No one told Tanjiro the answer, and even Tanjuro himself couldn't provide one.
He only knew that Hinokami Kagura was passed down from their ancestors, and as long as he was willing, he could dance tirelessly through the night.
But he didn't understand the principle behind it. However, Roy could see clearly through Gyo—it was "Sun Breathing" that gave Tanjuro strength.
It helped him fight the cold and maintain his stamina.
Unfortunately, Tanjuro didn't know how to utilize this power, or rather, his frail body simply couldn't withstand the strength of this force.
Even if Roy told him how to use it, he would die on the spot from being unable to accept the burning power of the sun.
One time... two times... three times... five times... six times...
Sleeves fluttered, stirring up snowflakes. Tanjiro could no longer keep up with the movements and sat down hard on the ground.
In the snowy night, only Tanjuro and Roy continued dancing.
From initial clumsiness to barely managing, then to smooth movements without any stiffness, Roy danced more and more fluidly, finally able to match Tanjuro's rhythm.
Tanjuro noticed his movements, from initial surprise to intentionally increasing the speed to test him. The smile at the corners of his mouth unconsciously began to spread bit by bit.
A thought occasionally surfaced in his mind: 'If Eiichiro's grandfather could see this scene, he would surely be amazed by his talent for learning Hinokami Kagura.'
Unfortunately, the ancestors had passed away, and Eiichiro's grandfather was destined never to see it. Tanjuro also had a premonition that he too would be joining them soon.
"Whoosh..."
A gust of wind blew, stirring Tanjuro's thoughts.
Snowflakes fell on Tanjuro's face through his mask.
The man felt both comforted and melancholy. Coming back to his senses, his heart was filled with guilt and regret.
His mother was elderly and couldn't work.
He had contracted tuberculosis in his early years and couldn't do heavy labor.
In recent years, the family had added several children, and Kie couldn't be spared.
Next, the burden of supporting the entire family would fall on Roy's shoulders.
But as a father, all he seemed able to do was pray.
'Then let me pray earnestly...'
'I pray...'
'Fire God above, please bless Eiichiro and the children with good health and peace.'
With a sweep of his long sleeves, Tanjuro danced seriously. When he reached the eighth repetition, he finally stopped.
He lifted a corner of his flame-character mask, revealing his pale, sickly face.
Roy followed closely behind, half a beat slower, stopping reluctantly with lingering interest. He reached out to support Tanjuro and help him back.
Tanjuro patted his hand and sat down, leaning against the veranda pillar.
Several children cheered and gathered around, chattering nonstop.
Some praised how beautifully Tanjuro danced, some praised Roy's skill, and others teased Tanjiro for being as clumsy as a toad.
Tanjiro didn't get angry. He grabbed Takeo, who was teasing him, and tried to pull the cowlick on top of his head, but Takeo dodged and ducked behind Roy.
"Big Brother Eiichiro, Tanjiro is just too clumsy!" Takeo taunted.
"Call him Big Brother Tanjiro."
Roy lightly tapped Takeo's little head with a hand chop, gave him an amused glare, then sat down to reflect on the movements he had just learned.
He knew his own situation—the children only saw the surface, not the reality.
Roy knew he wasn't smarter than Tanjiro.
On the contrary, he had advantages: first, he could use Gyo to analyze Tanjuro's movements more clearly than Tanjiro. Second, thanks to the Zoldyck family's hellish training, his physical strength far exceeded Tanjiro's, making imitation naturally faster.
Moreover, Tanjiro was destined to learn "Sun Breathing."
But he still needed to undergo the most crucial test—withstanding the "weight of the sun"!
If he could withstand it, he would completely master "Sun Breathing." If not, it would be nothing but empty joy.
The young man calmed his mind, neither sad nor happy. After finishing his reflection, he got up and went into the kitchen. Soon, he emerged with two plates of dumplings—white rice wrapped in vinegar cloth with some sauce was tonight's full moon feast main course.
Of course, there was also the miso soup Kie had prepared.
The soup had one piece of rib in it, so simple it left Roy somewhat stunned.
Since being born into the Zoldyck family, he had never eaten so simply. Not only did he usually have meat and fish, but due to training, the family also provided medicinal supplements.
Looking at Tanjuro's condition now, then at Kie, Grandmother, and the children's complexions, Roy deeply understood that in an era where demons ran rampant, simply being alive was already a luxury.
In fact, in two years, except for Tanjiro and Nezuko, all these vivid faces before him would ultimately disappear.
This wasn't what Roy wanted to see.
'Having received their kindness, I should secure their future. Since I've learned "Sun Breathing," I should give back afterward.'
'At least, I should let them eat meat.'
Roy made up his mind. As Kie smiled and announced dinner was ready, he put his palms together and picked up his chopsticks.
Under the night sky, he ate heartily and quickly finished the meal.
After helping Kie clean up and coaxing the little ones to sleep, he took off his shoes and socks, found his bedding, and lay down, incidentally shedding the day's fatigue.
By now, night had deepened, but the snow made the night as white as day.
Roy, Tanjiro, Takeo, and Shigeru slept on one large communal bed.
Closing his eyes, he could still occasionally hear Takeo's teeth grinding and Shigeru's light snoring.
These sounds and smells were so real that Roy began to wonder if, after this sleep, he would truly leave this place and return to the real world.
Looking to the side, Tanjiro was tossing and turning like a restless fish, unable to sleep. Finally, he had to open his amber eyes wide and whisper to Roy: "Brother, are you asleep?"
"Brother" was Tanjiro's unique way of addressing him—the little ones, including Nezuko, all called him "Big Brother Eiichiro."
Roy closed his eyes and lied: "I'm asleep."
Tanjiro: "..."
He said "Oh" and pulled the blanket over his face, lying flat.
Roy knew what he wanted to say.
Tanjiro also knew Roy didn't want to talk now.
Actually, what he didn't know was that Roy simply hadn't thought of a suitable explanation.
After all, this Big Brother Eiichiro was also pushing open the Gate of Recognition and encountering this world for the first time.
'So, my foolish little brother, please give me a little more time...'
'Just a little bit...'
Roy thought to himself, gradually settling down and entering dreamland.
Until—
"Woof!"
A familiar dog bark woke him up.
The owner of that bark was none other than the magical beast kept in the Zoldyck family, mainly responsible for eating humans who illegally trespassed on Zoldyck property—the growling Mike.
That's right, at 3:50 in the morning, Roy woke up.
He turned and sat up on the bed.
Seeing the grandfather clock in the corner of the room, along with the familiar desk and wardrobe, he knew he had left the Demon Slayer world and returned to the Zoldyck family.
Just moments ago he had been huddled in that simple little wooden house, resisting the bitter cold, and in an instant he was back in the solemn castle, enduring the torment of scorching heat. Was this like the ancient paradox of a dreamer wondering if he was the dreamer or the dream?
Roy stared blankly for a while, falling into long contemplation.