Hiru and Yoriichi ultimately failed to find any trace of Muzan. Strangely, even the nearby demons had disappeared without a clue as to where they'd gone.
"That bastard sure knows how to escape. Even you couldn't find his trail?"
"Yeah." Yoriichi's expression darkened once more. "If only I'd been more decisive in attacking instead of worrying about an unknown Blood Demon Art…"
"It's not your fault, brother. No one could've expected him to run away that quickly." Hiru lowered his head.
"Besides, you did everything you could. The disappearance of the nearby demons is probably his doing too. Whether he devoured them to recover, reclaimed his blood, or gathered them for some purpose—it all just proves how weakened he is. If I'd moved a little faster and let less of his flesh escape, maybe I could've killed him."
Yoriichi raised a hand and gently ruffled Hiru's hair. "Hiru, promise me you won't attack humans recklessly anymore, okay?"
"If you'd just speak up for yourself, I wouldn't have to do it," Hiru said, folding his arms. "You promised you'd start expressing yourself."
"But for me, knowing that Hiru cares about my feelings is happiness enough." Yoriichi looked toward the pale light of dawn, paused, and set the box he was carrying down. "For me, simply seeing and feeling that is enough."
Hiru hopped from Yoriichi's shoulder onto the box, hands on his hips. "That's why I say you're too gentle, big brother! Even Mother would get mad at you!"
"Hmm, true," Yoriichi said, resting his chin on his hand with a faint smile. "I remember you crying when Mother scolded you."
"Brother! Stop changing the subject!"
"Come on, it's time to head to the Wisteria House. Mr. Rengoku should've finished writing his letter by now." Yoriichi's figure was outlined in the growing light. "Besides, you still need to sort your stones, right?"
Only then did Hiru reluctantly climb into the box.
If it weren't for the fact that the stones would start sticking together and mixing colors if left too long—and with dawn fast approaching—he would've argued with his brother a while longer.
[Who's ever seen such a pushover?] Hiru thought, recalling the times he had taken over the Tsugikuni family and managed their affairs while dealing with endless interference from the elders.
[But perhaps… compared to humans, my brother truly is the incarnation of a deity.]
His face was always calm and unsmiling, yet his features were strikingly beautiful. The flame-like Slayer Mark on his forehead was so bright it was almost painful to look at.
His clothes were always immaculate, perfectly arranged. Outside of battle, his movements were composed and elegant, never chaotic or rushed.
He often gazed at the world with serene, focused eyes. But if you asked him what he was looking at, he would answer with a gentle, distant smile: [Nothing at all.]
Despite possessing power great enough to reshape the world, his nature remained gentle, tolerant, and quiet. Everything he did carried an effortless grace.
He truly seemed no different from the gods of legend—untouched by mortal smoke and distant from the chaos of the human world.
[But... he's my brother. He's human—not some divine being walking among us.]
[I wonder if my efforts have helped make him just a little more human.]
As these thoughts drifted through his mind, Hiru carefully packed away his sorted stones, then lay back against the soft folds of clothing. His mind slowly emptied as he closed his eyes.
The battle with Muzan had consumed much of his energy, and soon they would have to head somewhere crowded. Even though his Blood Demon Art suppressed his hunger, it still wasn't completely reliable.
At times like this, sleeping was the best option. As a demon, he didn't need rest, but deep sleep helped reduce his energy consumption—and that alone made it worth doing.
[Being a demon really is troublesome...]
With that thought, and lulled by the faint swaying motion as Yoriichi walked, Hiru gradually drifted into a deep sleep.
...
When Yoriichi arrived at the Wisteria House, Rengoku Tetsushiro was already standing beneath the curtain of wisteria flowers at the entrance, scanning the path anxiously. As soon as he spotted Yoriichi, he waved energetically. "Over here! Mr. Yoriichi!"
Unable to wait any longer, Rengoku jogged toward him, footsteps quick and light. "Did you find any traces, Mr. Yoriichi?"
Yoriichi met Rengoku's hopeful gaze and shook his head slightly. "He isn't hiding nearby, and there's not a single trace of a demon in the area. I'm a bit concerned.
If the demons are regrouping to launch a sudden attack, it would be a catastrophe for the people."
"You've already done everything you could, Mr. Yoriichi! We just have to make sure he doesn't get another chance next time!"
"Thank you, Mr. Rengoku."
"You don't have to thank me. Actually, I feel deeply sorry." Rengoku's tone softened. "When I first heard that the Demon Slayer Corps had been attacked, I was angry at you, too. But after thinking it through, none of it was your fault.
I know how much Mr. Yoriichi despises demons. After all, the people dearest to you were either killed by them or turned into them… Your pain must be far greater than ours."
Yoriichi lowered his eyes, saying nothing.
"But it's a good thing Mr. Hiru is by your side!" Rengoku's smile returned. "When I first met you, to be honest, I thought you were a god descended to walk among men!
But after you began traveling with Mr. Hiru, you started showing more emotion—that really made me happy! And Mr. Hiru himself is incredible! Even after becoming a demon, he managed to create incense that harms demons and protects humans—truly admirable!"
"He originally only meant to make a regular demon-repelling incense for you. He got angry after finding out I'd given you the 'exorcism' version instead."
"Haha, then we truly owe him our gratitude!" Rengoku laughed heartily. "By the way, Mr. Yoriichi! Would it be possible for me to learn how Mr. Hiru made these things? I know it's shameless, but if you could persuade him to share a few more of his formulas, we'd trade anything within our reach for them!"
Yoriichi was silent for a moment, then a rare, faint smile curved his lips. "I'll try to persuade Hiru—but those incenses and medicines weren't originally made to harm or repel demons."
Rengoku Tetsushiro blinked, caught off guard. "Then what were they for?"
"They were failed prototypes of the human-transformation potion Hiru made for himself."
Rengoku Tetsushiro: ...?