Yoriichi felt Tsugikuni Michikatsu's refusal to return home was more or less due to him.
To express his apology, he specially made a trip. Cleared a hundred-mile radius around the Tsugikuni estate. Ensured not half a demon's trace could be seen. Only then prepared to return with me.
Takehime perhaps somewhat redirected her anger at the Tsugikuni brothers. Anyway, her attitude toward Yoriichi was lukewarm. But very good toward Uta, whom she'd never met.
She prepared quite a few gifts, entrusting Yoriichi to bring them back for Uta and Koe. Hadn't forgotten to prepare a farewell gift for me.
The gift she prepared was very special. A sturdy large umbrella. The canopy coated layer upon layer with black lacquer. Didn't know what material it was made of. Not the slightest bit transparent to light.
I held the umbrella, trying a few steps. Discovered sunlight couldn't penetrate at all. Not even a trace of slight burning sensation.
With this umbrella, I could go out during the day!
"If Miss Chihaya has time, definitely come visit my home again," Takehime said softly to me. Handed the secret formula for making this black lacquer into my hands. "Thanks to you being here, this whole family was preserved."
Of course. Next time passing through, I'd definitely come find her.
I also didn't forget to remind her—if she encountered suspicious demons in the future, don't forget to write to the Demon Slayer Corps for help.
After saying goodbye to Takehime, Yoriichi and I returned.
This journey, to say it was calm and uneventful wasn't quite accurate.
Possibly because I'd cleared once when coming. Yoriichi passing through also casually chopped a few demons. Led to other demons hearing the news. Didn't dare linger in towns along this route.
On the return trip, we didn't encounter demons. But by the roadside, encountered a pregnant woman.
Her belly protruded high. Already quite far along. Yet still carried half a basket of charcoal on her back. In her hand, also held a bolt of cloth. Spiritedly hurrying along.
Yoriichi immediately stopped. Reached out to the woman, saying, "Let me carry it for you. May I ask where your home is?"
Her forehead was covered in dense sweat. The smile on her face never disappeared. Voice loud, she said:
"Then thank you, kind samurai sir! My home isn't far from here. Come sit at my house!"
Yoriichi carried the charcoal basket for her. Also took the cloth to hold.
I held the black umbrella, moving beside her. The girl didn't find my black umbrella inauspicious. Kept praising, "So cool! Standing under this umbrella, not a bit of sun. So comfortable!"
Hehe. She really knew how to talk.
I took out candy Takehime gave me to share with her. She wasn't polite either. After eating, took out dried fruit from her bosom to share with us.
"I'm called Hisako," she said. "Live in these mountains. Our family makes charcoal."
Hisako also had a husband. Had ancestral charcoal-making skills. Could barely make ends meet.
But for his pregnant wife, recently often went into the mountains to hunt. Wanted to catch some game to supplement his wife's nutrition.
Though Hisako was also about to give birth, she couldn't sit idle. Carried charcoal from home to town to sell.
Obviously, business wasn't great. She carried back more than half the charcoal. No dejection on her face. Talked nonstop the whole way.
She introduced herself and her husband. Asked where we came from, what places we passed through. Seemed very talkative.
Hisako's home was on the mountain. A large house built with thatch and wood. Said it was also left by ancestors.
This couple was quite carefree. The door wasn't even locked. Hisako gently pushed the door, walking inside. Invited us to sit.
"Anyway, nothing valuable at home. Locking or not locking the door doesn't matter." Hisako had Yoriichi put the charcoal by the door. Busily went to boil water, bring out snacks.
I put down the umbrella, wanting to help. Was chased out by this physically robust pregnant woman. "How can we let guests help? Stop being polite with me."
She quickly brought tea and rice cakes. Also urged us to rest at her house overnight before leaving. So enthusiastic I couldn't quite handle it.
Yoriichi even more couldn't handle it. With me dealing with Hisako, he directly picked up tea, sat in a corner. Eyes vacant, staring at air. Absolutely refused to say another word.
Such a disloyal guy!
I could only steer the topic toward her belly. Asked how many months along, how the pregnancy was going. Shared some nourishing recipes she could eat after giving birth.
This trick indeed worked. Hisako stroked her belly. Sweetly talked with me about the child.
Chatted about this and that until dusk. Hisako prepared to cook. But her husband still hadn't returned. Outside on the road, couldn't see a single figure.
Hisako anxiously looked outside repeatedly. Didn't know if explaining to us or comforting herself. "Perhaps something delayed him on the road."
I saw the sky was almost dark. This was also a deep mountain with few people. So discussed with Yoriichi—let him go into the mountains to find the person. I'd stay to watch over Hisako.
Yoriichi had no objection. After asking clearly what Hisako's husband looked like, stood and went out.
Hisako smiled at me gratefully. "Truly sorry. Still troubling you to help."
Experience caring for Uta let me know pregnant women couldn't go hungry. I helped her cook first. Let her eat her fill and rest.
Yoriichi didn't return for quite a while. I guessed he probably encountered some problem.
The sky darkened. This mountain seemed covered with a layer of shadow. Wind rustled through the mountain forest. Brought uneasy sounds.
Hisako originally wanted to wait with me. But after eating, couldn't resist drowsiness surging up.
I urged her to sleep. When her husband returned, would wake her.
Hisako nodded. Very reassured, spread out bedding. Fell into deep sleep.
After she fell asleep, I picked up the blade leaning against the wall. Gently pushed the door out. Carefully closed that wooden door.
Outside the house was so dark, couldn't see one's hand before one's face. Only some faint light seeped through the door crack.
Beast-like panting sounded not far away. A pair of green eyes coldly stared at me.
I didn't move. Perceived behind it, another demon was hiding. Either ambushing me or wanting to lure me away to ambush Hisako.
For demons, pregnant women were the most nutritious prey. Unborn babies were also top-grade delicacies. Some demons even specially went to steal babies to eat.
Didn't know if this family had long been targeted by demons. Just waiting for the timing when Hisako was about to give birth.
Wanting to lure me away was impossible. But I also wanted to test what Takehime said. Concentrated, staring at that beast-like demon. Muttered, "Die. Go die. Explode immediately..."
It didn't move a muscle. Stood there as if silently mocking me.
Strange. Why didn't it work?
I also didn't think Takehime lied. Couldn't help lowering my head, pondering what difference existed between the demon before me and Yemonse.
If I had to say there was one—Yemonse had eaten my flesh. Ate quite a lot.
Muzan used blood to transform humans into demons.
I'd once speculated I perhaps could also do it. But I didn't want to experiment on people. Also very resistant to doing the same thing as him. So never tried.
Then demons who'd obtained Muzan's blood—if they also obtained my blood, what changes would occur?
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