Kagaya Ubuyashiki could not wield a Nichirin Blade like the members of the Demon Slayer Corps. He could not stand on the front lines and slay demons.
In his own mind, he was merely a powerless man whose rash command had caused devastating losses to the Corps.
As despair weighed heavily upon him, a silver-haired woman in a dark blue kimono stepped quietly out of the shadows.
She gently wrapped her arms around him.
"Amane…"
Feeling his wife's warmth, Kagaya froze for a moment.
"Kagaya, you are the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps. The members are waiting for your guidance. The responsibility of the Ubuyashiki Clan to eradicate demons still rests on your shoulders. You cannot falter. You cannot collapse."
Ubuyashiki Amane rested her cheek softly against his.
"I know it's painful. I know it's heavy. But you are not alone. I will always be with you."
Kagaya's fingers trembled as he clasped her hand.
Her warmth.
Her unwavering smile.
It rekindled the fire inside him.
Amane had been born into the Jingū family, whose daughters had been betrothed to the Ubuyashiki Clan for generations. She was four years older than Kagaya, yet from the moment she met him, she saw something extraordinary.
His gentleness.
His compassion.
His quiet strength.
She chose him—not out of obligation, but out of love.
As the Master's wife, she was not only diligent and composed, but also his confidante, his strategist, and the one person before whom he could lay down his burdens.
"Amane."
Kagaya pressed his forehead lightly against her palm.
That was enough.
She did not interrupt him.
But soon, Amane spoke softly.
"Kagaya, a member of the Demon Slayer Corps has arrived."
Kagaya inhaled deeply, releasing her hand and steadying himself.
"Please allow him in."
Moments later, a young man with bright yellow hair tipped in crimson like flames stepped forward. His eyebrows were sharp, his eyes fierce and radiant like those of an owl, and his presence burned with unwavering passion.
"Master!"
Rengoku Kyojuro knelt on one knee in his black Demon Slayer uniform.
"Kyojuro, please rise."
Kagaya greeted him with a gentle smile.
"Master, I have come regarding my father."
Kyojuro lifted his head.
There was no sign of despair in his expression.
No trace of collapse.
His resilience exceeded Kagaya's expectations.
The news of Rengoku Shinjuro's death had reached the Rengoku household just yesterday. At sixteen years old, Kyojuro and his younger brother, Rengoku Senjuro, had once again endured crushing grief after already losing their mother years ago.
"Kyojuro, please sit."
Kagaya personally took his hand and guided him to a seat.
As always, the Master carried himself without arrogance.
"Thank you, Master!"
Kyojuro's voice rang loudly through the room.
To some, it might have seemed excessive.
But Kagaya knew the reason.
During one mission, Kyojuro's squad had encountered a demon whose Blood Demon Art used the sound of a flute to induce hallucinations. Hearing the melody would gradually erode one's spirit, leading to certain defeat.
Covering one's ears dulled the effect—but also made it nearly impossible to fight effectively.
So Kyojuro had chosen another path.
He shattered his own eardrums.
By destroying his hearing completely, he nullified the demon's ability and struck it down.
Since that day, his hearing had been severely impaired. Though he could still perceive sound faintly, he could not gauge the volume of his own voice.
That was why he spoke so loudly.
Not out of carelessness.
But because he simply could not hear himself.
Kagaya remembered every member of the Demon Slayer Corps—whether Hashira or Mizunoto.
Though he did not wield a blade, he carried their names and their sacrifices within his heart.
That was his duty as Master.
"Kyojuro, your father, Shinjuro, burned his life for the Demon Slayer Corps. He was a Flame Hashira whom I deeply respected. However… regarding this matter, please allow me to apologize to you."
Kagaya bowed his head.
Amane did not stop him.
This was something Kagaya needed to do—for himself, and for Kyojuro.
"Master, what are you doing?!"
Kyojuro hurriedly grasped Kagaya's shoulders in alarm.
Kagaya lifted his head slightly.
Their eyes met—calm violet and blazing red.
Then Kyojuro laughed heartily.
"Master, Father always told me that as the Flame Hashira, one must be prepared to give one's life for the Demon Slayer Corps. He is a father I am proud of, and a Flame Hashira you are proud of. At the same time, Master, you are also someone I deeply admire. Please do not blame yourself. Father would not blame you, and neither do I."
"Good."
Kagaya drew a steady breath.
"Kyojuro, before Shinjuro fell, he entrusted me with words for you."
He relayed everything faithfully.
"Shinjuro said that after his wife's passing, he had been a stubborn and difficult father for many years. Yet you grew into a responsible elder brother and a son he was proud of. This time, he burned the last of his life as a Flame Hashira without disgrace. He asks you—does he remain the father you acknowledge? He wishes to hear you affirm him once more. To him, you are his greatest pride. And he hopes you will one day surpass him."
"Father…"
Kyojuro's voice softened.
When the news had reached the Rengoku household, he did not shed a single tear in front of Senjuro.
An elder brother must stand as a pillar.
With their father gone, he would inherit both the name and the flame.
He would become the new pillar of the Rengoku Family.
And he would carry that fire forward.
...
Author's Note:
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