Chapter 27 – Reunion with Shinobu Kocho
"Pardon the intrusion."
Shinobu Kocho bowed politely to Mrs. Kamado before stepping inside.
Behind her, Kanao Tsuyuri followed without a word, her soft smile unchanged. The girl stood so still, so graceful, it was almost like a porcelain doll had come to life.
The Insect Hashira then turned to look at the two men waiting inside—Hikaru and Giyu Tomioka.
"Hello, Tomioka-san. And…"
Shinobu's gentle smile curved, a familiar expression to those who knew her well.
"It's been a while, Hikaru-san."
As always, her smile looked bright and composed—yet beneath it was the subtle, emotional distance she carried with her. A distance only those truly close could recognize.
"It has been a while indeed, Shinobu-san," Hikaru replied, returning her smile.
"You seem… stronger than the last time we met."
Shinobu stepped closer, her soft violet-blue eyes watching him. There was warmth in her gaze—but sharpness, too.
The last time they met, Hikaru had only just reached Hashira-level strength—still considered a rookie back then.
But now…
The aura surrounding him had grown immensely. The gap between him and the senior Hashira had nearly vanished.
A growth that was not just impressive—but genuinely remarkable.
Hikaru caught her gaze and chuckled lightly. "Are you on a mission, Shinobu-san?"
"I received word from Tomioka-san," Shinobu said as she took a seat beside him. Her lips were tinted the soft red of plum blossoms. "I happened to be nearby, so I came straight away."
She glanced around at the Kamado household, then smiled gently again.
"And… I'm already aware of the situation."
Tanjiro sat quietly in the corner of the room, clearly nervous. Mrs. Kamado looked tense as well.
What they'd gone through today had shaken their world.
And yet… they had no real choice but to face it.
"Given the severity of this case, I've already reported it to Oyakata-sama," Shinobu continued. "He has acknowledged it, and I've sent orders for the nearest Kakushi to assist."
(The Kakushi were the support staff of the Demon Slayer Corps—logistics, medics, and attendants stationed at the Butterfly Mansion.)
"They'll arrive tomorrow morning," she added with a slight pause.
"So, it seems… we'll have to stay here for the night. I hope that's not a problem?"
She turned to Mrs. Kamado with a warm smile.
"Not at all, not at all!" Mrs. Kamado said quickly, shaking her head. "We're honestly grateful to have you all here…"
And it was true.
With swordsmen of this caliber guarding them, the Kamado family could finally feel safe—at least for one night.
"I'm relieved to hear that," Shinobu said, tilting her head slightly, eyes soft. "Moments like this… don't happen often, do they?"
"I don't mind," Hikaru replied calmly.
As a wanderer, he was used to sleeping wherever the road allowed.
"I still have another mission to tend to, so I'll be heading out," Giyu said.
He drained the last of his tea, stood up, and looked at Tanjiro.
"Later, head east. You'll find Mount Sagiri. Look for a man named Sakonji Urokodaki."
"Ah—yes, sir!"
Tanjiro jumped up and bowed deeply, his voice brimming with energy.
Giyu then turned to Shinobu, Hikaru, and Kanao.
"With the three of you here, this place is secure."
Two Hashira alone were more than enough to guard a single family.
But then—
"And that's exactly why people tend to avoid you, Tomioka-san," Shinobu said, smiling sweetly.
"Avoid me?"
Giyu blinked, genuinely confused.
"But everyone seems fine…"
Utterly unaware of his own social awkwardness—this was Giyu Tomioka in his purest form.
He turned to glance out the window. The storm still loomed over the mountains.
"I'm off."
With that, he walked out the door, sliding it shut quietly behind him.
Shinobu said nothing more.
Meanwhile, Hikaru calmly sipped his tea, completely unfazed—as if he were on a peaceful vacation.
Inside the house, the candlelight danced gently, its flame swaying with the rhythm of the night.
After a simple dinner, Hikaru looked out the window. The sky had darkened. Heavy clouds still hung above, swallowing the last traces of twilight.
Night had arrived.
The wind howled like a beast outside, roaring through the darkness with no end.
"You all go inside and get some rest," Hikaru said, turning to the Kamado family. "The children will have a hard time staying up late."
Mrs. Kamado nodded silently and carried her youngest child into the other room. She said nothing—but the gratitude in her eyes was clear.
Moments later, she returned, handing out extra blankets for those who would stand guard.
Then she disappeared back into the room.
And at last… silence fell.
Only the groaning of the wind and the creak of the window shutters remained—echoing through this frozen, sleeping world.
"It's so quiet…" Shinobu whispered, breaking the stillness.
"It is," Hikaru agreed softly.
He glanced over at Kanao, who had fallen asleep against the wall.
She looked young. Barely twelve, perhaps. And like most children… she had already drifted into slumber without a sound.
"She's still a child, after all," Shinobu said with a faint smile.
She gently tucked the blanket over Kanao's small form.
The girl's face looked more peaceful now—not like a lifeless doll, but like a real human being.
"I think… this is the first time we've had a moment like this, just the two of us," Shinobu said, turning to Hikaru with a slight tilt of her head.
"It's a shame, though… I never got to try your cooking again."
"There'll be time for that," Hikaru replied with a quiet smile.
He picked up the kettle and began brewing fresh tea. The scent of steeping leaves began to fill the room.
He poured a cup and handed it to Shinobu.
She accepted it gracefully.
Bathed in candlelight, her features looked impossibly soft. Her smile gentle, her aura refined—there was a kind of elegance about her that couldn't be put into words.
"Let's just call this part of your cooking skill too," she said lightly.
Hikaru chuckled and poured a cup for himself.
"Mmm… this is really good," Shinobu said after a sip.
And this time—her smile…
Was different.
Outdoors, the world was buried in mist, snow, and wind.
There were no stars. No moon.
Only the ragged howl of wind and a distant, mournful echo.
But here, inside this little house, the flicker of candlelight gave warmth to the cold.
And within that quiet… her heart felt calm.
Still.
But real.
Whenever she was with Hikaru—even from the beginning—Shinobu felt something.
Maybe it was peace, comfort… or something she couldn't quite name.
Not too close, but not distant either. Not painful, but never empty.
Someone who understood boundaries—but also made her feel seen.
And that made her feel—
Real.
She looked at the boy sitting beside her.
Hikaru brewed tea with quiet care. His movements were simple, deliberate, natural.
His face—reflected in the soft candle glow—looked gentle, serious, and quietly beautiful.
Shinobu looked at him.
And smiled.
This time, not the kind of smile she used to hide the pain.
But a smile that was hers alone.
A smile that was sincere.
And real.
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