Family.
Between family members, there are bonds.
A father supports the household, protecting his children from harm.
A mother prepares meals and protects her children just the same.
Older brothers shield younger siblings. Older sisters do the same.
That is what bonds are.
"Family bonds…"
Rui narrowed his eyes slightly, both hands resting lightly on a web.
Kneeling before him was a trembling girl—older in appearance, yet small and fragile.
His "older sister."
"Rui… please… I was wrong… I was wrong… spare me… please…"
Her thin body shook violently. Spider threads had sliced across her face, and thick blood dripped onto the ground.
She truly knew she had made a mistake.
When she saw that boy speaking with Rui earlier—
She shouldn't have tried to run.
"Do you really understand your mistake… sister?"
"She probably doesn't."
A voice interrupted.
Aoyama stepped out from behind a tree.
He had originally been searching for Shinobu Kocho, hoping to find her early and bring her to treat Zenitsu.
Instead—
He ran into Rui again.
Looks like this child would die by his hand today.
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"She doesn't understand," he continued lightly. "Because you're not a real family."
The words pierced Rui's core.
It was deliberate.
"You're lying! Rui and I are family!"
The sister demon leapt up, shouting in fury.
As the older sister, protecting her little brother was her duty.
She couldn't fail again.
Not this time.
Rui glanced at her indifferently.
If she truly understood—
Then she could prove it.
"Hey. Don't leave."
Aoyama called out, cursing inwardly.
This brat.
Second time now, pushing his so-called "family" to fight in his place.
The sister demon's heart pounded.
Once, someone tried to flee—
Rui had sliced them to pieces and left them to burn under the rising sun.
She couldn't fail again.
She absolutely couldn't.
"Die—!"
Threads shot from her palms toward Aoyama.
He kicked off a tree trunk and flipped away.
"Hey, at least warn someone before attacking. Don't think I'll go easy just because you're a girl."
He drew his blade.
Her threads weren't ordinary silk.
They wrapped prey tightly—and once secured, corrosive fluid would flood through them, dissolving the victim into liquefied remains.
"Warn you or not, you'll still be my dinner."
She sneered.
From his uniform, she could tell he was a lower-ranked slayer.
She had killed plenty of those.
That confidence was why she had dared to perform before Rui.
"Oh my~ Why say something so unladylike? Your threads just now looked quite impressive."
A gentle, water-like voice whispered by her ear.
A warm, soft presence pressed against her from behind.
The sister demon froze.
Out of the corner of her eye—
A woman stood close behind her.
"Good evening. The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?"
Aoyama couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
A Hashira-level presence.
She had appeared without him sensing it.
The sister demon jumped back, eyes full of alarm.
The arrival of Shinobu Kocho meant—
Zenitsu had likely been rescued.
The last thread of worry in Aoyama's chest eased.
Shinobu's gaze drifted to Aoyama.
He was still wearing a face covering?
Her large eyes blinked gently, lips curving into a soft smile.
"Isn't the moon beautiful tonight?"
"Beautiful."
Aoyama answered calmly.
From her demeanor, he could see it—
Complete composure.
Warm. Gentle.
Yet dangerous.
While they spoke—
The sister demon seized the chance and launched threads at Shinobu.
Shinobu leapt gracefully aside.
"How unfortunate~ It seems you have no intention of getting along with me."
She stepped lightly onto a strand of silk, sprang forward—
And landed squarely on the demon's chest, driving her to the ground.
The body skidded across the forest floor.
Aoyama averted his eyes slightly.
Gentle she might be—
But her kicks were merciless.
Standing over the fallen demon, Shinobu smiled sweetly.
"It appears you really don't wish to get along."
After that brief exchange, the sister demon understood—
She was no match.
"W-wait! Please! Just wait!"
Shinobu maintained her warm smile, waiting for her to continue.
Aoyama stepped closer.
He, too, was curious.
What excuse would she offer now?
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