Chapter 52 – Nezuko's Request
After receiving the medical journal, Shinobu's face lit up with a soft, glowing smile.
She tilted her head slightly and hugged the book to her chest as if it were a precious treasure.
"Well then, I'll be taking my leave. Make sure you get plenty of rest. Your journey begins tomorrow."
Her gentle voice floated into the quiet night air.
"I still have some duties to attend to, so I won't be able to see you off," she added with a smile.
She turned, her footsteps light and graceful like the wings of a butterfly. Her lavender haori, tinged with pink at the ends, fluttered softly beneath the moonlight.
But just before she disappeared into the shadows, she paused.
"Oh, right…"
Shinobu glanced back at him, her eyes calm yet gleaming with something unspoken.
"I've sent Kanao on a mission. Once she's finished, she'll head straight to Mount Sagiri to join you."
Her clear voice drifted on the wind and faded gently into the night.
"Don't forget your promise… okay?"
And with that, she turned once more and walked away—vanishing into the silence of the evening, her presence melting into the stillness like morning dew.
Hikaru watched her retreating figure until it disappeared beyond the gate. His fingers slowly brushed the edge of his sword's guard.
From within the sheath, a sliver of invisible blade aura peeked out, scattering faint ripples in the air beneath the moon's silver gaze.
"Don't worry… I'll keep my word."
He whispered to the night, his tone soft and resolute.
When he finally turned back inside, the warmth of her presence lingered for a moment, then faded.
— — —
Inside the softly lit room, Hikaru lit a lantern and began packing. His preparations were minimal—he traveled light.
By morning, he would depart the Butterfly Mansion and head toward Mount Sagiri.
It wouldn't be Tanjiro who came to meet him.
He would be the one to go.
That was his decision from the beginning.
It was also he who proposed Mount Sagiri as the meeting place.
To Ubuyashiki Kagaya, the reasoning had sounded strategic… but of course, Hikaru had his own motives.
He was not someone without personal ambition.
While he was willing to help others—as long as it didn't place him in jeopardy—he still had his own path, his own goals.
He never pretended otherwise.
At present, of the seven sword techniques he had created, only the first was fully formed—serving as a proper foundation.
The rest, while impressive in appearance, were still incomplete—mere frameworks lacking a spiritual core.
In a real battle, that wouldn't be enough.
To face the true monsters of this world, he needed more than theory.
He needed experience—and inspiration from something deeper.
That was why he set his sights on the Breathing Technique inherited by the Kamado family—a form said to be a derivative of Sun Breathing, the technique passed down by none other than Yoriichi Tsugikuni himself.
It wasn't just something he wanted to learn.
It was something he had to witness with his own eyes.
— — —
The next morning.
As the sun rose, bathing the garden in soft gold, Hikaru slipped on his black haori and fastened his Nichirin Blade at his hip.
His packing was already done.
He gazed out the open doorway, watching the sunlight shimmer across the garden filled with blooming wisteria. The gentle breeze stirred their petals into soft motion.
With steady steps, he stepped outside.
His eyes locked onto the distant mountains along the horizon.
But just as he began to walk—
He stopped.
"…Come out."
His voice was calm, almost quiet.
He turned slightly, glancing toward the shadows beside the outer wall—where trees cast long lines of shade against the fence.
A moment later, a young girl emerged hesitantly from behind the tree.
"Hikaru-san…"
She wore a pale pink kimono and a dark brown haori that hung a little too loosely on her small frame. Her crimson eyes shimmered like polished gemstones, filled with nervous resolve.
Her long black hair flowed down her back, fading to a soft red at the tips.
"Kamado Nezuko?"
Hikaru narrowed his eyes, his voice neutral.
"What is it?"
"I heard… you're going to find Onii-chan."
She looked down for a moment, then raised her head again, her eyes unwavering.
"I… want to go with you."
"…You want to come?"
Hikaru paused, silently gauging her expression.
Where had she heard about his journey?
It was likely from Shinobu.
After all, the only one who might've shared those details with her was the Insect Hashira herself.
Even if the meeting with the Hashira wasn't classified, information rarely traveled that fast overnight.
So—why?
Why would Shinobu encourage Nezuko to approach him?
Whatever the reason, Hikaru didn't hesitate to respond.
"This journey isn't a leisurely trip. It's dangerous. I have important tasks to complete—and I can't afford distractions."
He shook his head slowly.
"So no. I can't take you with me."
"But I can help!"
Nezuko cut in sharply, her tone firm and passionate.
"I want to help Onii-chan… in any way I can!"
Though her voice was youthful and soft, her eyes burned with determination.
The same unwavering fire he once saw in Tanjiro.
"…As expected of a Kamado sibling."
Hikaru narrowed his eyes slightly.
Then asked, voice lower this time—
"Tell me the truth. Why did you really come here?"
"If you don't give me a real answer… I won't take you."
He locked eyes with her.
And without hesitation—he activated Mirror Flower, Water Moon.
He knew it was harsh. Using illusion techniques on a girl like her wasn't something he did lightly.
But his instincts screamed at him—something was off.
And sure enough—
Nezuko's pupils went unfocused for a moment, her lips parting slightly as she murmured—
"...Actually, I… Shinobu-san…"
But before she could finish, she bit down hard on her lower lip, her brows furrowing in resolve.
"No! I'm doing this… because I want to help my brother!"
In a heartbeat, the fog in her eyes vanished.
Her gaze snapped back into focus—unshaken and firm.
"…She broke free?"
Hikaru's eyes widened slightly.
This was the first time someone outside the elite ranks had shaken off the illusion of Mirror Flower, Water Moon.
It wasn't normal.
Was it the Kamado bloodline?
Or something deeper?
One thing was clear:
Had he not intervened that night, Muzan would've killed both siblings—or worse, turned Nezuko into one of his own.
And yet—she resisted.
She refused to devour humans. She clung to her memories. And now… she could even withstand sunlight.
That wasn't normal.
"…A special being, huh?"
Hikaru narrowed his eyes, then turned away.
"Fine. You can come."
"As long as you can keep up."
"Don't expect me to slow down just because you're a girl."
His haori swayed in the breeze as he walked ahead, steady and sure.
Nezuko stood still for a moment—then quickly followed, her footsteps light but resolute.
He hadn't accepted her out of pity.
Not because he felt sorry for her.
It was curiosity.
There was something about her he couldn't ignore.
What made this girl different?
What was the meaning of her existence?
One thing was certain—Nezuko wasn't the heir to Sun Breathing.
And yet… she possessed something no demon in a thousand years had ever achieved.
—Immunity to sunlight.
Nezuko followed quietly behind him.
Beneath her collar, tucked close to her skin, a small violet-blue butterfly rested like an ornament.
"…Too bad I can't go with you right now. But…"
From the roof of the Butterfly Mansion, Shinobu stood silently, catching a twin butterfly in her palm.
She watched the two figures fade into the distance, and a faint smile touched her lips.
"Nezuko is a good girl. I'm sure… she can help protect you, in her own way."
"Hikaru-san…"
"Please… don't make me worry again."
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