Even after the assessment had ended, Hiru still found the twins' behavior utterly baffling.
Their demon-slaying was clean and decisive, and they still had enough composure to rescue other examinees—all without ever acting rashly. No matter how one looked at it, it could only be described as an extraordinary performance.
But—but!
Saving people was one thing! Why did they have to reduce the other party to tears at the very end?! What was the point of that?!
The incident started when Muichiro heard someone crying out for help and dragged Yuichiro over. They arrived just in time to save a girl who was about to be devoured by a demon.
The girl was immensely grateful. She earnestly thanked Yuichiro and Muichiro, then hesitantly asked how she could become as strong as they were.
Yuichiro replied flatly, "We're not strong. You're just weak. I really don't understand why someone so half-baked would even dare to come to the exam."
Muichiro followed up with, "Isn't it only natural to easily kill a demon of this level?"
The girl burst into tears on the spot.
Then Yuichiro added, "You're this weak and you still have the nerve to cry? Instead of wasting time crying, you'd be better off hurrying down the mountain, training properly, and coming back next year."
Hearing this, the girl wiped her tears and tried to stand up. Muichiro reached out to help her, but even as he did, he added, "Brother, don't say it like that. It's not her fault she's so weak. Not everyone has the self-awareness to know their own limits."
At that point, the girl completely broke down. She cried as she ran down the mountain, her sobs trailing behind her.
Muichiro watched her go, puzzled.
"Brother, why is she crying even harder?"
"Don't worry about it. She's running in the right direction. Let's continue with what we were doing."
"Alright… Brother, someone else is calling for help over there."
"Let's go see which overconfident idiot it is this time."
The memory ended there.
Hiru silently covered his face and began reflecting on his own unrestrained words and actions.
"So this is the power of leading by example…? But I haven't even been with the kids for that long. It shouldn't be my influence, right? Could it be Aoba? But I've never heard him say anything that excessive. My brother is even less likely… so does that mean it really is my fault?"
He gripped the report compiled by the Kakushi, his expression heavy with bitterness, which startled the Kakushi who had come to deliver it.
"H-Human Hashira… is… is something wrong?"
Hiru snapped back to himself. He set the report aside and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"No, it's nothing. It's not your problem. I was just thinking. Go back to your duties."
"Y-Yes. I'll take my leave."
After he left, Hiru rubbed his temples again.
"Could it be that my hands-off approach to raising them is the problem? But if I start disciplining them… we don't exactly need to revive Sengoku-era methods now, do we?"
Hiru was deeply troubled.
However, the news that followed soon forced him into motion.
Kamado Tanjuro's body had finally given out. He passed away just as the first snowfall of winter arrived.
When Hiru heard the news from Mikazuki Reima, he stood frozen for a long time. After staring blankly at the snow-covered ground for an entire night, he had Kitaro accompany him to Mount Kumogiri.
It was a clear day. Sunlight pierced through the clouds and spilled across the snow, which looked soft and pristine, reflecting a crystalline glow.
Draped in pure white, the landscape was calm and peaceful—so much so that it was hard to believe that only two days earlier, a ferocious blizzard had raged here like a beast intent on tearing the world apart and devouring it whole.
Hiru did not go knock on the Kamado family's door. Instead, he stood at a distance, looking toward the house, which was likewise covered in snow yet steeped in grief.
Defeated by illness in the end… Humans really are fragile…
He lowered his gaze.
If only he'd been allowed to become a demon and then turned back into a human. Such stubbornness… Is it really fine to leave one's family behind to live on in sorrow?
"Excuse me… are you Mr. Hiru?"
Hiru looked up to see Tanjiro approaching at some point without his noticing, his expression tinged with confusion.
He brushed the snow that had fallen from a branch off his shoulder, stepped out from where he'd been hiding, and walked over.
"Long time no see."
"Ah… so it really is you, Mr. Hiru," Tanjiro said with a faint smile. "I thought the scent felt familiar as soon as I noticed it."
"Yes. I heard about Tanjuro, so I came to check on you," Hiru said, looking down at Tanjiro. "When are you planning to move?"
"After the snow melts in spring," Tanjiro replied, turning to look back toward his home. "The mountain paths are dangerous after snowfall, and everyone's still immersed in grief. I'm worried something might happen."
"I understand. I'll stay nearby until next spring and help you move, then I'll leave. You can find me at the Wisteria House."
"Thank you for your kindness," Tanjiro said, looking up at him. "Actually… before Father passed, he told me many things about you."
Hiru lowered his eyes, his gaze settling on the paper earring hanging from Tanjiro's ear. He didn't speak.
"Even though Father said a lot of harsh things, I know that you're a gentle person, Mr. Hiru. From the very beginning, you only wanted to help us," Tanjiro said, looking a little flustered.
"I heard from Mr. Mikazuki, who helped treat Father, that the medicines you gave us are rare treasures even within the Demon Slayer Corps. They're extremely effective at repelling demons and can also calm the mind. You considered us in every possible way, and yet our family still… I honestly don't know how to repay you."
"There's no need to thank me. If anything, my brother and I were once the ones who benefited from your ancestors' kindness," Hiru said with a sigh. "By the way, when my brother came here back then, did he clash with Tanjuro at all?"
"No. Father was cautious at first, but later he chatted quite happily with Mr. Yoriichi. They seemed to be talking about something called the 'Transparent World,'" Tanjiro recalled. "After that conversation, both Mr. Yoriichi and Father had a very relieved scent about them, so I think everything was fine."
"Relieved, huh… I suppose so," Hiru murmured, shaking his head.
"After all, they were the same kind of genius."
He then pulled out several packets of medicine and handed them to Tanjiro.
"Here. You've probably used up the last batch by now, right?"
"Huh? There's no need—Mr. Mikazuki gave us some—"
"Can his subpar stuff compare to mine? Just take it," Hiru said, watching Tanjiro fumble as he tried to gather the scattered packets. "By the way, how's your training going? Do you feel confident you can protect your family?"
"Ah, the last time Mr. Yoriichi visited, he demonstrated the Sun Breathing sword techniques and left me training methods," Tanjiro said as he removed his scarf and carefully wrapped the medicine inside, then looked up at Hiru with a smile.
"I can now link the first twelve forms together five times in a row. I'll keep working even harder."
"That's impressive. Being able to learn the original breathing is no small feat," Hiru said, reaching out to ruffle the boy's hair. "What about the Transparent World? Have you grasped any of it?"
"Mr. Yoriichi said that once I can use the thirteenth form and strike more than five times within a single second, I'll naturally be able to master and use the Transparent World…"
Tanjiro hugged the newly wrapped bundle to his chest, looking a little lost.
"But the thirteenth form is just linking the previous twelve into a cycle… No matter how I think about it, there's no way so many forms can be executed in one second, right?"
"…It's possible."
"Huh?"
"Someone has personally practiced it and experienced it," Hiru said seriously as he patted Tanjiro on the shoulder. "Believe in yourself, kid."
Tanjiro: …?