From the sky beyond, crystal-clear, diamond-shaped snowflakes floated down from the heavens.
Asaki stretched out his palm, catching a frail, delicate snowflake. The warmth of his body instantly melted it, leaving behind only a cold sensation.
"The memories of my past life are slowly awakening. Now that I think about it carefully, it's already been sixteen years since I came to this world."
"I vaguely remember, the planet I once lived on had steel birds that soared into the sky, aircraft carriers that dived into the seas. People, relying on something called technology, could go anywhere, do anything."
"But this world is like modern-era Japan. Technological development is extremely unbalanced. Most regions are still like stumbling infants, and people live very hard lives."
"Still, where exactly am I in this world?"
Asaki let out a sigh. Over these sixteen years, he'd asked those around him, but hadn't gotten a single useful answer. The Eastern nation he once lived in left no trace.
Everything he saw, heard, and sensed in this world—its customs felt reminiscent of the Japan in his memories, yet many details were slightly different.
For example, people's hair and eye colors came in all kinds—naturally so. Asaki himself had red hair and crimson eyes.
At first, he thought he had time-traveled. But now it seemed more like he had crossed worlds. Even his previous world was no longer there.
"Asaki-nii, what are you thinking about?"
A soft, clear voice—like a campfire on a winter's day, warming the heart—sounded beside his ear.
Asaki turned his head and saw a boy with deep red hair, crimson eyes, a scar on his forehead, and an earring on his left ear.
This was his younger brother, Kamado Tanjirō. Asaki's right ear wore the exact same earring as Tanjirō's left.
These were family heirloom earrings their father, Kamado Tanjurō, had passed down to them.
Asaki and Tanjirō looked about eighty percent alike. Tanjirō had a rounder face and eyes, giving him a cute appearance.
Asaki was a head taller than Tanjirō. His face was more slender, and his eyes were narrower—when he got angry, they were sharp like blades.
In this world, his name was Kamado Asaki. Still, that other world would occasionally resurface in his memories.
In his previous life, his name was Lin Chi—but that name had already begun to blur.
The past was like the wind. Now, he was Kamado Asaki.
"It's Tanjirō, huh? I was just thinking—since this winter's so cold, we'll probably sell more charcoal. I can get you and the younger ones some new clothes."
Asaki's family lived on the mountain. Their father, Kamado Tanjurō, passed away early due to poor health. Now, the family members were his mother Kie, three younger brothers—Takeo, Shigeru, and Rokuta—and two younger sisters—Nezuko and Hanako.
Asaki was the eldest. His mother Kie wasn't in good health either. So he'd taken on the heavy burden of the household early on, inheriting his father's profession—selling charcoal.
Tanjirō was also very sensible. A few years ago, he'd started going down the mountain with him to sell charcoal.
Tanjirō smiled cheerfully. "Nii-san is so kind. But today, you don't need to go down the mountain. I can go by myself."
"You've been really tired lately, right? Don't push yourself. Let me handle it."
This little brother of his really wasn't ordinary.
Lately, Asaki had been having the same nightmare. He couldn't recall the contents, only the overwhelming sadness, pain, endless despair, and rage.
Even while awake, a constant sense of foreboding haunted him—its source unknown.
It left him in poor shape, but he kept hiding it.
He believed in only sharing good news with family, not bad. He didn't want them to worry.
But who'd have thought this brat Tanjirō could see right through his mask? Then again, it made sense. Tanjirō always surprised him.
"Tanjirō, how did you know?"
Tanjirō scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "I smelled it. I could smell the scent of unease coming off of you. I figured you must be tired."
He smelled my unease? Tanjirō's sense of smell had always been freakishly good—better than any top-tier hunting dog.
He could even smell emotions. According to him, people gave off different scents depending on their emotions. It was easy to tell them apart.
Easy? That's hard as hell. That's borderline inhuman.
Asaki patted Tanjirō on the head.
"You're right. I'm just a little tired. Tanjirō, I'll leave it to you this time."
He had no intention of talking about that dream. And though Tanjirō seemed gentle and meek on the outside, he was actually incredibly serious and stubborn inside.
To keep him from worrying—and since Asaki's body really hadn't been feeling great lately…
He had no choice but to let Tanjirō go down the mountain alone this time.
In the past, whenever Asaki got sick, Tanjirō had also gone down alone. He was clever and nimble and had rarely gotten hurt.
Asaki trusted him completely.
Tanjirō slung a bamboo basket onto his back and filled it with charcoal. His small frame shouldered dozens of kilograms as he prepared to descend the mountain.
The people of this world might have tough living conditions, but their bodies were surprisingly sturdy.
"Tanjirō-nii, be careful, okay? We'll be waiting for you here."
"Tanjirō, take care out there."
Several adorable little kids waved, and Asaki's mother, Kie, also called out to Tanjirō as he prepared to go down the mountain.
Asaki walked over and patted each of their heads.
"Nezuko, Hanako, Takeo, Shigeru, Rokuta—don't worry too much. Tanjirō's really capable."
Hearing that, Tanjirō blushed shyly.
"Asaki-nii, you're the amazing one! Don't worry, I'll be back soon. You all go inside. It's windy and cold outside—don't catch a cold."
With that, Tanjirō started down the mountain, step by step, leaving behind a trail of footprints in the snow that slowly got buried.
By now, Nezuko and the other younger siblings had returned indoors. They were still young and weak, and couldn't stay out long in the snow.
Kie kept coughing. She continued staring in the direction Tanjirō had gone, unwilling to head back in.
Asaki tugged at her gently. "Mother, let's go back. Tanjirō's gone down the mountain alone many times now. No need to worry."
Kie smiled warmly. "Yeah. You and Tanjirō are both so mature and thoughtful—nothing like kids your age. Logically, I shouldn't have to worry."
"But as a mother, how could I not worry about my children? Still… I've made life so hard for you. I couldn't give you a better life."
In his past life, Asaki lived alone, friendless. After entering society, he saw the cruelty of the world—twisting his personality.
God slammed the door shut on his fate, closed every window, and even threw in a rabid dog for good measure.
So he used his blood-soaked hands to subdue the beast and force the door and windows open.
Those painful memories never faded. He feared they might one day return.
But in this life, his mother Kie, his late father Tanjurō, and his adorable siblings gave him the warmth of humanity—made him want to preserve this peace forever.
He was addicted to this warmth. All he wanted was to stay with them forever.
Worried that Kie might get sick, Asaki helped her into the house.
"That's not true. Being your son is the happiest thing in my life."
"Mm, you really know how to talk."
"Haha, I only say that kind of thing to you, Mother."
As they exchanged a few words, Asaki brought Kie back into their home—a small wooden cabin standing strong in the wind and snow.
Just as he stepped inside, Asaki turned his head to look in the direction Tanjirō had left.
"Tanjirō, come back safe and soon…"
For some reason, ever since Tanjirō left, the ominous feeling in Asaki's chest had only grown stronger and stronger.
(End of Chapter)
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