Hearing the voice, Nezuko's gaze snapped toward Reiyu, who was standing just behind Tanjiro.
Then, without warning, she gently slipped out of Tanjiro's grasp and walked straight toward Karasuma Reiyu.
Tanjiro blinked, completely stunned by her sudden movement.
"Uh—"Reiyu froze when Nezuko stopped right in front of him. A cold sweat slid down his cheek. Sure, his strength was already insane, but no amount of power could cure his hopeless shyness around girls.
With Nezuko staring directly at him, Reiyu panicked, his gaze darting awkwardly to the side.
And then—
A warm, soft hand landed lightly on top of his head.
Reiyu's eyes widened. He slowly turned, only to see Nezuko gently patting his hair, a strange, almost serene smile blooming on her face.
Nezuko (inner thoughts): "Brother's senior… family among humans."
Reiyu (inner thoughts): "Holy crap—holy crap—she's too cute! I'm gonna die. I'm gonna actually die from this."
Tanjiro (inner thoughts): "This is bad! Nezuko… you can't be this bold! Reiyu-brother is going to get angry!"
In the very next instant, Tanjiro shot forward like an arrow.
"Nezuko! That's really rude—you can't just do that! Put your hand down!"He reached out, trying to gently move her hand off Reiyu's head—
—and then realized he couldn't bring himself to be rough with her at all.
Reiyu, meanwhile, swallowed hard."She already touched my head… does that mean I can touch hers too?"
Hands trembling from nerves, he slowly reached out toward Nezuko's hair. If one looked closely, there were even tiny beads of sweat forming on his fingertips.
Tanjiro's eyes almost exploded out of their sockets.
"Reiyu-brother is angry!"
He didn't realize Reiyu was trying to pat Nezuko. He thought Reiyu was about to attack her for her "improper behavior."
Without hesitation, Tanjiro swooped in, scooping Nezuko into his arms and leaping back to put some distance between them.
"Reiyu-brother! This is my sister! My real blood sister!"He shouted desperately, voice cracking."You can't do that—absolutely not! If you want to hit something, hit me! Please, just don't lay a hand on my sister!"
Reiyu's outstretched hand froze mid-air.
He stared blankly at them, black bead-eyes and a dumbfounded expression plastered across his face.
Nezuko, similarly confused, protested with a series of muffled "Mm! Mmm!" noises.
Finally understanding why Tanjiro was acting this way, Reiyu blinked at him.
"…Is this guy an idiot?"
The look he gave Tanjiro was the kind you'd give a second-rate clown performing on the street—equal parts puzzled and amused.
"Ahem."
A firm cough cut through the scene.
All three turned toward the doorway where Urokodaki Sakonji, wearing his iconic red tengu mask, had appeared at some unknown moment, silently watching them.
"Master Urokodaki!"Tanjiro hurriedly put Nezuko down and bowed deeply.
Reiyu, on the other hand, puffed his chest and smirked."So, old man, not bad, right? Didn't embarrass you."
The corner of Urokodaki's mouth curled faintly upward behind his mask—something neither of them could see. If Reiyu had seen it, he would've teased him for at least two years.
Two years ago, Urokodaki had found Reiyu unconscious in the deep mountains. The kid's luck was absurd—lying there all night without a single demon noticing him.
Only a few days after taking Reiyu in as a disciple, the current Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, sent a letter recommending Tanjiro as a student as well.
Because of that, Reiyu and Tanjiro ended up training together, forming a bond that was more like family than brotherhood.
—
That evening, Urokodaki prepared a lavish dinner for the two of them.To Reiyu, honestly, it didn't taste any better than the three-yuan bowl of spicy noodles he used to buy from street stalls on Earth.
But eating with the people closest to him in this world made the meal oddly satisfying.
After dinner, exhausted beyond measure, Reiyu and Tanjiro collapsed into their beds and instantly fell into a deep sleep.
—
The next morning, the two woke up later than usual, but Urokodaki still served them another hearty breakfast.
During the meal, Reiyu casually mentioned that he'd killed the Hand Demon and told Urokodaki he could finally put that regret to rest.
Though the masked old man hid it well, his heart trembled slightly.
He looked harsh and unfeeling on the outside, but no one loved his students more deeply.
Every time he heard that one of them had died on Fujikasane Mountain, it felt like a blade twisting in his chest.
Now that Reiyu had avenged them, the enormous burden he'd carried for years finally eased.
After breakfast, Urokodaki handed Reiyu and Tanjiro's chosen tamahagane to the swordsmiths who had arrived, telling them the Nichirin Blades would be delivered in half a month.
Reiyu honestly didn't care much—he already had a Nichirin Blade.
But Urokodaki insisted that the one Reiyu currently used was the lowest grade, and the new blades—forged from superior steel—would definitely surpass it.
Reiyu didn't bother arguing and just nodded along.
Right then—
A crow swooped down from the sky.A Demon Slayer Corps kasugai crow, used exclusively for missions and communication.
"Attention! Attention!"The crow cried in a sharp voice."Demon Slayer Corps swordsman Karasuma Reiyu, rank: Aoi! You are to follow me immediately to Corps Headquarters! The Master wishes to see you!"
It repeated the message again, word for word.
Urokodaki, who had been washing dishes, froze mid-movement.He rushed to Reiyu's room, his tone taking on a rare note of command.
"Reiyu! Put on your uniform at once and follow that crow to Headquarters!"