[What's that sound? Huh? Did I fall asleep?]
"Takeo! Take Mother and everyone into the back room!"
The dizziness vanished from Takeo's head in an instant. He jerked upright and saw the man in a suit stepping into the house. He froze.
[What happened? Why am I—]
"Takeo! Move!"
At Tanjiro's shout, his body reacted on instinct. He grabbed Hanako and Shigeru, shielding Kie as he hurried everyone into the inner room.
Even after he shut the door, his thoughts were still in a haze. He looked at his family's anxious faces, listening to the sounds outside.
"Why… Is this a dream?"
"Brother… Takeo."
He lowered his gaze to Hanako's tear-filled eyes.
"…Hanako?"
"What's happening? Why are we being attacked?"
He was about to answer when a deafening crash thundered from outside. The unease in his chest spiked to its peak.
Takeo's eyes swept the room before landing on the axe in the corner. He snatched it up.
"I'll help! Stay hidden—don't come out!"
The moment he rushed outside, he saw Tanjiro lift his blade to block the intruder's strike—only to be sent flying.
"Stop!"
The scene—once the subject of his nightmares—was painfully familiar. Takeo's eyes burned with fury. Fear and rage surged through him. Clutching the axe, he forced his Breathing to its limit and hurled himself forward like a cannonball.
Even as his muscles screamed and tore under the strain, his full-force blow only made the man stagger for a heartbeat. The backlash sent Takeo crashing across the ground, blood rising in his throat.
The man's face darkened with killing intent.
"A fool who doesn't know his place… I'll kill you first."
"Takeo!"
At Tanjiro's frantic cry, Takeo spat blood and glared up at the approaching figure.
[Just one more strike… Just one—]
"Stop—!!"
A crimson spear cut through the air like a falling star.
In that instant, Takeo's body went weightless. Pain finally swallowed him, and his vision faded into darkness.
Through blurred vision, he saw the newcomer drive the suited man back—and Tanjiro crawling toward him in panic.
[That's good… Everyone's safe…]
As the darkness closed in, Takeo felt a peace he had never known.
When he opened his eyes again, an unfamiliar ceiling greeted him. Turning his head, he saw Tanjiro in the next bed, wrapped in bandages just like him.
He let out a soft laugh.
"That's a relief…"
"Honestly, you're this badly hurt and that's what you say?"
Nezuko's worried voice came from beside him.
"Sis?"
Takeo glanced at the hands resting on the blanket—hands with only faint calluses from years of sewing. Hands that had never held a blade.
He laughed again, quietly.
"This time… you don't have to pick up a sword."
Nezuko's frown deepened. She reached out to feel his forehead.
"What are you talking about? Did you hit your head too?"
Takeo only smiled.
"Thankfully, Mr. Hiru arrived in time and brought you and Brother to the hospital," Nezuko said with a sigh. "I don't even want to think about what might have happened otherwise."
She hesitated.
"But what exactly happened? When did our family ever offend someone like that? And only Brother learned swordsmanship—when did you learn it?"
"Eh? Uh… in a dream?"
Nezuko's expression grew complicated, but Takeo didn't mind. He looked over at Tanjiro, still unconscious.
"This time, I finally helped Brother."
Nezuko gave a faint smile.
"Yes. Mr. Hiru said that if you hadn't stopped him at the last moment, he wouldn't have reached you in time. Our Takeo is amazing. But next time, you have to protect yourself too."
"I will! I'll protect everyone with my life, just like Brother!"
Nezuko sighed and ruffled his hair.
"Idiot. I said protect yourself."
...
Snow drifted through the air.
Nezuko stood still, watching the white flakes scatter on the wind, her guard slowly rising.
She clearly remembered being on a mission. She had been on the train.
[Another Blood Demon Art…? Or an illusion? I was on the train…]
"Nezuko—"
She spun around, Nichirin Blade already drawn, stance set.
But when she met Tanjiro's gentle eyes, she froze.
"…Brother? It's daytime. How are you—?"
Tanjiro blinked in surprise, then gave a helpless smile. Leaning on a cane, he made his way toward her.
"Sorry. I know I should be resting at home, but it's your first time going down the mountain alone. I couldn't stop worrying, so I came to wait for you."
Sunlight framed him from behind as he approached.
Tears streamed down Nezuko's face before she even realized it. Her blade slipped from her hand as she rushed forward and threw herself into his arms. She tried to speak, but her throat tightened, leaving only broken sobs.
Tanjiro stiffened at first, then gently patted her back.
"What's wrong, Nezuko? Why are you crying? Did something happen?"
She shook her head, clinging to him, burying her face in his shoulder.
"It's alright. I'm here," Tanjiro said softly. "If someone bullied you, tell me. I'll take care of it."
Before she could answer, another voice called out.
"Brother! Why did you run out again? At this rate, when will your leg heal—Nezuko's back? Sis?"
Nezuko lifted her head.
Takeo was running over with an axe in hand. He wasn't as tall as she remembered, and his expression wasn't hardened like before.
He looked irritated.
"Sis, why are you crying? Who bullied you?"
She looked at their worried faces and slowly shook her head, smiling through her tears.
"No. It's nothing. I just feel like I had a very, very long nightmare."
"Oh…" Takeo immediately relaxed. "Stayed down the mountain overnight and had a bad dream? I thought someone had taken advantage of you. After all, you're the most praised beauty around here!"
Nezuko blinked, then flushed.
"Takeo, what are you saying!"
"You are beautiful!"
Tanjiro laughed and gently rubbed her head.
"You're home now. I'll keep the nightmares away. You don't have to be afraid anymore."
He smiled gently.
"And once my leg heals, I'll start selling charcoal again."
"I can go instead of Sis!" Takeo puffed out his chest. "Let me handle it next time!"
"No, Takeo." Tanjiro chuckled. "Are you planning to make Nezuko chop wood?"
"Ah… good point…"
Takeo sagged for a moment, then perked up again.
"But more importantly, Brother, go back inside! A patient should be resting properly!"
"Yes, yes, I know."
Tanjiro gave an apologetic smile and took Nezuko's hand with his free one.
"Come on. I'll walk you home."
Nezuko wiped at her tears and squeezed his hand tightly. At last, she smiled through them.
"Okay."