Moshi Moshi, Kiyohiko

The announcement seemed to press pause on the world.

Sanemi Shinazugawa, who had been brimming with murderous intent, froze. The madness vanished from his eyes in an instant, replaced by an almost reverent awe. He quickly withdrew his arm and released Kiyohiko, then stepped back and knelt on the floor in a perfectly formal posture.

The other Hashira also stopped what they were doing, dropped to one knee in unison, and bowed their heads.

"Huh? Huh? What's going on? Why did everyone suddenly kneel?"

Zenitsu was still bewildered, but Tanjiro grabbed his head and forced it down against the tatami.

"Shh! Bow, now!"

The moment everyone knelt, Kiyohiko lost his support and fell heavily to the floor.

The source of that deadly temptation was still there, but the tension of being surrounded by powerful people and facing execution at any moment changed subtly with the man's arrival.

The paper door slowly slid open.

A man with purple lesions on his face and blind eyes emerged, supported by two white-haired girls. He gave off an extraordinarily tranquil air.

"Good morning, everyone."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, dispelling the grim tension that lingered in the room.

"The weather is lovely today. I'm glad to see all the Hashira gathered together, with no changes in your ranks over the past six months."

Kiyohiko lay sprawled on the floor, gasping for breath, sweat soaking the tatami beneath him.

I'm saved...

If this man hadn't appeared, he would definitely have bitten down in that last second.

"Master, we must hold a trial here for this demon and for Tanjiro Kamado, the corps member who sheltered a demon."

Though Sanemi was kneeling, his tone remained firm, albeit a little more respectful.

"I don't accept this demon. Just now, he showed an intense craving for my blood. If we don't kill him, he'll surely become a grave threat in the future."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's unseeing eyes seemed to "look" in Kiyohiko's direction, a gentle smile on his lips.

"But, Sanemi, he didn't eat, did he?"

Kagaya Ubuyashiki rested his fingers lightly on the shoulder of the white-haired girl beside him and turned toward the Hashira, his eyes blind yet seemingly able to see into people's hearts.

"Sanemi, thank you for putting him to the test for the sake of the corps' rules. Since this demon resisted the temptation of marechi despite being gravely hungry and injured, it proves he possesses reason that transcends his instincts."

Sanemi Shinazugawa gritted his teeth. Though his face was full of unwillingness, he could only lower his head before the Master and roughly wrap a strip of cloth around his still-bleeding arm.

"If that is your judgment, Master, I have nothing to say."

"As for where Kiyohiko will go from here..."

Kagaya Ubuyashiki paused, a hint of relief entering his voice.

"The Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, has already submitted a request to me."

At the name, Kiyohiko jerked his head up from the floor and stared in disbelief at the petite figure standing nearby in a butterfly-wing haori.

Huh? That wicked woman? The one who was always smiling as she said terrifying things?

"Shinobu has offered to act as Kiyohiko's 'supervisor' and 'guarantor.'"

"She will observe him, treat him, and... conduct any necessary experiments at the Butterfly Mansion," Kagaya Ubuyashiki continued slowly. "If Kiyohiko eats a human, Shinobu Kocho will bear the corresponding responsibility."

"And... among those who passed the Final Selection, six corps members also hope to vouch for him."

"Kiyohiko, a great many people trust you."

An uproar swept through the room. Even Giyu Tomioka glanced over.

The Insect Hashira who hated demons most of all? She was willing to vouch for a demon?

Shinobu Kocho stepped forward, her trademark inscrutable smile still on her face.

"Yes, Master. Since this demon claims to possess human reason, I suppose I can be merciful and give him a chance. After all... he really is quite interesting as research material."

"Then the matter is settled. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Kiyohiko, you must all strive to keep living, for the future of humanity."

With the Master's final words, the harrowing Hashira Meeting finally came to an end.

"Thank goodness, Mr. Kiyohiko!"

The moment the Master left, Zenitsu threw himself at Kiyohiko and clung tightly to his thigh, tears and snot streaming down his face.

"You scared me to death! I thought you were really going to get killed! Waaaah..."

"Mr. Kiyohiko! I'm so glad you're all right!"

Tanjiro rushed over too, his eyes red. The two boys hugged Kiyohiko tightly from either side, sandwiching him between them. Their warmth seeped through their clothes, bringing a long-missed hint of warmth to Kiyohiko's cold body.

"All right, that's enough catching up."

A gentle but unquestionable voice sounded above the three of them.

Tanjiro and Zenitsu let go as if they'd been shocked and immediately sat up straight.

Shinobu Kocho stood there with the light behind her, a perfect smile on her face, and waved to a member of the Kakushi beside her.

"Corps members Kamado and Agatsuma, now that this is over, you two can return to your training grounds shortly. As for this one..."

She pointed at Kiyohiko, who was still bound.

"Send him straight to my private laboratory in a little while."

Shinobu Kocho slowly crouched down and leaned close to Kiyohiko.

She was too close.

Kiyohiko could even see his disheveled reflection in her purple eyes. A faint herbal fragrance mingled with the scent of Wisteria around his nose. Though it smelled a little bad, it made his heart race.

Kiyohiko swallowed nervously, his body stiff as a rock.

Shinobu Kocho looked at him as he braced himself for a formidable enemy, a sly smile flashing in her eyes. She reached out a finger, lightly poked his forehead, then leaned toward his ear.

Her warm breath brushed his ear, sending a tingling shiver through him.

"Moshi moshi."

She spoke in a low voice, without her usual formality, a touch of playfulness and teasing that only the two of them could understand in her tone.

"You're the one who asked me to say that, you know? I look forward to our time together at the Butterfly Mansion... my dear 'test subject.'"

With that, she stood up and clapped her hands, returning to her poised demeanor. Then she turned and walked away, leaving him with the sight of her retreating figure, as graceful as a butterfly in flight.

Kiyohiko stood there in a daze, his mind blank.

Back in the sickroom, he had wanted to hear that famous scene, and after he said so, she had threatened him with her Nichirin Blade.

And now... at a time like this... in that tone...

That wicked woman definitely did it on purpose!

Kiyohiko felt his cheeks burning, his "heart" beating even faster than it had when he faced Sanemi Shinazugawa.

This won't do, Kiyohiko.

She's a wicked woman.

You can't let her have you wrapped around her finger like this!