"Sir, are we... truly moving?"
Standing beside him, Kamado Kie lowered her gaze slightly, a trace of reluctance flickering in her eyes as she watched the man give instructions to a worker from the transport company.
Ever since this demon…
No—
ever since he had come into the Kamado household, their lives had changed completely. A family that had once struggled day after day in poverty had suddenly found stability. She no longer had to worry about the next day's rice, oil, or firewood. The children no longer went hungry. They had new clothes, new toys… and more than that, he had even begun teaching them skills.
Though the age of the samurai had long since faded, for people at the very bottom—especially someone like Kamado Kie, living deep in the mountains—it was still something far beyond their reach. Even her husband, Kamado Tanjuro, had never had the chance to learn swordsmanship.
Life in the mountains was too isolated; news rarely reached them. She didn't know that in these times, many samurai were already struggling to survive, no longer the lofty figures they once were. In the face of firearms, even they could only tremble helplessly.
To Kie, her current life was already good—peaceful, stable. The children were happy every day, and the household no longer demanded backbreaking effort. Aside from the occasional loneliness that crept in during quiet nights… everything was just right.
Under such circumstances, she truly didn't want to move again.
The last time they had relocated—from the deep mountains to here—they had trudged through bitter snow. The journey had been grueling, and they had nearly met with disaster. Even now, the memory left her with lingering fear.
"We must move, Lady Kie," Soma said, turning back to look at her.
"I… I understand."
Though unwilling in her heart, once Soma made a decision, she would only comply. It was simply the kind of woman she was—someone who, deep down, was used to following a man's lead.
Even if Soma was not her husband.
Habits like that were difficult to change. Even before, when Tanjiro had been just a young boy yet resolute enough to insist on moving through the freezing wind and snow, she had still chosen to follow his decision.
"I'll go help pack the clothes in your room, Sir," she said softly, brushing a few loose strands of hair back into place.
"Thank you. I appreciate it, Lady Kie," Soma replied gently.
"You're too polite, Sir. It's my honor. Nezuko just finished cooking some red bean porridge—if you're hungry, you can go have some. She's been working very hard at learning lately…"
Soma turned his head slightly and looked at her.
Kie lowered her eyes at once, unable to continue.
Back then, hadn't he come to the Kamado household for Nezuko in the first place? Yet recently… nothing had happened. No further steps, no clear intention.
At first, she had resisted the idea strongly.
But over time, the man had revealed qualities that no one else here could compare to—his grace, his generosity, his strength, his gentleness… everything about him stood far above the men of this place, so much so that they weren't even worthy of comparison.
A man like that… even she, a married woman, couldn't help but feel moved.
Perhaps because she had already built a family, she understood all too well how rare it was for a man to truly treat women with tenderness. One only had to look at how carefully he cared for Kanao to see it.
What man would care so much about every little detail?
She had even seen him wash a girl's feet—something unimaginable. Even if Kanao was still just a child, such behavior was astonishingly rare.
By now, truthfully, Kie had already come to accept—perhaps even hope—that Nezuko would follow him.
If there was one remaining concern…
It was the matter of a union between a demon and a human. If such a bond were to produce offspring… would something go wrong?
"I'll head over in a bit," Soma said.
"Alright."
Kie nodded slightly, then turned to the girl standing beside him—Kanao, who had been quietly watching her.
"Kanao, would you like to come with me and help pack Sir's clothes?" she asked gently.
Kanao tilted her head up to look at Soma, her soft pink-violet eyes blinking once, as if quietly asking for his approval.
Soma understood her better than anyone—sometimes, a single blink was enough for him to grasp what she was thinking. He reached out and gently patted her head. "Go on."
"Mm."
Only then did Kanao step toward Kamado Kie.
Before leaving, Kie bowed once more with her usual gentle composure, then took Kanao's hand and led her inside.
There was something about the quiet grace in her movements that made Soma's eyelids twitch slightly. A gentle, considerate woman like her always gave a man an indescribable sense of calm and stability.
For a soul like his—one that had wandered alone into this foreign world—it held a certain, undeniable appeal.
He shook his head, forcefully casting aside the stray thoughts, then raised a hand and beckoned to Tanjiro, who had just come rushing back home.
Having run all the way back, Tanjiro was still breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling as he hurried to speak. Before he could get the words out, however, Soma smiled faintly and interrupted him.
"No rush. Catch your breath first. Want some water?"
He turned and stepped inside, pouring a cup before handing it over. "Here, drink this and settle down."
Tanjiro accepted the cup, but instead of drinking, he spoke immediately.
"Sir, I went to the house in town marked with the wisteria crest like you told me. When I went in, I saw several people. They were all injured…"
"Oh?" Soma nodded thoughtfully. "Then they're likely swordsmen from the Demon Slayer Corps recovering."
Beyond the full support of the Ubuyashiki family, those households bearing the wisteria crest were also among the Corps' strongest allies.
Strictly speaking, however, they weren't a single family. Rather, they were made up of many individuals who had once suffered at the hands of demons and were later saved by the Corps. Out of gratitude, they offered financial support and provided food, shelter, and assistance to its swordsmen. To make these safe havens easier to find, they placed wisteria flowers at their gates. Over time, the symbol became standardized, and eventually, these scattered households came to be known collectively as the Wisteria Crest families.
"Are those people… the Demon Slayer swordsmen who protect humans and kill demons?" Tanjiro asked quietly.
In his mind, he couldn't help but recall Furukawa Hiroshi and his group. They had once come to his home, investigating unusual activity—most likely searching for demons… or perhaps, for Soma himself.
And then there was that rainy night.
Soma had taken him along to find a swordsman. A life-and-death battle had followed, ending with Soma killing the man.
Aside from that swordsman… Tanjiro couldn't help but wonder what had become of Furukawa Hiroshi and the others who had been searching back then.
"Yes. If you follow them, it shouldn't be difficult to uncover traces of demons."
Soma let out a soft sigh and looked at the boy before him. Tanjiro had lowered his head slightly, his fists clenched—there was excitement in him, but also unease.
Soma reached out and patted his shoulder.
"Knowing their whereabouts is enough for now. But Tanjiro… have you truly prepared yourself to fight demons to the death?"
The boy pressed his lips together, then gave a firm nod.
"Good."
A faint smile appeared on Soma's face. "But before that, your family must be settled properly. This time, we'll move somewhere safer first."
"Where are we going, Sir?"
"Mount Sagiri."
Soma gave his shoulder another light pat. "Train hard. The time you have left… is running out."
Tanjiro nodded again, his expression turning resolute.
…
Meanwhile, Kamado Kie had brought Kanao into the room.
She kept the space tidy every day, so it was neat and spotless, with hardly anything out of place.
After taking out a travel bag from the cabinet, Kie began removing the clothes stored inside. Soma didn't have many belongings—only a few simple sets of clothing—but Kanao's wardrobe was another matter entirely.
One by one, she placed the garments onto the bed until they formed a small pile.
As she worked, she glanced at Kanao, who stood nearby, quietly observing her every move. A gentle smile curved her lips.
"It seems Sir really dotes on you, Kanao. He hardly has any clothes himself, yet he's bought you so many."
Kanao tilted her head slightly, as if pondering her words.
"Come, let's pack up the clothes we'll need so we can take them with us right away."
As she spoke, Kamado Kie began folding the garments, smoothing each piece carefully before placing it neatly into the travel bag one by one.
Kanao sat beside her, blinking quietly as she watched. After a moment of hesitation, she picked up a piece of clothing herself and placed it straight into the bag.
"Kanao, it's better to fold them first," Kie said gently.
She took the garment Kanao had just put in and unfolded it again, demonstrating with patient care. "See? If you fold them like this, they won't wrinkle, and you'll be able to fit more inside."
Kanao picked up another piece and tried to imitate her movements, though her actions were still somewhat clumsy and unpracticed.
"Haven't you folded clothes like this before?" Kie asked, watching her.
Kanao shook her head.
"It seems Sir really does spoil you," Kie murmured softly. After a brief pause, she continued in a quiet, almost thoughtful tone, "But you know… as a girl, you can't rely too much on being pampered. Sometimes, men get tired too. And when they do… they also wish they had someone to lean on."
Kanao blinked again, as if trying to understand.
…
Soma stepped into the living room. A teacup on the table was still steaming faintly, though its owner was nowhere to be seen—likely having just stepped out.
Not long after he entered, Nezuko peeked out from the adjacent room. The moment she noticed his gaze, she quickly ducked back inside. A short while later, she reappeared, carrying a small bowl with steam gently rising from it.
Her steps were small and careful, almost timid, yet she moved with surprising speed.
"I... I made some red bean porridge. Please... try some," she said, placing the bowl on the table.
"Alright."
Soma nodded, picking up the bowl. Noticing that she was still standing there quietly, he smiled. "You should sit as well."
Nezuko lowered her head, her small hands resting lightly over her abdomen as she walked to the opposite side of the table and sat down, never once lifting her gaze.
Soma raised the bowl but didn't taste it immediately. Instead, he brought it close and inhaled its aroma.
"I… it's my first time making it," Nezuko said softly, her voice tinged with nervousness. "I don't know if it suits your taste. It might not be very good… if it's not, you don't have to eat it. Next time, I'll—"
"Hm? Your first time?" Soma interrupted with a light chuckle. "Then I think I'll like it. I enjoy trying new things."
"It… might not taste good…" she repeated under her breath.
"Let me try it first."
He lifted the spoon, scooped a small portion, and brought it to his lips.
The moment he did, Nezuko—who had been sitting with her head lowered—suddenly looked up. Her hands, which had been resting at her abdomen, unconsciously lifted toward her chest, fingers curling slightly as she watched him without blinking.
Her eyes followed every movement as he swallowed the porridge, her gaze fixed anxiously on his expression.
"It's delicious."
The gentle words seemed to light her up instantly. "Really?!"
As soon as the excitement slipped out, she seemed to realize herself and quickly lowered her hands again, returning them neatly to her abdomen.
"I added some konpeitō… and followed Mother's advice to include a few red beans. I woke up very early this morning to cook it—I simmered it for a long time…"
"I see. No wonder it tastes so good."
Soma took another spoonful, offering his praise once more.
Nezuko stole a glance at his face. Seeing that he genuinely seemed to enjoy it, a soft, radiant smile bloomed across her delicate features.
She looked utterly content.
"Do you think it's a bit too sweet? If you eat more, will it become overwhelming?" she asked hesitantly.
"It's fine. Just use a little less konpeitō next time."
"I thought so too…" Nezuko nodded slightly. "I added more because I like konpeitō, and I thought it might make it taste better… that maybe you would like it more."
Without realizing it, she leaned forward slightly. "Next time, I'll add less."
"Won't that be too much trouble?"
"No… it's not troublesome."
She answered softly, then lifted her eyes to look at him again.
"It's something I should be doing anyway."
"There's no such thing as 'should' or 'shouldn't,'" Soma replied gently.
Soma couldn't help but feel both amused and helpless. She had never insisted on cooking for him in the first place—this was entirely her own initiative. Yet as he lifted his gaze, he suddenly realized just how close she had leaned in.
He could almost feel the warmth of her breath brushing against his face. From his angle, the pale curve of her neck was clearly visible, along with the soft flush on her cheeks… even the faint, delicate down on her skin could be seen.
Nezuko seemed to realize it at the same moment. Startled, she quickly drew back and sat upright again, her face turning a deep shade of red. "If… if you like it, I can make it for you again tomorrow."
"Mm… I'm afraid that won't be possible."
Soma shook his head.
"Then… you don't like it after all…" Her voice fell, tinged with disappointment.
"It's not that," he said with a faint smile. "We'll likely be on the road all day tomorrow, moving. There won't really be a chance."
"I… if you like it, I can… I can find a way…" she insisted softly.
Soma let out a light laugh and shook his head again. "No, that would be too much trouble."
Then his expression grew a little more serious. "Rather than spending so much effort on this, I think you'd be better off focusing more on your swordsmanship. You have a real talent for it."
"But I'm a girl… I don't need to focus on something like that…" Nezuko tried to argue.
The moment those words left her mouth, Soma's brows knit tightly together, his expression turning visibly displeased.
Nezuko, who had been about to continue, immediately faltered. She glanced up, caught sight of his face, and her voice shrank at once. Lowering her head, she spoke in a small, hurried tone, "S-sorry… I won't think like that again."
"Good. Don't let it happen again," Soma said firmly. "Put more of your energy into your training."
"Mm."
Nezuko nodded earnestly. Then, after a brief hesitation, she stole another glance at him. "What about this time…?"
"This time, I'll let it pass. But there won't be a next time."
"There won't be a next time," she repeated, her voice firm despite her lingering embarrassment.