Kochou Shinobu's life had been one of affluence.
Because her parents worked with pharmaceuticals, Shinobu had eaten many good things as a child.
Although their home was later invaded by demons and she and Kanae went through a difficult time...
...as Kanae became the Flower Hashira and took over the Butterfly Mansion as a high-ranking member of the Demon Slayer Corps, the living conditions of the two became affluent once again.
With the salary provided by Ubuyashiki Kagaya, the two sisters had visited many famous restaurants to taste delicacies in their spare time between slaying demons.
However...
"It smells so good."
Looking at the Sorrowful Soul Rice placed before her, Kochou Shinobu couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
It was clearly just very ordinary char siu rice with a fried egg, so why was it so fragrant?
Compared to this Sorrowful Soul Rice, the delicacies she had eaten in the past were like pig slop.
Sorrowful Soul Rice... Recalling the name Leo had just introduced, Kochou Shinobu fell into thought.
The term'Sorrowful' must mean that other dishes pale in comparison to this char siu rice.
If that's the case, what does'Soul' refer to?
"What are you thinking about?"
Just as Kochou Shinobu was pondering the meaning of the name Sorrowful Soul Rice, Leo's voice rang out.
Seeing her staring blankly at the Sorrowful Soul Rice from the very beginning, he waved his hand in front of her twice.
"You haven't been so struck by the culinary skills I displayed that you've lost confidence in cooking, have you?"
"To be honest, a little bit."
This time Kochou Shinobu didn't act tough, instead showing a look of curiosity on her face.
"How did you do that just now?"
"Nothing special, just practice."
"If you don't want to say, then forget it."
Kochou Shinobu didn't believe a single word of Leo's excuse.
What normal person chops vegetables in such a wild and chaotic manner?
And that golden light when it was finished was clearly not a normal occurrence either.
Scanning Leo and finding no flashlight or similar items, Kochou Shinobu lowered her head, her gaze falling back onto the Sorrowful Soul Rice.
"Let's eat."
Giving up unnecessary thoughts, Kochou Shinobu, who hadn't eaten for a day, picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of char siu from the bowl into her mouth.
In the next instant, an indescribable deliciousness blossomed on her taste buds. It was as if waves were sweeping over her, yet it was incredibly colorful and captivating.
In a daze, Kochou Shinobu's deceased parents appeared before her eyes.
It was an evening with the setting sun; the Kochou couple, having finished work early, had spent the afternoon preparing a grand feast for the two sisters.
Although the taste of that feast wasn't quite to Kochou Shinobu's liking, she was still very happy.
Because it was the first time in a month that the family of four had gathered for a long-awaited meal together.
"Father... Mother..."
Immersed in this beautiful memory, Kochou Shinobu's mind gradually went blank...
Thud—!
Kanao Tsuyuri: "?!"
Looking at Kochou Shinobu next to her, who had started crying halfway through eating, then tilted her head and collapsed onto the dining table, still muttering 'Father, Mother' under her breath...
Kanao Tsuyuri, who had also been attracted by the aroma and was about to eat, was stunned.
Her gaze jumped back and forth between the Sorrowful Soul Rice in front of her and Kochou Shinobu beside her; the young girl's closed heart received a huge shock.
This rice... it couldn't have been drugged, could it?
"She's just too tired, so she fell asleep directly after relaxing."
Just as Kanao Tsuyuri was confused, a shadow loomed over her.
Leo, who had been standing not far away, appeared silently in front of her, a faint smile on his face.
"Eat quickly, it won't taste good when it's cold."
"..."
It should be... okay, right?
After silently locking eyes with Leo for a moment, Kanao picked up a piece of char siu from the bowl.
...
Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, night arrived.
When Kochou Kanae returned to the Butterfly Mansion after her busy day, she was surprised to find a little follower behind Leo.
"Leo, you guys are..."
"Post-Food Therapy exercise."
"Food Therapy?"
"Yeah, didn't you say before that Kanao has emotional deficiencies?"
"Since I had nothing else to do, I tried making some food for Kanao to eat."
Leo, who was leading Kanao in a run around the courtyard, stopped and recounted what had happened not long ago.
"I see."
Kochou Kanae came to a sudden realization after listening.
Moving her gaze from Leo, she looked at Kanao Tsuyuri standing silently by the side.
Although she still had a blank expression, Kochou Kanae could clearly feel that Kanao's gaze had not left Leo.
"It seems your Food Therapy was quite effective."
"Of course, my culinary skills are number one in the world; everyone who eats it says it's good."
"I'm a bit curious now that you put it that way."
Kochou Kanae blinked her eyes. "Chef Leo, can I experience the skills of the 'world's number one chef' tomorrow?"
"Of course. Just remember to bring your own ingredients and tissues for whatever you want to eat."
"Tissues?"
"Someone ate my food today and was moved to tears, crying out for their father and mother."
"Eh? Really?"
"It's true. If you don't believe me, you can ask Kanao. She was there."
Leo spoke with confidence, pointing to the dazed loli beside him.
"Kanao, is it true?"
Kochou Kanae turned her gaze toward her.
"...Yes, it's true."
Under their gaze, Kanao Tsuyuri nodded slightly, speaking a rare four words.
"Eh? That's a bit too much of an exaggeration."
Kochou Kanae was somewhat surprised.
She knew Kanao's personality well.
Since even she said so, there was a high probability it was true.
"Now you know how delicious my food is," Leo's voice rang out again.
"Mhm, I'm starting to look forward to it."
Kochou Kanae nodded.
She could understand food being delicious, but food so good it made people cry for their parents was clearly not simple.
"By the way, Leo."
Ending the topic of food therapy, Kochou Kanae finally remembered the main business.
"The antidote is ready."
"Hm? So soon?"
"It's not troublesome to make once you have the materials."
Kochou Kanae nodded.
During the Hashira Meeting this morning, Leo had shared a lot of information about Muzan and the Upper Rank Demons.
According to Leo, the Blood Demon Arts of Upper Rank Five and Upper Rank Six both contained toxins.
If one were hit by their attacks, it would be life-threatening if not neutralized in time.
After learning about this, Ubuyashiki Kagaya had immediately issued a mission to Kochou Kanae, asking her to prepare antidotes.
Kochou Kanae did not fail his trust either, starting the preparations as soon as she returned.
Referencing the poison-type Blood Demon Arts she had encountered in the past, she had made a total of seventeen different antidotes.
However...
"Based on history, the Upper Rank Demons are on a completely different level from other demons."
"Without testing, I can't guarantee these antidotes will work against the toxins of the Upper Ranks."
"It's fine, these will suffice."
Leo didn't mind much.
Because they had never seen an Upper Rank Demon, Kochou Kanae and the others were being extremely cautious.
But in Leo's view, the only ones among the Upper Ranks who could be considered threats were Upper Rank One and Upper Rank Two.
As for Upper Rank Five and Upper Rank Six at the bottom of the rankings, they wouldn't be hard to deal with once their information was known.
"Rather than an antidote, I'd prefer you to research a truth serum effective against demons, ideally one that works on Muzan."
"A truth serum that works on Muzan?"
Kochou Kanae showed a look of difficulty.
Through Leo's explanation, she fully understood how strong Muzan's resistance to various drugs was.
To make a truth serum work on Muzan, they would have to use extremely potent ingredients.
"My research on demons is still too limited; this might be a bit difficult."
"What if I said... I could capture Muzan alive and bring him before you for research?"
"Eh?"
Kochou Kanae was stunned for a moment.
Looking at the black-haired youth asking this question with a serious face, she hesitated before replying.
"If I could study Muzan up close, I'm confident I could get it done within a month."
"I understand."
Leo nodded thoughtfully.
Since Kochou Kanae said so, he could be a bit bolder in his next actions.