Akira and Erika were walking through the forest, following the Insect Hashira, Kocho Shinobu. The meeting had gone well, and when they discussed lodging, Akira said it would be preferable to stay in a place where he could learn about demons and their biology and where he could experiment with them.
Kagaya said something like, "Since you wish to study demon biology and learn about our breathing techniques, you will stay with Kocho Shinobu. She manages our medical base. You'll have everything you need there." And so they were now headed there, following the petite Hashira through the forest toward the Butterfly Mansion.
Only Shinobu walked with them, but Akira could clearly feel eyes from the forest, several, moving in rhythm with their steps. "They're keeping watch", he thought. "Reasonable".
Still, silence wasn't his thing. He tried to lighten the mood.
"So you're the bug lady?"
Erika's hand came down on his arm with a swift, warning smack.
"Stop it," she whispered.
Shinobu turned her head slightly, her serene smile never wavering.
"I am the Insect Hashira, Kōchō Shinobu. Please don't forget that name," she said in her calm, honeyed tone.
But Akira wasn't a fool; even he could sense the faint killing intent behind her words, so he decided to change the subject quickly. "So they said you specialise in poison, right? Can you tell me what kind of poison is effective against demons?"
Shinobu's expression softened a little. Since Oyakata-sama had instructed her to cooperate with them, she replied, "Most of my poisons are derived from wisteria flowers. They are deadly to demons."
Erika tilted her head. "Is the wisteria flower really that poisonous?"
Akira nodded absently, his mind already shifting into science mode.
"Kinda. Wisteria plants contain wisterin and lectin. They're not that deadly to humans that much; wisterin mostly causes stomach problems. Lectin's more complicated; it causes blood cells to clump together. Maybe that's not good for demons. I'll have to do some experiments."
Shinobu's eyebrows rose slightly. The boy sounded oddly informed for someone his age. She gave a polite smile. "Hmm. Serius-kun, was it?"
Akira blinked. "Ah, my name is Sirius Lucen Starlight. But since I'm in Japan, I go by Hoshino Akira. Just call me Akira."
Erika bowed slightly. "And I am Sendo Erika. You can call me Erika, Shinobu-san."
Shinobu nodded. "Very well, Akira-kun, Erika-san. I answered your question, so allow me to ask one in return."
"Sure," Akira said. "What is it?"
"I told you about demons," Shinobu said with her usual smile, "so tell me, what of vampires? Is there a poison that works against them?"
Her tone was gentle, but the question had an edge, a test more than curiosity, but neither Akira nor Erika seemed offended.
"A poison effective against vampires… well, I can't think of anything," Akira said. "They mostly regenerate against all of them. But you should ask Erika; she is the one who knows the most."
Erika tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I can't think of anything like poison either, but garlic irritates most vampires. Oh, Shinobu-san, when making meals for us, is it possible to make it without garlic?"
Shinobu chuckled lightly. "Of course. I'll make sure the kitchen knows. So garlic is bad for vampires?"
"Yes," Erika replied honestly. "I've heard that for pure-blooded vampires, it can even cause temporary blindness. For me, it just… irritates me, like a mild allergy."
"I see," Shinobu said softly, intrigued.
Akira then grinned. "Oh, Shinobu-san, can you show us your breathing techniques? I'd like to see how it works."
Shinobu gave him her trademark smile, the kind that somehow felt both kind and slightly mocking. "It's already late. Oyakata-sama said training will be held tomorrow morning at the practice grounds."
"Got it," Akira said, nodding eagerly.
After a while, the path opened into a clearing, and before them stood the Butterfly Mansion, a beautiful structure draped in wisteria, the scent of flowers carried on the air.
"Welcome to the Butterfly Mansion," Shinobu said warmly.
They were brought inside and shown to their room, a single space with two beds.
"Wait," Erika said, flustered. "There's only one room?"
Shinobu smiled politely. "This mansion doubles as a medical ward. After recent incidents, this is the only free room. You may use it as you wish. I'll send someone to call you for dinner. Sayōnara."
And with that, she was gone.
Akira looked around. "Well, at least there are two beds. The one by the window's mine."
Erika turned red. "W-wait, you're not… not…"
"What?" Akira blinked.
"Idiot brother", Selena's voice came in telepathically. "It's hard for a young girl to share a room with you, you know that, right?"
"Huh? But we used to sleep in the same room before," Akira replied in confusion.
"That's when both of you are children", Selena sighed.
Akira thought for a while and said. "Alright, fine. If she's uncomfortable, how about I sleep on the roof? I like stargazing anyway, and it's cool"
Erika sighed. "You don't have to. I just forgot… you're just you."
"Uh… well, ok then. Oh, the window bed is mine then," Akira said. He claimed the bed and started taking out his things from the item box to settle in. Erika sighed and did the same.
Then Akira suddenly remembered. "Oh yeah, about what you said in the meeting, about drinking only my blood. So… do you accept my proposal?"
Erika froze mid-motion. "P-proposal?"
"Yeah, the proposal to drink only my blood. So do you accept?" Akira explained.
Erika's face softened, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is it… okay?"
"Sure," Akira said with a small smile. "I mean, I brought it up. But I'm more worried about you. Selena didn't force you into this, did she?"
"Don't drag me into this", Selena interjected telepathically.
Erika shook her head. "We talked about it, but it's my choice. I…"
Before she could finish, Akira said quietly, "Before you decide anything, you should know, I could turn you fully human if you wanted."
"What?" Erika looked stunned.
"Remember how I used Rewrite to give you wings? I can do the same to make you completely human. I don't think I could do that yet, but it's completely possible. So, if you want, I could make you fully human."
Erika fell silent. If he had asked her that before, she would've said yes immediately. But now… the thought filled her with unease.
Then, before Akira could react, she suddenly hugged him tightly.
"Whoa, Erika?" Akira stumbled back onto the bed with her still clinging to him.
"What is it? Is something wrong?" He asked a bit worried. It wasn't the first time she'd hugged him, but even he could feel something was different.
"I don't like drinking blood," Erika whispered. "I don't like to lose control, I don't want to hurt anyone." Having decided to tell him her true feelings, she continued, "If you asked me to become human before, I would accept it, but I am scared to do it now."
"Why?" Akira asked.
"Because I feel like I will lose you forever," Erika said.
"Why would I leave you…" He began, but Erika interrupted, with a small voice.
"I always want to be with you. I don't want to be separated from you like before. I don't want to be weak like before, and if I become human, I will become weak. If I become weak, you will go far away. I don't want to leave you again," she said in a soft whisper.
Even Akira was shocked. He had never seen her like this and had no idea what to do.
"I am taking a tea break, you are on your own", Selena replied and cut him off.
"The hell, sister, do you think it's a Korean soap opera or something… Sister?" But she remained silent.
Akira looked down at Erika. Even if he was emotionally awkward, he knew she was worried about him leaving like before. So he calmly said, "Ok. If you want to remain with me, I won't ask you to leave me."
"Really?" Erika asked.
"Really," Akira said.
Her lips quivered, but she smiled faintly. "Then… can I drink your blood? Only yours, from now on?"
"Sure, you can," Akira said. He hugged her, guided her head toward his neck, and said calmly, "You can always drink my blood."
Erika took a deep breath, then leaned in and bit gently into his neck. Warmth spread through her body as she tasted his blood, sweet, powerful, unlike anything she had ever felt.
This was the first time she fully consciously drank Akira's blood; the first time had been in danger, the second when she wasn't fully conscious. Now she could fully taste it. It was delicious, more delicious than anything she had ever tasted. She couldn't even believe blood could taste this good. She could drink this forever. In fact, she thought she could no longer drink any other blood after this.
Then.
Click.
The door opened.
"Excuse me," said a girl with twin tails and deep blue eyes, wearing a nurse's uniform. "Shinobu-sama asked me to inform you that dinner is…"
She froze. A boy and a girl, hugging close, face almost touching.
Erika and Akira also turned, stunned. Time stopped for a heartbeat.
"I…uh…I'm sorry for interrupting! Please, take your time!" she squeaked, bowing so hard her twin tails swung, before slamming the door and running away with her face bright red.
Akira sighed. "Good thing she didn't notice the blood-drinking part."
Erika, however, looked mortified; her face turned crimson.
"Erika?" Akira ventured.
"Go away!" she shouted, and with one furious shove, she threw Akira straight out the window.
"Waaaaaait…!" Akira shouted as he was defenestrated.
CRASH!
Erika covered her blushing face with both hands, whispering, "What the hell was I thinking…" She had no idea why she'd done all that.
"Oh my, Erika-chan", Selena's voice teased in her mind. "So bold. You made your move this soon?"
"Don't talk to me!" Erika shouted. "Leave me alone!"
Selena only giggled softly, sipping her tea on her crystal throne, like an amused audience member enjoying the dramatic twist of a Korean soap opera.
Meanwhile, at the Demon Slayer Headquarters, the rest of the Hashira and Kagaya were still there.
Sanemi crossed his arms, voice sharp. "Oyakata-sama, are you sure it's alright to trust those foreigners?"
Obanai adjusted his snake and added, "I agree. Their story is strange. It's unwise to trust them too quickly."
Kagaya smiled faintly, calm as ever. "I understand your concern. But I felt no malice from them, and the boy didn't lie."
Kagaya could feel when someone was lying, so he could tell that Akira was not lying. What he didn't know was that Akira truly didn't lie; he simply spoke using information from his own world. He didn't even know if this world had vampires, but there was no reason to tell everyone that.
"They are our guests," Kagaya concluded, "If what they claim is true, they could be valuable allies. Treat them kindly."
The Hashira nodded, though the doubt didn't fully fade.
After everyone left, Kagaya sat alone and murmured, "I have a feeling their appearance is destined. Kibutsuji Muzan… I swear I'll defeat you if it's the last thing that I do. We will bring you down without fail."