Twelve years without seeing each other, Yoriichi still hadn't changed much from Mitsuba's memory.
He had simply grown taller, his features more mature, and his hair longer.
His eyes remained as clear and hollow as in his childhood.
If there was anything to say about changes, it would probably be Yoriichi's temperament.
Twelve years later, Yoriichi no longer had the confusion of not knowing where he should go that he had in his youth.
His eyes were still hollow, yet appeared firm, with a trace of sorrow faintly revealed within.
Presumably, over these past twelve years, Brother Yoriichi must have experienced many heartbreaking things.
"Long time no see, Brother Yoriichi..."
Staring blankly at Yoriichi who had suddenly climbed in through the window, Mitsuba's mind was filled with countless thoughts for a moment.
She had never thought Brother Yoriichi would return, and therefore had never prepared for this situation.
So when Yoriichi, missing for twelve years, truly appeared before her again, she couldn't think of any suitable words to express her emotions at this moment. She could only ask with that somewhat inappropriate cold tone:
"What matter brings you back suddenly this time?"
Fortunately, Yoriichi didn't mind these things.
Or perhaps, he simply couldn't perceive these complex emotions between people.
In any case, facing Mitsuba's subconscious cold inquiry, he showed no displeasure whatsoever, only responding in a deep voice:
"I came for older brother."
"Brother Michikatsu?"
Could Brother Yoriichi have already met with Brother Michikatsu beforehand?
"Mm."
Amidst Mitsuba's confusion, Yoriichi nodded lightly. After a brief hesitation, he immediately asked:
"Mitsuba, have you heard of creatures called 'demons'?"
"Demons?"
Demons—evil creatures transformed from humans, able to appear only at night, surviving by devouring human flesh.
They possessed nearly infinite life, could recover quickly even when injured, and a small portion among them even gained supernatural powers called "Blood Demon Arts."
"Last night, older brother and his subordinates were attacked by a demon while camping in the wild.
Demons are creatures that ordinary swords and blades can hardly harm. Only Nichirin Blades forged from wisteria flowers and special materials can truly damage them.
This demon was quite ferocious. Lacking suitable weapons, older brother's subordinates finally all died fighting to their last strength.
Fortunately, I arrived at the final moment and slew it, barely managing to save older brother's life."
Yoriichi calmly narrated what happened last night between him and Michikatsu.
He also introduced to Mitsuba the demon-slaying organization he had joined these years, called the Demon Slayer Corps, which was not recognized by the shogunate.
According to Yoriichi, this organization was led by a family called Ubuyashiki, with several hundred members in total.
Among these people, some had their families slaughtered by demons, some were attracted by the Ubuyashiki family's charisma, some joined for the Demon Slayer Corps' substantial salary, and others simply had nowhere else to go...
Gathered under the Ubuyashiki's leadership, they trained their martial arts with each other, participated in no worldly disputes, and devoted themselves solely to completely eradicating demons from this world.
Speaking to the end, Yoriichi once again fell into hesitation.
He lowered his head in silence for a long time before raising his head again to look at Mitsuba before him, saying:
"After hearing my explanation, older brother impatiently joined the Demon Slayer Corps."
"Joined the Demon Slayer Corps... what does that mean?"
Her pupils constricted, and Mitsuba subconsciously pressed for an answer.
"It means that older brother abandoned his identity as head of the Tsugikuni family, determined to live henceforth as an ordinary demon slayer."
Yoriichi explained seriously.
A buzzing sound filled her mind. Upon hearing this, Mitsuba subconsciously stepped back twice, stumbling against the dressing table behind her.
Brother Michikatsu... abandoned his identity as head of the Tsugikuni family?
He just left the Tsugikuni family like this, leaving her alone here?
Mitsuba opened her eyes wide, staring blankly at the calmly composed Yoriichi before her. She opened her mouth as if wanting to say something, but ultimately couldn't utter a single word.
After a long time, she finally squeezed out a question from her throat with that somewhat hoarse voice.
"Then what does Brother Yoriichi think of this?"
"I feel happy for older brother's decision."
Yoriichi's expression remained as calm as ever. Under Mitsuba's disbelieving gaze, he continued:
"The Demon Slayer Corps is a special organization. To join the Demon Slayer Corps, one must abandon all past identities and status.
And demons are a chronic evil of this world that must be eradicated.
For this purpose, older brother is willing to abandon his samurai identity and glory, to walk with me on this arduous path of demon slaying—I feel deeply honored for this."
"Ha, is that so..."
Listening to Yoriichi's sincere words, looking at the slight joy and relief revealed on his face, Mitsuba suddenly laughed.
"So this is what Brother Yoriichi thinks..."
Then what about me?
At this moment, she desperately wanted to ask this question to the person before her.
You've all left, you all have goals you wish to pursue—do you just leave me here alone?
You just leave me... alone in this empty castle tower?!
However, until the end, she still didn't say a single word.
[Mitsuba, you are a daughter of the Tsugikuni family.]
Because she was a daughter of the Tsugikuni family—this was what Mother said to her before she left.
Because she had enjoyed the wealth and glory of the Tsugikuni family since birth, it was natural that she should devote herself to the Tsugikuni family.
All of this had long been destined.
Yes, long destined...
"Mitsuba, older brother's wife and child, I'm entrusting them to you."
Thus, in Mitsuba's silent stillness, Yoriichi finally spoke this last entrustment, then slowly rose, preparing to leave.
And until he completely departed, Mitsuba didn't stop him or ask him to stay.
"..."
Time never pauses for anyone's prayers.
It always moves forward relentlessly, never looking back.
With the "sudden death" of family head Tsugikuni Michikatsu, the only heir to the Tsugikuni family was left to be Michikatsu's son, not yet two years old.
Since this child was far too young to bear the responsibilities of family head,
Thus, after joint deliberation among the retainers, the eighteen-year-old yet unmarried Tsugikuni Mitsuba was pushed to the forefront, temporarily taking the position of family head of the Tsugikuni family in his place.
When Michikatsu's son came of age, she would return the position of family head to him.
For Mitsuba, becoming family head was not a particularly special matter.
When Michikatsu was still here, she would often handle some city affairs in his place when he led troops on expedition.
Now, it simply became more legitimate and proper.