When Nezuko finally woke, she did something entirely unexpected—she threw her arms around Horitake.
This single embrace sent a surge of pure, electric joy rushing through him. As he held her, moving with a soft, practiced caution so as not to startle her, his mind raced with exhilarated thoughts.
Could my "duckling imprinting" theory actually be correct? he wondered. After sleeping for two long years, is the person she sees the moment she opens her eyes someone of vital importance to her?
He didn't know for sure; he couldn't be certain.
But in the end, it didn't matter. The logistics and the "why" were irrelevant as long as Nezuko felt close to him and trusted him. Everything else was secondary.
Feeling the lightness and the soft warmth of the girl in his arms, Horitake felt a swell of emotion so profound he could have stayed in that moment forever, blissfully content.
After a long, firm hug, Nezuko finally released him. Horitake followed her lead, loosening his grip and allowing her to pull back. She sat before him, tilting her head with a curious, gentle smile, and reached out her hand…
She placed her palm against Horitake's forehead, patting him with an air of friendly, rhythmic affection.
The excitement that had just been soaring through Horitake's heart suddenly stalled, replaced by a sense of bewildered irony.
This… what's with this head-patting?
Wait, could it be…
Horitake couldn't help but reflect on Nezuko's journey. During the two years she had been submerged in sleep, Master Urokodaki had been constantly using hypnotic suggestion to plant a single, unwavering thought in her mind: Humans are your family. You must protect them.
The indoctrination had clearly succeeded.
Upon her awakening, the biological changes in her body had allowed her to cast aside the hunger for human flesh, while the psychological shift made her naturally inclined toward humans. This was the foundation that would eventually allow her to be accepted by the Demon Slayer Corps.
Thinking of this, Horitake felt a twinge of suspicion. Was Nezuko patting his head because that subconscious suggestion was at work? Did she simply view him as a "friend" she needed to protect?
Well… it's not exactly a bad thing, but it feels a little strange.
Then again, something felt different. The way Nezuko treated him didn't seem as simple as a generic "human friend." If he were just a common acquaintance, she likely would have stopped at the head-pat, rather than initiating that direct, decisive hug.
Compared to a head-pat, a hug was an act of much deeper intimacy and trust.
Reaching this conclusion, Horitake felt a weight lift from his chest.
Just as Nezuko lowered her hand, Master Urokodaki returned from his errands. The moment the old man slid the door open and laid eyes on Nezuko, his shock and joy were palpable. He hurriedly kicked off his sandals and stepped inside.
"Nezuko… she's awake?"
Horitake nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, she's awake. No crying, no fussing—she's just quiet and adorable. She's being so incredibly well-behaved. And Master Urokodaki, you won't believe it—she recognized me almost immediately. She even gave me a hug. It's honestly incredible!"
Hearing this, Urokodaki sat down beside them. "I see. So, does this mean your 'duckling' theory was actually right?"
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure," Horitake admitted. "I don't fully understand why she's so affectionate toward me. Maybe it's because I was the first thing she saw, or maybe it's because of how I helped her and Tanjiro in the past. Either way, it doesn't matter. The fact that she trusts me is a good thing."
Urokodaki nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It is a very good thing."
As they spoke, Nezuko suddenly stood up. Her brow furrowed, and a look of visible tension and urgency crossed her face. She began to scan the room, pacing back and forth as if searching for something vital.
When she reached the doorway where the sunlight spilled in, she shrank back instinctively, her head ducking down in fear. She retreated back into the shadows, biting down on her bamboo muzzle with a look of profound distress.
Seeing her frantic state, Horitake and Urokodaki understood immediately.
Nezuko had finally remembered her brother. Realizing Tanjiro wasn't there, she was beginning to panic, her fear mounting as her search came up empty.
Watching her bewildered, anxious movements, both men felt their own tension rise. Tanjiro wasn't here. What would happen if she couldn't find him?
Crying and fussing would be manageable, but if she went into a berserk frenzy out of fear, they would have a serious problem on their hands.
Horitake and Urokodaki exchanged a look. Horitake stood up and moved to Nezuko's side. Terrified of overstimulating her, he kept his movements slow and his voice a gentle, soothing murmur.
"Nezuko, you're looking for your brother, Tanjiro, aren't you? Tanjiro is out right now. He has something very important to take care of, but he'll be back in just a few days."
As Horitake finished speaking, a look of unmistakable worry and dread clouded Nezuko's features. She looked like a lost rabbit that couldn't find its way home.
The sight made Horitake's heart ache with sudden intensity. He hovered over her with agonizing care—halfway between a protective older brother and someone tending to a frightened pet—desperate not to scare her.
"Nezuko, please don't be afraid. Don't be nervous. Your brother will definitely come back in a few days. I promise you, I'd bet my life on it! So be a good girl and wait here for him just for a little while, okay?"
Horitake's persuasion seemed to have some effect, but it wasn't enough to calm her completely. Nezuko's spirit remained low. She stood there, dejected, looking up at Horitake with wide, soulful eyes filled with a deep-seated anxiety.
Even though Nezuko couldn't speak, Horitake felt as though he could read the thoughts swirling in those shimmering eyes.
Has Brother… has he abandoned me?
When he realized what she was thinking, Horitake felt a jolt of alarm. Nezuko was currently in a state of utter vulnerability; he could not let her misunderstand Tanjiro's absence.
While he knew she trusted him now, Horitake was self-aware enough to know that his place in her heart could never compare to Tanjiro's. If Nezuko truly believed her brother had discarded her, she might do something far worse than simply losing control.
He had to soothe her. He had to make her understand.
Lacking any other tools, Horitake poured all his sincerity into his words.
"Tanjiro is the most important person to you, and you are the most important person to him. You two are blood—bound by a tie stronger than anything else in this world. There is no one closer to you than him! So how could Tanjiro ever leave you behind? That would never happen, Nezuko. You don't have to worry about that."
He leaned in slightly, offering a reassuring smile.
"Just wait a few more days, and Tanjiro will be back. When he returns and sees that you're finally awake, he's going to be so happy. He might even be so happy that he turns into a total crybaby. Don't you want to be here to see Tanjiro cry his eyes out because he's so glad to see you?"
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