The night air on Mount Fujikasane carried a faint chill.
Kanao stood quietly by the window, gazing out into the darkness as a gentle breeze lifted strands of her hair, letting them sway softly around her face.
Soma walked over at an unhurried pace, draped a coat over her shoulders, and then stood beside her, following her gaze out into the night.
"What are you looking at, Kanao?"
He watched for a moment but found nothing particularly remarkable outside, so he turned his head to look at her instead.
"I was thinking… what is Uncle planning to do?"
"…Hmm?"
Soma looked at her, slightly surprised.
"You can hide things from others," Kanao said softly, lifting her head, her pink-violet eyes meeting his, "but you can't hide them from me."
She paused, her voice growing quieter, more thoughtful.
"Ever since you met the Kamado family, I've felt it… like you've been wearing a mask. A mask that hides your true self. They can't see it, but I can. That's not who you really are. I've always been with you, Uncle—I understand you."
Her gaze wavered slightly as she continued.
"You're gentle with the Kamado family, gentle with Makomo… gentle with everyone. But when you faced Kiriya, you became someone else entirely. You smashed your cup and walked away, saying things I didn't understand—like 'glory in death, shame in life.'
She lowered her voice even further.
"That's not the kind of person you are… is it?"
Soma looked at her, genuinely taken aback. He hadn't expected her to notice so much—nor to understand so deeply.
"I'm not very smart," Kanao murmured, frowning slightly. "I never used to think about things like this, so I couldn't figure out why you wear that mask… but when you do, you don't seem happy at all."
Seeing the girl's furrowed brows, Soma crouched down and gently flicked her nose.
"I may hide things from others," he said softly, "but not from you. If you want to know… then I'll tell you."
He glanced around, ears subtly alert, making sure no one else was nearby. Only then did he lean in close to her ear and whisper:
"Everything I'm doing… is to deal with Kibutsuji Muzan."
"Kibutsuji Muzan…"
Kanao had been by his side long enough to know that name well. It was that cruel, detestable being who had turned him into a demon… the one who had made him suffer so much.
"I just want others to help me kill him," Soma continued quietly. "I don't want to take the risk myself. Once that cautious monster sets his sights on someone, things become very troublesome."
"It's not that I'm afraid of him," he added after a pause. "If I were alone, even though I'm still weak now, it wouldn't take long before I gained enough strength to face him. But that wouldn't be enough. He's far too cautious—I can't guarantee I'd be able to kill him. And if he decides to hide… finding him in a sea of people would be nearly impossible."
He exhaled softly.
"And even that wouldn't be the worst of it. What truly worries me… is something else."
"Something else?" Kanao looked up at him.
"He might not be able to deal with me," Soma said slowly, "but he could deal with you. Even if I stay vigilant every moment, there will always be times when I slip. And if something were to happen because of that… it would be my greatest regret."
"Is it because Kanao is a burden to Uncle?" Kanao's voice softened, her eyes lowering, a faint shadow passing through them.
If her existence became his weakness… then perhaps it would be better if she didn't exist at all.
If she were gone… wouldn't he be free of that weakness?
"…It's not about being a burden."
Soma reached out and gently patted her head.
"It's like back in the cave when I became a true demon. Was I a burden to Kanao then?"
"No."
Kanao answered without hesitation, her voice firm.
Never—not even for a moment—had she thought of him as a burden. Even when he had become a demon, he had still been the warmest presence in her world.
If not for his orders back then… she might have wished for him to devour her instead.
At least that way, he wouldn't have had to suffer so much.
"Then it's the same for me as well."
Soma gently patted Kanao's head, his tone calm, almost matter-of-fact.
"So the goal I'm trying to achieve right now is actually very simple—dangerous things should be left for others to handle, and sacrifices… should also be made by others. That's what I intend to do."
Kanao felt like she understood… and yet, not entirely. Still, none of that truly mattered to her. No matter what, she would stand by his side. If he was human, then she would be human. If he was a demon, then she would become a demon as well.
"Tap… tap… tap…"
Footsteps approached from outside. Soma and Kanao fell silent, standing quietly by the window as a young boy and girl approached, carrying lanterns.
Knock, knock, knock.
A gentle rapping sounded at the door.
A warm smile appeared on Soma's face—but in Kanao's eyes, that same familiar "mask" had returned, settling once more over his expression.
When he opened the door, Ubuyashiki Kiriya and Ubuyashiki Hinaki stood outside.
"Sorry to disturb you so late," Kiriya said politely. "We didn't interrupt your rest, did we?"
"Not at all," Soma replied with a shake of his head. "I hadn't gone to bed yet, Kiriya-sama."
"There's no need to call me 'Kiriya-sama,'" the boy said with a gentle smile. "Just Kiriya is fine. I noticed your light was still on from a distance, so I took the liberty of coming over."
He paused briefly before continuing, "Also… the Demon Slayer Corps uniforms and Nichirin Swords you and Kanao commissioned have been completed."
"That's something to look forward to," Soma said with a faint smile.
At that moment, Hinaki stepped forward, holding several neatly folded sets of clothing.
"These are the summer and autumn uniforms for now," she explained softly. "Each person receives four sets in total. When winter comes, there will be two more."
"So many?" Soma couldn't help but remark.
Kiriya lowered his gaze slightly, a hint of shyness in his expression. "This is the least we can do. Compared to what you all will face—fighting demons and risking your lives—we can only ensure that you have no worries about what's behind you. After all… they're just clothes."
Then, with a more serious tone, he asked, "Is there anything else we can do? Anything that might help in the fight against demons…"
Soma accepted the clothes from Hinaki, pausing as he thought for a moment.
"Before, I wondered why the Corps didn't use firearms," he said slowly. "But now I understand—it's not ideal. Still… I do have a few ideas."
"Please, go ahead."
"For demons, wisteria is something they strongly detest. The Corps must already make extensive use of it, right?"
"Yes," Kiriya nodded. "It's used in many ways. For example, if a demon is discovered during the daytime—especially in enclosed areas—we can burn wisteria incense. That alone can weaken them significantly and make them much easier to deal with."
"But I feel like that's still far from enough."
Kiriya's expression grew thoughtful. "Do you have something more specific in mind?"
"For instance… extracting a toxin from wisteria that could directly kill demons."
Kiriya hesitated before replying, "That has actually been studied for quite some time. Miss Shinobu has been researching it as well, and Father has taken an interest in it too. However… the results haven't been very promising."
He continued after a brief pause, carefully choosing his words.
"While wisteria does contain substances that weaken demons, extracting enough of it to become lethal requires an enormous amount of flowers. It takes a great deal of time, effort, and money just to produce a tiny amount. At best, it can only supply a small number of swordsmen… and most of them aren't accustomed to using such methods."
Soma listened, quickly piecing everything together.
So that was why—even though Shinobu Kocho had managed to develop a toxin capable of killing demons—it had never been widely deployed among the Corps.
Even during the final battle in the Infinity Castle… she had been the only one to truly wield it.
Not even the Hashira had made use of such poison.
"Still, your idea is a very good one," Kiriya said after a moment of thought, his tone growing more resolute. "I think Father hasn't placed enough importance on this area. When I return, I'll try to persuade him to increase funding for it. Previously, Miss Shinobu applied for additional resources, including specialized research equipment, but the cost was simply too high—especially for certain experimental instruments from the West. Even for the Ubuyashiki family, acquiring them isn't easy, so Father declined at the time."
He paused, then added more firmly, "But I believe this is a worthwhile endeavor. I'll speak with Miss Shinobu again and see whether she intends to continue her research."
Soma couldn't help but glance at him again, his impression of the boy rising another notch.
He had only mentioned the idea casually, yet Kiriya had taken it to heart.
"Father wrote to me today," Kiriya continued. "He mentioned you in his letter."
"The Master… mentioned me?" Soma raised a brow slightly.
"Yes," Kiriya nodded. "He told me some things about you. I never expected that you would possess the lost Sun Breathing… nor that the legacy of Yoriichi Tsugikuni would still remain."
"You didn't know about these things either?" Soma asked.
Kiriya shook his head. "Not really. In fact, centuries ago, Kibutsuji Muzan launched a surprise attack on the Demon Slayer Corps' headquarters. That battle was devastating—we suffered tremendous losses, and much knowledge was lost along with it. Including Sun Breathing… the Bright Red Nichirin Swords… the Demon Slayer Mark… and the Transparent World."
As he spoke, a trace of sorrow appeared in his expression.
"In the past, the Corps once had the strength to confront Muzan directly. But now… that hope has grown faint. At present, we can still deal with the 'Lower Ranks', but when it comes to the 'Upper Ranks', we are completely outmatched. Even the Hashira have never achieved a true victory against them—not even managing to survive until dawn."
His voice lowered, heavy with quiet grief.
"In the end, the only method we can think of now… is to endure until sunrise and find a way to drag Muzan into the sunlight. That is the only way left to kill him."
In truth, the Corps had long been preparing for this. They had been training the Hashira extensively and cultivating a large number of swordsmen who were close to reaching that level. Yet these fighters remained hidden, rarely deployed—even in demon hunts—because their sole purpose was to one day sacrifice themselves to hold Muzan in place for the Hashira.
A final, desperate plan.
As the conversation continued, Hinaki quietly brought in food and sake. Soon, Soma and Kiriya found themselves talking over the meal.
As the heir of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kiriya had always carried immense expectations. Though still young, his shoulders already bore a crushing weight of responsibility. For him, moments like this—simply sitting down and speaking freely with someone—were exceedingly rare.
Soma, however, treated him with natural ease. He neither elevated him because of his status nor looked down on him for his youth. It was precisely this balanced, unforced attitude that allowed Kiriya to relax in his presence.
Because of his frail health, Kiriya couldn't drink, so he quietly ate the warm dishes while Soma poured himself cup after cup of sake.
Then, with a hint of curiosity, Soma asked casually, "So… you were raised as a girl, weren't you?"
Kiriya's face flushed instantly, embarrassment creeping across his delicate features.
Beside him, Hinaki lowered her head, unable to suppress a soft laugh. It was rare to see her younger brother look so flustered—so much like an ordinary child.
"Honestly," Soma added with a faint grin, "you look quite good in women's clothing."
Soma shot him a teasing glance, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Back during the Final Selection on Mount Fujikasane, you and Miss Hinaki were dressed exactly the same. Everyone thought you were a girl."
Kiriya gave a helpless, wry smile. "There wasn't really a choice. If I hadn't done that… I might not have survived at all."
Bound by the curse of Muzan Kibutsuji, he had been forced, despite being a boy, to live as though he were a girl. For Kiriya, it was not just inconvenience—it was a quiet, constant torment.
"It's all Muzan Kibutsuji's fault," Soma muttered, raising his cup with a sharp edge of irritation.
"Yes… that wretched Muzan Kibutsuji," Kiriya echoed, his face tightening. There was anger in his eyes, but also something deeper—yearning. "If only we could truly kill him… how wonderful that would be. How can such a cruel being even exist in this world?"
"Exactly," Soma agreed, his tone low. "How many lives has he destroyed? How many people's happiness has he shattered?"
He lifted his cup again, his gaze drifting toward Kiriya. "If Muzan Kibutsuji had never existed… what do you think your life would be like now?"
Kiriya slowly closed his eyes, unable to stop his thoughts from wandering.
When he was younger, he had imagined Muzan's death countless times. But as he grew older, he began to understand just how distant that dream truly was. Countless swordsmen had sacrificed their lives, and yet even now, there was not the slightest glimmer of hope.
"If Muzan Kibutsuji didn't exist…" he murmured.
Just saying it aloud felt strangely beautiful—like a fragile dream too distant to ever touch.
"I haven't even had a drop of alcohol, and yet I've already started dreaming," he added with a quiet sigh, taking a bite of food before turning back to Soma. "Then what about you, sir? If Muzan Kibutsuji didn't exist, what would you want to do most?"
"Me?" Soma took a slow sip of sake, narrowing his eyes as a faint smile curved his lips. "I'd find a few beautiful women, drink the finest sake with them, and once we'd had our fill… well, we'd start having children."
Hinaki hadn't expected such blunt words—especially with her standing right there. Her cheeks flushed faintly, a soft heat rising to her face as she instinctively lowered her gaze.
Was that really the kind of thing a man would say out loud?
At least in her life so far, no man had ever spoken so openly in front of her—even if it wasn't directed at her.
Kiriya, too, was caught off guard, blinking in mild surprise.
"And you, Kiriya?" Soma asked casually.
Kiriya hesitated for a moment before answering, his voice softer now. "If it were me… I'd want a stronger body. I'd travel to different places, see all kinds of scenery, drink freely… I'd want my father's health to improve…"
He paused, as if savoring the thought.
"And then… I'd meet someone I truly like."
..
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