The man standing before them—Ryuya—was the very target the Demon Slayer Corps had been chasing for years with no answers.
The root of all evil. The son of the Demon King himself—Kibutsuji Muzan.
A storm of emotions surged through Kocho Kanae's heart.
She had so many questions but didn't even know where to begin.
"Are you… Kibutsuji Ryuya, Mr. Ryuya?"
Hearing his earlier words, Tamayo immediately connected everything to the incident with Makomo.
She stared at him, stunned.
He really did resemble Muzan—handsome, pale, elegant.
If not for the difference in voice and aura, she would've had trouble distinguishing them.
"Let go of Lady Tamayo!"
Yushiro's fear snapped under the weight of his anger.
Seeing Ryuya holding Tamayo, he nearly lost his mind.
"My apologies, Mr. Ryuya." Tamayo gently stepped out of Ryuya's arms, smoothing her slightly messy hair.
A faint fragrance lingered in the air.
Ryuya watched her composed movements—her poise, her refined grace, her soft gentleness.
She truly embodied a quiet, mature beauty.
"Ryuya!"
For some reason, Kanae—who always called him "Mr. Demon"—suddenly called his name and moved closer, almost instinctively.
Tamayo noticed the girl's innocent thoughts.
With a soft, knowing smile, she asked, "Are Mr. Ryuya and the young lady… partners?"
"P-Partners? No! We're not that!" Kanae waved her hands frantically, blushing bright pink.
Tamayo chuckled gently and asked, "May I ask your name, young lady?"
Since Ryuya brought her here, Tamayo assumed the girl must be trusted, and their relationship extraordinary.
"Kocho Kanae. You can just call me Kanae."
She smiled sweetly—a warm, gentle sight.
Ryuya glanced at her. …She did look especially pretty when she smiled.
"Miss Kanae, Mr. Ryuya, please come inside."
Tamayo guided them into the room.
Yushiro, still glaring unhappily, trailed behind only because Tamayo welcomed them.
His resentment simmered, especially toward Ryuya, who had dared touch his beloved Miss Tamayo earlier.
"Did Yushiro perhaps offend you just now?" Tamayo poured a cup of black tea for Ryuya.
He reached out to take it—but Kanae suddenly moved faster.
Ryuya frowned. Was she thirsty?
But then, Kanae immediately offered the tea back to him.
Ryuya blinked, puzzled.
…What was this supposed to mean?
"D-Drink it," Kanae whispered, lowering her head, biting her lip.
She was terrified he'd see through her thoughts—but even more terrified he wouldn't.
She didn't even know why she acted; her body just moved the moment she saw his hand about to touch Tamayo's.
Ryuya took the cup—but his finger brushed lightly against hers.
Kanae jolted like she'd touched a flame. She reflexively let go.
The cup slipped from her hands.
Ryuya's eyes widened—he quickly caught it mid-air.
"What's wrong?"
"N-Nothing—I'm sorry, I just—"
Kanae's fingers trembled around her own teacup. Why had she reacted like that?
Was she avoiding his touch?
…It didn't feel like avoidance.
"Miss Kanae, please have some tea."
Tamayo handed her another cup with a soft smile.
"Thank you, Miss Tamayo. Um… I'm sorry. The conflict between Ryuya and Mr. Yushiro earlier was because of me."
Kanae's face reddened as she hid half her expression behind the cup.
Tamayo took in every detail and sighed inwardly.
This was love. Clear as day.
"It was Yushiro's fault. Don't mind him, Miss Kanae."
"Ehh—? Miss Tamayo!?" Yushiro almost coughed blood from indignation.
But since it was Tamayo, he swallowed every complaint.
Ryuya ignored their squabble and got straight to the point.
"Miss Tamayo, time is short. Shall we begin? I came here for a reason."
"Hmph! If your time is short, then don't come!" Yushiro snapped.
"Yushiro, don't be rude," Tamayo scolded gently.
"…Yes, Lady Tamayo." Yushiro deflated instantly.
Ryuya leaned back slightly, his expression cool and calm.
"Miss Tamayo, I want to know how you broke free from Kibutsuji Muzan's control. I don't like being controlled. I'm asking for your help."
Tamayo fell silent.
His request surprised her deeply.
Ryuya was Muzan's son—his heir.
Among demons, his status was almost sacred. Power, authority, fear, prestige… everything was in the palm of his hand.
And yet he wanted to abandon it?
"Mr. Ryuya… have you truly thought this through?" Tamayo asked softly. "Breaking free is easy. But have you considered what comes afterward?"
She spoke from experience.
After escaping Muzan's control, she had lived centuries being hunted by him, with nowhere to belong.
Humans feared her. Demons rejected her. The Demon Slayer Corps couldn't trust her.
Her life was constant danger, anxiety, and exhaustion.
If anyone understood the consequences, it was Tamayo.
She expected Ryuya to hesitate.
But he didn't.
"It's nothing more than being hunted by Muzan Kibutsuji." Ryuya smirked calmly. "Better hunted than living under a master who kills on a whim."
Even a tiger doesn't eat its cubs. Muzan… was worse.
Tamayo's expression softened.
"Since you've made your decision… very well. Do you need the medicine now?"
She stood to fetch it—
"Wait, Lady Tamayo!" Yushiro blocked her path.
"We can't just give it to him for free! Even humans pay for treatment!"
Tamayo froze, speechless.