Watching the actress portraying the Emperor—knowing that beneath two layers of masterful deception lurked a demon—Horitake couldn't help but let an inscrutable, knowing smile play across his lips.
He decided that, for the moment, it was best to hold his hand.
The theater was currently packed with nearly a thousand souls, between the cast, the crew, and the audience. If he were to expose the creature now, the resulting stampede and mass panic would be catastrophic. Besides, under the scrutiny of a thousand pairs of eyes, even a demon wouldn't dare to make a move.
As long as he kept a close watch, everything would be under control. If the creature so much as twitched toward malice, Horitake was confident he could cut her down before she even completed a single step.
And so, acting as if nothing were amiss, he continued to enjoy the performance.
Outwardly, he was just another mesmerized spectator. Inwardly, however, he never let the "Emperor" slip from his sights. Even during the scenes where the Emperor wasn't on stage, or when the actress retreated into the wings, Horitake utilized the X-ray properties of his Spirit Vision to track every movement she made.
To the outside world, Horitake was absorbed in the opera. Even Shinobu and Kanao, sitting right beside him, failed to notice anything unusual about him. The sisters were completely enchanted by the drama unfolding before them.
The minutes ticked by until, finally, the magnificent opera reached its conclusion.
As the final notes faded, the theater erupted into a thunderous standing ovation. The audience poured their hearts into their applause, cheering and shouting in praise of the cast's exquisite talent. This was the greatest hymn an actor could receive, the ultimate reward for their labor.
In the final moments, the entire cast returned to the stage for a curtain call. The actress playing the Emperor stood among them.
Horitake's gaze remained fixed on her, cold and unwavering, ensuring she had no chance to vanish into the crowd.
Once the bows were finished, the heavy red velvet curtains drew together from either side, sealing the stage and officially bringing the performance to an end.
The thousand spectators began to filter out of the rows. Kanao looked back at the stage with lingering reluctance, while Shinobu seemed to be savoring the memories of the play, her heart clearly light and full of joy. It had been a truly satisfying experience for them both.
But despite their lingering attachment, the show was over. It was time to go.
Shinobu was the first to rise, turning to her younger sister with a warm smile. "So, Kanao, what did you think? Did you enjoy it?"
Kanao stood up as well, her eyes crinkling as she nodded vigorously, her face beaming with pure happiness.
"I'm glad to hear it. The opera is over, so let's head out. Horitake, shall we?"
Horitake rose from his seat, that same mysterious, unfathomable smile still lingering on his face. "Yes... it's time to go."
Neither Shinobu nor Kanao picked up on the weight behind his smile. Sensing nothing out of the ordinary, they blended into the stream of departing theatergoers and made their way out of the building.
However, the very moment they stepped through the theater's grand entrance and onto the street, Horitake's hand clamped firmly around Shinobu's wrist.
Startled, Shinobu turned to look at him, only to find Horitake's expression had shifted into one of absolute gravity.
Having spent so much time together, the couple had developed a wordless intuition. Just by looking at the set of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes, Shinobu knew instantly: something was wrong.
They were members of the Demon Slayer Corps. If something was "wrong," there was only one thing it could be.
Her eyes widened in realization, and she glanced back at the theater doors with a look of stunned disbelief.
No way...
It was nighttime, yes, but the theater was a place of vibrant energy and crowds. Could a demon really have the audacity to hide in such a public, bustling environment? The sheer boldness of it was staggering.
Because there were still so many people milling about, with the audience continuing to pour out of the exits, they couldn't speak freely. Horitake simply gave Shinobu a sharp, affirmative nod.
Shinobu's expression turned solemn. she turned her head and shared a look with Kanao. Their sisterly bond allowed Kanao to grasp the situation almost instantly.
Horitake made a subtle hand gesture toward a nearby side alley. He turned and slipped into the darkness, with Shinobu and Kanao following silently behind him.
The alley was narrow, dim, and entirely deserted—the perfect place for a quiet conversation. Shinobu caught up to Horitake and whispered urgently, "Was there a demon inside the theater just now?"
Horitake nodded with a faint, grim smile. "Yes. There was indeed a demon. Right there in the theater, and not a single person—not even the two of you—noticed her presence. But I saw her. My eyes see things that others cannot."
Shinobu pressed further. "Was she hiding among the audience?"
Horitake shook his head. "No. She was on the stage."
Both sisters were momentarily stunned. Shinobu gasped in disbelief. "An actress?! The nerve of that creature! Which one was it? Surely it wasn't the lead?"
"Not the lead," Horitake clarified. "It was the one playing the Emperor."
"So it was her..."
Shinobu couldn't help but replay the performance in her mind, trying to recall the details of the "Emperor." After a moment, she looked down, her voice tinged with a hint of self-reproach. "I was so completely immersed in the show... I didn't notice a single thing unusual about her."
"Don't blame yourself, Shinobu. I almost missed it myself," Horitake said reassuringly. "If it weren't for these eyes of mine that can see through any deception, she really might have slipped away. To be honest, this demon is quite fascinating. Her talent for disguise is extraordinary."
Having said his piece, Horitake stopped and turned to face the two of them.
"I'm going back in to track her down and find out exactly what's going on. You two stay here and wait for word. Unless something drastic happens, don't move."
Shinobu's expression was heavy with concern. "You're going in alone? Is she that powerful?"
"It's not a matter of strength," Horitake explained. "It's the disguise. To be blunt, Shinobu, even if she stood right in front of you, you might not recognize her as a demon. Only my eyes are abnormal enough to track her. This is a problem only I can solve."
Shinobu nodded, understanding the logic. "I see. If her camouflage is that perfect, she really is a dangerous one. Go on then. Kanao and I will wait for you here. If anything goes wrong, we'll come running to assist immediately."
With their plan set, Horitake gave a sharp nod. He crouched, then leaped, soaring effortlessly over the high wall bordering the alley. He landed soundlessly back within the theater grounds.
Without alerting a soul, Horitake reinfiltrated the building. He activated his Spirit Vision once more, his eyes scanning through walls and shadows, hunting for his target.
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