Chapter 39: As for me… I no longer wish to hold a blade.
"Father, you called for me? Why didn't you sleep a few more hours?"
Kocho Kanae frowned slightly at Kocho Jiro, who was still yawning; they had slept less than two hours.
Kocho Jiro shook his head with a bitter smile. "I couldn't sleep… what I saw was too shocking."
Hearing this, Kocho Kanae nodded—that was the father she remembered.
"Besides, your mother and I have decided we're moving—to Demon Slayer Corps headquarters!"
Kocho Jiro said this with perfect calm.
"Mm, we're moving? Then can I become a swordsman too?"
Before Kocho Kanae could answer, Shinobu Kocho, rubbing her cheeks beside her, excitedly cut in:
"I want to be a demon-slaying swordsman! So cool! Ow, that hurts!"
Before she could finish, she crouched clutching her head, tilting it to look at Kanao, who had just lowered her knife-hand; Shinobu pouted but said nothing.
Big sister really is ruthless… Brother Ryuji is in for it.
"No—absolutely no becoming a swordsman."
Kocho Kanae said sternly: "No discussion."
"Mm, I side with Kanae this time. Shinobu, study medicine with your mother and me."
Without giving Shinobu a chance to object, he sent the two girls off to rest while he studied the toxin a while longer before turning in himself.
Kocho Kanae shook her head. "I'll keep watch, because…"
She relayed to Kocho Jiro everything she had learned from Ryuji.
"There's actually something like this? Amazing! I can't wait—this could benefit all mankind!"
Only well past midnight did father and daughter finally return to their rooms.
Early next morning, Kocho Kanae was feeding breakfast to Ryuji.
Ever since Shinobu had blurted things out, the two had dropped their initial awkwardness and become quite at ease with each other.
It felt almost magical.
"Did you make this, Kanae? You're really skilled…"
Ryuji's eyes sparkled; it wasn't empty praise—the food was genuinely delicious.
"I'm glad you like it…"
"Hmph, big sister got up at da—mmph!"
Shinobu glared sulkily at Kanae, who had clapped a hand over her mouth.
"She didn't get any, so she's jealous."
Before she could finish, a knock sounded at the door.
The three exchanged glances.
Kocho Kanae went to open it; Kocho Jiro was still asleep—they had stayed up too late.
At the front gate she found Himejima Gyomei with a middle-aged man.
Long hair shaded from red to yellow hung loose; deep furrows crossed his forehead and eyes, stubble untidy.
Gold-red pupils looked hollow; his open uniform jacket revealed a rumpled mustard under-robe, no belt.
He looked like a flame burned to ash.
"This gentleman is…?"
Kocho Kanae asked softly.
"namu amida butsu. This is the Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinjuro, here to help escort Mr. Kochou during the move."
Himejima Gyomei folded his hands and spoke quietly.
"Mm…"
Rengoku Shinjuro answered listlessly, then stepped through the gate.
In the study Ryuji greeted him with a smile. "Mr. Rengoku, you're here."
"Mm."
Rengoku Shinjuro gave the faintest nod.
Seeing the exhaustion on Shinjuro's face, Ryuji understood it was worry over Rengoku Ruka's illness, enough to affect even his duties.
"Mr. Rengoku, Mr. Kocho Jiro is a highly skilled physician."
Ryuji suddenly offered.
A brief spark lit Rengoku Shinjuro's eyes, but it was swallowed at once by deeper weariness and a near-despairing self-doubt.
"…I can tell."
His voice was hoarse; he avoided Ryuji's meaningful gaze. "After all, he's the famed doctor who can cure Upper-Rank poison."
He offered no more.
About his wife he would not speak a word to outsiders; he would not trouble her further—only stay quietly by her side.
Fortunately, after this mission he could devote himself entirely to Ruka.
He turned to Kocho Kanae, almost brusquely changing the subject: "Is your father still resting? If not, could you ask him to come?"
Ryuji blinked—hadn't he caught the hint?
No—he had, but Rengoku Shinjuro had already grown to loathe the Hashira role… a shame.
What a loss.
Ryuji sighed softly at the dispirited Rengoku Shinjuro.
Kocho Kanae nodded. "He's still asleep."
"Very well, then let's discuss your situation first, Ryuji…"
Rengoku Shinjuro pulled a crumpled letter from his coat and handed it to Ryuji.
Ryuji: "…"
I can't move—somebody read it for me.
Kocho Kanae smiled, took the letter, and gently unfolded it. "Dear Ryuji…"
Her warm voice read aloud clearly; it was a letter from Ubuyashiki Kagaya, expressing concern for Ryuji's health and commending his achievements.
"All specific rewards can be discussed once you've recovered. Please visit headquarters. —Ubuyashiki Kagaya, personally written."
She finished quickly.
"That's it. I'm here first to help the Kochou family move, second to find a chance to kill that Upper Rank Two…"
Rengoku Shinjuro sighed:
"But this morning I learned that inside a northern church there were only frozen blood and corpses, and the Saintess is missing…"
Ryuji narrowed his eyes: Eternal Paradise Cult—frozen blood and corpses!
It was Doma's doing.
"Looks like the church was his target…" Rengoku Shinjuro said lifelessly.
"I know why; he told me during our fight…"
Ryuji related the intel to the two Hashira: "That Upper Rank Two calls himself Doma."
Yes, he was lying again—this time pinning it all on Doma.
"Understood. That name is vital to the Demon Slayer Corps."
Rengoku Shinjuro nodded, then asked: "His Blood Demon Art is ice-based?"
"Mm—very strong!"
Ryuji hesitated, then added:
"I think from now on Hashira should go out in pairs; that way if we meet an Upper Rank we can fight!"
He had wanted to suggest trios—but with only four Hashira including himself, it felt too much to ask.
The study fell silent a moment.
Rengoku Shinjuro didn't look at him; his gaze rested on his calloused palm where flame once burned, now only cold ash remained.
"A good idea."
He tugged the corner of his mouth: "Tell the master yourself once you're well."
After a long pause—so long the birds outside sounded loud—he added in a voice barely audible:
"As for me… I no longer wish to hold a blade."
Silence filled the study; after a while Himejima Gyomei quietly chanted the Buddha's name.
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