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The Butterfly Mansion.
Kamado Tanjiro stood at the doorway of the sickroom, casting a worried glance at his father lying in bed and his mother tending to him. He turned back to his anxious younger siblings, forcing a somewhat stiff smile.
For a family that had lived a quiet, unchanging life burning and selling charcoal in the mountains, everything had changed when a certain young lady arrived a few days ago.
To seek treatment for their gravely ill father, they had left their familiar home for this unfamiliar place. Now, with their father bedridden once more, Tanjiro's heart was filled with unease.
'No! I'm thirteen, the eldest son. I have to take on more responsibility!' he told himself, his smile becoming more natural as he spoke gently to comfort his younger siblings.
"Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru," he said, patting each of their heads in turn. "Don't worry. With the doctors here treating him, Dad will get better."
His sister, Nezuko, the eldest daughter, helped soothe the youngest child. "Sleep now, Rokuta," she whispered, cradling their infant brother. "Be good, your big sister's got you."
"Someone's coming," Tanjiro said suddenly, sniffing the air.
His sense of smell, far keener than most, quickly identified the newcomers. "It's Miss Kocho… and nine unfamiliar scents."
"Nezuko, take everyone into the room," he instructed, ushering his siblings inside while he stood guard near the door.
Footsteps approached, and the group appeared around the corner.
Leading them was Shinobu, whom Tanjiro recognized.
But then…
What?! Tanjiro's eyes widened.
Ten people!
He sniffed again, staring in shock at the elegant young man in white walking behind Shinobu.
This person… has no scent…
The young man met his gaze, a hint of amusement flickering in his black eyes.
So rude… Tanjiro snapped out of it, then heard Shinobu's voice.
"Tanjiro-kun…"
"Moshi moshi… Tanjiro-kun…"
"Sorry… I'm so sorry…" Tanjiro's face flushed red as he bowed repeatedly. "I was rude, Miss Kocho, and to you, sir…"
Seeing the flustered boy, Kaito chuckled lightly, causing Tanjiro to tremble.
"No need for formalities, young man. You're Kamado Tanjiro, right?" Kagaya said, his gentle voice calming Tanjiro's nerves like magic.
"Y-Yes! I'm Kamado Tanjiro, the eldest son of the Kamado family!" Tanjiro replied, lifting his head.
"Hello, my name is Ubuyashiki Kagaya," the young man in the wheelchair said with a warm smile, drawing Tanjiro's attention. "We're here to see your father, Mr. Kamado Tanjuro."
"This is the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, our lord," Shinobu added, prompting him.
"Hello," Tanjiro said, bowing again to Kagaya. "Thank you for letting my father come here for treatment."
Kagaya nodded. "No need to thank me. The Demon Slayer Corps also seeks your father's assistance."
"Tanjiro, let the lord enter," came Kamado Tanjuro's weak voice from inside.
"Yes!" Tanjiro said, his bewildered expression clearing as he opened the door. "Please come in."
"Then, Mr. Uchiha and I will go in first," Kagaya said, glancing at the other Pillars. "Please wait outside for now."
"Yes, Lord Ubuyashiki!" they responded in unison.
Tanjiro, standing at the door, finally turned to closely observe the swordsmen, startled by their intense aura, unlike anything he'd ever felt.
These people… they're all carrying swords… Could they be demon hunters?
After learning about the Demon Slayer Corps from Shinobu, his family had been skeptical. It was only their father's decision that brought them here.
Now, feeling the overwhelming presence of the Pillars, Tanjiro began to believe.
"Pardon the intrusion," Kaito said, taking the wheelchair from Sanemi and pushing Kagaya into the sickroom.
"We're the ones intruding," Kamado Kie, Tanjuro's wife, said, turning with a towel in hand and bowing politely.
"No, we're the ones disturbing you," Kagaya replied, nodding to her before looking at the frail young man on the bed. "Mr. Kamado, I apologize for asking your family to make such a long journey. I am Ubuyashiki Kagaya. Please forgive my inability to visit your home in person due to my condition."
"Cough, cough." Tanjuro coughed a few times, then smiled kindly. "No matter. When I heard about the connection between the Demon Slayer Corps and our family, I wanted to come see for myself."
"Let's save pleasantries for later. First, let me examine Mr. Kamado's condition," Kaito said, stepping forward with a smile.
"Mr. Kamado, I am Kaito, a Onmyōji."
"Mr. Uchiha," Tanjuro nodded. Cough, cough. "Miss Kocho mentioned you. I'll be in your care."
"Please, go ahead," Kie said, stepping aside from the bedside.
Kaito approached the bed, smiling gently at the curious children gathered nearby.
Tanjuro, equally curious, entered the room as well.
"No need to worry," Kaito said, extending his right hand over Tanjuro's body. "This is just an initial examination."
As he spoke, blue light radiated from his palm, enveloping Tanjuro's body.
"Wow!" the younger children gasped, only to be quickly hushed by their older siblings.
The light dissipated, and Kaito withdrew his hand.
"I see," he said, observing the scar on Tanjuro's forehead. "This is the half-awakened Demon Slayer Mark."
He glanced at Tanjiro. "Father and son share the same talent."
"Sir, my husband's condition…" Kie asked anxiously, not understanding his words.
"Born with a half-awakened Mark, he possesses immense talent, but his body couldn't keep up, which is why Mr. Kamado's organs are failing," Kaito explained slowly, then smiled. "But don't worry. It's just as I suspected. I'm even more confident in the treatment plan I've prepared."