Kanae Kocho

Shinobu Kocho looked at Kanzaki Kumo in some alarm. He merely nodded at her, then went to the door.

Click.

He slid the door open, revealing Kanae Kocho standing gracefully outside.

"Shall we talk somewhere else?" Kanzaki Kumo asked, glancing into the room.

Kanae naturally noticed Shinobu Kocho hiding inside as well. Unable to bear discussing what came next in front of her younger sister, she nodded.

The two walked side by side to the small training courtyard, neither speaking along the way.

The courtyard was empty at the time, leaving only the two of them standing side by side.

After steadying her breathing slightly, Kanae spoke first. "Did Shinobu tell you everything?"

"Yes. She said you discovered you had a talent for learning Breathing Styles, that you wanted to learn one, join the Demon Slayer Corps, and do something you could square with your conscience." Kanzaki Kumo nodded, his voice so calm that neither pleasure nor anger could be heard in it.

"Then... what do you think, Kanzaki-kun?" Kanae turned her head and looked somewhat anxiously at Kanzaki Kumo, this boy who was somewhat special to her.

"Let's leave what I think aside for now."

Kanzaki Kumo shook his head slightly, walked over to the rack holding the training equipment, and picked up a Wooden Sword to hand to Kanae.

"Here, show me the move you worked out on your own first." Although Shinobu Kocho had said Kanae had learned a move by watching Makomo train, Shinobu was not a true Swordsman, after all, and might have misjudged it.

"All right." Kanae accepted the Wooden Sword and nodded firmly.

"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!"

This was the move Kanae had learned by watching Makomo's training over the past several days. It was not the Third Form, which Makomo used most often, because its shifting footwork really was difficult for an ordinary person to follow. Instead, the simplest and most direct First Form was easier to learn through observation.

As Kanae swung her Wooden Sword, faint splashes of water could already be seen swirling around it. This showed that she had not merely copied the movements, but had truly grasped the basics of Water Breathing through these days of observation.

Surprise and approval surfaced in Kanzaki Kumo's eyes. He had to admit that Kanae really did have considerable talent for learning Breathing Styles.

"How was that?" Kanae Kocho asked, looking somewhat anxiously at Kanzaki Kumo after coming to a standstill again.

Although she would not change her decision even if Kanzaki Kumo tried to stop her, she would be happier if she could gain his support.

After all, even though her parents and younger sister had agreed in name, it was only because of her pleading and persistence, rather than genuine support and approval.

"To come this far just by watching Makomo train, you really do have a strong talent for learning Breathing Styles. From the Demon Slayer Corps' standpoint, someone with your rare talent wanting to become a Swordsman would certainly be welcome."

At this, a flash of joy crossed Kanae Kocho's eyes, but she did not show any excitement, because Kanzaki Kumo clearly had more to say.

"But personally, I don't actually want you to become a Swordsman. It's too dangerous. If something happened to you, if you were seriously injured or even killed, Shinobu, Uncle Zemu, Aunt Delia, and Makomo and I would all grieve."

"So I need you to tell me your reasons and your convictions yourself. As a Hashira-level Swordsman, if I refuse, you won't be able to join the Demon Slayer Corps without trouble. In fact, you won't even be able to leave the Butterfly Mansion."

Both Kanzaki Kumo's words and his expression placed tremendous pressure on Kanae. At that moment, he seemed like an entirely different person from the easygoing, sunny boy he usually was. The killing intent honed through battle after battle was revealed, enough to strike fear into the heart.

Kanzaki Kumo did this deliberately. If she could not withstand even this much pressure from his presence, he could not possibly let Kanae become a Demon Slayer Corps Swordsman. Truly facing a demon was far more terrifying than mere words and an imposing presence.

Kanae was likewise startled by Kanzaki Kumo's presence, but the panic in her eyes lasted only an instant before determination replaced it.

"I want to protect the people I care about with my own strength, rather than comfortably hiding in the peace others paid for with their lives."

"Support work is no less important than the front lines," Kanzaki Kumo countered without wavering.

"At the Butterfly Mansion, Father and Shinobu handle medical treatment, while Mother and the caregivers handle daily care and coordination. If I didn't have the ability, that would be one thing. But since I can learn a Breathing Style, I can't keep hiding in the Butterfly Mansion, doing insignificant work."

"Have you really thought this through?"

"I have."

"You won't regret it?"

"I won't."

"Even if it might make Shinobu, Uncle Zemu, and the others grieve?"

"..."

Kanae, who had answered every previous question with such resolve, finally fell silent when her sister and parents were mentioned.

Kanzaki Kumo did not press her. He simply waited quietly for her answer.

Slaying demons was no joke. Without a sufficiently firm will, many people could not even hold their swords steady when faced with those hideous, vicious demons in the night.

And the Kanae of the present had no hatred toward demons, nor the conviction to keep her own tragedy from befalling others. Kanzaki Kumo could not be certain whether she could truly face a demon.

At least for now, if she hesitated too much, Kanzaki Kumo would not let her take the path of demon slaying, even if it left Kanae miserable.

She did not keep Kanzaki Kumo waiting long. After a deep breath, Kanae met his gaze again and said slowly but firmly, "Then let this be the one time I'm selfish."

After she finished, they stared at each other for a long time. Finally, Kanzaki Kumo broke the silence with some resignation.

"Sigh. I knew I wouldn't be able to talk you out of it. I couldn't even get you to change what you called me before, never mind convince you to give up learning a Breathing Style."

With things having reached this point, there was little meaning in saying any more. Kanzaki Kumo also reined in his imposing presence, returned to his usual easygoing manner, and threw in a complaint for good measure.

"Kanzaki-kun?" Kanae's eyes held delighted surprise.

"I won't stop you from learning a Breathing Style. After all, you have the right to choose your own life. All right, go pack your things, then say a proper goodbye to Shinobu, Uncle Zemu, and the others. Tomorrow morning, I'll personally introduce you to a Cultivator."

"Thank you, Kanzaki-kun." Kanae bowed deeply to Kanzaki Kumo.

"Go on."

Kanzaki Kumo said nothing more. He merely took the Wooden Sword from Kanae's hand and indicated that she could leave.

Only after Kanae had returned inside the Butterfly Mansion did Kanzaki Kumo put the Wooden Sword back on the rack, then walk over to the narrow space between the rack and the corner of the wall.

Shinobu Kocho was curled up there, hiding and sobbing silently.

She had sneaked over when Kanzaki Kumo asked Kanae to demonstrate her move, and had heard the entire conversation between him and her older sister.

"You saw it too. Your sister is very determined. Now that things have come this far, as her family, you should be a source of support for her, rather than a burden on her mind." Kanzaki Kumo bent down and ruffled Shinobu Kocho's hair.

"I was the one who brought your family here. I promise that as long as I'm still here, none of you, including Kanae, will come to harm."

His voice was not loud, but every word rang with conviction. Shinobu Kocho stopped sobbing and looked up at the boy before her, who was not much older than she was, the boy who had changed her family's fate, the boy who seemed to be glowing at that very moment. She froze for an instant.

Kanzaki Kumo: Hey, that glowing thing is just the lighting and the angle!

"All right, come out. Go say a proper goodbye to your sister, and give her your blessing as her younger sister."

Looking at the hand extended before her, Shinobu Kocho hesitated slightly before reaching up to take it. Kanzaki Kumo pulled her to her feet.

"A friendly reminder: wash your face before you go see your sister. You've cried yourself into a little tabby cat."

As he spoke, Kanzaki Kumo gently pinched Shinobu Kocho's cheek, which still held a little baby fat. He had meant to ease her emotions a little, but this was also the first time he had made such an affectionate gesture toward her.

It felt soft. Just as Kanzaki Kumo instinctively wanted to pinch it again, Shinobu Kocho slapped his hand away.

"You-! Hmph!" Shinobu Kocho, whose heart had been fluttering a little, immediately reverted to the puffed-up, sulky look Kanzaki Kumo knew so well. She waved her little fist at him, then turned and left.