They sat down in a tastefully decorated room.
Nezuko lay down naturally, staring up at the ceiling with her pale pink eyes, looking adorably blank.
"Nezuko, sit up! That's rude!" Tanjiro hurriedly scolded.
She ignored him.
Instead, she skillfully tilted her head and rested it on Aoyama's thigh.
"Let her be. However she's comfortable is fine," Aoyama said gently, stroking her hair with clear affection in his eyes.
Nezuko's closeness hadn't come overnight.
He'd worked for it.
Taking her out to watch the moon.
Buying her little gifts.
Making small handmade trinkets.
Step by step, the distance had closed—until now, she approached him on her own.
Lady Tamayo gestured for Tanjiro not to mind it. From what she'd observed, this Aoyama Ren cared for Nezuko exceptionally well.
"Lady Tamayo… is there a way to turn someone who has become a demon back into a human?"
Tanjiro had detected no trace of deceit from her scent. That was why he dared to ask.
Aoyama already knew there was a possibility.
But it required Tamayo.
The room fell silent for over ten seconds before she finally spoke.
"There is a way."
Tanjiro's joy burst forth uncontrollably. He rose instinctively and stepped toward her.
"Please tell me!"
Whoosh—
Yushiro's eyes flashed. In the next second, he moved.
"You will not approach Lady Tamayo!"
With a clean over-the-shoulder throw, he slammed Tanjiro to the floor.
"Yushiro…"
Tamayo's tone carried anger.
Yushiro stiffened instantly and returned to his seat in a flash.
"I only threw him! I didn't hit him!"
"That is not allowed either."
"…Yes."
Tanjiro climbed up from the floor, rubbing the back of his head, wincing.
Aoyama glanced at him.
Urokodaki said he was impulsive?
Tanjiro wasn't any calmer.
"Lady Tamayo," Aoyama said lightly, "it might be better to tell my junior quickly. Otherwise… he may charge again."
His gaze drifted toward Yushiro.
Yushiro tensed.
If that boy moved again, he would still strike.
Tanjiro, having learned his lesson, stayed put and asked from where he stood,
"Please tell me the method."
"No matter the wound or illness, there is always a medicine and a treatment," Tamayo began. "Currently, we do not yet have the method to turn demons back into humans. But there must be one…"
Tanjiro leaned forward, listening intently.
Yushiro glared so hard his eyes hurt.
Stop staring at Lady Tamayo!
"We intend to establish that treatment. For that, we require your help."
Aoyama nodded slightly.
"Two things," Tamayo continued. "First, we would like to study Miss Nezuko's blood. Second, we need you to collect blood samples from demons with a high concentration of Kibutsuji's blood."
"Nezuko's condition is extremely rare. You said she slept for two years. During that time, her body must have undergone special changes."
Tanjiro listened carefully.
Yushiro clenched his fists to stop himself from punching him again.
"Ordinarily, a demon who goes that long without consuming human or animal blood would become feral."
Yushiro's gaze softened as he looked at Tamayo.
Lady Tamayo looks beautiful today. She will surely look beautiful tomorrow too.
"But remarkably, Miss Nezuko has shown none of those symptoms. That miracle may be the key."
As they discussed Nezuko's state, Aoyama caught a faint sound.
A bouncing impact.
A temari ball.
They were close.
"Demons with denser concentrations of Kibutsuji's blood possess greater power. Drawing blood from them will not be easy," Tamayo finished.
Aoyama's hand tightened around the upright blade beside him. His body had already shifted into combat readiness.
"Lady Tamayo, we'll accomplish everything you've requested. Focus on developing the treatment. Leave the rest to us."
She smiled gently.
Yushiro's heart nearly melted.
Lady Tamayo's smile is enchanting…
They're here.
Aoyama stood abruptly, drawing his blade and facing the entrance.
The next second—
Crash!
A temari ball smashed through the door and ricocheted wildly around the room, reducing furniture and walls to rubble.
"Get down!"
Yushiro reacted instantly, pulling Tamayo into his arms and shielding her.
Aoyama locked onto the ball's trajectory.
With one decisive slash—
The temari split cleanly in two and dropped to the floor.
For a heartbeat—
The chaos ceased.
But the real battle had just begun.
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