleam flashed through Rokuya's eyes. He clamped a hand over Obanai's mouth and slipped like a phantom into the shadows at the top of the cell.
Several burly old women opened the cell door.