As the story reached this point, Chiba Yo already had a guess in his heart: the black shadow was very likely Genya's mother. After all, for someone who had just turned into a demon, the flesh and blood of a close relative were the most alluring.
Sure enough, Genya's next words confirmed his suspicion.
"My mind was blank at the time. Without thinking, I blurted out, questioning my brother why he killed our mother, and loudly calling him a murderer…"
Genya's crossed hands trembled as feelings of self-blame and guilt resurfaced.
"My brother didn't say anything at the time. He stood rooted to the spot for a while, then turned and left.
As the sun rose, mother's corpse turned to ashes, and the bodies of my younger siblings grew cold, no longer responding. It was then that I gradually understood that the black shadow that attacked us was mother.
To protect us siblings, my brother fought the monster to the death at dawn. What kind of feelings must he have had when he pushed the monster out of the house and saw that the black shadow was mother?
What kind of feelings must he have had when he personally killed his own mother, suffered a mental breakdown, and then heard his younger brother, whom he had fought to protect, speak ill of him?
It's all because of my foolish ignorance that my brother had to bear all of this alone… My brother must hate me very much, right? That's why he's unwilling to acknowledge me as his brother. But that's only right, after all…"
"No! That's absolutely not it!" Chiba Yo interrupted Genya, looking at him with a serious expression.
Genya was stunned for a moment when he heard this, raising his head to look at Chiba Yo.
"If what you say about your brother being a very gentle person is true, then he would definitely understand your situation at the time, since you didn't know then that the monster that injured you was your mother. Even if he had complaints about your behavior at the time, he would certainly not refuse to acknowledge you.
There must be another reason why he's unwilling to acknowledge you," Chiba Yo said with great certainty.
Chiba Yo's words made Genya realize it instantly. He had been so immersed in self-blame and guilt that he had taken for granted that his brother was blaming him for what happened back then, and that was why he wouldn't acknowledge him as his brother.
Now, after hearing Chiba Yo's words, he finally understood. His brother was clearly the gentlest person in this world; how could he possibly refuse to acknowledge him for that reason?
"Could the reason he doesn't want to acknowledge you be that he wants you to stay away from him?" Chiba Yo voiced his speculation.
"Want me to stay away from him? Why?" Genya didn't quite understand and asked.
"Mr. Sanemi is a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, right? He must face very powerful demons. If he acknowledged you, then you would very likely be drawn into his battles, which would be very dangerous for you, wouldn't it?" Chiba Yo said, looking at Genya.
Hearing Chiba Yo's explanation, Genya gradually understood his meaning.
"Are you saying my brother won't acknowledge me because he doesn't want me to get into danger?" Genya asked.
Chiba Yo nodded and continued, "That's right. Didn't he also tell you to leave the Demon Slayer Corps at first? This matter had nothing to do with what you two were talking about. His suddenly saying something like that must also be because he doesn't want you to encounter danger due to your identity as a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman."
The more Chiba Yo spoke, the more he felt his guess was correct. He hadn't seen the Wind Pillar act so roughly when he first met him at the Butterfly Mansion.
"Is that really true? Does my brother really not resent or blame me?"
Hearing Chiba Yo's explanation, Genya gradually became excited. If this guess was true, it meant his brother still loved him. As long as he knew that, then other things weren't so important. As long as their mutual feelings remained, all problems would eventually be resolved.
"According to my deduction, that's how it is. You also said your brother is a very gentle person, right? Then it's very reasonable that he wouldn't want his younger brother to be in danger," Chiba Yo replied.
"That's great! If that's the case, then I'll go clarify things with my brother right now. I'm not afraid of any danger; as long as I can always be with my brother, I'll be satisfied," Genya said excitedly, immediately standing up to go find Sanemi.
...
Chiba Yo's mind froze for a moment. He hadn't expected Genya's first reaction after hearing his explanation to be like this. Anyone should be able to figure out that going to find him directly right now would be the worst thing to do!
"Wait!"
After regaining his composure slightly, Chiba Yo grabbed Genya.
Genya turned his head in confusion to look at Chiba Yo, not understanding why he would do this.
"If my guess is true, then if you go to find Mr. Sanemi now, he definitely won't acknowledge you. He might even treat you more roughly to make you leave the Demon Slayer Corps," Chiba Yo explained helplessly to Genya.
"You're right…" Chiba Yo's words brought Genya back to his senses. He gave up the idea of going to find Sanemi immediately.
"Then, if that's the case, won't I ever be able to reconcile with my brother?" Genya quickly realized a new problem. If Sanemi's intention was not to let him stay in the Demon Slayer Corps and not to let him encounter danger, then he would never acknowledge him.
Realizing this, Genya's mood became even more dejected.
"Of course not. As long as all demons in the world disappear one day, then Mr. Sanemi won't need to stay in the Demon Slayer Corps and can reconcile with you, right? At that time, the Demon Slayer Corps might even disband," Chiba Yo said, shaking his head at Genya.
....
The air suddenly fell silent for a few seconds.
Chiba Yo also realized that this condition seemed a bit distant. He coughed twice and continued, "Of course, there's another way. As long as you can make your brother feel at ease and no longer worry about your safety, then you two should also be able to reconcile."
This method was clearly much more reliable than the previous one. Genya nodded in agreement when he heard this, saying, "So, what I need to do now is find a way to become stronger, so my brother can approve of me. Furthermore, if I can become a Pillar, then I'll be able to see my brother often."
"That's right, that's it." Looking at Genya, who had regained his spirits, Chiba Yo also felt a sense of accomplishment.
"If I want to become stronger, then I definitely need to find a powerful teacher, right? Do you know who the strongest person in the Demon Slayer Corps is?" Genya thought for a moment and asked Chiba Yo.
"The strongest person in the Demon Slayer Corps? I remember Kyoujurou seemed to have mentioned it to me. According to him, it's the Stone Pillar, Gyomei Himejima. He seems to live in the mountains over there, but I don't know if he's currently on a mission."
Chiba Yo recalled what Kyoujurou had mentioned to him earlier, extending his finger to point in a direction beside the corps dormitory.
"Alright then! I'll go find Mr. Gyomei to become his disciple right now!" Upon hearing this news, Genya couldn't sit still either. He stood up and ran in the direction Chiba Yo had pointed.
However, after a few steps, he stopped again, turned around, and waved at Chiba Yo.
"Thank you today, Yo."
After saying this, he turned back and continued running in that direction.
They really are alike, after all, they're brothers…
Chiba Yo thought as he watched Genya's retreating figure.
"Caw! Caw! Caw! South-southwest! South-southwest! There are traces of demons to the southwest! Chiba Yo, hurry up! Hurry up!"