"Where is he? I want to see him," Cold Cry repeated.
The three girls of the Butterfly Mansion burst into laughter, clearly not taking him seriously at all.
Standing off to the side, Aoi Kanzaki could no longer remain silent.
Although she didn't particularly like this strange boy, she knew what he had gone through—his entire family had been slaughtered. He had sat there for three days without eating or drinking; the pain he carried must have been unbearable.
At a time like this, wanting to see the strongest Hashira was understandable. Laughing at him now was no different from rubbing salt into an open wound.
"That's enough," Aoi said sharply. "We've all lost people to demons. Show some empathy. Stop laughing and eat."
Reprimanded, the three girls quickly sobered up and lowered their heads, returning to their meal.
Aoi set down her chopsticks and turned to Cold Cry.
"They're right about one thing," she said. "Gyomei Himejima isn't someone you can meet just because you want to. Why do you want to see him? Do you want him to help you save your sister?"
"No," Cold Cry replied without hesitation. "I want to become his disciple. My sister… I'll save her myself."
Aoi blinked in surprise.
So he wasn't asking for help—he intended to grow strong enough to do it alone.
Meeting his unwavering gaze, she found herself momentarily at a loss.
"I… see."
"That woman told me my sister was taken by a demon," Cold Cry continued. "She said I couldn't save her alone. This place… is the closest to my sister."
The Demon Slayer Corps was indeed humanity's front line against demons. His logic, though simple, wasn't wrong.
"That woman?" Aoi frowned. "Who told you that?"
Before Cold Cry could answer, one of the girls leaned closer and whispered, "Aoi, it was Miss Shinobu. When he woke up, he kept trying to leave to save his sister. She said that to stop him."
Aoi nodded in understanding.
"I see… That makes sense."
She turned back to Cold Cry. "Even so, Gyomei Himejima is a Hashira. He's not someone you can approach so easily. And… he doesn't take disciples lightly."
She paused, then sighed.
"Fine. Eat something first. After that, I'll take you to see Captain Shinobu. We'll hear what she has to say."
Cold Cry didn't respond. He simply turned away, sitting back on the steps, staring blankly into the distance.
Aoi hesitated, considering bringing him food, but ultimately gave up.
This boy was too stubborn. Right now, nothing mattered to him—not even his own body.
---
After dinner, Aoi led him to the infirmary at the back of the mansion.
Inside, Shinobu Kocho sat at her desk, calmly observing plant samples through a microscope.
"Come in," she said lightly, without looking up.
Only when they entered did she raise her head. Seeing them, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Aoi, Cold Cry—what brings you here? Please, sit."
Aoi was slightly surprised. So his name was Cold Cry…
"I was supposed to change your bandages earlier," Shinobu continued, standing up. "But I got busy and forgot. This works out perfectly."
She pulled a chair closer and began unwrapping his bandages with practiced care.
"Aoi," she added teasingly, "did you bring him here out of concern? I didn't know you were so attentive."
Aoi's face flushed immediately.
"Captain, what are you saying? Who would worry about him?" she snapped. "He's strange and has a terrible temper. He insisted on becoming Gyomei Himejima's disciple, so I brought him to you."
"Himejima?" Shinobu's interest was piqued.
"You know him?" she asked Cold Cry.
"I don't," he replied honestly. "But they said he's the strongest. If I learn from the strongest, I'll become strong too… strong enough to kill that man and bring my sister back."
Shinobu let out a soft laugh.
"You really are an unusual child," she said. "But you're not a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Himejima won't accept you as a disciple. And besides… he already has tsuguko candidates."
Cold Cry's expression didn't change.
"Then I'll join the Corps," he said. "You just need to take me to him."
For a moment, Shinobu didn't know how to respond.
That very morning, at the Ubuyashiki estate, the Master—Kagaya Ubuyashiki—had mentioned the boy. Now, he was insisting on walking straight toward one of the most demanding Hashira.
Fate, perhaps?
Just as she was about to reply—
Smack!
Aoi suddenly struck the back of Cold Cry's head.
Caught off guard, he stumbled forward—straight into Shinobu's arms.
She steadied him with a small laugh, clearly surprised.
"Aoi, why did you hit him?"
Cold Cry quickly pulled away, face burning with embarrassment.
"What's wrong with you?!" he snapped. "Why are you hitting me?!"
"No reason," Aoi shot back, hands on her hips. "I just felt like it."
Then her expression turned fierce.
"You rude brat! Do you even know who you're speaking to? She is Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira! Show some respect! Even Demon Slayers address her properly—and you're just a patient!"
Cold Cry frowned, feeling wronged.
"No one told me who she was! How was I supposed to know? And what's a Hashira anyway?"
"Not knowing isn't an excuse!" Aoi snapped.
Seeing he couldn't win, Cold Cry clicked his tongue.
"You're unreasonable."
"What did you say?" Aoi stepped forward, raising her fist. "Say that again—I dare you!"
Watching the two bicker, Shinobu covered her mouth, her shoulders shaking slightly with laughter.
"My, my," she said lightly. "Since you two dislike each other so much… perhaps you should settle it with a spar?"