My elder brother is truly peerless.
Within a mere three years, he not only sublimated the simple act of my breathing into a refined technique but also allowed a man named Rengoku to find his own path through just a few brief words.
Could I have done the same? Absolutely not. It was only possible because it was him—my brother.
But now, it seems my brother intends to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
To be honest, since I have never seen a Demon with my own eyes, I do not know their nature in detail.
However, if even my brother, who wields Moon Breathing, admitted he found them difficult to handle—and if a man like Rengoku, who possesses a physical prowess rivaling my brother's and holds a high rank within the Corps, says he must risk his life to face them—then they must be dangerously formidable indeed.
So why hasn't my brother asked me to join the Demon Slayer Corps with him?
Is it because I am too unreliable...?
I wanted to know my brother's true heart. And I did not want to let him go to such a perilous place alone.
My brother has always led by example, never hesitating to play the role of the provider for our family, yet he has never once ordered or expected anything from me or Uta.
He is always the one suffering; I could no longer allow him to sacrifice himself. A younger brother should support his elder, not simply ride on his back in silence.
As my brother watched Rengoku depart, waving his hand, I approached him.
"Brother, I will also take the Final Selection."
At my words, he turned around and looked into my eyes.
"Are you saying you wish to join the Demon Slayer Corps as well?"
"But did you not loathe picking up the blade?"
I see. My brother was being considerat of me...
That was true.
I hated holding a sword. The act of striking down life with a blade was an unpleasant memory I could still recall vividly.
But even so, I cannot simply keep complaining.
"Even so, I cannot leave you to endure all the hardship alone, brother."
He gazed at me, and in that moment, I saw his muscles twitch suddenly.
It was a movement similar to the time he scolded me—a tightening of resolve.
Was he disappointed? Was it not consideration, but rather a lack of trust in his younger brother?
"Yoriichi."
"Yes, brother."
"If you do not take up the sword, you cannot protect yourself, Uta, or Uzui. Yet, once you hold the sword, you lose the ability to embrace them—yourself included."
!!!!
"That is what it means to hold a blade. To grasp the sword means you can protect someone, but you can no longer hold them warmly. If we both take up the sword, then who is left to embrace Uta?"
My brother gently tapped his finger against my forehead.
"I will be the one to protect you all, so you must be the one to embrace Uta. That, too, is as important as holding a sword to protect someone."
He had seen that far ahead.
But still.
"But, is that not too cruel a fate to place solely upon yourself?"
"It is the destiny of those born as the eldest son."
"Brother..."
He spared me a glance and began walking back toward the house, speaking as he went.
"Yoriichi. The reason I believe this world is full of danger, and the reason I wish to protect you and our family from it, is because I have an impulse within me that is identical to that very danger. So, do not worry yourself too much."
...
Just how high a peak has my brother ascended to?
He has already reached a height I dare not even look up to.
However, even if it displeased him, I had to correct one thing he said.
"Your words are incorrect, brother."
Suddenly, my brother's face stiffened. His heart hammered, and his muscles contracted so violently that I instinctively lowered my head. He was surely furious that I continued to talk back... But even if I was to be punished, I felt I had to say this.
"You said that if you hold the sword, you cannot embrace me. I will prove those words wrong. Even if you cannot hold me because you carry a blade, I will be the one to embrace you, brother."
At that, the tumultuous sound of my brother's heart returned to its original rhythm.
I heard a small 'Heh' and lifted my head to see a faint trace of a smile on his face.
"I'm not particularly fond of hugs from men."
He seemed satisfied.
@@@
Holy shit, that was terrifying.
When Yoriichi suddenly said I was 'incorrect,' I thought I was finished. I thought, 'Well, I‘m dead.'
But I'm relieved that his version of 'incorrect' wasn't what I was imagining.
What a precious, yet terrifying little brother.
Anyway, the Final Selection.
Regarding the exam, Rengoku had this to say:
"I‘m not very good at explaining things! Once you get to the testing grounds, they'll give you all the details, so don't be too hasty! Though, young Michikatsu, I'm sure you‘ll break through it with ease!"
Hmm... Is leaking exam questions a crime even in this era?
He could have at least given me a walkthrough.
He said my residence would be provided as soon as I passed the Final Selection, and the location isn't far from the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, so at least my work-life balance should be decent. Thank goodness.
And the exam site is called Mount Fujikasane, right? A mountain where wisteria blooms in profusion all year round from the foot to the halfway point... Is the test related to wisteria?
It's surprisingly hard to deduce.
Well, if he said I‘d pass easily, it probably isn't that difficult. I shouldn't overthink it.
And... Yoriichi joining the Demon Slayer Corps.
It‘s not like I hadn‘t thought about it.
Of course, it would be great if Yoriichi joined too. If this guy joined the Corps, it wouldn't take more than a few months for every single Demon Slayer, Hashira included, to be out of a job because the Demons would all be extinct.
The problem is that he hates holding a sword.
If he‘s forced into the life of a Demon Slayer and his stress keeps building until he finally snaps...
'Brother, I'm already pissed off enough as it is. I've reached my limit listening to your bullshit. Get on the floor.'
'I'll have you lying flat within two minutes.'
Nope. Absolutely not.
I must avoid the scenario where I‘m greeted by my late mother in the afterlife with a 'Welcome back'!
@@@
The next day, someone sent by Rengoku visited. I was given two Nichirin Blades with crimson red steel, the same color as Rengoku's own, stating they would be necessary for the exam.
It seems the Final Selection definitely involves hunting Demons.
According to the messenger, these were substitutes for Rengoku‘s own blade; while they weren't quite of the same caliber, they weren't bad either.
Before leaving the house, I told Yoriichi to never leave Uta alone, whether it was day or night, until the Final Selection was over. I gave them all the money I had earned as a Fixer, minus my own travel expenses. It should be enough to live on for about two weeks without working.
And so, Uzui and I arrived at Mount Fujikasane.
Even though I‘d only heard rumors, there was an incredible amount of wisteria, despite it not even being the season for it to bloom. If someone lived here, Demons would never be able to get close, would they?
After walking for a bit, we reached a set of stairs. Climbing them, we saw a rope connecting two red pillars, with pieces of paper hanging from it, each inscribed with peculiar patterns.
There were more people than I expected, and every one of them was carrying a katana. However, it didn't seem like anyone else was there just for the money. The expressions they wore practically shouted, 'I have a very tragic history with Demons,' like a cover letter for a job application.
Furthermore, most of them were around my age; I didn't see anyone who looked like a full-grown adult.
Perhaps because of that, as soon as Uzui and I appeared, many eyes turned toward us. Uzui is already an adult and quite tall for a woman, and I am nearly 170cm tall and look like an adult myself.
To put it nicely, I look mature. To put it bluntly, I have a premature aging face.
Setting that aside, there were two peculiar girls standing in the center. One had black hair and purple eyes, and the other had silver hair and purple eyes. Both were adorned with flower ornaments in their hair.
Uzui fixed her gaze on the girls, narrowed her eyes, and poked my side, whispering softly.
"Just so you know, that black-haired child is a boy."
Wait, what?