The meeting was finally over.
It had been decided that two new Hashira would be appointed: Obanai Iguro, the new Serpent Hashira, and Sabito, the new Water Hashira.
Obanai, Sabito, Giyu, and Kyojuro had already left to celebrate. Kanae had returned to the Butterfly Mansion, while the other Hashira had departed to continue their duties.
That left only Kagerou and Kagaya at the Ubuyashiki Estate.
Amane had also gone to check on her children, leaving the two friends sitting together on the engawa.
For a while, neither said anything.
They simply sat in comfortable silence, enjoying the quiet.
Eventually, Kagerou took the last puff from his kiseru before lowering it.
"...Kagaya." Kagerou said, turning his head toward his friend. "I think I'd like to take a vacation"
Kagaya's hand stopped just before the teacup reached his lips. He raised an eyebrow and stared at Kagerou in confusion. After a moment, however, he simply shook his head and calmly took a sip of tea.
"You know better than that. I can't grant you a vacation, Kage-kun"
"Why not?"
Kagerou frowned.
"I only want two or three days. Maybe more. You know I've never asked for something like this before because I understand our situation"
He gestured vaguely toward the estate.
"But look at us now. We have two new Hashira. There are seven of us now, including me"
He leaned back against the pillar.
"I just want to rest for a little while. I've been going on consecutive missions for years. I'd like to give my body a break"
Kagaya sighed.
He understood better than almost anyone how exhausting Kagerou's life had become since taking the position of Hashira.
Kagerou had completed more missions than most Demon Slayers could accomplish in their entire careers. The territory under his supervision had become one of the safest areas in the Corps.
Whenever a demon appeared, Kagerou was usually already there. It was almost as though he had eyes and ears scattered throughout the entire region.
And that was precisely why Kagaya couldn't simply grant his request.
Even if Kagerou only wanted a single day off, a lot could happen in a single day.
"Please understand, Kage-kun. I can't grant your request"
"I don't care. I'm taking one anyway-"
"But..." Kagaya interrupted him. "I can give you something similar"
Kagerou stopped.
He slowly turned toward Kagaya.
"...What do you mean?"
Kagaya smiled.
"I've received several reports of missing people over the past few days. Most of the victims appear to be young women"
Kagerou's expression immediately became suspicious.
"Originally, I intended to assign the investigation to Kanae-kun"
He paused.
"But after hearing your request, I think it would be appropriate for the two of you to handle it together"
Kagerou stared at him.
"...That's not a vacation"
"No"
Kagaya took another sip of tea.
"But you will be spending time with Kanae-kun"
Kagerou's expression remained blank.
Then he sighed.
"...Where is the investigation supposed to take place?"
Kagaya's smile widened slightly.
He knew better than anyone that his friend was going to have a difficult time with this assignment.
---
- A Few Days Later - Hibashira-juku
Inside a ryokan in Hibashira-juku, something far more dangerous than any demon was taking place.
Kagerou Rengoku, the Smoke Hashira, was sitting at one of the tables.
He looked nervous.
Very nervous.
His hand trembled slightly as he held his kiseru, while several drops of cold sweat slowly formed along his forehead.
Beside him sat Kanae.
She wore her usual serene smile, her expression gentle and composed.
But Kagerou knew her well.
Far too well.
There was something dangerous hiding behind that beautiful smile.
Something that made him very carefully avoid meeting her eyes for too long.
Across the table sat another woman.
She was the owner of the ryokan.
She also happened to be someone Kagerou had known in the past.
Akari.
Unlike Kanae, Akari's expression was not particularly threatening.
But her calm, confident demeanor carried its own kind of pressure.
The three of them sat silently across from one another.
Kagerou took another nervous puff from his kiseru.
"S-So, how's life been lately, Akari-san?" Kagerou finally asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence between them.
"Ah~ I've been doing well, Kagerou-kun. Ever since I joined the Corps, business has gotten better, but…" Akari's voice took on a slightly teasing tone. "I've missed you so much, you know? You said you'd stop by every now and then. I was waiting for you, you know~?"
"I-I… well, that…"
*Plak!*
Kanae suddenly slammed her hand against the table, immediately attracting the attention of both Kagerou and Akari.
Kagerou slowly turned toward his girlfriend.
The moment Kanae looked at him, however, he immediately looked away.
For just a moment, Kagerou could have sworn he felt killing intent.
He swallowed nervously.
Kanae then turned her attention toward Akari, who was still wearing that same pleasant smile.
"The two of us were sent here by Oyakata-sama to investigate the recent incidents," Kanae said calmly. "And you're the informant Oyakata-sama mentioned, Fujimoto Akari-san, correct?"
Akari nodded.
"That would be me. And you…?"
"I'm sorry for the late introduction. My name is Kanae Kocho…" Kanae paused briefly before smiling. "…This man's girlfriend"
She deliberately emphasized the last word.
"Oh…" Akari covered her mouth with one hand, her eyes widening slightly as she looked between Kanae and Kagerou. "…Really?"
"Yes' Kanae's smile remained perfectly gentle. "So you'd better stay away from him"
"Huh?" Akari tilted her head innocently. "Why?"
"You're asking why?" Kanae's smile twitched slightly. "Didn't you hear what I just said, Fujimoto-san?"
"I heard you loud and clear, Kocho-san." Akari's smile remained unchanged. "But why should I stay away from him?"
"Because he's my boyfriend. Isn't that clear enough?"
"But before that…"
Akari glanced toward Kagerou.
"He was the man who once saved this town"
Kagerou's expression immediately stiffened.
"He saved this town without anyone knowing except me and some of my employees. He's the hero of this town…"
Akari smiled warmly.
"…He's my hero"
Kagerou suddenly found the night sky outside the window extremely interesting.
Akari then continued.
"And he and I also had-"
She stopped herself.
Her eyes briefly dropped toward Kagerou's collar before returning to Kanae.
"…So why should I stay away from him?"
"You…"
Kanae's smile finally disappeared.
"Alright, that's enough, you two"
Kagerou finally stepped in before things could escalate any further. He had already begun noticing the curious glances from the other guests in the ryokan.
"Kanae, remember, we're here for a mission. So let's focus on that, alright?"
Kanae said nothing.
She simply stared at Kagerou for several seconds before standing up.
Kagerou blinked.
"…Where are you going?"
"I want to get some fresh air," Kanae said, walking toward the exit without looking back. "Continue without me"
Kagerou watched her leave.
The moment the door closed behind her, he let out a long sigh.
Then he slowly turned toward Akari.
"…You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"What do you mean?"
Akari looked at him with the most innocent expression she could possibly manage.
Kagerou stared at her.
Akari stared back.
After a few seconds, Kagerou could only sigh again.
He raised his kiseru to his lips and took another puff, trying to calm himself.
"Forget it." He leaned back slightly. "Just tell me what you know about the incidents that have been happening in this town"
--------
#A/N: "And here we are! Next up is Kanae's encounter with Doma. Let's gooo!!"