The courtyard basked in warm sunlight, peaceful and harmonious.
CRASH—
A pine tree snapped clean in half.
The culprit?
Hashibira Inosuke.
Wearing his boar mask, he charged under the eaves excitedly and pointed at Aoyama.
"Did you see that?! I broke it with my head! Now can we fight?!"
Aoyama lazily propped himself up and glanced toward Tanjiro.
"My junior brother Tanjiro's headbutt is famous far and wide—unmatched. If you can beat him, I'll admit defeat."
Tanjiro froze.
Senior Brother praising him? Rare.
But judging by Inosuke's eyes—
This was bad. Very bad.
Senior Brother… was a walking trap.
"Inosuke, calm down! My head isn't meant for— hey, don't come over here—!"
Too late.
Tanjiro bolted. Inosuke gave chase.
"Fishcake Gonpachiro! Fight me!"
"Who are you calling that?! My name is Kamado Tanjiro!"
Inosuke closed the gap and launched himself forward—
BAM!
Head-to-head collision.
Tanjiro was sent flying.
Meanwhile, the elderly woman arrived with tea, pouring cups for everyone.
Watching the chaos, she chuckled.
"Young people really are full of energy."
Aoyama sipped his tea calmly.
From the corner of his eye, he spotted a suspicious figure sneaking into the house.
A smile tugged at his lips.
"Thank you for the tea. A little rat just ran inside. I'll catch it and return to finish my cup."
He rose and headed indoors.
Inside—
Zenitsu held a small bouquet of freshly picked flowers.
He gently tapped the wooden box in the dim room.
"Nezukochan"
A sound came from inside.
The lid creaked open.
Mini Nezuko peeked out—just in time to see the flowers.
"Nezukochan I picked these just for you! Today you're as beautiful as these blossoms!"
Zenitsu twisted his body dramatically as he spoke.
From behind, Aoyama observed.
Like an earthworm in heat.
Nezuko stood up, returning to normal size—and looked past Zenitsu.
Aoyama was behind him, waving.
"Mm~ mm~" (Aoyama-oniichan~)
"Nezukochan Look at me! Where are you looking?"
Zenitsu turned his head—
And met Aoyama's signature devil smile.
"Yaaah! Se-Senior Aoyama—why are you—aaah—"
THUD.
A flying kick sent him sprawling across the floor. The flowers scattered everywhere.
Aoyama stepped forward, took Nezuko's hand, and patted her head.
"If he comes to disturb your rest again, Aoyama-oniichan will handle him."
Zenitsu scrambled up and tried approaching again.
Aoyama raised his fist, cracking his knuckles.
Zenitsu fled instantly, bursting into tears as he ran to Tanjiro.
He complained that Senior Aoyama was monopolizing Nezuko and wouldn't let him near.
Tanjiro looked troubled.
"Zenitsu… Nezuko needs rest. You shouldn't shout for her at night—or bother her during the day. I think Senior Brother is right…"
Honestly?
Tanjiro trusted Aoyama around Nezuko.
Zenitsu?
…Not so much.
"Tanjiro! Duel me!"
Zenitsu's aura shifted again—like that night.
In the distance, Inosuke—who had been headbutting rocks—heard the word duel and sprinted over instantly.
How could he miss that?
Without warning, his boar head slammed into Zenitsu, sending him flying before he could even draw his blade.
"Hahaha! My headbutt is getting stronger! Tanjiro! Let's compare!"
Inosuke leapt again—
Zenitsu, flat on his back, didn't even care about being hit.
He cared that Tanjiro hadn't defended him.
Some things could be tolerated.
This could not.
"Tanjiro, prepare to die!"
Zenitsu charged with his sword.
Tanjiro was now attacked from both sides.
Running?
Impossible.
Ask Senior Brother for help?
Let's not kid ourselves.
"Fine! Inosuke, this is what you wanted! Headbutt!"
Tanjiro grabbed Inosuke's shoulders—
And smashed his forehead down.
BOOM.
The impact echoed.
Zenitsu stopped mid-swing, clutching his own head in phantom pain.
Inosuke's vision spun.
He tasted something in his mouth.
Was he… blowing bubbles?
He collapsed backward.
Tanjiro panted heavily, then turned to Zenitsu.
"Well? Want to try?"
Zenitsu glanced at the unconscious Inosuke—
And at Tanjiro, who seemed completely fine.
He sheathed his sword instantly.
"Hehe… Corps members aren't allowed to draw blades against each other. We must respect the rules."
And he ran.
Outside, chaos reigned.
Inside—
Aoyama enjoyed exclusive Nezuko time.
The elderly woman sipped her tea, smiling faintly.
Once upon a time—
She, too, had been young.
Full of vitality.
Now she watched these noisy youths and found herself… quietly amused.
Peaceful days at the Wisteria Crest House.
At least for now.
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