#POV 1
- One Week After Becoming a Hashira
Well... How should I say it?
Being a Hashira isn't actually that bad.
I mean, I have a big salary, and I haven't received a single mission so far.
I had my worries before, especially after seeing Father as living proof of what being a Hashira could do to someone, but... Maybe it's not that bad.
Perhaps Father is just different.
He probably willingly goes on every mission without thinking twice, even when another Demon Slayer could probably handle it.
Maybe he has that thing...
What's it called?
A "Hero Complex," or something.
Now that I'm also part of the Corps, I sometimes think back to the first Demon I ever encountered.
The Demon that was burning the village I was supposed to come from.
Looking back on it now, I realize that Demon wasn't particularly strong.
He didn't need Hashira-level attention at all.
An ordinary Demon Slayer could probably have handled him.
Maybe a Tsuchinoe or Tsuchinoto could have taken him down without much trouble.
I still remember how shocked he looked when Father arrived that day.
Then again...
I'm not complaining.
If Father hadn't shown up, I wouldn't have met him.
And if I hadn't met him...
I wouldn't have become part of the Rengoku family.
So, all things considered, I'm grateful.
And now I'm a Hashira.
No missions.
A large salary.
A respectable title.
Honestly?
If this continues, I'll gladly take it.
I might actually enjoy this.
---
- One Month After Becoming a Hashira
... I was wrong.
Very, very wrong.
I celebrated too soon.
That first week was a scam.
A trap.
The calm before the storm.
Kagaya tricked me.
Nine missions.
NINE MISSIONS AND CONSTANT PATROLLING IN THREE FUCKING WEEKS!
WHO CAN BEAR THIS?!
Apparently, the area that was originally under Father's supervision became Tengen's responsibility after Father became inactive and decided he would only intervene when something particularly serious happened.
Now I understand why Tengen was "a little" angry when we first met.
He wasn't angry.
He was traumatized.
And now...
Now I'm beginning to understand him.
This isn't a job one person can do alone.
Seriously.
I barely come home anymore.
And when I do, I don't even get to rest.
I change my clothes.
Eat something if I have time.
Then I'm sent out again.
Another mission.
Another patrol.
Another Demon.
Another sleepless night.
This... This isn't right.
I need proper sleep, DAMMIT!!
I haven't slept properly in weeks!
My body hurts.
My eyes hurt.
My soul hurts.
And somehow, Kagaya still has the audacity to smile peacefully whenever he sees me.
I swear that man knows exactly what he's doing.
...
Ahh~... I miss Kanae.
---
- Five Months After Becoming a Hashira.
... Help.
I don't want any of this.
I never wanted a big salary.
Anyone can take it.
I'll gladly give it away.
What's the point of having money and respect if I can't even enjoy a fucking life?
Five months.
It's been five months since I became a Hashira.
And somehow, I've already started questioning every decision that led me here.
...
Haaa~ At least something good happened.
Apparently, because of Kanae's contribution in helping me slay that Shadow Demon, she was promoted to Kinoe.
And Kagaya granted her one request as a reward.
Her request?
The Butterfly Mansion.
A proper recovery facility for injured Demon Slayers.
Before that, injured Demon Slayers were primarily treated at the Ubuyashiki Estate.
But after the Butterfly Mansion was established, things became much easier.
It's also located somewhere deliberately undisclosed to prevent Demons from discovering it.
Of course, as a Hashira, I know where it is.
Not that I'm particularly surprised.
I've known the location of the Ubuyashiki Estate since I was a child anyway.
And now that I'm a Hashira... There probably isn't a location within the Corps that I'm not allowed to enter.
Maybe that's another perk of being the son of a Hashira.
Or perhaps it's because I'm close with Kagaya... Very close actually.
Who knows?
Not important.
The important thing is that the Butterfly Mansion exists.
And Kanae lives there.
She knows medicine, so it makes sense for her to stay there and oversee the treatment of injured Demon Slayers.
Which means... Whenever I finish a mission, I can go there.
I can see Kanae.
I can spend time with her.
I can actually relax for a little while.
Report my mission to Kagaya?
Like I care.
That can wait.
Kagaya is already making my life miserable.
A little entertainment isn't going to hurt anyone.
Besides, I'm a Hashira.
I'm sure he'll understand.
Probably.
Hopefully.
...
The only problem is that little demoness.
Shinobu.
That little witch is also living there.
I swear she does it on purpose.
Every single time I finally get some alone time with Kanae... She appears.
"Onee-chan!"
"Kagerou!"
"Kagerou-san!"
"Kanae-nee!"
It's always something.
One day... One day, I'll get my revenge.
I don't know how.
I don't know when.
But I will.
Just wait, Shinobu.
I'm patient.
... Very patient.
...
Okay, maybe I'm not that patient.
Still... The missions are hard.
Patrolling is still a pain in the ass.
I'm still constantly exhausted.
And I'm still beginning to question whether becoming a Hashira was the greatest mistake of my life.
But at least...
I can see Kanae.
That's enough.
For now.
...
Although, Kagaya...
Please.
Raise more Hashira.
Three isn't enough.
Seriously.
THREE IS NOT ENOUGH!
I'm begging you.
Hire more people.
Promote someone.
Pick a random Demon Slayer.
I don't care.
Just give me some help!
Haaa~ I'm tired.
---
#PoV 3
- One Year Later
Kagerou, sixteen years old, was on his way to the Butterfly Mansion after a long week of patrolling.
One hand held his kiseru to his lips.
The other held a small parcel.
A bribe.
Offerings for the witch.
More specifically, a parcel containing various kinds of sweets.
He had learned that whenever he came to the Butterfly Mansion, arriving empty-handed was simply unacceptable.
Especially when he wanted some time alone with Kanae.
Along the way, he passed several Kakushi carrying injured, unconscious members of the Corps.
Kagerou's eyes briefly followed them.
Then he noticed something else.
A few of the injured weren't even demon slayers.
A child.
Thirteen, perhaps fourteen years old.
Kagerou raised an eyebrow.
He stared for a moment.
...
Then he looked away.
It wasn't that he didn't care.
He did.
But right now, his mind was occupied by something far more important.
Kanae.
He hadn't seen her properly in days.
And after an entire week of patrolling, he desperately wanted to spend some time with her.
So he continued walking.
A few minutes later, he finally saw it.
The Butterfly Mansion.
Surrounded by lush greenery, towering trees, carefully maintained gardens, and winding stone paths, the estate looked less like a facility belonging to the Demon Slayer Corps and more like a secluded countryside residence.
The main building was broad and low, constructed from dark wooden beams and pale plaster walls beneath a traditional tiled roof.
Long engawa verandas stretched along the exterior, supported by wooden pillars.
Sliding shōji and fusuma doors connected the various rooms throughout the mansion.
Inside were numerous tatami-floored rooms, connected by wooden corridors and sliding doors.
Simple furnishings filled the rooms.
Futons.
Low tables.
Cushions.
Cabinets.
Traditional household items.
Everything was designed to be comfortable rather than extravagant.
There were also dedicated treatment rooms for injured Demon Slayers, as well as areas for rehabilitation and physical training.
Outside, the surrounding gardens provided even more tranquility.
Stone pathways.
Flowers.
Shrubs.
Trees.
Shade.
Privacy.
It was remarkably peaceful.
Almost too peaceful for a place surrounded by people who regularly fought Demons.
Kagerou quickened his pace.
He didn't bother entering through the front.
Instead, he walked around the building and slipped through the back entrance.
He stepped into the backyard.
His eyes immediately landed on the engawa.
And there she was.
Sitting perfectly still.
A ten-year-old girl with a small, delicate, almost doll-like appearance.
Her straight dark-purple hair was cut into a neat bob, with longer strands framing either side of her face and a small portion gathered behind her head.
A pink-and-purple butterfly ornament rested in her hair.
She wore a simple pale-pink kimono with a light-colored inner collar and dark magenta hakama, secured around her waist with a broad sash and bow.
Her small hands rested quietly in her lap.
Her posture was perfectly straight.
Almost unnaturally so.
Her large purple eyes stared into the distance.
Not at the garden.
Not at the trees.
Not at anything.
Just... Nothing.
Her expression was completely blank.
No happiness.
No sadness.
No curiosity.
No fear.
Nothing.
She looked like a little porcelain statue someone had carefully placed upon the veranda.
Kagerou stopped.
His smile disappeared for a moment.
Kanae had told him her story.
He knew what the girl had been through.
And seeing her like this... It hurt.
Kagerou lowered his gaze.
Then he shook his head.
Once.
Twice.
Whatever had happened to her before she came here... He couldn't change it.
But perhaps he could change what came after.
A smile slowly returned to his face.
A genuine one.
One that reached his eyes.
"Kanao-chan~"
Kanao's eyes shifted.
The moment she recognized the voice, her expression changed.
Surprise.
Then panic.
Her hands moved against the engawa.
She tried to stand.
Too slow.
Kagerou was already coming toward her.
Almost bouncing.
"Kanao-chan~ Come here!"
"W-Wait..."
It was barely a whisper.
Kagerou reached her.
His kiseru and the parcel were quickly moved aside, and with both arms now free, he scooped the tiny girl into his embrace.
In one smooth movement, he sat down on the engawa and settled Kanao onto his lap.
Kanao froze.
Then immediately began trying to escape.
She pushed against his chest.
Twisted her body.
Tried to slide off his lap.
Kagerou simply tightened his embrace.
Not enough to hurt her.
Just enough to make escaping impossible.
"Kanao-chan~"
Kanao stared at him.
Kagerou grinned.
"How are you?"
...
No response.
"Are you happy?"
Silence.
"Are you eating enough?"
Silence.
Kagerou's smile slowly became suspicious.
"And has that witch Shinobu been doing anything to you?"
Kanao blinked.
Kagerou leaned closer.
"If she has, tell this big brother of yours," He rubbed his cheek against hers. "I'll-"
"You will what?"