Aoyama gave a slight nod in response to Giyu Tomioka's words.
Giyu's gaze, calm as still water, shifted to the place where Rui had completely turned to ash—nothing remained but a single piece of clothing.
He and Shinobu had been dispatched to Mount Natagumo to eliminate one of the Twelve Kizuki.
Yet he had arrived a step too late.
All he had cut down were minor demons.
"Mr. Tomioka…"
Seeing him again, Tanjiro felt a flood of emotions—but above all, gratitude.
Gratitude that Giyu hadn't killed Nezuko that snowy day.
Gratitude that he had introduced them to Urokodaki at Mount Sagiri.
Giyu walked forward expressionlessly and stepped on Rui's remaining clothing.
When he had arrived, he had seen Tanjiro sympathizing with the demon.
"They are demons," Giyu said coldly. "Man-eating demons. They do not deserve sympathy. Even if they appear as children, it doesn't matter. They are ugly monsters who have lived for decades."
Tanjiro's heart twisted.
Whether because of Nezuko or otherwise—
Demons often had their own tragedies.
His fingers tightened around the fabric on the ground.
"To avenge those who were killed, to prevent more victims—I will swing my blade without hesitation at a demon's neck!"
"But!"
His voice trembled with emotion.
"For those who suffer because they became demons… for those who regret their actions… I will not trample on them!"
"Because demons were once human too! They were people—just like me!"
"So please… take your foot off."
His words carried sorrow.
Becoming a demon was not always entirely their fault.
They weren't simply ugly monsters.
Demons were empty beings.
Pitiful beings.
Aoyama stood quietly behind him.
He understood Tanjiro's heart.
And he understood Giyu's stance.
Everyone had their own position.
Giyu's eyes fell on the girl Tanjiro shielded beneath him.
He remembered her.
The girl in the snow who had already turned into a demon—yet protected her brother.
That was why he had written to Urokodaki.
Why he had asked him to take in the siblings.
And now—
They had come this far.
The bamboo muzzle still covered her mouth.
From that day until now—
She had never eaten a human.
"You—"
Aoyama was about to explain Nezuko's situation when—
Blue butterflies drifted into view.
In an instant, Aoyama moved, positioning himself in front of Tanjiro and Nezuko.
Clang—
The sharp collision of blades rang out.
"Oh my? It was blocked," Shinobu said lightly, her signature smile still on her face.
Seeing Aoyama already intercept her, Giyu relaxed the thumb resting against his sword hilt and stepped off the clothing.
Just as Urokodaki had written—
Aoyama Ren was extraordinarily gifted.
Aoyama applied slight pressure and lifted Shinobu's blade.
"There's no one here who needs to be cut."
Behind him, Tanjiro continued shielding Nezuko.
His body was at its limit.
Protecting her was all he could still do.
Shinobu paused thoughtfully, then sheathed her sword.
"Aoyama-kun? We meet again~" she said gently. "The girl under him is also a demon, you know~"
Her eyes traced his face.
She hadn't had the chance to see beneath his mask before.
And now—
It was gone.
Seeing Aoyama silent, Shinobu turned to Giyu.
"Mr. Tomioka, you tell me. What should we do?"
As fellow Hashira, she believed they would share the same conclusion.
"There is no one here who needs to be cut."
Giyu repeated Aoyama's words.
"Eh?"
Shinobu clearly hadn't expected that answer.
"Mr. Tomioka, how can you say that? You always insist demons can't coexist with humans. So why now?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"That's exactly why everyone dislikes you, you know."
Aoyama's lips twitched.
She really had no filter.
Tanjiro glanced at Giyu.
He looked as though he hadn't heard a thing.
Tanjiro felt genuine admiration.
Being told you're disliked—
And not reacting at all.
Truly impressive mental fortitude.
Shinobu raised her blade again, pointing it directly at Tanjiro—at Nezuko beneath him.
"Mr. Tomioka. Aoyama-kun. Please step aside~"
The atmosphere tightened.
It seemed a clash was inevitable.
Just as they were about to move—
Giyu suddenly spoke.
"I… am not disliked."
His tone was firm.
Clear.
Almost indignant.
"…Eh?"
"…Huh?"
"…Pfft—"
All three froze.
Aoyama couldn't hold it in.
He burst out laughing.
Covering his mouth, he said, "My apologies. Please continue. Pretend I didn't laugh."
Looking at Giyu's utterly serious expression—
Aoyama found himself at a loss for words.
Shinobu frowned slightly, then forced a small smile.
"Ah… I see. My apologies. It seems you're unaware that you're disliked. I may have said something unnecessary. How careless of me~"
Tanjiro felt like his mind had taken a direct blow.
What kind of devils was he dealing with right now?
Senior Brother Aoyama—
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