Horitake couldn't handle it.
Tamayo's heartfelt kindness and natural gratitude were too much to bear.
Thankfully, Yushiro stepped up, saving him from the awkwardness.
Horitake hadn't expected help from the annoying guy, of all people.
Tamayo hesitated at Yushiro's offer but, seeing Horitake's strained expression, relented. "Alright, Yushiro, please help Horitake find a room. Let him rest well."
"No trouble at all…" Yushiro muttered, heading for the basement door.
"Horitake, feel free to ask for anything," Tamayo added.
"I will, I will. Miss Tamayo, you've had a rough night too. Please rest. I'm heading upstairs."
With that, Horitake and Yushiro left the basement, climbing to the second floor of the estate.
As they ascended the stairs, Horitake fought to calm his heart.
I can't let myself fall for her! I can't give in!
But her charm was overwhelming. What now?
Got it!
He chanted inwardly: Miss Tamayo's centuries old, centuries old, centuries old…
Surprisingly, it worked. His heart settled instantly.
Almost too instantly… Horitake blinked, dazed.
Am I really that hung up on age?
Still reeling, he reached the second floor. Yushiro, stone-faced, gestured. "These rooms are empty. Pick one. Clean bedding's in the closets. Bathroom's on the first floor. Heat your own water…
"Actually, I'll heat it for you. You did save Lady Tamayo by killing Yushiguro. Without you, we'd be in deep trouble."
Opening a bedroom door, Yushiro turned to leave for the water.
"Yushiro!" Horitake called.
"What?"
Horitake looked at him earnestly. "I get it now—why you're so devoted to Miss Tamayo. She's… an incredible person."
He struggled to sum up her qualities, settling on the simplest praise.
Yushiro caught the sincerity in his words. For the first time, he cracked a smile—a mix of understanding and pride. "Exactly! Lady Tamayo's like an angel to me!
"You're not bad, but don't get any ideas about her!"
"Relax," Horitake said. "I've got my own loves—three, actually."
Yushiro's jaw dropped. "Nani?! Three?!"
Horitake counted on his fingers, feigning innocence. "Yup, three.
"First, there's the one I'm basically set with—my junior's sister. Super cute and sweet, and her parents entrusted her to me.
"Second, I'm working on someone my age. Stunning figure, great personality, gorgeous face. I'm smitten.
"Third, my next target—my senior. A radiant older sister I've admired forever. I've got to win her over."
Yushiro's worldview shattered, steam practically rising from his head. Pointing a trembling finger, he accused, "You… you…!
"Junior, peer, senior—you're going for the whole set?! Are you that legendary scumbag?!
"Unforgivable! I won't let you near Lady Tamayo!"
Horitake shrugged, unfazed. "Whatever. I'm not stealing your precious Lady Tamayo. Chill."
"How can I chill with a dangerous guy like you in the house?!"
"I'm a bit of a flirt, sure, but I'm not that bad, am I?"
Yushiro bickered a bit more, then gave up. "Forget it! We've got nothing in common. Come down for your bath later!" He stormed off.
Horitake watched him go, chuckling. No common ground, huh?
Yushiro was ride-or-die for Tamayo alone. Horitake? Well… complicated.
No wonder they didn't click.
Soon after, Horitake headed to the first-floor bathroom. The water was ready, and he soaked, washing away the battle's grime.
Clean and refreshed, exhaustion hit hard. He was dead tired.
In his second-floor room, he slipped into bed and passed out.
While Horitake slept, a Kasugai Crow delivered news of his victory over Yushiguro to Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
It was morning. Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the Corps' leader, had just finished breakfast. He sat with his wife, Amane, on the veranda, enjoying the garden and nurturing his health.
Since Horitake urged him to rest, Kagaya had stepped back from most Corps duties, focusing on recovery.
He had no choice.
Partly for his health, but also…
Whenever Kagaya tried to work, his son Kiriya swooped in, taking over tasks.
At first, Kagaya could claim he was "guiding" Kiriya. But things shifted.
If Kagaya touched work, Kiriya snatched it, and his four daughters joined in, coaxing him to rest with pitiful looks or playful pouts.
If he resisted, Amane stepped in, gently but firmly urging him to prioritize his health.
Kagaya could muster fatherly authority against his kids, but against Amane? No chance.
She'd watch him calmly, her gentle gaze unwavering, until he caved.
Amane embodied gentle strength—a true master of soft power. Yyds!
Sometimes, resting, Kagaya mused that his overly caring kids and wife weren't entirely a blessing.
He'd been completely sidelined.
But deep down, he was happy. This was their love in action.
So, lately, Kagaya focused on recovery, only handling critical Corps matters or issues Kiriya couldn't manage.
That morning, as Amane sat with him, a black Kasugai Crow swooped in.
Amane noticed it first, frowning. Isn't Kiriya handling routine matters? Is this urgent?
She hoped it wasn't bad news. Kagaya's health was just improving—he couldn't take another blow.
The crow landed before Kagaya, cawing loudly. "Lord Horitake slew Upper Rank Five, Yushiguro, last night in Tokyo's Asakusa district!
"Lord Horitake slew Upper Rank Five, Yushiguro, last night in Tokyo's Asakusa district!
"Lord Horitake slew Upper Rank Five, Yushiguro, last night in Tokyo's Asakusa district!"
The crow repeated it thrice, its voice brimming with excitement.
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