The touching scene of the sisters clinging to each other lasted for a long time before their raw emotions began to settle.
Kanae held Shinobu's hand, gripping it tightly as if terrified she might vanish again.
Her eyes, however, kept drifting to the strange, dark purple markings that snaked across the pale skin of her sister's arm, her gentle expression filled with heartache and worry.
"Shinobu," Kanae said softly, "Lady Tamayo is here at headquarters now. She's been researching a way to turn demons back into humans. Would you… would you come with me to see her? She can help."
Shinobu looked from her sister to Shinichi.
Seeing the encouraging nod he gave her, she swallowed and whispered, "Yes. Shinichi told me about her. I… I would like to meet her."
A wave of relieved joy washed over Kanae's face.
"Wonderful! Let's go right now!"
And just like that, with Kanae protectively guiding her, the two sisters hurried off towards the temporary Butterfly House, completely forgetting anyone else was there.
They left Shinichi, Sanemi, and Kyojuro standing in the courtyard, looking at each other in the sudden silence.
Sanemi Shinazugawa was the first to break the silence.
He finally released the hilt of his Nichirin blade, crossing his scarred arms over his chest.
He fixed Shinichi with a fierce glare.
"Alright, Shinichi, what the hell is going on? How did Kocho end up like… that? What did you run into out there?"
Kyojuro Rengoku also turned his concerned gaze on him, his voice booming with its usual energy but laced with seriousness.
"Shinichi! The aura around Shinobu has changed drastically, but her eyes are still clear! There must be a reason for this! We need an explanation!"
Shinichi looked at his two comrades, their concern expressed in entirely different but equally intense ways.
Instead of answering immediately, he deflected with a question of his own.
"This Hashira training must be a heavy burden. I know Kanae is staying to help Lady Tamayo with her research, but what are you two still doing here?"
Kyojuro laughed cheerfully. "Well! It is my turn, along with Himejima-san, to guard headquarters! As for Shinazugawa, the trainees have been lodging so many complaints about his methods that—"
"Nonsense!" Sanemi cut him off, a vein throbbing on his forehead. "I'm worried about Oyakata-sama's safety, that's all! Besides, I'm doing a better job than you, Shinichi! You tossed your training duties to that kid Yuichiro after only a few days! What kind of master does that? Don't change the subject! We're talking about Shinobu!"
Shinichi just smiled at Sanemi's outburst.
Without any further prompting, he recounted their mission to Hiraoka County, the encounter with the demonized Shinobu, and their battle on the train.
He emphasized that although she had been turned, she had not harmed a single human and still fought against other demons.
He finished by relaying the horrifying warning from the Upper Moon Six, Kamaro.
"...And that's what happened," Shinichi concluded, crossing his arms. "Shinobu's condition is unique. It will require Lady Tamayo's careful study. As for what Kamaro said… if any of it is true, then the Demon Slayer Corps is in more danger than we've ever been."
Hearing the full story, Sanemi's brows knitted into a tight knot, his scarred face a mask of pure disgust and irritation.
"Damn it all! That bastard Kamaro! A coward who hides in the shadows! The next time I see him, I'll slice him into a thousand pieces! And those government bastards! How could they be so weak-willed? So easily corrupted? Pathetic!"
Kyojuro's expression was graver than Shinichi had ever seen it.
He clenched his fists, his golden-red eyes burning with a righteous fire.
"Despicable. Utterly unforgivable! We must report this to Oyakata-sama immediately and begin planning our response!"
"I've already sent a brief report ahead with my Kasugai Crow," Shinichi said.
"I'll give Oyakata-sama the full details at dawn."
As they were talking, the sound of light footsteps approached from a nearby corridor.
All three turned to see the true owner of the manor, the queen of the business world—Ryukawa Chinatsu—walking towards them.
"Shinichi-kun, you're back?" Chinatsu's voice held a note of surprise, but it also sounded more hoarse and strained than usual.
"Is Shinobu-san with you?" She glanced around, but didn't see the Insect Hashira.
"Chinatsu," Shinichi nodded. "Shinobu… went through some things. She's with Lady Tamayo getting checked out."
A flicker of understanding crossed Chinatsu's eyes, but she didn't press for details.
She just sighed softly. "I hope she's alright. These are certainly troubled times."
"What's wrong?" Shinichi asked, noticing her weariness.
"You look exhausted. What brings you to headquarters so late?"
Chinatsu seemed startled by the question.
A faint, tired smile touched her lips. "Headquarters? If I'm not mistaken, this manor is the property of Moriki Group. Technically, that makes the Demon Slayer Corps my tenants. Perhaps I'm here to collect the rent?"
Shinichi's face fell into an awkward grimace. "Hey, come on. What's all this 'yours and mine' talk? We're partners in this…"
His flustered reaction made Chinatsu cover her mouth to hide a genuine, albeit faint, smile.
She knew she couldn't tell him the real reason she was here—the devastating plan she had just discussed with Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
Shinichi, and every other Hashira, would never agree to it.
So, she deflected with vague talk about business matters and seeking the Ubuyashiki family's ancient wisdom, a plausible excuse given their long history.
After a few more minutes of strained small talk, Chinatsu excused herself, her fatigue clearly visible.
As she disappeared into the darkness, Sanemi snorted, thoroughly unimpressed by the exchange.
Kyojuro maintained a polite smile, but a hint of questioning curiosity lingered in his eyes. Shinichi watched her go, his brow furrowed.
He couldn't shake the feeling that she was hiding something heavy.
"Strange woman," Sanemi muttered.
"She seems to be under a great deal of pressure," Kyojuro observed thoughtfully.
****
Meanwhile, inside the Butterfly House…
"Alright, Shinobu-san, please open your mouth. Ahh~… yes, very sharp fangs. But otherwise, you appear to be in excellent health. Very energetic, in fact," Lady Tamayo said, her tone clinical but kind.
"Indeed! Shinobu even seems to have grown a little taller," Kanae giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Hehe, I remember how you always used to complain about being so small."
"Sister!!" Shinobu's voice was a mortified squeak.
"However," Lady Tamayo's tone turned serious. "Demon transformation requires a source of energy. Ordinary demons must consume humans to survive. Even Yushiro and I require a small amount of human blood. The only exceptions I have ever documented are Nezuko Kamado and Shinichi-san himself. How have you been sustaining yourself, Shinobu-san?"
The implication was clear, and the lighthearted atmosphere vanished. Kanae looked at her sister, her eyes wide with worry.
"Shinobu, you… you didn't eat anyone, did you?"
"Of course not! Humans don't even taste as good as Shinichi!"
"HUH??" came the simultaneous, shocked reply from Kanae and Lady Tamayo.
----
Oh my!