Even with the thick fur-collared cloak and the severe snow blocking his way, Kagaya still coughed a bit upon returning indoors.
Amane offered him a bowl of herbal medicine. He frowned and drank it all in one gulp.
"In one year, no matter what your rank, come to Headquarters—to be promoted to a Pillar."
Kagaya patted his shoulder: "Stay and have dinner."
Haruto was about to agree when Sora circled in the sky outside the house.
"Looks like I can't." He walked outside, preparing to shake off the raindrops from his straw raincoat.
"Such heavy snow." Kagaya had Amane get him a waterproof coat: "Times are advancing, don't live like an old fogey."
It was the first time a 21st-century youth had been called an old fogey by someone from the early 20th century.
Haruto took the waterproof coat, which resembled a military raincoat, and couldn't help but defend himself: "I just can't tell the difference…"
To him, there wasn't much difference between the 20th century and the 15th century.
Common people still wore handmade wooden clogs, hemp clothes, and used flint and matches to start fires.
But in wealthy upper-class homes, electricity had already been connected.
In such a period where the new century and old era intertwined, all he could do was be pushed forward by the tide of history… After recovering, Haruto became busy. It seemed Headquarters wanted to make up for all the "shifts" he missed during his rest, assigning him missions frantically.
Often, as soon as he finished a mission in one place, Sora would flutter its wings and land on his shoulder, guiding him to the next mission location.
Do demons also have to meet KPIs during the New Year?
Will they not be allowed to attend the company annual meeting organized by Kibutsuji Muzan if their annual KPIs are not met?
This year's New Year was the only time in 16 years that Haruto hadn't spent with Master Godo, and he hadn't even seen anyone from the Urokodaki family.
But it didn't matter. During the busy New Year, he killed many demons, allowing many families to reunite.
The Fuji no ie (Wisteria House) also provided dinner for these busy swordsmen working outside, and he even ran into Murata.
The young man with the middle part was still very energetic. Haruto stared at his soft hair, wanting to ask for hair care tips for Makomo.
"Oh, hahahaha." The young man cheerfully scratched his hair: "It's camellia oil. If you apply camellia oil every day and then wash it, it'll be very soft."
"Ever since Murata's girlfriend complimented him, he spends a while fussing over his hair every day."
His fellow disciple next to him complained about him, but Murata still laughed happily.
Girlfriend… Haruto's mouth twitched, and the roar of the Godou River seemed to echo in his ears.
March passed, and the temperature in Tokyo Prefecture rose quickly.
Almost overnight, everyone shed their heavy cotton clothes and put on light haori and kimonos.
After dealing with a demon near Kyobashi District, it was getting dark, and Haruto was looking for a place to eat on the street.
"Genya, Dad was stabbed to death."
Haruto turned his gaze from a snack stall on the street to a pair of brothers walking ahead, pulling a wooden cart.
Though called brothers, they didn't actually look alike.
The taller boy pulling the wooden cart had a messy but stylish head of silver hair. He wore a worn-out striped haori, and despite dragging a heavy wooden cart, his steps were steady.
Beside him, the boy carrying a bundle had a strange rooster-comb hairstyle, dark hair, and a somewhat foolish expression when he turned his head to look at his older brother.
Haruto had expected to hear something like "Let's get revenge" or "We must make that guy pay with his blood" from the brothers, but to his surprise, the silver-haired boy only paused for a moment, then said: "From now on… we two brothers will protect everyone.
It's a good thing that kind of beast is dead."
The rooster-comb haired boy was somewhat dazed, and the bundle on his back slipped down.
"Hey, carry your things properly."
"Oh, oh." He shrugged, his expression still a bit foolish.
"But without Dad, everyone will still feel uneasy." The silver-haired boy said: "Jiuya asked me today why Dad didn't come home, and Sumi and Sadako are also watching our expressions… They're still so young, someone must have said something when they were playing outside. So…"
He turned his head and looked into his brother's eyes: "From now on, we two brothers will take care of Mom and our younger siblings, any problem?"
The rooster-comb haired boy finally reacted, letting out a cold snort from his nose: "What do you mean 'just' from now on? It's clearly 'still' relying on us two from now on, he…"
Perhaps feeling it was inappropriate to discuss his deceased father outside, he childishly grunted and said no more.
The silver-haired boy paused, then broke into a brilliant smile.
Haruto's lips also curved into a smile, and he wondered how much of a failure this father must have been for his children to only see him as a symbol of family stability.
However, with such sensible brothers, their family should be very harmonious and happy.
Thinking this, Haruto's eyes suddenly lit up.
Ah, it's a sukiyaki shop.
The fresh beef mixed with rich sauce, plus all sorts of fresh vegetables, must be delicious.
He rubbed his stomach and walked into the shop.
By the time the sukiyaki shop owner sent him out with a smile, it was completely dark.
Haruto was content, patting his stomach, and the owner was also content, preparing to close up.
I'll find a place to stay here tonight and return to Mt. Sagiri tomorrow morning.
Just as he was thinking this, Haruto's subtly diffused starlight consciousness gave him some special feedback.
His hand instantly tightened on the hilt of his sword, and Haruto's aura became sharp.
It was the presence of a demon.
And the direction was… the residential area to the east!
Haruto leaped and swiftly moved through the wooden buildings. In his flickering starlight consciousness, he saw a fighting figure crash through a wooden railing and fall out of a house.
It was the silver-haired young man he had seen in the evening!
Sanemi Shinazugawa desperately fought the human-like beast with a hatchet.
How could this be! How could this be!
His eyes were bloodshot, and the thought of the scene inside the house made him so desperate that he almost shed tears of blood.
His mother hadn't returned for a long time, and he only wanted to go out and look for her. Why did their home turn into this!
Jiuya, Sumi, Sadako, and also Hiro and Ii!
Except for the slightly older Genya, all his younger siblings were killed by this creature!
He had just promised Genya that they would protect their family together, how could it… how could it end like this!!!
He let out a furious roar of grief, as the creature continuously gnawed at his arm, sucking the flowing blood.
Kill it! Kill it!
Avenge his young siblings!
Suddenly, a gust of wind brushed past his ear… carrying the scent of sukiyaki.
A figure, hunched over with a sword in hand, cut across the night sky. The handsome, white-haired young man turned his head and looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"Young man, I'm here to assist you."
The white-haired young man's voice drifted through the starry night, as if it had sunk into the stars of the evening sky.