Asassin just became a member of 🥇 Shibai – The Divine Reader!
Thank you so much for the support on Patreon. Your belief in this journey truly means everything. Because of you, this story can continue to grow stronger and reach even greater heights.
I'm deeply grateful for your trust and generosity. Let's keep moving forward together!
____________________
"Mitsuba."
One night, another half year later, as Mitsuba sat in her room drinking medicine, her eyes inadvertently noticed a red figure climbing in through the window.
It was Yoriichi.
"Brother Yoriichi, don't you have a habit of using the front door?"
Looking at the figure before her that was almost unchanged from her memories, Mitsuba set down her medicine bowl, her tone sounding rather resigned.
Honestly, compared to sneaking in through someone else's window, the fact that Yoriichi had actually returned surprised her more.
Mitsuba had assumed that after his last visit to inform her about Michikatsu's faked death and joining the Demon Slayer Corps, Yoriichi would not return again.
Just as he had not for the past twelve years.
"Sorry Mitsuba, but if others saw me, it would be troublesome."
Sitting down on the tatami, Yoriichi's tone carried a hint of apology.
Clearly, this time too he had returned secretly without anyone in the castle knowing.
After all, as the second son of the Tsugikuni family, if the vassals discovered that Yoriichi, who had been missing for over a decade, was not only alive but had returned, they would undoubtedly waste no time in elevating him to the position of family head.
But that was not the outcome Yoriichi wished to see—he had never wanted to become the head of the Tsugikuni family.
All he wanted now was to remain in the Demon Slayer Corps until the day he slew the Demon King and ended all demons in this world.
"So, Brother Yoriichi, is there something you wanted to tell me on this visit?"
Mitsuba asked proactively.
"No, nothing particularly important..."
Hearing her question, Yoriichi instinctively averted his gaze. He hesitated for a moment before finally opening his mouth to reply:
"I just happened to be passing through this area after completing a mission, so I thought I'd stop by to see you, Mitsuba."
"I see..."
Mitsuba was momentarily stunned, then lowered her head and smiled.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
This polite exchange clearly displayed the long-estranged relationship between the two siblings.
Facing the sudden silence in the room, Yoriichi didn't even know what to say for a moment.
He had already caught the faint scent of medicine permeating the room.
For some reason, when he saw his younger sister sitting alone drinking medicine earlier, an inexplicable anxiety suddenly rose from the depths of Yoriichi's heart.
This anxiety was like a small snake that had suddenly coiled itself at the bottom of his heart—though it continuously gnawed at his soul, he himself didn't know where it came from.
"Mitsuba, are you ill?"
Finally, driven by this anxiety, Yoriichi actively asked the question.
For some reason, the moment this question left his mouth, Yoriichi actually felt the mysterious anxiety in his heart ease slightly?
"Just a minor illness."
In response to Yoriichi's question, Mitsuba's tone remained normal as she immediately turned the question back:
"Brother Yoriichi, how is Brother Michikatsu doing in the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"Mm, my brother is doing well."
Not realizing that his sister was deliberately changing the subject, once Michikatsu was mentioned, Yoriichi quickly opened up.
"A few months ago, my brother not only successfully awakened his Demon Slayer Mark, but also independently developed his own Moon Breathing without my help.
Even within the entire Demon Slayer Corps, this is a unique talent—my brother truly is amazing..."
"Demon Slayer Mark? Moon Breathing?"
"This on my forehead."
Pointing to the flame-shaped mark on his left forehead, Yoriichi patiently explained:
"I used to always think this was just an ordinary birthmark.
It wasn't until I joined the Demon Slayer Corps and taught the breathing techniques to my comrades there, seeing similar marks appear on their faces, that I realized it wasn't merely a birthmark.
Rather, it is a blessing that can greatly enhance our basic physical abilities, allowing skilled demon hunters to advance even further.
Of course, we still don't fully understand the Demon Slayer Mark.
As for breathing techniques, these are special techniques that can strengthen heart and lung function, allowing the blood in our bodies to absorb large amounts of oxygen in a short time, accelerating blood circulation and heart rate, thereby temporarily granting the user physical abilities comparable to demons.
Currently in the Demon Slayer Corps, besides the Sun Breathing that I use and my brother's Moon Breathing, there are also five other breathing techniques: Flame, Stone, Wind, Water, and Thunder, among which... Sorry Mitsuba, I seem to have talked too much."
Suddenly realizing that he had been talking non-stop since earlier, Yoriichi immediately stopped, his face full of apology.
"It's fine."
To this, Mitsuba, who had been listening quietly the entire time, simply smiled and shook her head, then said as if sighing:
"Rather, from Brother Yoriichi's words, I can sense that you seem to truly love that place called the Demon Slayer Corps..."
From childhood until now, this was the first time she had seen her usually taciturn brother speak so many words at once.
"Mm."
To this, Yoriichi nodded without hesitation in acknowledgment, the corners of his mouth still carrying a faint smile.
"Everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps, though they have different personalities, are trusted comrades who share the same aspirations.
And our Master, Mitsuba, you don't know, our Master..."
Suddenly realizing he was about to veer off topic again, Yoriichi stopped once more, forcibly changing the subject.
"Right, how have my brother's wife and child been lately?"
"Of course they're well, they should be resting in the next room right now. Would Brother Yoriichi like to see them?"
"Better not, it would be troublesome if discovered..."
After Yoriichi finished this sentence, silence fell between the siblings once again.
And this silence once again stirred up the mysterious anxiety in Yoriichi's heart.
So, he asked again.
"What about Mitsuba?"
"Me?"
"I mean, lately, how have you been doing, Mitsuba..."
Yoriichi struggled to organize his words.
Actually, even Yoriichi himself didn't know why he had to repeatedly ask about Mitsuba's condition.
He only vaguely felt as if he must do this, as if as long as he did this, the inexplicable anxiety in his heart would dissipate...
Seemingly not expecting Yoriichi to ask this question, Mitsuba was stunned for a moment, then lowered her head in thought, and finally raised her head, giving him a standard smile.
"Of course I'm doing well too."
Simply hearing Mitsuba's answer, Yoriichi felt the mysterious anxiety coiled in his heart ease considerably once again.
"I see, then I'm relieved..."
As if finally setting down a heavy burden, Yoriichi instinctively breathed a sigh of relief.
In this relaxed state, Yoriichi completely failed to notice the subtle change in his younger sister's expression at that moment...