Being cursed as a useless weakling by his own brother left a trace of bitterness in Genya Shinazugawa's heart. If not for the guidance he had once received from Soma, he would probably have been drowning in sorrow right now, unable to even face his brother.
But even with that lingering disappointment, Genya kept his eyes fixed on Sanemi. He could clearly see that when his brother hurled those insults, his gaze never truly met his own.
Everything was exactly as Soma had said.
If not for those words back then, he might have truly believed what was being said now—that he was nothing but a foolish younger brother, one his brother regretted ever having.
And yet, the truth was the opposite. His brother had never taken those past accusations to heart.
Sanemi, on the other hand, couldn't understand why his brother remained calm, why he showed no anger even after being insulted so harshly. Instead, Genya continued to look at him with that same gentle expression. It unsettled him, but more than that, it made him furious. No matter what, he would not allow Genya to walk the path of a demon slayer.
"Let me see just how worthless you really are," Sanemi said coldly, staring him down. "Show me what gives a piece of trash like you the courage to hunt demons."
He stepped forward slightly, his voice turning sharper. "Come. Attack me."
Genya clenched his teeth, staring straight at his brother. "I won't let you down, Brother."
With that, he rushed forward and launched his attack.
"Pathetic. That slow, and you think you can hunt demons? Trash will always be trash."
Sanemi belittled his brother without hesitation. Just as Genya's strike was about to land, Sanemi swung a fist, slamming it hard into Genya's face.
He watched as his brother crumpled like a tattered sack of grain, hitting the ground and remaining there for an age, unable to crawl back up as blood pooled across his cheek.
"Useless."
Sanemi lowered his trembling hand and looked down at him coldly. "Someone like you isn't fit to hunt demons. Give up on this path. If I see you continue, I'll break your legs."
A few young trainees had gathered nearby. Hearing those icy words and seeing the sheer intensity of the Wind Hashira—his white hair bristling, his scarred face filled with unrestrained violence—they couldn't help but feel a chill run through them.
To them, this older brother was terrifying.
Genya coughed up blood, his vision spinning from the force of that punch. He tried to push himself up with his arms, but they felt heavy and unresponsive, as if they no longer belonged to him.
"I... I definitely won't let you down, Brother."
He forced the words out through gritted teeth, a low, strained sound escaping him like a wounded beast as he struggled to rise again.
Just as he was about to stand, a crushing weight suddenly pressed down on his back, forcing his body to collapse flat against the ground like a dog.
Genya lifted his head and saw that his brother had somehow appeared before him, one foot planted firmly on his back, looking down at him with open disgust.
"Trash doesn't deserve to hunt demons. Garbage like you belongs in the gutter."
"I won't let you down. I'm going to keep hunting demons."
Even though he knew those words weren't truly his brother's feelings, humiliation still burned in his chest. "I'm not trash. I'm your brother. I'll stand beside you someday."
Gritting his teeth, Genya forced himself up once more and charged at Sanemi again.
But the gap between them was like an unbridgeable abyss.
Sanemi lifted his leg and kicked him straight in the chest and abdomen.
THUD!
The dull sound of the impact echoed as Genya was sent flying backward. He crashed into the dirt, his vision swimming into darkness. The searing pain caused him to curl inward like a boiled shrimp.
"A weakling like you…"
Sanemi's voice was cold and merciless.
"…will never be worthy of becoming a swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps."
Sanemi Shinazugawa no longer spared his brother another glance. Instead, he turned his cold gaze toward the few young trainees gathered nearby.
"Someone who overestimates himself like that has no chance against demons. He's nothing but trash. A useless weakling."
With those words, the Wind Hashira didn't look back again. He simply turned and walked away, his figure distant and indifferent, as though his younger brother meant nothing to him at all.
…
Genya was carried back into a room by the other trainees.
Soma arrived quickly after hearing the news, bringing Shinobu Kocho with him.
"He went a bit too far," Shinobu said quietly as she treated Genya's injuries. "But he still held back. It looks bad and it hurts, but none of the vital areas were damaged."
"Well, he is his younger brother," Soma said with a faint smile from the side. "No matter what, he wouldn't go that far."
"But treating your own brother like this is far too cruel. He doesn't act like an older brother at all."
Shinobu spoke in a low voice, unable to hide her displeasure. Compared to her own sister, this Wind Hashira was simply worlds apart. Not long ago, he had even criticized her sister for allowing her to fight demons, insisting he would never permit his own sibling to take such a dangerous path. And yet… this was how he treated him now.
"No… it's my fault." Genya, who had just woken up, immediately spoke in defense. "It's because I'm not good enough. My brother… he's a good person."
Shinobu wanted to argue back, but when she saw the stubborn determination in his eyes, she held back the sharp words that almost slipped out and continued treating him in silence.
"Alright, that's it. You just need to rest for a while now."
She clapped her hands lightly and packed up her medical kit.
"Thank you for your help, Shinobu," Soma said with a smile.
"It's nothing."
Shinobu lowered her head slightly. "I'm just doing my duty as a medic."
Without realizing it, her voice had softened.
As if feeling that her words sounded a bit too distant, she quickly added, "If you ever have injuries that need treatment, you can come to me anytime."
"Alright."
Soma nodded, glancing at her unconsciously—only to find that she was looking at him as well.
For a brief moment, their gazes met.
Soma didn't think much of it, but Shinobu quickly turned her head away, hastily gathering the rest of her things. "I'm done here. I'll be going now."
"Mm. Thanks again, Shinobu."
"It's nothing."
She picked up her medical kit and walked out quickly. For some reason, treating the wounded today hadn't felt as irritating as usual. If anything, she felt a little lighter… even a bit happy.
The gloomy mood she'd been in because of her sister's upcoming mission seemed to have eased.
Unconsciously, she recalled something her sister once told her: "When the day comes that you meet someone you truly like, you won't feel this way anymore."
Shinobu shook her head, finding the thought oddly strange.
As she walked, she suddenly stopped.
Standing not far ahead was the Wind Hashira—Sanemi Shinazugawa, the same man who had once harshly lectured her sister.
The girl lifted her eyes, her expression tightening as she looked at him.
"How... how is Genya's condition?" Sanemi asked, his voice stiff and mechanical.
"He's going to die," Shinobu replied coldly.
Sanemi's pupils shrank instantly. His body nearly gave out beneath him as he staggered, almost collapsing to the ground.
"H-how…? I held back… I clearly held back…"
"How can he be... dying?"
Despair and grief spread across his face in an instant.
Shinobu froze. It was the first time she had ever seen the fierce, hot-tempered Wind Hashira—who wouldn't even flinch if cut by a blade—break down like this.
She had never imagined that someone so strong could look so fragile.
And almost immediately, guilt crept into her chest.
It seemed… her joke had gone a little too far.
...
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