As a physician—especially one serving the Demon Slayer Corps—Shinobu naturally felt interest in any technique that could benefit the organization.
This was medical knowledge capable of saving lives.
But techniques like this were akin to secret martial arts manuals—never something to be shared lightly—which was why Shinobu had hesitated before speaking.
Predictably, the moment she voiced her request, Yushiro—who had just put down his many bags—immediately exploded.
"Lady Tamayo's medical skills are not something that you—!"
Tamayo interrupted him gently. "Yushiro, do not be rude."
Yushiro instantly deflated. He subconsciously shot Yuko an annoyed look.
Ever since meeting this woman, Lady Tamayo seemed to lose all sense of caution—coming to a place like the Demon Slayer Corps without hesitation.
Yuko noticed the resentful glare and returned a silent, deadpan look.
Just as Yushiro was about to lash out, Yuko spoke first:
"I know Mr. Yushiro is someone warm-hearted on the inside, despite his cold demeanor."
"But throwing tantrums like a little kid will definitely make girls dislike you, you know?"
Yushiro's expression remained indifferent for the first half of her sentence…
But the moment she mentioned "girls," his tsundere face froze.
"Girls usually prefer calm, steady men," Yuko continued mercilessly. "If you don't believe me, you can ask Tamayo."
"Th-That kind of thing—how could I—!"
Yushiro's face went crimson. A man hundreds of years old had nowhere to hide his embarrassment.
Tamayo sighed helplessly. "Alright, that's enough, both of you. Yushiro and Miss Shinobu will stay and help. Yuko and Miss Yae, please wait outside."
Shinobu's eyes lit up. "Thank you, Lady Tamayo."
Yuko rolled her eyes.
—Right. She was being kicked out.
Realizing she couldn't name half the instruments in the room anyway, Yuko left the operating room with Yae.
Even being a helper was a technical job these days…
"Let's sit by the door. You won't be able to sleep anyway," Yuko said, calling the worried Yae to sit beside her in the hallway.
Yae sat down next to her. "Yes… To be honest, I'm really nervous."
"Tamayo isn't the type to boast. If she said it'll be fine, she's confident. Don't worry."
After that reassurance, Yuko lifted her gaze to the star-filled sky.
She liked staring at the night sky—it helped her zone out.
In this era, the sky hadn't been polluted yet.
Stars glittered everywhere, dreamlike and beautiful.
"Would you two like some tea?"
Twin-tailed Kanzaki Aoi approached, carrying a tray, after spotting Yuko sitting alone in the corridor.
Two years ago, when Yuko had stayed with the Corps, she and Aoi had exchanged short interactions.
"Shouldn't you be resting at this hour?" Yuko asked.
Aoi sat down beside her—now Yuko was sandwiched between Aoi and Yae like a piece of cheese in bread.
"Miss Shinobu is busy. I wanted to see if I could help in any way."
Seeing the earnest effort, Yuko did not tell her to rest and simply nodded. "That's thoughtful."
"Miss Yae, please have some."
"Ah—thank you."
The three of them sat quietly outside, speaking softly so as not to disturb the surgery.
Yae, already accustomed to night shifts, held up well enough.
Aoi, however, began nodding off, and eventually fell asleep leaning on Yuko's shoulder.
Dawn had nearly arrived when the door was suddenly pulled open.
Aoi jolted awake. All three turned simultaneously—Shinobu stood there.
Yae sprang up immediately. "Is my father alright?!"
Removing her mask, Shinobu exhaled wearily. "It went smoothly enough. Go in and see him."
She stepped aside.
"Aoi, please go in and keep watch. If Lady Tamayo needs anything, inform me immediately."
"Yes, Miss Shinobu."
Aoi hopped to her feet—truly a young woman with maxed-out work ethic.
Noticing Shinobu's dark circles, Yuko asked, "You okay, Shinobu? You don't look well."
"Yes… I'm a little tired."
Shinobu rubbed her temples and sat down beside Yuko.
"Lady Tamayo is incredible. If I don't focus completely, I can't keep up."
"You've been up all night. Go get some rest."
Shinobu shook her head. "No need. I can still manage."
Yuko chuckled. "Tamayo's stamina far exceeds that of normal humans."
Demons had incredible physical endurance. Surgeries requiring intense concentration were nothing to them.
Mentioning stamina triggered something in Shinobu's memory. She asked suddenly:
"That… about what you said yesterday."
"Hmm?" Yuko looked over.
"The 'marks.' I want to know—what exactly are they?"
"The marks?"
"Oh, those are a power that increases physical ability at the cost of lifespan."
Shinobu hesitated. "Then… could I awaken a mark as well?"
"Of course. Awakening a mark isn't all that difficult."
Among the three great techniques, the marks were indeed the easiest.
All one needed was to reach their limit.
"But like I said, those who awaken marks usually don't live past twenty-five."
"If I hadn't been turned into a demon, I imagine I would have died from the mark as well."
Yuko touched the pattern on her cheek, eyes tinged with distant memories.
She never believed she was as special as Yoriichi.
Shinobu had wanted to ask more about the marks, but upon hearing Yuko's quiet admission, she instead asked softly:
"Yuko… how did you become a demon?"
The moment she said it, she realized it might be rude.
"S-sorry, maybe that was too personal?"
Yuko was silent for a moment. "Well… maybe a little."
Shinobu froze, ears turning red with embarrassment.
"I was turned… by my own older brother."
Though Yuko had forgotten many things, her memories of Yoriichi and Michikatsu remained intact.
If only—
If only her blade back then had cut a little deeper.
If only she had been more cautious…
Shinobu's eyes trembled. Her lips tightened. "I'm sorry…"
Yuko smiled gently. "It's fine. After becoming a demon, my legs stopped trembling, my throat stopped coughing, and my body became much healthier."
That was the truth.
Yuko's main reason for resisting demonhood had been the fear that Muzan would discover her memories.
Later, when Yoriichi aged, she had fallen into another stretch of melancholy.
But hearing it now, Shinobu could only interpret it as a bitter smile.
Yuko… must have suffered so much.
Shinobu's amethyst eyes softened with a tender sorrow.
Yuko's expression stiffened.
What kind of face was that supposed to be…?
Why did it make her feel like she was being pitied?
---
Currently at chapter 393 for advance chapters
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