After closing his eyes, Haruki's hearing became exceptionally sensitive. Every rustle of wind and blade of grass entered his ears. He clearly felt the poison rapidly spreading throughout his body, soon to reach every part. Blood oozed from the corners of Haruki's mouth, but despite it being poison, he felt no pain at all.
Lying there quietly, the wind blew his golden fringe. His hands were clasped over his abdomen, making him appear peaceful. If not for the blood seeping from his chest and mouth, one might have thought he was asleep.
After an unknown amount of time... Haruki opened his eyes and found himself still in the clearing. He sat up and tore open his gray kimono; the wound on his chest had healed, and after feeling inside his body, there was no feeling of the poison moving inside his body, so it too had likely disappeared.
"?"
The pain of the blade piercing his heart had been subtly accompanied by a sensation like the sun's burn, different from the pain of being cut by an ordinary sharp stone. From how his body had reacted to the blade, it was obvious to Haruki that the blade, along with the poison used by Shinobu, was specially made to counter demons like him. So why was he still alive?
Haruki had realized the first time when he cut his hand using the stone that he was effectively immortal from normal means, but he had thought that he would surely die from that blade. His originally calm face now held a hint of confusion. He had resolved to die, but now he found out that he couldn't. What should he do now?
Should he stay here until the sun rose?
No. A subconscious voice told Haruki that he shouldn't die here. He needed to find someone.
But who?
Looking up at the bright moonlight, the night was still long. He decided to leave this place for now.
Picking a random path, Haruki decided to follow it to its end. Walking through the dense forest, perhaps because he was a demon, Haruki could see the path clearly even in such dark woods. His footsteps made no sound on the forest floor. Everything felt distant, unreal, as though he were watching himself move from somewhere far away.
After walking for a long time, Haruki finally left the forest and arrived at an open area. There were many flowers forming a sea of blossoms here, and even at night, many butterflies were active. Haruki extended his hand and raised a finger, and a beautiful purple butterfly landed on his fingertip.
So much like that Shinobu, Haruki thought. The butterfly. Her calm tone, the faint scent of medicine clinging to her as she moved.
She had killed him. Without hesitation.
And yet… she had spoken to him gently.
Haruki didn't know what to make of any of it. The emotion that should accompany such thoughts simply didn't exist in him.
Just as Haruki was lost in thought, a sharp scream ripped through the night sky, startling the birds in the forest. The purple butterfly on his fingertip also flew away. Haruki looked in the direction of the sound, his head tilting slightly.
That sound... was it important? Should he investigate?
After a moment's consideration, he decided to go. He didn't know why, but something pulled him forward.
---
Shinobu stepped through the doors of the Butterfly Mansion, the scent of medicine and flowers greeting her like a familiar blanket. The light from the lanterns reflected off her white haori, softening the expression on her face.
A girl with twin black ponytails and blue eyes came to greet her.
"Lady Shinobu, welcome back. You must be tired from your mission," Aoi Kanzaki said, bowing slightly.
Shinobu's gentle smile was already in place. "Oh Aoi, you're still awake? You should be resting at this hour."
"I wanted to make sure you returned safely, Lady Shinobu. How was your patrol?"
"Quiet, for the most part." Shinobu removed her haori carefully, folding it with practiced precision. "Just one demon tonight."
"Just one? That's fortunate," Aoi said, though she noticed something different in Lady Shinobu's expression—a tightness around her eyes that hadn't been there this morning.
"Yes, quite fortunate." Shinobu's smile didn't waver. "You've worked hard too, Aoi."
"N-No, I… I only did what I could." Aoi bowed her head, shoulders tight. "Compared to you… all I can do is help here."
The familiar shame crept into her voice—she had joined the Demon Slayer Corps because her parents were killed by demons and had even passed the Final Selection, but she remained at the Butterfly Mansion out of fear of death. She couldn't help it.
"Aoi," Shinobu said softly, "don't belittle yourself. The Butterfly Mansion stays orderly and safe thanks to your efforts. You're doing wonderfully. Without you, who would manage the medical supplies? Who would coordinate the patients' care?"
Aoi's eyes brightened a little. "Lady Shinobu… I'll continue doing my best!"
"But don't overwork yourself," Shinobu added gently. "We all need rest too."
"Yes, Lady Shinobu. Would you like me to prepare some tea for you?"
"That won't be necessary. I have some reports to complete. You should rest, Aoi."
"Good night, Lady Shinobu."
Shinobu walked to her room, closing the sliding door behind her. The moment the latch clicked, the smile dropped from her face. She exhaled quietly and knelt beside her low table. The soft glow from her lantern reflected in her violet eyes.
She recalled the golden-haired, blue-eyed boy who never resisted.
The demon who didn't attack her.
The demon who had simply allowed her to kill him.
Shinobu sighed, her fingers tracing the edge of her blade.
"Sister, I can't do it. Perhaps Haruki was the type of demon you believed in… one who could reason, one who still had a heart…"
Shinobu gripped her haori, veins bulging on her face as the rage she'd kept carefully hidden finally surfaced in the privacy of her room.
"But the thought of such despicable creatures as demons makes me unable to calm down. They killed you. They kill everyone. Am I not mature enough, Sister? Is this what you wanted me to learn?"
Her sister's voice echoed in her memory, always so gentle, always believing in the possibility of coexistence. But Kanae was gone, and Shinobu was left with nothing but her poison and her smile.
"Hmph~ I need to calm down."
Closing her eyes, Shinobu began to regulate her breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Steady. Controlled. The anger slowly receded, locked back behind her practiced facade where it belonged.
Just then, a black Kasugai Crow streaked across the night sky and landed on a branch of a tree in front of Shinobu's room. It opened its beak and cried out, "Demons sighted in the eastern mountain forest! Injured civilian reported! Please depart immediately!"
Hearing of a new mission, Shinobu opened her eyes. The gentle smile returned to her face as naturally as breathing. She picked up the nichirin blade by her side and quickly left the room, heading towards the eastern mountain forest. Her steps were light, and she moved swiftly through the complex woods. Shinobu's Kasugai Crow, En, flew ahead, leading the way for her.
At least this time, there will be no confusion, she thought. This demon has already harmed someone.
---
Haruki walked towards the source of the scream. A scent grew stronger the closer he got, which made Haruki curious. Since he gained consciousness, he had never eaten anything. Although he felt hunger—a distant, hollow sensation—Haruki had no desire to eat. This scent, however, made Haruki's mouth water.
Upon closer inspection, he saw two figures. No, were those demons? One was clearly different from the human. Grayish-white skin, tall stature, and a white horn on his head. He was clutching a woman in his hand. Haruki had pinpointed that the scent came from that woman. For some reason, Haruki felt a little dizzy, his thoughts becoming hazy.
The demon hadn't noticed Haruki's presence yet. All his attention was on the woman. He stared at the woman in his hand with greedy delight.
"Marechi blood… How lucky! Such rare delicacy. A shame so much spilled already."
He licked his lips, saliva dripping from jagged teeth.
"Just a taste and I'll be closer to becoming a Lower Rank… ah, intoxicating already."
He sliced at her arm with his claw, inhaling shakily. He opened his big mouth to bite down, but he bit nothing.
Looking at his empty palm, the demon flew into a rage, his small eyes darting around as he roared, "WHO—?!"
Haruki now stood several meters away, holding the woman in his arms.
"You brat!" The demon roared, fury twisting his face. "You dare steal MY prey!? Do you want to DIE!?"
He lunged, claws aimed for Haruki's head. Haruki leaped backward, dodging the attack instinctively. Looking at the woman in his arms, he stared at her injured arm. The scent was overwhelming now, intoxicating. He swallowed, his heart constantly screaming, Eat her! Eat her! She smells so good! Just one bite!
Haruki unconsciously raised the woman's hand and slowly opened his mouth, his fangs extending.
Then—
A memory.
A gentle voice.
Soft fingers brushing his hair.
How amazing! Our Haruki is wonderful!
His movement froze. His mouth was inches from the woman's bleeding arm.
'Don't you think I did something wrong?'
'How could you! Haruki did nothing wrong; in fact, you did exactly right. You protected someone, didn't you? You are a hero!'
'What is a hero?'
The woman whose face was still unclear smiled at Haruki, reaching out to gently stroke the top of his head. The memory was fragmented, like looking through frosted glass, but the warmth of her hand felt real.
'Someone who can selflessly protect others—I hope Haruki can become such a person! But you must still cherish your own body, otherwise I will be sad. Promise me, Haruki?'
'I... promise.'
Was this his memory? Who was she? Mother? Sister? Someone important? He didn't know why, but after hearing her voice, Haruki sobered up. Looking at the now unconscious woman in his arms, he realized he had almost become the evil demon Shinobu spoke of. The kind that devoured people. The kind with no heart.
Could he become a hero? He had no idea. The concept was still strange to him, unfamiliar. But at least he couldn't become such an evil demon. At least he could understand that much.
Haruki gently laid the woman on the grass, positioning her carefully to avoid her injuries.
He looked at the demon charging towards him from not far away, who was still muttering, "That's my prey! You stinking brat! I'll tear you apart and eat you both!"
The demon's claws gleamed in the moonlight as he lunged forward with terrifying speed.
Haruki picked up a thick wooden stick from the ground. He didn't know if he could defeat this demon. He didn't know how to fight. But unlike before, when Haruki had no idea what he was doing, now at least he had a purpose.
"I must protect people."