At 5:30 PM
As the last light drained from the sky, the carriage finally stopped in front of the Ubuyashiki Manor.
Nezuko and the other siblings stared in silent wonder at the grand, luxurious estate before them.
From every angle it looked majestic.
Neat rows of trees lined the grounds, wisteria blooming almost everywhere the eye could see. Within the garden, colorful winter flowers glowed in the dusk. A small pond lay nestled among the grass.
Compared to their tiny mountain house, Tanjiro could only shake his head.
'How much money do these people even have? Millions? A billion?'
His gaze suddenly landed on a figure by the pond.
A shy-looking, curvaceous girl with unusual hair: pink fading into green at the tips, like mochi. Pale skin, round green eyes, small beauty marks beneath both eyes that only made her prettier. She wore blue over white, the fabric embroidered with delicate flower patterns.
'Mitsuri, huh…? Her aura is still weak. So she only just joined the Corps.'
A small grin tugged at his lips. 'Hehe, this is going to be fun…'
"Tanjiro-san, this way, please," Amane said politely, gesturing toward the entrance.
He nodded.
His siblings were being taken to the Butterfly Mansion, a separate estate where they would live from now on as an official Corps family.
After quick headpats and a firm "behave yourselves," the Kakushi driver turned the carriage and departed. Giyu went with them to assist with lodging, without saying a word.
As for Kie, she stayed with Tanjiro, still inside the basket on his back.
Now free of babysitting duties for the moment, Tanjiro sighed in quiet relief and followed the waiting Amane inside.
Immediately, Mitsuri noticed their arrival. So did the two small children playing a board game on the engawa.
"Mother…" the little white-haired girls mumbled subconsciously, their bodies stiffening.
They had been strictly trained by Amane since they were toddlers, so her mere presence made them tense. The fear, obedience, and respect were engraved in their bones.
Tanjiro didn't miss it and gave Amane a sidelong glance. As usual, her face stayed perfectly calm.
The moment she looked at everyone inside, she seemed to become a different person.
First, she bowed to the curvaceous girl.
"You must be Kanroji Mitsuri-san from the western prefecture, the one Tokito-san mentioned in his letter."
Mitsuri's eyes flickered before she returned the bow with a bright voice.
"Mm, yes! I just followed the crow and it dropped me here an hour ago… Hinaki-kun and Nichika-kun said Mother would arrive soon, so I was just passing tim— I mean, waiting patiently…! I'm so sorry for being a nuisance."
Her cheeks turned slightly red by the end.
What a cutie…
Tanjiro's mind raced at her flushed face.
Amane merely cast her calm gaze on the two girls behind, and they instantly dropped their heads, avoiding her eyes.
The girl with the red ribbon spoke up.
"Oyakata-sama is absent due to an official invitation, so…"
"Even so, you should have welcomed the guest inside properly."
Both girls flinched.
"Ah, um, it's my fault. Please don't be angry with them…" Mitsuri said quickly, clearly a little scared of the serious-looking Amane.
Tanjiro just watched the scene in silence, enjoying it.
Amane looked at Mitsuri and said softly, "As a mother, and above all as the educator of these children, I must raise them to become proper people and worthy heirs to the Ubuyashiki family. It is my duty."
Her professional aura flared. Mitsuri could only nod repeatedly. Amane's words were calm and rational, so she had no place to argue.
Even Tanjiro found her quite attractive in that moment.
Well, she's already taken…
He shrugged inwardly, not minding.
Amane noticed the darkness settling in and added, "Then, please make yourselves at home. Since Oyakata-sama is not present, we will postpone any proceedings until tomorrow. For now, rest well at the Ubuyashiki estate and spend the night here."
Mitsuri spoke softly.
"Won't it be a bother for Amane-san? I can just return tomorrow…"
Amane shook her head lightly.
"No, it won't be a bother. There are capable servants and plenty of rooms. And it's late; I cannot allow that."
She paused and gave an understanding nod to her daughters, who immediately opened the entrance door.
"Now, let's go inside."
Mitsuri bowed before following.
"Thank you so much… pardon the intrusion."
Amane turned to Tanjiro, who was lost in thought.
"Tanjiro-san?"
Mitsuri also looked back.
'Wah, I completely forgot about him! What's wrong with me… I must be so hungry…'
She thought while pressing her lips together.
Tanjiro snapped out of it.
"…Yes, coming. Sorry about that."
Although he said that, his gaze was still locked on the system notification that had appeared out of nowhere.
[𖤐 Mission: Have sex with Mitsuri]
[𖤐 Reward: Ki awakening]
'Holy shit… It'll reward Ki? That's internal energy, right…?'
With his thoughts racing, he stepped forward with his usual kind expression.
He gave the staring Mitsuri a nod with a smile.
"I'm Kamado Tanjiro. Nice to meet you, Kanroji-san."
She smiled back, not staring at his Mark like the other two girls.
"Mm! Nice to meet you too. Ah, but why are you carrying such a big, sealed basket on your back, Tanjiro-kun? Isn't it heavy? Should I help?"
Amane was about to speak, but Tanjiro answered instantly.
"Hm, this? My mother is resting inside. And it's not heavy at all for me. Despite my looks, I'm pretty strong, heh."
He winked at the end.
Mitsuri's smile vanished, replaced by a blank expression.
"Your m-mother…?" she mumbled.
Hinaki and Nichika tensed up as well.
Tanjiro laughed inwardly.
"Yes, she turned into a demon… Would you like to meet her?"
Mitsuri's green eyes went wide.
"D-Demon…? There's a… demon inside? T-Tanjiro-kun… why are you…"
Seeing her scared face, Tanjiro chuckled.
"Haha."
Amane shook her head in quiet amusement.
"Kanroji-san, there's no need to be afraid. Tanjiro-san's mother, even though she is now a demon, retains her human nature strongly. She won't harm anyone. I can assure you of that."
Hearing her soothing words, Mitsuri's breathing finally calmed.
Amane glanced at the smiling Tanjiro and continued.
"Tanjiro-san, Kanroji-san chose to become a Demon Slayer of her own will, though she has not yet slain a demon. However, with her uniquely gifted body, she has immense potential to become a Hashira. Would you please look after her and teach her swordsmanship?"
Tanjiro noticed her sincere expression and agreed casually.
"Amane-san, the Ubuyashiki family has already done so much for me and my siblings. Compared to that, this small request is nothing. Rest assured, I'll make sure Kanroji-san's potential isn't wasted."
Amane's lips curved slightly. She gave a grateful nod.
On the other side, Mitsuri's mouth and eyebrows twitched in surprise.
She had just been handed over to a boy younger than her to be looked after and taught?
She couldn't help but find it hilarious.
Was this boy really skilled enough to be her teacher?
While she was lost in thought, they reached their resting rooms. Hinaki and Nichika opened the doors.
As expected, the rooms were well-maintained tatami spaces with the refined aesthetic of a respected family. Their rooms faced each other across a narrow hallway.
Amane's polite voice followed.
"Please rest here tonight. Dinner will be brought shortly."
At the mention of dinner, Mitsuri's stomach let out a loud rumble. A deep flush spread across her face as she avoided eye contact.
"Wahaha, I wonder what that was… A mouse, maybe…?"
"…"
Amane remained unfazed.
"…Hinaki, please inform the cook to prepare plenty of food for Kanroji-san."
Hinaki nodded quietly, mirroring her mother.
"Yes…" She left.
"It was my oversight. Please forgive me," Amane sighed.
"Ah, please don't… My appetite is just different from others…" Mitsuri grew even more embarrassed.
Amane stayed composed and added,
"At the end of the hallway is the bathroom. Spare clothes are provided, so please use them as you wish. If you have any questions, you can ask Koyuki-san in that room. She is the head maid of the mansion."
She bowed and left with Nichika, leaving them alone.
Mitsuri, still shaken from her embarrassment, noticed Tanjiro looking around the floor.
"Mm, Tanjiro-kun, what are you doing?" she asked softly.
He looked at her quite seriously, stepped closer, and whispered,
"I'm looking for that mouse you mentioned… I can't seem to find it anywhere though."
"…"
Mitsuri's mouth trembled in shame as her face turned tomato-red.
Her eyes widened. She dashed into her room without a word and slammed the door, face completely flushed.
....
Happy New Year 🤣🤣 (Enjoy ~)
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