"Shinobu, it's time for bed." Hearing her older sister's voice, the young Shinobu obediently nodded her small head, her tiny body moving closer to her sister.
"I want to be with Big Sister."
Kanae smiled, patted her sister's head, and nodded in agreement. She hugged her sister, and the two little girls rested their heads on the same pillow, closing their eyes peacefully.
"Big Sister, I hope tomorrow comes quickly," Shinobu quietly opened her eyes and whispered.
Patting her sister's back, Kanae smiled and asked,
"Why?"
"Because tomorrow I can go to town with Big Sister."
Seeing the adorable, expectant look on her sister's face, Kanae curved her lips into a smile and hugged her sister tighter.
"Then Shinobu should go to sleep quickly. When you wake up, it'll be morning."
"Mm!"
With anticipation, Shinobu closed her eyes once more.
"My dear, I'm still a bit worried about Shinobu and Kanae..." Kochou Sadou said to his wife with a worried expression. This was the first time they had slept separately from their children. Although the children should be independent, in his eyes, they were still his precious children, whom he feared would melt if he held them too tightly.
"Are they covered properly?"
"Will they catch a cold?"
Hearing her husband's incessant worrying, Kochou Sakura covered her mouth, chuckling. She stood up, took her husband's hand, and said softly,
"Then let's go check on them together. I'm a little worried too..."
Carrying a night lamp, walking along the long corridor, the couple heard an unusual sound in the silent night.
A rough and unbearable breathing sound.
The two exchanged glances and, without prior agreement, quickened their pace. Finally, in their daughters' room, they saw a terrifying figure.
Ugly and tall, not human, with a mouth full of fangs, and three eyes on its face!
The sound of drool dripping was so distinct that the couple instantly froze in place.
"Humans... I want to eat humans!" The demon opened its fangs and charged towards them. Kochou Sadou instinctively pushed his wife away, simultaneously swinging the night lamp in his hand.
The night lamp was struck, its dim yellow light flickering, yet it still illuminated Kochou Sadou's terrified face. He trembled as he smashed the night lamp at the demon, not forgetting to tell his wife to quickly take their daughters and flee.
"Swish!" Warm blood dripped. Sadou clutched his wounded right hand. With a casual wave, the demon sent him flying, his body crashing through the wooden door and falling into the sight of his wife and daughters.
"Papa!" The sleepy Shinobu and Kanae cried out loudly upon seeing this.
"Husband!" Kochou Sakura helplessly hugged her two trembling children, looking at the monster before them with despair.
"Children...!" The demon's drool dripped to the ground with a "patta" sound. As its sharp claws were about to close in, Kochou Sakura stepped forward, intending to protect her children, when a low hum of a weapon being drawn filled their ears.
Immediately after, scattered fine snow, illuminated by the moonlight, drifted into everyone's sight.
Like a dream, a white sword light flashed, and the head of the demon that had lunged at them was severed. Before it even hit the ground, it turned into dust.
Breath of Snow First Form: Falling Snow
"Clack."
Sheathing his nichirin blade, Yoizumi turned to look at the few people beside him. Moonlight spilled onto his golden hair, and his sapphire eyes held the moonlight, clear and bright.
"It's alright now..."
Yoizumi's gaze fell on Shinobu, who was huddled in the corner, clutching her sister. His voice gradually softened, yet it was filled with reassurance.
"Don't be afraid..."
"Kochou."
...Someone has already dealt with it... a very powerful swordsman.
Then there's no need to worry.
Gyomei Himejima stopped his advance, the chain of his flail humming. His hollow eyes, however, seemed to possess the ability to see through everything.
No other demon traces were detected.
Go back.
"Husband, how do you feel?" Kochou Sakura tried her best to stop her husband's bleeding. The medicinal powder sprinkled on the wound caused a sharp, tingling pain that made Sadou cry out.
"Papa!" Shinobu cried, tears streaming down her face, her tiny body tightly gripping her small hands, still trembling slightly.
Kanae's eyes were moist, and her face was pale, but she sensibly brought the medicine box and carefully wiped away the sweat from her father's forehead with a handkerchief.
Yoizumi stood by, leaning down to glance at Kochou Sadou's condition. The wound was not fatal, and the bleeding was within controllable limits... Shinobu's father would not die.
Confirming this, Yoizumi breathed a sigh of relief.
Looking at the still-sobbing, young Shinobu beside him, Yoizumi softened his gaze, raising a hand to gently pat Shinobu's head.
"Your papa will be fine."
"Don't cry."
Shinobu stared blankly at this older brother who had suddenly appeared and saved them. She couldn't understand the emotions in his eyes.
Very complex... Sniffling, Shinobu clutched the hem of her clothes, lowered her head slightly, and her tender voice expressed gratitude.
"Thank you, Big Brother, for saving us."
Yoizumi opened his mouth, wanting to say 'don't thank me,' that he should apologize to Shinobu instead.
If only he had been a little faster... Yoizumi raised his hand, wanting to wipe away the tears of this child-like Shinobu, but then worried about bothering her, so he stopped the movement, only patting her head again.
If only he had been a little faster... Shinobu's father wouldn't have been injured, and Shinobu wouldn't have been scared.
Kochou Sadou, who had finally recovered a little, clutched his still bleeding arm and sincerely thanked Yoizumi.
"Thank you, benefactor."
"If you hadn't appeared in time, we..."
Kochou Sadou was unable to continue speaking. What happened tonight had transcended their understanding, and remaining calm was already a rare feat.
Yoizumi shook his head, looking at the fear still in the eyes of the Kochou family. Facing these four pairs of eyes, Yoizumi clenched his fists in self-reproach.
Even in a dream, can I not do my best?
If he had killed the demon before it appeared.
Then... would Shinobu's life from now on be carefree?
Would she not be afraid because she knew such creatures existed in this world?
Yoizumi wasn't sure... "Is benefactor a samurai?" Sadou asked, his face pale. As a pharmacist, he had already given his wound basic treatment. His profession had led him to meet many people, but someone like Yoizumi was a first.
"I..."
Yoizumi had wanted to casually agree, but... he couldn't lie to Shinobu.
His gaze fell on Shinobu, who only reached his thigh. Yoizumi pursed his lips and revealed a gentle smile.
"I am a Demon Slayer Corps—Snow Pillar."
"Yoizumi."
"I've come specifically to hunt demons."
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