Horitake briefly explained to the Kamado family who Muzan Kibutsuji was.
Kie and the children grew anxious, unsettled by the existence of such a being. Tanjuurou, however, seemed to know something of Muzan, remaining silent and composed.
Next, Horitake shared another matter of utmost importance. "Uncle, Auntie, just now, I saw a cyan-blue light within Nezuko's body. This force is protecting her, even helping her transform her body. So, I suspect… Nezuko may have once consumed a plant called the Blue Spider Lily."
"The Blue Spider Lily?"
Even Tanjuurou, usually so composed, was unfamiliar with this.
Horitake explained its significance. "It's said the Blue Spider Lily holds miraculous powers for demons. Muzan Kibutsuji has been searching for it for a thousand years! With it, he could overcome sunlight, moving freely in the day, becoming far more dangerous and powerful."
Kie covered her mouth, worry etched across her face. "Then we absolutely can't let him get it."
"Fortunately, Muzan's searched for a millennium and still hasn't found it," Horitake reassured.
Tanjuurou, quick to grasp the crux, cut in. "Horitake, you said Nezuko might have eaten the Blue Spider Lily!?"
Horitake nodded. "Yes, that's my suspicion. I noticed Nezuko's body is being reshaped by this cyan-blue energy, transforming so she no longer needs to consume humans. This aligns with the legends about the Blue Spider Lily's effects."
Tanjuurou's face darkened. "If that's true… doesn't that make Nezuko a target?"
"Indeed," Horitake admitted. "If word got out that Nezuko consumed the Blue Spider Lily, she'd be in grave danger. Muzan would stop at nothing to claim her. But this is just my hypothesis, and I swear I'll never speak of it. As long as it stays secret, Nezuko is safe."
At this, Tanjuurou and Kie let out a small sigh of relief.
Now came the question Horitake cared about most. He looked at Kie, his tone earnest and sincere. "Auntie, since Nezuko may have eaten the Blue Spider Lily, do you know where it might be? This is crucial. If I can learn its location, we might gain the upper hand in our war against Muzan."
Kie shook her head, visibly troubled. "Even if you ask me that, Nezuko's eaten so many things—I wouldn't know. I'd never even heard of the Blue Spider Lily before. I truly don't know where it could be."
Horitake sighed. "Alright, Auntie. Let me rephrase: where is your hometown?"
Kie found the shift in topic odd but answered nonetheless.
Horitake committed her hometown's location to memory, etching it deep in his mind.
Tanjuurou eyed him suspiciously. "Horitake, my boy… you seem to know an awful lot."
Horitake saw no need to hide from his future father-in-law. With his usual explanation, he said, "Uncle, my eyes can see what others cannot—glimpses of the past, present, and even the future."
The family gasped in shock.
Tanjuurou ventured a guess. "So, the Blue Spider Lily's location… you saw it in…?"
Horitake shook his head. "I once glimpsed a fragment of the past. Auntie Kie visited her hometown and brought back wild vegetables, which she cooked for the family. Among those vegetables was the Blue Spider Lily!"
The Kamado family was stunned, Kie most of all. "That… really happened? It's been so long, I don't even remember."
Tanjuurou's eyes widened with realization. "So that's why you asked about her hometown."
"Exactly," Horitake said. "I need to visit Auntie's hometown to search for the Blue Spider Lily and try my luck. This matter is critical, so I won't breathe a word of it, and I ask you all to keep it secret too. Though, as spirits, you can't exactly tell anyone. For now, this stays confidential, and Nezuko remains safe."
"I see…"
Kie leaned down, gently stroking Nezuko's hair with a tender, pained expression. "To think, the wild vegetables I brought back from my hometown were her lifeline. It's just…"
Horitake joined in, gazing at Nezuko. "It's more than a lifeline. The Blue Spider Lily she consumed might even hold the key to her becoming human again!"
At this, the family stirred with excitement, especially Kie, who asked urgently, "Nezuko could become human again?"
"Absolutely, there's a chance."
"What kind of chance?"
Kie's question brought another figure to Horitake's mind—not a person, but a demon. A kind demon, whose medicines would one day help Nezuko return to humanity.
"Uncle, Auntie, my eyes have glimpsed fragments of the future. That's why I'm certain Nezuko can become human again. But I can't say more—speaking it aloud might alter the future. Rest assured, I promise you: Nezuko has a chance! And I swear to you both, I'll do everything in my power to help Tanjirou turn her back into a human!"
Horitake's tone was resolute, his determination unshakable.
The Kamado couple, seeing his conviction, found themselves trusting him deeply.
Kie smiled, tears of gratitude welling in her eyes. "Thank you, thank you for doing so much for Nezuko and Tanjirou. Thank you, dear boy!"
She nudged her husband.
Prompted by his wife, Tanjuurou looked at Nezuko with a reluctant sigh. Then, with solemn sincerity, he said to Horitake, "Very well. This is a father's request: I entrust Tanjirou and Nezuko to you, my boy. I leave them in your care."
Horitake blinked, caught off guard, before replying eagerly, "Uncle, Auntie, rest assured! Tanjirou and I hit it off from the start, and I care deeply for Nezuko. I'll do my utmost to help them both."
Only then did he catch the deeper meaning in Tanjuurou's words.
Was Tanjuurou… entrusting Nezuko to him? In that way?
Or was he reading too much into it?
Heart pounding, Horitake glanced at Tanjuurou.
Tanjuurou's face was sour, but he didn't contradict him—a silent acknowledgment.
It made sense. If he weren't already dead, what father would so easily entrust his daughter to another man?
Kie, meanwhile, smiled with a mix of relief and joy.
Seeing their expressions, Horitake realized he hadn't misread the situation. It was true—they were entrusting Nezuko to him!
What an unexpected joy!
Today was full of surprises, wasn't it?
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