After Kagerou's brief "demonstration," they returned to the Ubuyashiki mansion and resumed the Hashira Meeting. The Hashira began reporting the current state of demon activity in their respective regions, evaluating the overall threat to humanity, and detailing several major incidents and battles.
Although Kagerou was not a Hashira, he was still permitted to attend. He didn't speak, merely sat quietly at the side, observing everything.
Yet in that single meeting, he absorbed more than he ever expected.
He learned about the Demon Slayer Corps, their ten ranks, with Hashira at the top and Mizunoto at the bottom.
He also learned of the Twelve Kizuki, the Twelve Moon Demons, the strongest of their kind, second only to Kibutsuji Muzan, the Demon King himself.
From that one meeting, Kagerou understood how uneven the balance truly was.
The Demon Slayer Corps outnumbered the demons, yes, but in terms of raw power, the Twelve Kizuki alone could easily tip the scales. With only three active Hashira left, the Corps was fighting a battle it could barely survive.
He found himself wondering how many sacrifices had been made just to keep the organization standing.
His gaze shifted toward Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
Such a frail-looking man, no, not even a man yet, but a boy with shoulders far too small to bear the weight of so many lives.
And yet he carried it all without faltering.
Now, Kagerou finally understood why Kagaya refused to let Shinjuro retire. It was selfish, yes, but it was also human. Better to be selfish than to regret it later.
If Kagerou were in Kagaya's position, perhaps he would've done the same.
Without realizing it, a quiet respect took root within him, not for the Leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, but for the person named Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
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After the meeting ended, afternoon had already deepened into evening, yet Kagaya asked Shinjuro and Kagerou to stay a little longer. They agreed without a moment's hesitation.
Once Tengen and Gyomei had said a few words to Kagerou and taken their leave, Kagaya led the two to a quiet part of the Ubuyashiki garden. The faint scent of blooming flowers drifted through the air, softening the tension that lingered from the meeting.
"Kage-kun," Kagaya began softly, "may I call you that?"
Kagerou gave a small nod.
"You know," Kagaya continued, "in this cursed world we live in, someone like you is rare, Kage-kun"
"Oyakata-sam-"
"Kage-kun," Kagaya interrupted gently, "are you officially part of the Corps?"
"No. Not yet"
"Then," Kagaya smiled faintly, "just call me by name"
Shinjuro blinked, unsure if he heard right. "Oyakata-sama, that's-"
"Shinjuro," Kagaya turned toward him, "you're the one who said Kage-kun and I are similar, right? Then, at least when it's just the three of us, I'd rather not be Oyakata-sama. Just Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Even I… want a friend once in a while, you know?"
"... I-"
"Understood, Kagaya," Kagerou said before Shinjuro could respond. "If that's what you want, I'll call you that. Is that okay?"
"Kag-"
"I insist," Kagaya said, chuckling softly, cutting Shinjuro off again with that same serene tone. "So please, do as you like, Kage-kun"
Shinjuro sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Fine. Do whatever you two want," he muttered, excusing himself before the conversation could drag him in.
As his father's footsteps faded, Kagerou turned back toward Kagaya. His expression was calm, but his tone carried quiet certainty.
"So, Kagaya," he said, "my father's gone. What do you really want to talk about? Because I know you have something you need from me"
Kagaya's smile deepened, as if caught but completely unbothered. "Heh~ Talking to someone who thinks on the same wavelength… is truly refreshing"
"So?" Kagerou folded his arms lightly. "What do you want, Kagaya?"
"Do you wish to join the Corps?"
"I do," Kagerou answered plainly.
"Then be one. If you want, I can-"
"I want to join," Kagerou interrupted, "but not right now"
Kagaya tilted his head. "And why is that, Kage-kun? You already possess strength greater than most Demon Slayers. What could possibly make you feel unready?"
Kagerou's eyes softened. "... My mother and my siblings still need me by their side. So, no matter what you say, I won't join the Corps anytime soon. And when I do," he continued, his tone steady and resolute, "I want to do it the normal way, by earning it myself"
Kagaya's smile widened, eyes glimmering in quiet admiration. "Heh~ Then what if we do it like this…"
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Shinjuro, after leaving Kagaya and Kagerou behind, decided to wait in front of the Ubuyashiki mansion.
The garden was quiet now. A faint breeze stirred the paper lanterns hanging by the veranda, their soft glow flickering against the dusk.
He had been waiting for quite a while when footsteps finally echoed from behind.
Shinjuro turned his head.
There, walking toward him with his kiseru loosely in hand, was Kagerou.
"Sorry to make you wait so long, Father," Kagerou said, his tone calm as always.
Shinjuro shook his head. "No, don't mind it. But you two talked for quite a while…" He paused, studying Kagerou's expression beneath the fading light. "So, what did you talk about with Oyakata-sama?"
"Nothing much," Kagerou replied simply. "Just a few things, about the path I'll walk from here, a few about you… and a promise. Nothing more"
"About me?! And Promise?" Shinjuro echoed, arching an eyebrow.
"Yeah. And it's a secret," Kagerou said with a faint smile. "So even if you ask, I won't tell. Even if it's you, Father"
"Hm~" Shinjuro grunted, though a glimmer of curiosity flickered behind his eyes. "It's not like I want to know"
He said it casually, but part of him couldn't help wondering what kind of agreement Kagaya Ubuyashiki could have made with his son. Still, if it was meant to be secret, he wouldn't pry further.
"If that's all," Shinjuro said at last, turning toward the path, "then let's go home"
"Yeah," Kagerou replied, glancing once more at the Ubuyashiki estate bathed in twilight. "Let's go home"
With that, the two of them walked away side by side, the faint sound of Kagerou's footsteps and Shinjuro's quiet exhale blending into the night air.