Ryuya grinned, stretching out his hand.
"Blood Demon Art!"
"No—don't take away my memories! Memories are precious!"
Without memories, a person is nothing more than a blank slate; stripped of emotions and experiences, a human becomes incomplete.
Even unfortunate memories are important and irreplaceable.
Ryuya smirked. "Just kidding. Miss Kanae, your reactions are always so cute. Makes me want to tease you every time."
Then he added, "Speaking of which, Young Miss Kanae… do you resent me for turning you into a demon? If I'm not mistaken, things shouldn't be easy for you within the Demon Slayer Corps."
"It's not easy," Kanae admitted softly, "but I don't resent you, Ryuya. On the contrary… if not for you, I wouldn't have experienced what it's like to be a demon myself, nor witnessed so many interesting things. Maybe I should be thanking you. Please continue to take care of me in the future."
Her clear purple eyes held not a single trace of deception.
"Um… Mr. Ryuya," she continued, "if you're worried about my situation, would you mind coming to the Butterfly Mansion with me? I also want to mediate the conflict between you and my sister."
Kanae had always been concerned about Shinobu.
"This isn't a trap set by the Demon Slayer Corps, is it?" Ryuya asked teasingly.
Kanae instantly panicked, her stammering explanation only making Ryuya laugh harder.
The Flower Hashira really was too cute.
"Well then, let's go. I want to see Sister Shinobu too."
Kanae wouldn't lie—not with her personality.
And Ryuya wasn't afraid of any ambushes.
If the Demon Slayer Corps tried something, he had more than enough confidence to retreat safely.
Butterfly Mansion
After entrusting Daki to Gyutaro, Ryuya followed Kochou Kanae back to the Butterfly Mansion.
That night, the cool moonlight spread across the courtyard.
Fireflies drifted over the lush flowerbeds.
Inside the warm wooden buildings, a greenhouse still glowed with candlelight, refusing to sleep.
Two wisteria trees stood opposite each other like an elegant pair, their faint fragrance making the entire Butterfly Mansion feel dreamlike.
"It's so late, and Shinobu is still studying? Honestly, why doesn't that child know how to take care of her body!"
Kanae puffed her cheeks adorably and stormed off toward Shinobu's room.
"Ryuya, wait for me outside in the courtyard. I'll be right back."
Ryuya admired the moonlit scenery, then drifted closer to a wisteria tree.
He plucked a flower and lifted it to his nose.
Wisteria was deadly poison to demons, but thanks to his newly gained talent, Ryuya was completely immune now.
He felt no discomfort—not that he particularly liked the smell either.
Currently, thanks to the System's rewards, he had acquired three talents:
[Bacterial Infection – Accelerates infection speed and enhances infection effects.]
[Glacial Amplification – Breathing techniques and sword skills now inflict freezing effects.]
[Healing Blessing – Doubles the positive effects of medicine and nullifies poison effects.]
"Mr. Giyu, please demonstrate Water Breathing, Second Form, again!"
A voice suddenly echoed from the backyard, followed by the rhythmic sound of sword swings.
With the rudimentary Transparent World under his control, Ryuya perceived every sound—wind, grass, even insect wings.
Nothing escaped his senses.
That voice sounded familiar.
He smiled faintly and walked toward the backyard.
The first thing he saw was a cold, expressionless man guiding a delicate, determined young girl in sword practice.
The man, meticulous and solemn, exuded an unapproachable chill.
The girl—Shinobu Kocho—was drenched in sweat, yet her Nichirin blade moved with increasing fluidity.
Her breathing grew quicker, but she showed no laziness.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!"
Shinobu's blade swept horizontally, a soft yet firm torrent of water forming around her strike.
Though Giyu didn't say a word, he was quietly impressed.
Her talent vastly surpassed his own, and her diligence left him both surprised and ashamed.
Was he even qualified to be her teacher?
But Water Breathing—despite its adaptability—didn't suit Shinobu's body type.
A hint of conflict clouded Giyu's eyes.
If he kept quiet, he'd be misleading her.
If he spoke up… what was he supposed to say?
He looked up at the sky in frustration, while Shinobu remained entirely focused, immersed in her training.
Only through relentless training could she silence the guilt and hatred gnawing at her heart.
Only by improving could she believe she was getting closer to killing that Moon Demon.
"Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel!"
Shinobu spun midair, slashing as swirling water blossomed around her.
"Excellent swordsmanship, Sister Shinobu. Truly diligent—admirable progress."
Ryuya stepped from the shadows, clapping with a teasing smile.
"Who are you?" Giyu's brows furrowed.
His aura turned sharp as he instantly drew his Nichirin blade.
Because—
"A demon."
"It's you!" Shinobu froze, her entire body trembling.
"You—why are you here? You evil demon! The demon who harmed my sister!"
Shinobu's grip shook violently. Rage consumed her reason as she rushed forward, blade raised.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash!"
"Miss Shinobu, wait!"
Giyu reacted immediately, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her back before she could charge recklessly.
"Let go! Let go of me! I'm going to kill him—I'm going to kill this demon!"
Shinobu beat her fists against Giyu's arm as tears burned in her eyes.
"You can't kill him," Giyu said firmly. "His aura is too strong. He's nothing like a Lower Rank Demon."
Even a Lower Rank would be dangerous for her.
But the demon before them?
A demon infiltrated the Butterfly Mansion without him noticing?
Had the staff already been harmed?
Could he kill Ryuya?
Very difficult.
And he had to protect Shinobu above all else.
He couldn't act recklessly—not while she was here.
"I know I can't kill him," Shinobu cried, "but I can't let him go! Mr. Giyu, please—help me kill him! Kill this demon who harmed my sister!"
Giyu's cold heart tightened painfully.
But he said nothing.
He would not make promises he couldn't keep.
"Sister Shinobu still hates me this much?"
Ryuya chuckled. "Are you learning Water Breathing to cut off my head?"
He tapped his own neck mockingly.
"Water Breathing is too gentle. It doesn't suit you, Sister Shinobu. And with your wrist strength? Killing me like this would be very difficult, you know."
"Stop trying to fool me! I won't believe your demonic lies! If you're so capable, let me cut you once!"
Her angry, earnest face looked absurdly cute.
"Then let's make a bet," Ryuya said playfully.
"I'll let you cut me once. But if you can't cut me down, you have to let me pinch your cheek once. How about that?"
"P–pinch… my cheek?!"
Shinobu flushed bright red, baring her teeth like an angry squirrel.
"You wish! I won't let you pinch my face! I'll— I'll talk about it if I lose!"