Demon Slayers: Swordsman
Chapter 19
Shinobu and Kanae stood at the kitchen entrance, silently watching Ren as he cooked. The rhythmic sounds of chopping and sizzling filled the air, along with a rich, appetizing aroma.
Ren glanced at them over his shoulder and smiled. "Wanna join me?"
Shinobu narrowed her eyes slightly, her tone calm but sharp. "You're cooking again… for her?"
Kanae also looked at him, her expression softer but carrying a hint of displeasure.
Ren shrugged lightly, not denying it. "Well, I'll be honest. One of the main reasons I even joined the Demon Slayer Corps was for her."
Both sisters blinked in surprise at his blunt answer. Kanae stepped forward slightly. "But… you've never even met her before."
Ren nodded without hesitation. "Yep. And I hadn't met you two either before saving you from Doma."
Kanae stared at him for a moment before sighing softly. "You are a mystery, Ren."
Ren met her gaze, a faint grin forming on his lips. "You'll be seeing many things that will break your understanding of the world."
Shinobu crossed her arms. "Like what?"
Ren paused for a second before speaking, his tone turning almost distant. "Can you believe me if I told you… there are people who can cause tsunamis and earthquakes with a wave of their hand?"
Kanae and Shinobu fell silent, listening intently as he continued.
"There are those who can split the sky itself… just by clashing their will," Ren added, his eyes reflecting something far beyond their world.
He turned back to the stove casually. "And a sea where beasts are so large… they can swallow entire islands in one bite."
Shinobu frowned slightly. "You don't think we're idiots, do you?"
Ren looked at her seriously this time. "Once Muzan is defeated… I'll show you all of that."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The air felt heavier, filled with questions they couldn't yet understand.
Then Shinobu suddenly snapped out of it. "Wait… weren't we talking about you making food for Mitsuri? How did it turn into this strange world?"
Ren immediately looked away and whistled innocently. "Hmm? What are you talking about?"
Both Kanae and Shinobu pounced on him at the same time.
"You bastard, you were changing the topic!"
"Alright, alright, calm down!" Ren laughed, raising his hands in surrender.
After a brief moment of chaos, the three of them returned to cooking together. Shinobu and Kanae began helping, though they occasionally threw teasing remarks at Ren, who responded just as easily.
Their laughter and light bickering filled the kitchen, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.
Mitsuri walked in quietly and stopped at the doorway, watching them. The sight of the three together—talking, teasing, and smiling—made something stir inside her.
She stood there for a while, unnoticed, before quietly turning away.
Outside, she sat near the wisteria trees, their gentle fragrance surrounding her. She stared ahead, lost in her thoughts.
Why am I feeling like this…? They were just cooking together…
Just then, someone sat beside her.
"What were you thinking about?" Kanae asked gently.
Mitsuri flinched slightly. "I-I…" she hesitated, her face turning red as she struggled to find words.
Kanae smiled softly, not pressing her. "Let me tell you something."
Mitsuri looked at her, curious.
"I once encountered Upper Moon Two," Kanae began, her tone calm but serious. "There are twelve demons who serve the Demon King directly. The lower six have been killed by Hashira over time… but the upper six…"
She paused briefly. "In decades, none of them had been killed. They've taken the lives of countless Hashira."
Mitsuri listened carefully, her expression turning serious.
"Among them, Doma was the second strongest," Kanae continued. "I fought him with everything I had… but he was only playing around."
Her eyes softened slightly. "At that moment, I had already accepted my death."
Mitsuri's breath hitched slightly. "Then… what happened?"
Kanae smiled faintly. "Then he arrived."
"He grabbed me and pulled me back… and the first thing he did was hit my head," she said, her smile turning wry. "Complaining that I didn't notice the ice particles in the air that could have destroyed my lungs."
Mitsuri blinked, surprised, her eyes beginning to shine.
"We started bickering right there… completely forgetting about Doma," Kanae added, almost amused. "Even Doma looked confused."
Then her expression turned serious again. "After that… he drew his sword and walked toward him."
She paused for a moment before finishing quietly.
"The fight… no, it wasn't even a fight. It was a massacre. It ended in just a few swings of his blade."
Mitsuri leaned forward slightly, her eyes wide. "Really?"