Ryuya froze.
It wasn't until Makomo crashed straight into his arms that he finally reacted.
His disciple had truly returned.
"Master! I didn't expect to run into you so soon! Did you miss Makomo? By the way, I'm starving. Can I eat first?"
"Of course."
Ryuya gently rubbed her head and ordered two more bowls of ramen before sitting down with her.
Makomo happily slurped her noodles, occasionally splashing broth onto her face. Each time, Ryuya calmly wiped it away with his finger.
She smiled brightly at him, swinging her legs as she ate.
Watching this scene, Shinobu Kocho stood frozen.
Ryuya… could be this gentle?
Who was this girl?
She was clearly human.
Did she not know Ryuya was a demon?
And she called him Master.
Was she his disciple?
For some reason, a strange discomfort rose in Shinobu's chest.
Wait.
Something clicked.
"You're Makomo… the former Demon Slayer Corps member who retired?"
"Huh? You know me?"
Makomo blinked curiously.
"I heard my sister mention you."
"Eat slowly. Don't choke. Why did you suddenly come back?" Ryuya asked softly.
As he spoke, his gaze fell on the fox mask hanging at Makomo's cheek.
He had personally made that mask for her, modeled after Urokodaki Sakonji's design.
It was the only gift he had ever given her.
And she had protected it carefully all this time.
"Hehehe! Master, you're going to be shocked!"
Makomo wiped her mouth proudly and placed her hands on her hips in a clear "praise me" pose.
"I found the Blue Spider Lily!"
Ryuya's expression changed instantly.
"What did you say?"
"It's true! Hurry and praise Makomo, and I'll take you there!"
She grinned smugly.
After causing Master so much trouble before, she had finally done something useful.
"Makomo is amazing. It must have been difficult."
Ryuya smiled faintly and pulled her into a hug.
In this world, the only person he fully trusted was Makomo.
He cherished her deeply.
"It wasn't hard! Master, I'm full now. Let's go! You're impatient, right?"
She looked up at him expectantly.
"Alright. We leave immediately."
Before departing, Ryuya glanced at Shinobu.
"Go back to the Butterfly Mansion. Tell Kanae where you've been so she doesn't worry. When I have time, I'll come guide you."
"I understand…"
Shinobu watched him leave.
They had only just reunited.
And now he was gone again.
For the first time, she felt reluctant.
The gentleness he showed Makomo had revealed a side of him she had never seen before.
Maybe…
Maybe he wasn't as terrible as she thought.
"Shinobu."
Mitsuri squeezed her hand.
"I'm fine. Let's go back."
"Go back? You haven't paid!"
The shop owner rushed forward.
"You ate all that and think you can just leave?"
Shinobu and Mitsuri froze.
Didn't pay?
"Money. Now!"
The owner crossed his arms.
"The handsome guy didn't pay?" Mitsuri whispered weakly.
Cold wind brushed past her.
She had no money.
"Shinobu… do you have any?"
Shinobu's face darkened.
Her brief goodwill evaporated.
Ryuya, you big bad guy!!
"Wash dishes," the owner said firmly. "Work until you've paid off the debt."
And so—
Under the cold night sky, two young girls scrubbed plates.
Ryuya, you bastard. You'd better not let me catch you again!
Shinobu was certain.
He had done this on purpose.
Deep in the Mountains
"Achoo!"
Ryuya sneezed.
Curled tightly inside a wooden box, he rubbed his nose.
"Master, it's sunny and clear. Why did you sneeze? Is it cold inside?"
Makomo turned her head in concern.
Yes.
Ryuya was currently inside a wooden box strapped to Makomo's back.
The design was identical to the one used by Kamado Nezuko.
To help him travel during the day, Makomo had asked Kamado Tanjiro to build it specially.
The box fit him perfectly and blocked every ray of sunlight.
As a demon capable of altering his body structure, shrinking to fit inside was no problem.
"It's not cold. Someone must be cursing me."
He adjusted himself nervously.
"Makomo, be careful. If I fall out, I'll die instantly."
He wasn't joking.
One slip.
One mistake.
And the sunlight would reduce him to ash.
His life was entirely in her hands.
"Master, don't worry! Makomo is very steady!"
She tightened the straps and skipped happily down the mountain path, humming.
"Little Makomo searching for the Blue Spider Lily, carrying a big wooden box, barefoot in the morning sun, climbing over hills and ridges. The red spider lily she picks is the best, as wonderful as Master Ryuya…"
Ryuya listened, feeling an odd sense of nostalgia.
That melody…
It was the lullaby he used to sing to her.
And now she was singing it back to him.
They were heading toward the Kamado household.
His heart stirred with anticipation.
If that was the case—
Wouldn't he finally get to meet Kamado Tanjiro's adorable little sister?
Kamado Nezuko.
...
Author's Note:
The full completed version of Demon Slayer: Son of Muzan (Completed) is now on Patreon!
🔥 I also have additional 18+ fanfics available for readers who enjoy exclusive mature stories. 😉
1. Dragon Ball: Oolong's Sex Adventure
2. Elements of Lust – ATLA & Korra Mixed Smut
3. Doraemon: Filtering with Nobi Tamako
4. The Naive Me Who Became Someone's Everyday Secret
5. High School DxD: Rias Gremory, the Phenex Bride
6. Versatile Mage: Awakening the Succubus System
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