Chapter 25 – Tanjiro
Not a single word was spoken.
Hikaru held the teacup in his hands and took a slow sip, the warmth of the drink gently seeping into his fingers. He could already imagine what must be running through the mind of Giyu Tomioka.
But he wasn't worried about being doubted.
Because everything he had said—was the truth.
For anyone sharp enough, the clues had always been there. Scattered like forgotten whispers through time.
Including the one who led the Demon Slayer Corps—Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
If anyone understood the bigger picture, it was him.
And just as expected…
A few moments later, Giyu exhaled slowly.
He glanced toward Mrs. Kamado, then looked over at the children playing quietly not far from them.
"I believe you," he said at last, his voice low but steady. "If they really are descended from the successor of the First Breathing Swordsman… then it makes sense Muzan would try to erase them. That… fits him."
Hikaru responded with a faint smile.
There was no point in denying it. Facts didn't care whether they were convenient or not.
Knowing Muzan's almost pathological obsession with control, an attack like this—on the Kamado family—was exactly the kind of move he'd make.
Silence fell once more.
The only sound came from the flickering flame of the candle in the corner, its small crackles filling the quiet room with a soft warmth.
Outside the window, the blizzard had begun to calm. The wind still howled faintly, brushing against the bamboo wind chime near the entrance. Its gentle chime rang clear through the cold air.
Mrs. Kamado's face still showed disbelief.
But in her mind, memories of her late husband—strange things she had witnessed but never understood—began to rise.
Maybe… all of this really was true.
Giyu looked up and said quietly, "If that's the case… Muzan won't stop here."
"Right," Hikaru nodded.
Even if Muzan had retreated this time, it didn't mean the Kamado family was no longer a target.
If anything, his next move would be calculated—and far more dangerous.
"If they truly are descendants of the First Breathing Swordsman's heir… then I think we should ask Oyakata-sama for permission to bring them to Demon Slayer Corps headquarters."
Hikaru gently traced the rim of his cup.
"That's the only place we can call… truly safe."
"Of course," he added softly, "it still depends on their choice."
Even if the reason was their protection, forcing someone to choose had never been an option.
And Hikaru knew that better than anyone.
Giyu gave a slow nod and turned to Mrs. Kamado with a serious look.
"You've heard everything."
His voice was deep, calm, and respectful.
"Whether you stay here… or choose to trust us and come somewhere safer—"
Mrs. Kamado hesitated.
To be honest, she didn't want to leave. Her family had lived here for generations. Her roots were deep in this land.
But—
The memory of that terrifying creature… and the faces of her children… shook her heart.
She was about to speak when—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
A voice called from outside, cheerful and clear.
"Mom, I'm home!"
Mrs. Kamado's eyes widened.
"Tanjiro!" she exclaimed.
"Nii-chan's back!" one of the younger boys shouted excitedly.
Footsteps rushed toward the door. A little girl—slightly older than her siblings—ran out, her black hair flowing behind her, wooden sandals clacking loudly against the wooden floor.
She opened the door without hesitation.
A blast of cold air rushed into the house, making her small body shiver—but her face still lit up with joy.
"Welcome home, Tanjiro-nii-chan!"
"Nezuko! I'm back!"
At the door stood a boy with reddish hair, not particularly tall, dressed in a blue-checkered haori.
His expression was warm and kind. Sun-patterned earrings dangled from his ears, and a red scar marked his forehead—like a burn, shaped almost like flame.
On his back was a bamboo basket filled with chunks of charcoal.
The charcoal seller—Kamado Tanjiro.
"Oh, we have guests?" Tanjiro asked, stepping inside and noticing the two unfamiliar figures sitting in the house.
"Thank you for your hard work, Tanjiro," Mrs. Kamado said, rising to greet him.
"Everyone in town was really nice as usual. There were a lot of orders, so I came back a little late. Sorry for making you wait." Tanjiro lowered his basket and smiled.
But then—he suddenly froze.
His nose twitched.
"Water… and… emptiness…"
Both Giyu and Hikaru blinked in surprise.
Tanjiro seemed to realize what he'd said and quickly bowed politely.
"Nice to meet you."
Calm. Respectful.
Giyu and Hikaru exchanged glances.
In their eyes—surprise.
To an ordinary person, Tanjiro's words might have sounded strange.
But not to them.
He had instinctively picked up the scent of Water Breathing… and Void Breathing.
His sense of smell was remarkable.
Both men came to the same conclusion.
"Hello, Tanjiro," Hikaru greeted him gently.
"Hey," Giyu added, his tone as stoic as ever.
"Nii-chan! Nii-chan!" Nezuko whispered, tugging on Tanjiro's sleeve. "They saved us!"
Unlike her younger siblings, Nezuko was old enough to understand what had happened.
She told him everything.
Tanjiro's eyes widened in disbelief.
It sounded impossible.
But he knew—Nezuko would never lie to him.
He took a deep breath.
Neither Hikaru nor Giyu said a word.
Tanjiro was the eldest son of the Kamado family. Ever since their father passed, that role had fallen to him.
Giyu understood that deeply.
And Hikaru… found himself thinking more than anything.
He studied Tanjiro—the boy with red hair and a kind smile.
The "main character" of a certain "anime."
And now… his destiny had shifted.
Where would his path lead from here?
"Demons that attack humans… The Demon Slayer Corps… Descendants of the First Breathing Swordsman…"
Tanjiro's thoughts churned quietly.
Hikaru looked back out the window.
The snow had started falling again, gently covering all traces.
He said nothing.
He waited.
Waited for the answer that would come from the boy named Kamado Tanjiro.
"…Tanjiro," Mrs. Kamado said softly.
"Mom," Tanjiro replied firmly. "Let's leave this place."
"We'll move… to somewhere safe."
Mrs. Kamado froze.
She still wasn't sure. But when she looked toward the children playing in the back room…
She finally nodded.
For their safety… she had to let go of sentimental ties.
"Hikaru-san, Tomioka-san."
Tanjiro's voice was steady as he turned to face them.
Giyu remained quiet, calm as ever.
Hikaru pulled his gaze away from the window and looked at him.
"What is it?" he asked.
"I believe what you said. You saved my family. I promise I'll repay that someday."
Words that might have sounded childish coming from another boy.
But not to Hikaru.
And not to Giyu.
"I just helped," Giyu muttered, voice flat. "Don't mistake me for a savior."
"No. You're part of the Demon Slayer Corps," Hikaru said, turning his gaze back to Tanjiro, hopeful.
He wanted to hear it. The real answer—from the boy whose fate had now changed.
"I want to learn…" Tanjiro said.
"…more about demons. And the Demon Slayer Corps."
His gentle face now held quiet determination.
"Good," Hikaru replied.
"That's something you deserve to know."
Because—
Once Kibutsuji Muzan had set his sights on you—
There was no turning back.
That creature… would never stop.
And if all of this could no longer be avoided…
Then it was better to face it head-on.
Than to live… in fear and ignorance.
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