In a simply decorated yet cozy room, the courtesan Koinatsu sat quietly before her vanity, having shed her lavish attire for a plain kimono.
She gazed absently at her stunning reflection in the mirror—a beauty worthy of the title "courtesan," yet forever bound by it.
Not long ago, the madam of Tokiwaya had come to her, full of remorse, and explained everything.
Koinatsu didn't blame her; she understood perfectly.
In the face of money and power, an individual's existence seemed so insignificant.
"Koinatsu-nee?"
The soft call from outside the room snapped Koinatsu out of her reverie.
She turned her head and smiled, "Ah, it's Sumiko. Come in, you've worked hard~" Koinatsu's smile was breathtakingly beautiful, especially her crescent-moon-like eyes.
Tanjiro, disguised as the geisha "Sumiko," always felt a warm aura radiating from her.
"Koinatsu-nee, many guests are thrilled to hear you're being redeemed, and they've sent even more gifts than usual," Sumiko—no, Tanjiro—remarked with emotion.
Koinatsu chuckled softly. "I'm very grateful for everyone's affection."
Tanjiro set down the gifts in his hands and glanced around the room before asking casually.
"By the way, Koinatsu-nee, where will you go after being redeemed?"
"Oh, that's still a secret. Perhaps you'll understand when you're older."
A fleeting, unreadable emotion flashed through Koinatsu's beautiful eyes but vanished just as quickly.
*****
Meanwhile.
At the Demon Slayer Corps' Wisteria House base.
Ryukawa Chinatsu sat across from Shinichi with a frown, downing a cup of cold tea in one gulp.
"Hmm, a bit bitter."
Shinichi: "Want me to add some sugar?"
Chinatsu shook her head. "No, let's get to business. The courtesan from Tokiwaya was easy enough—two million yen settled it. But the one from Kyogokuya is proving difficult. No matter how much I offer, the madam refuses to budge."
"Not only that, but she kept hinting, both subtly and overtly, that the courtesan Warabihime isn't worth redeeming. I even raised the offer to five million yen, but they still wouldn't relent."
Shinichi straightened up, sensing something amiss in Chinatsu's words.
"Is that so?" After a brief moment of contemplation, a theory began forming in his mind.
"Chinatsu, I know this is a lot to ask, but... could you find a way to evacuate the civilians from Yoshiwara's red-light district in the coming days?"
"Huh? Me?" Chinatsu's eyes widened as she pointed at herself.
"Shinichi, do you even understand the complexities of Yoshiwara? Forget the brothels' illicit services—just the web of interests involving nobles, officials, and wealthy merchants is tangled enough. The Moriki Conglomerate has influence, but we can't afford to offend all these factions at once."
Shinichi knew Chinatsu was in a tough spot, but if a brutal battle erupted in Yoshiwara, countless innocent lives could be lost without evacuation.
"I know, but you're the only one I can turn to for help. Chinatsu, please." His voice was earnest.
Chinatsu took a deep breath, her eyes filled with resignation, and set down her teacup.
"Fine. I'll do my best."
"Thank you, Chinatsu."
****
Tokiwaya.
The madam gaped as the stunning courtesan Koinatsu, supported by her attendants, gracefully descended from her palanquin.
With elegant poise, Koinatsu approached and bowed slightly.
"Madam, I hope you are well."
Madam Tsukimura trembled as she spoke, opening her mouth several times without knowing what to say.
In the end, she rambled incoherently, even to herself.
The other girls of the Tokihei House had all crowded at the entrance, watching excitedly as the renowned courtesan of the red-light district stepped into their establishment.
"Just moving from one brothel to another? But it doesn't matter anymore. Freedom and happiness were never more than luxuries anyway."
Stepping through the gates of Tokihei House, Koinatsu couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Though Koinatsu didn't quite understand why this seemingly ordinary, even somewhat shabby establishment had paid her ransom.
Could it be they wanted to revive Tokihei House's business?
But how could Tokihei House afford two million yen?
That was an enormous sum—certainly not worth spending on just one person like her.
Bewildered, Koinatsu entered Tokihei House, only to be met with something that quickly left her both confused and astonished.
Instead of the nobleman, wealthy merchant, or even the owner of Tokihei House she had expected, inside the elegant tearoom sat a young, handsome man who seemed to have been waiting for her for some time.
"Miss Koinatsu, please have a seat. I am Shinichi Moriki, the Forest Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. It's a pleasure to meet you." The young man in a blue-green haori greeted her with a smile.
Demon Slayer Corps? Shinichi Moriki?
These completely unfamiliar terms left the stunning courtesan puzzled.
Moreover, the long sword resting beside Shinichi exuded an intimidating presence.
After a moment's hesitation, Koinatsu gracefully took a seat opposite Shinichi and introduced herself with equal politeness.
"It's an honor to meet you, Moriki-sama."
...
Outside the red-light district of Yoshiwara, a sudden clap of thunder broke the heavy silence of the night, followed by a light drizzle.
Inside a dilapidated abandoned hut, a towering figure murmured Buddhist scriptures in a deep voice.
Tiny raindrops drifted through the broken doors and windows, dampening the face of the large, praying figure.
"Namu Amida Butsu..."
"Gyomei-san! Gyomei-san!"
Bang!
The hut's door was flung open as a drenched Genya hurried inside.
"The demon's trail vanished completely at Yoshiwara—it's like it disappeared into thin air. And for some reason, I ran into my brother... the Wind Hashira and the Forest Hashira there too. They seem to be on some kind of mission." Genya peeled off his soaked clothes while recounting his experience.
Beside him, the Stone Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, the most respected senior among the Hashiras, Himejima Gyomei slowly rose to his feet.
His massive frame alone exuded the overwhelming presence of a Buddhist guardian deity.
"Namu Amida Butsu... So it has come to this. It seems our journey will be fraught with peril. Genya, stay vigilant."
...
"Kamaboku! Hey! Kamaboko!"
Tanjiro, who had been dragging a rag across the floor, suddenly looked up at the voice above him.
Outside the window, an upside-down wild boar's head called out to him under the moonlight.
"Inosuke!?"
"Stupid Gonpachiro! I found a demon!"