Kochō Shinobu's life had once been quite affluent.
Because her parents worked in the pharmaceutical field, Kochō Shinobu had enjoyed many good foods during her childhood.
Although their home was later attacked by demons and she and Kochō Kanae went through a difficult period of hardship...
...after Kochō Kanae became the Flower Hashira and took charge of the Butterfly Mansion as a high ranking member of the Demon Slayer Corps, the living conditions of the two sisters once again became comfortable.
With the salary provided by Ubuyashiki Kagaya, the two sisters had visited many famous restaurants during their spare time between demon slaying missions, tasting all kinds of delicacies.
However...
"It smells so good."
Looking at the Sorrowful Soul Rice placed in front of her, Kochō Shinobu could not help but sigh in admiration.
It was clearly just very ordinary fried rice with a fried egg, so why did it smell so incredibly fragrant?
Compared to this bowl of Sorrowful Soul Rice, the delicacies she had eaten before seemed no different from pig feed.
Sorrowful Soul Rice...
Recalling the name Cain had just introduced, Kochō Shinobu fell into thought.
"What are you thinking about?"
Just as Kochō Shinobu was pondering the meaning of the name Sorrowful Soul Rice, Cain's voice sounded nearby.
Seeing her staring blankly at the rice from the beginning, he waved his hand twice in front of her face.
"You haven't been so shocked by my cooking skills that you've lost confidence in your own cooking, have you?"
"To be honest, a little."
This time Kochō Shinobu did not try to put up a brave front. Instead, a curious expression appeared on her face.
"How did you do that just now?"
"Nothing special. Just practice."
"If you don't want to say, then forget it."
Kochō Shinobu did not believe a single word of Cain's explanation.
What kind of normal person chops vegetables in such a wild and chaotic way?
And that golden light that appeared when the dish was finished was obviously not something normal either.
She glanced around Cain again but did not find any flashlight or strange tool that could produce that light. Eventually she lowered her head and looked back at the Sorrowful Soul Rice in front of her.
"Let's eat."
Abandoning those unnecessary thoughts, Kochō Shinobu, who had not eaten for an entire day, picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of fried egg into her mouth.
In the next moment, an indescribable delicious flavor exploded across her taste buds. It was as if wave after wave of flavor washed over her senses, brilliant and captivating.
In a daze, Kochō Shinobu saw the figures of her deceased parents appear before her.
It was an evening illuminated by the setting sun. The Kochō couple had returned home early from work and spent the entire afternoon preparing a large feast for their two daughters.
Although the taste of that feast had not been completely to Kochō Shinobu's liking, she had still been extremely happy.
Because it was the first time in an entire month that their family of four had been able to gather together for a long awaited meal.
"Father... Mother..."
Immersed in this warm memory, Kochō Shinobu's consciousness gradually drifted away.
Thud!
Kanao Tsuyuri: "?!"
Looking at Kochō Shinobu beside her, who had suddenly started crying while eating before tilting her head and collapsing onto the dining table while murmuring "Father, Mother" under her breath...
Kanao Tsuyuri, who had been drawn in by the fragrance and was about to start eating as well, froze in place.
Her gaze shifted back and forth between the Sorrowful Soul Rice in front of her and Kochō Shinobu beside her. The young girl's tightly closed heart received a huge shock.
This rice... it couldn't possibly have been drugged, could it?
"She's just too tired. After relaxing, she simply fell asleep."
Just as Kanao Tsuyuri was feeling confused, a shadow fell over her.
Cain, who had been standing not far away, appeared silently beside her with a faint smile on his face.
"Eat quickly. It won't taste as good once it gets cold."
"..."
It should be... safe, right?
After silently staring at Cain for a moment, Kanao slowly picked up a piece of char siu from the bowl.
...
Time passed, and before long night had fallen.
When Kochō Kanae returned to the Butterfly Mansion after finishing her busy day, she was surprised to see a small follower trailing behind Cain.
"Cain, you two are..."
"Post Food Therapy exercise."
"Food Therapy?"
"Yeah. Didn't you say before that Kanao has emotional deficiencies?"
"Since I didn't have anything else to do, I tried making some food for Kanao."
Cain, who was leading Kanao in a jog around the courtyard, stopped and briefly explained what had happened earlier.
"I see."
Kochō Kanae suddenly understood after hearing the explanation.
Shifting her gaze away from Cain, she looked toward Kanao Tsuyuri who was quietly standing nearby.
Although her expression was still blank as usual, Kochō Kanae could clearly tell that Kanao's gaze had remained fixed on Cain.
"It seems your Food Therapy worked quite well."
"Of course. My cooking skills are number one in the world. Everyone who eats my food says it's delicious."
"I'm starting to get curious now that you say that."
Kochō Kanae blinked her eyes lightly.
"Chef Cain, may I experience the skills of the 'world's number one chef' tomorrow?"
"Of course. Just remember to bring your own ingredients and tissues for whatever you want to eat."
"Tissues?"
"Someone ate my cooking today and was so moved that they cried for their father and mother."
"Eh? Really?"
"It's true. If you don't believe me, you can ask Kanao. She was there."
Cain spoke confidently while pointing toward the dazed girl standing beside him.
"Kanao, is that true?"
Kochō Kanae turned her gaze toward her.
"...Yes. It's true."
Under their attention, Kanao Tsuyuri nodded lightly and spoke four rare words.
"Eh? That sounds a little exaggerated."
Kochō Kanae was somewhat surprised.
She understood Kanao's personality very well.
Since even Kanao had confirmed it, there was a very high chance that it was true.
"Now you understand how delicious my food is," Cain's voice sounded again.
"Mhm. I'm starting to look forward to it."
Kochō Kanae nodded.
She could understand food being delicious. But food that was so good it made people cry for their parents was clearly something extraordinary.
"By the way, Cain."
After finishing the topic of Food Therapy, Kochō Kanae finally remembered the main matter.
"The antidote is ready."
"Hm? That fast?"
"It's not difficult to prepare once the materials are available."
Kochō Kanae nodded.
During the Hashira Meeting earlier that morning, Cain had shared a great deal of information about Muzan and the Upper Rank Demons.
According to Cain, the Blood Demon Arts of Upper Rank Five and Upper Rank Six both contained highly potent toxins.
If someone was struck by their attacks, it could become fatal if the poison was not neutralized in time.
After hearing this information, Ubuyashiki Kagaya immediately assigned Kochō Kanae the task of preparing antidotes.
Kochō Kanae had not disappointed his trust. She began the preparations as soon as she returned.
By referencing the poison type Blood Demon Arts she had encountered before, she produced a total of seventeen different antidotes.
However...
"Based on historical records, the Upper Rank Demons are on a completely different level compared to ordinary demons."
"Without testing them directly, I cannot guarantee that these antidotes will work against the toxins of the Upper Ranks."
"It's fine. These are enough."
Cain did not seem very concerned.
Because they had never encountered an Upper Rank Demon before, Kochō Kanae and the others were being extremely cautious.
But in Cain's view, the only true threats among the Upper Ranks were Upper Rank One and Upper Rank Two.
As for Upper Rank Five and Upper Rank Six at the bottom of the hierarchy, they would not be difficult to deal with once their abilities were understood.
"Instead of antidotes, I would actually prefer that you research a truth serum that works on demons. Ideally one that would work on Muzan."
"A truth serum that works on Muzan?"
Kochō Kanae showed a troubled expression.
From Cain's explanation earlier, she had fully understood just how terrifying Muzan's resistance to drugs truly was.
If they wanted a truth serum to affect Muzan, they would have to use extremely potent ingredients.
"My research on demons is still too limited. That might be a bit difficult."
"What if I said... I could capture Muzan alive and bring him to you for research?"
"Eh?"
Kochō Kanae was stunned for a moment.
Looking at the black haired young man asking this question with complete seriousness, she hesitated before giving her answer.
"If I could study Muzan directly, I am confident I could complete it within one month."
"I understand."
Cain nodded thoughtfully.
Since Kochō Kanae had said this much, he could afford to act a little more boldly in his next plans.
...
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