The next morning, Keizo asked the Librarian and the others to look after Koyuki before leaving the dojo. Despite owning a large dojo, he had no students. To support himself and his daughter, Keizo had to take on odd jobs. As for how a man with no power or influence managed to acquire such a large piece of land, he claimed it was just good luck. He had once rescued an old man from robbers in the mountains. The man, impressed with his Soryu style, gifted him the land and dojo, which had no other heir.
Hearing this, the Librarian couldn't help but marvel. Is Keizo the king of freeloading in the Demon Slayer world?
Just then, Hakuji approached, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Um, Mr. Librarian, why do I have to be the one to take care of Koyuki?"
The Librarian chuckled and flicked him on the forehead. "Shouldn't children of similar ages have more to talk about? Besides, you've been with Tamayo and me for so long. A small task like this shouldn't be too difficult for you, right?"
Hakuji nodded, reluctantly accepting. Honestly, for someone who had cared for his father and worked under the Librarian for years, looking after Koyuki was a relatively easy task. The only thing that made him uncomfortable was how Koyuki would often start crying in the middle of their conversations. It made Hakuji wonder if his own gloomy appearance was affecting her.
"It's time to change her medicine," the Librarian said, walking in with a stack of medicinal plasters. "These need to be applied to her back. I'm leaving it to you." He thrust the plasters into Hakuji's hands and turned to leave.
Panicked, Hakuji quickly grabbed his sleeve. "W-wait a minute! Why do I have to change her dressing?" Hakuji's face was beet red, his words jumbled. In his mind, changing a girl's medicine was a job for Miss Tamayo. At the very least, it should be the Librarian, the doctor, who did it. How could he, a novice, be expected to undress Koyuki and apply the medicine?
"Remember, in the eyes of a doctor, there is no male or female, only the patient and the non-patient," the Librarian said mysteriously, patting Hakuji's shoulder and giving him a thumbs-up. "I'm counting on you, little Dr. Hakuji."
Watching the Librarian disappear behind the door, Hakuji felt as if every muscle in his body was twitching. He turned stiffly, only to find that Koyuki had already turned her back to him, her sleepwear partially removed. From her reddened earlobes, he could tell she was hesitant and embarrassed.
"By the way, you should apply the plaster quickly, or the medicinal properties will evaporate," the Librarian's voice called from outside. Though it sounded serious, to Hakuji's ears, it was like the tempting whisper of a demon.
Coughing softly, Koyuki spoke in a low voice, "Um, Mr. Hakuji... this is my first time. Please be gentle."
With the girl herself saying so, Hakuji couldn't refuse any longer. Gritting his teeth, he went for it.
When Hakuji emerged from the room after changing the plaster, he seemed like a different person. The Librarian waved a hand in front of his face, but Hakuji didn't react. He could only be heard muttering faintly, "So soft... so fair... smelled so nice..."
After noon, the Librarian once again tasked Hakuji with changing the medicine. Having had the experience from the first time, Hakuji, though still blushing, completed the task admirably.
Taking the used plaster from him, the Librarian smiled. "I hear there's a fireworks display tonight. Why don't you take Koyuki to see it?"
Hakuji was taken aback. Leaving aside the fact that it was once again him taking Koyuki out, her physical condition surely couldn't handle such strenuous activity.
As if reading his mind, the Librarian said, "When did I say she had to walk there?"
"Huh? If she doesn't walk, how can she see the fireworks?"
"Of course, you'll carry her on your back." The Librarian ruffled his hair affectionately and turned to dispose of the used plaster. "I'll explain things to Keizo."
Hearing this, Hakuji began to seriously consider it. Although he had only changed her dressing twice, Koyuki's health had already shown significant improvement. He had also heard her mention the fireworks; she had been looking forward to them for years. If she missed this one, she would have to wait another year. The thought of the hopeful expression on Koyuki's face made his heart pound uncontrollably.
Steeling himself, he decided he would take Koyuki to see the fireworks tonight. Even if Keizo beat him for it, he would accept the consequences.
As night fell, the town's fireworks festival began as scheduled. With Koyuki on his back, Hakuji moved like an agile monkey, weaving through the crowd. With a leap, the two of them landed in a prime viewing spot.
Standing on a rooftop, the Librarian and Tamayo quietly watched Hakuji and Koyuki. Seeing the two of them playing and laughing, their faces filled with joy, a smile graced the Librarian's lips.
"Aren't you going to watch the fireworks?" he asked, turning to Tamayo, hoping she too would relax and enjoy herself.
Shaking her head, Tamayo indicated she wasn't fond of such festivities. For her, any place with the Librarian was the only place she wanted to be.
The Librarian smiled faintly and was about to say something when his brow suddenly furrowed. He whipped his head around, looking towards the other side of the town.
"What's wrong?" Tamayo, noticing his change in demeanor, also looked in that direction. But she didn't sense anything unusual. The same crowds, the same noise, the same laughter.
"Maybe I'm mistaken, but... that feeling..." The Librarian's expression grew more and more peculiar as he stared into the distance. "So, you've finally arrived."
In the direction he was looking, three cloaked figures were slowly walking into the town.
The figure in the lead suddenly stopped and turned to the person on his left. "Sui-Lan, conceal your presence. Our objective is to infiltrate."
"Yes, my lord," the figure on the left replied, reluctantly withdrawing the aura imperceptible to ordinary humans. I hope the Librarian didn't notice.
Under the glow of the lanterns, the leader's face was illuminated. A pale complexion, crimson eyes, short black hair, and an expression of faint disdain for humanity.
The Progenitor of Demons, Kibutsuji Muzan, had infiltrated the town with his subordinates.
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