"Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Demons?"
These unfamiliar terms plunged the Kochou family into confusion. It was the first time they had ever heard of such an organization, and the first time they had witnessed such terrifying creatures existing in this world.
"Plant wisteria in the yard. Demons dislike its scent."
"Demons only appear at night."
After Yoizumi finished his concise explanation, he stared at the wound on Kochou Sadou's arm. If he were still a Demon, he could have used Blood Demon Art to treat him, but then he would surely be treated as an anomaly... This dream is truly long and real... But Yoizumi had a question... He had never met Shinobu's parents, nor had he seen Shinobu and her sister as children, so why were the details of their faces so clear?
Could he have been caught in someone's Blood Demon Art?
On second thought, that was impossible. As the last Demon in the world, he had already become human.
When he woke up, he would confirm it with Shinobu... So Yoizumi began carefully memorizing the appearance of every member of the Kochou family, committing them to memory.
"Uh..." Kochou Sadou looked at the young boy before him, who had dazzling golden hair and unique eyes. Although the boy kept staring at them, Sadou couldn't detect any malice in his gaze.
On the contrary... there was a sense of closeness he couldn't explain... Why would he feel this way about a stranger he was meeting for the first time?
Yoizumi lowered his eyes, carefully memorizing Shinobu's appearance. A hint of involuntary joy surfaced in his eyes, and the corners of his lips curved slightly into a pleasant arc.
He saw Shinobu as a child... Cute.
Shinobu, hugging her mother's leg, blinked her innocent eyes.
This older brother's eyes... are so beautiful.
"Then I shall take my leave."
Yoizumi nodded to the group and turned to leave, but Kochou Sadou's voice came again from behind him.
"Mr. Yoizumi! Is there anything we can do to repay you?"
Yoizumi paused his steps, stood still, turned around, and his gentle gaze fell upon the two small Kochou girls.
"You don't need to call me 'Mister,' just Yoizumi is fine."
They are Shinobu's parents, so he should address them as father-in-law and mother-in-law. That is how it should be.
But if he addressed them that way now... "..."
"I don't require repayment."
"If you insist..."
A slow smile spread across Yoizumi's face, and his clear, gentle voice spoke word by word.
"I only ask that you live happily."
After saying this, Yoizumi left the room directly, leaving the others stunned in place.
In fact, there were many other words Yoizumi left unspoken.
That is...
Please let Shinobu's future be spent living beside the family she loves, never separated.
May there be no pain... no hardship... May she be free... May she be... happy and joyful... "He is a gentle person," Kochou Sakura softly sighed to her husband while gently comforting her elder and younger daughters.
"Mm." Kochou Sadou nodded in agreement.
"Kanae, take your sister to sleep first. I will help Father treat his wound."
Hearing her mother's words, Kanae agreed. Although she was worried about her father's injuries, there was nothing she could do. Little Shinobu was still young and would be frightened after experiencing such a terrifying event.
Since this room was damaged, Kanae held her sister's hand and went to another guest room.
"Big Sister..."
Shinobu anxiously hugged her sister, burying her head in her sister's embrace, rubbing her little head against her. Tears rolled down her small face.
Patting her sister's back, Kanae was only three years older than Little Shinobu, yet she was already a sensible child. She lowered her voice, gently soothing her sister's emotions with soft strokes.
"It's okay... It's okay, Little Shinobu."
"Big Sister, Father and Mother are here..."
"Don't be afraid... Don't cry..."
Accompanied by muffled sobs, the two little Kochou girls drowsily fell asleep... "..."
He couldn't leave.
Yoizumi realized that no matter what method he used, he couldn't leave this place. It was as if an invisible barrier was obstructing him.
This dream was lasting far too long.
His consciousness was so clear, as if he were truly present here.
If he felt pain, would he wake up?
Yoizumi remembered asking Tanjirou how he had woken up after the Infinity Train mission.
Tanjirou stuttered for a while. Being a child who couldn't lie, and perhaps fearing that Yoizumi would feel sad for him, Tanjirou put on a relaxed smile and spoke gently.
[I killed myself using my nichirin blade.]
Was this the same situation now?
Yoizumi lowered his head to look at the nichirin blade by his hand, then slowly drew it out and held it against his neck... "Huu..."
With a soft sigh, Yoizumi still lowered the nichirin blade.
He couldn't determine whether this was a dream or reality.
If it was reality... he couldn't afford to miss even once.
If it was just about feeling pain... he would apologize to Shinobu when he woke up.
The nichirin blade sliced his arm, and blood dripped... Yoizumi raised his head and looked at the pitch-black night sky.
He still hadn't woken up.
Turning back to look at the house before him, Yoizumi slowly walked over to where Shinobu was, sat cross-legged, and leaned against the wall.
Then he would stay by Shinobu's side for now... "Mmm..."
Shinobu, suddenly startled awake from a nightmare, opened her eyes, wrinkled her small face, and pouted. But considering that her sister was still asleep, Shinobu could only cry silently, wetting the pillow with tears streaming down her cheeks.
Through tear-filled eyes, Shinobu saw someone outside. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, feeling confused.
She carefully pushed the door open, poked her small head out, and after seeing clearly that it was the older brother, she bravely walked over to Yoizumi's side.
Yoizumi turned his head to look at the young Shinobu who had walked up to him, and asked in a low voice.
"Why aren't you sleeping?"
Little Shinobu clutched the hem of her clothes, her tender voice tinged with fear.
"I had a nightmare."
Was it because of what happened earlier? Yoizumi thought, raising his hand to invite Shinobu to sit beside him, but seeing the wound on his hand, he lowered it again.
It wouldn't be good for a child to see it.
"Big Brother, you're hurt!"
Shinobu noticed anyway. She covered her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise, and then, as if she remembered something, she scampered away.
Staring at the small back disappearing from view, Yoizumi lowered his gaze. Did he frighten her?
Before long, Yoizumi heard footsteps approaching again. He looked and saw that Shinobu had a box in her hand.
"Big Brother, I've watched Father bandage patients."
"I'll help you."
Yoizumi extended his hand. With his sapphire eyes, he watched the young Shinobu, whose bandaging technique was clumsy, her brows slightly furrowed in concentration. A smile appeared on Yoizumi's lips.
Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Little Shinobu looked at her masterpiece with great satisfaction, a smile blooming on her adorable face.
"How is it, Big Brother?"
Yoizumi retracted his hand, which was wrapped up like a rice dumpling, and couldn't help but let out a laugh. He used his other hand to gently stroke Shinobu's head.
"Shinobu, you're amazing."
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