Kyojuro had finally achieved his long-held wish and become the Flame Hashira. After accepting his comrades' congratulations and entrusting his swords to the Kakushi, he hurried home, eager to share the news with his parents as soon as possible.
Yet just as he was about to reach the Rengoku estate, his steps slowed. After a brief pause, he changed direction, heading toward the rear of the mansion, and eventually stopped in front of a small courtyard.
Kyojuro looked up at the talisman affixed beneath the shadow of the eaves and called out in a clear, ringing voice.
"Greetings! Miss Tamayo! I am Kyojuro! May I come in?"
Moments later, the talisman ignited and burned away on its own. Seeing this, Kyojuro pushed open the gate, crossed the elegantly arranged courtyard, and stopped in front of the house. He reached out and opened the door.
"I'm coming in!"
From the shadows at the far end of the corridor, Yushiro stared over with an openly displeased expression.
"What are you here for?"
"It's Yushiro! I've come to see Miss Tamayo!"
"So why exactly did you come here?!" Yushiro snapped, his expression fierce. "Do you people think it's fun to barge in and disrupt someone else's life?!"
"My apologies! But I truly have business here!" Kyojuro said as he closed the door behind him and walked over. "Could you please take me to see Miss Tamayo?"
Yushiro clicked his tongue and turned to lead the way.
"Watch your attitude. Don't you dare offend Lady Tamayo."
"Yes!" Kyojuro replied loudly. "But forgive my bluntness—Yushiro, you depend far too much on Miss Tamayo!"
"That's none of your business! Whatever happens between me and Lady Tamayo has nothing to do with you!"
"This isn't something to be embarrassed about! You should face it head-on!"
"You're so noisy!"
Although the two of them had been loudly trading barbs all the way there, as they approached the basement, Yushiro abruptly fell silent. His demeanor softened, his posture straightening as his voice turned respectful.
"Lady Tamayo, I've brought Kyojuro."
"Please, come in."
A gentle voice answered from within. Yushiro pushed the door open, not forgetting to cast a sharp, warning look at Kyojuro as he did.
Kyojuro peered inside. Tamayo sat neatly at her workbench, looking toward them. The smile on his face widened.
"Greetings! Miss Tamayo!"
Tamayo returned the smile faintly.
"Are you injured again?"
"No! I came specifically to see you about something!"
Kyojuro crossed his arms.
"When you first came to our home, we spoke once. I've finally understood what you meant back then!"
Tamayo blinked, momentarily taken aback.
"…Did I say something at the time?"
"You did! My father's attitude toward you was extremely rude. When I apologized to you on his behalf, you said, 'When you're a bit older, you'll understand why your father acted that way.' I only truly understood that recently!"
"I see…" Tamayo lowered her gaze, a faint bitterness touching her smile even as her eyes remained gentle. "I'm glad you were able to understand."
"I understand now—but I still can't completely agree with my father's views!" Kyojuro stepped closer to her. "I believe the greatest difference between demons and humans lies in restraint! Demons do not restrain themselves!
"You endured the smell of blood to heal my wounds, and you've devoted yourself to saving others all this time. I think that's truly admirable! That's why I refuse to lump Miss Tamayo together with those evil demons!"
"No. I was once one of those evil demons myself," Tamayo said softly, sorrow gathering in her pale violet eyes. "And Kyojuro, remember this—no matter when, never pity a demon. From the moment they become demons, they forfeit any right to be pitied."
"Mm! Brother Hiru has said something similar!" Kyojuro replied, his voice bright and unclouded. "It seems you and Brother Hiru really are deeply influential friends—your words are so alike!
"But how others choose to act has nothing to do with me! I'll continue to uphold my own convictions! If someone can't even distinguish basic good from evil, and their stance wavers constantly, then isn't it shameful for such a person to call themselves a Swordsman?!"
Tamayo's smile gained a trace of helplessness as she lowered her eyes.
"I see… Thank you for saying all of that to me. I'm truly happy."
"Mm! I'm glad to hear that!" Kyojuro said. "I'll keep pushing myself! I swear on the title of Flame Hashira—I will slay Muzan to repay you for saving my mother's life!"
With that, he turned and headed for the exit.
"That's all I wanted to say! Farewell! No need to see me out, Yushiro! I'll restore everything myself!"
"Then I won't see you off," Yushiro said, watching the still-dazed Tamayo, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. "The replacement talisman is in the shoe cabinet drawer. Just put it back where it was."
"Mm! Understood!"
Long after Kyojuro had left, Tamayo finally spoke again.
"He's an excessively straightforward child, isn't he? Don't you think so, Yushiro?"
"Yes, Lady Tamayo."
"Yushiro."
"Yes! I'm here, Lady Tamayo!"
Tamayo looked up at the painting hanging on the wall—a depiction of radiant morning light, a gift from Hiru.
"Do you think… we can really destroy Muzan?"
"We definitely can," Yushiro replied, his gaze also settling on the painting. "Lady Tamayo's wish will surely be fulfilled."
...
After the Hashira Meeting concluded, Hiru immediately took Kiriya Ubuyashiki and Kanata Ubuyashiki back to the small valley. After picking up Yuichiro and Muichiro, they headed straight for Mount Fujikasane.
Along the way, Muichiro happily played cat's cradle with the two Ubuyashiki children. Before long, even Hiru joined in.
Only Yuichiro maintained the composure expected of a Swordsman, casting the four of them disdainful looks the entire time and firmly refusing to participate in such childish games.
Upon arriving at Mount Fujikasane, Hiru left the four children to make their own preparations while he entered the mountain to conduct a thorough inspection, ensuring that no demons beyond the permitted age had slipped inside.
Once Kiriya Ubuyashiki announced the start of the Final Selection, Hiru—still worried about his own children—quietly followed after the twins.
That said, his attempt at being subtle felt no different from outright tailing them as far as the twins were concerned.
"Brother, why is Hiru following us?" Muichiro asked.
"Who knows what's going on in his head…" Yuichiro glanced toward a tree behind them, the corner of his mouth twitching before he looked away. "Just pretend we didn't notice."
Muichiro nodded thoughtfully and glanced back as well.
"Alright. Then what should we do next?"
"If you want to become a Swordsman, you'd better hurry up and learn to think for yourself," Yuichiro sighed. "First, let's find somewhere to rest. We can't spend seven days in the mountains sleeping out in the open. At this time of year, you'll catch a cold."
"Okay. I'll do as you say, Brother."
Yuichiro couldn't help reaching out to tap Muichiro on the forehead.
"I'm telling you—learn to think on your own already… How am I supposed to feel at ease with you like this?"
"Hehe…"