"Doma is just ahead. I would kindly ask you to be respectful when you meet him; you must absolutely not be rude."
Kikyo led Kamiya Rengoku through the bustling crowd, but she took the time to constantly remind him along the way to be polite toward Doma.
Kamiya and Kikyo's pace gradually slowed as they drew closer to the demon slayer's target.
The expression on his face grew increasingly solemn, and his hand was already resting on the hilt of his blade.
He was on high alert due to his sense of smell.
'The demon's scent is getting stronger…'
Kamiya's sense of smell was a reliable asset, one that had saved his life countless times.
He was increasingly certain that a demon was hiding within the priestess's sect ahead of him.
This made Kamiya even more vigilant, his piercing gaze scanning the crowd at every moment.
He paid particular attention to the dark alleys along the street, as dreadful things were often concealed out of plain sight.
"Don't look around too much; we've arrived," Kikyo said softly, turning her head.
"Ah, there you are, Kikyo-san."
A middle-aged man arranging lotus lanterns nearby looked up at the duo before approaching them.
"Is this gentleman a new follower, or simply someone interested in our teachings?"
The man, whose head was shaved as smooth as a billiard ball, asked the question that intrigued him most.
"Kamiya-san is interested in our doctrine, so I brought him to meet Doma-sama. I'm certain he'll be able to break through any barriers of reluctance in Kamiya-san's heart," Kikyo explained confidently.
Kamiya was no longer paying attention to what the two followers were saying.
His gaze was fixed intensely on the young man seated on the ornate high platform, his pupils suddenly contracting.
Kamiya Rengoku was not gay, nor was he an adherent of… specific practices, but the appearance of the unknown man was striking.
It didn't take him long to understand why Kikyo had described him as inhuman and mystical.
'Especially his eyes… ' Kamiya had never seen such a captivating gaze, but all of that was overshadowed by a problem.
'He… he's definitely a demon!'
Kamiya's suspicion was confirmed.
Kamiya gripped the hilt of his blade so tightly it creaked, his teeth clenched firmly.
The demon slayer's murderous intent was not concealed, as he was furious.
A demon was being admired and adored by humans while secretly devouring them.
A disgrace.
Doma was still seated on the high platform, playing the role of a deity with boredom, but his act came to an abrupt halt.
He noticed an unusual and murderous aura not far from his location.
He instinctively turned his head toward the source of the killing intent and locked eyes with a person who seemed vaguely familiar.
'Kyojuro Rengoku! No… he hasn't been born yet in this era.'
Doma quickly realized he had encountered an ancestor of the future Flame Hashira.
The black uniform, a Nichirin Blade resembling the sun, continuous Total Concentration Breathing like a flame…
All these elements led Doma to consider the young man as someone close to or at the level of a Hashira.
Instinctively… Doma slightly raised his eyes and glanced at the dark night sky, his demonic night vision allowing him to easily spot the crow circling in the air.
'A demon slayer from the Demon Slayer Corps… Finally, something interesting in this boring night.'
He decided to offer a gentle, kind smile to the young man staring at him.
A clear provocation, as Doma needed to lure him to follow.
Doma had no desire to face an ambush in broad daylight within his monastery, where he would be at a disadvantage.
'This demon… he smiled at me?'
Kamiya tensed every muscle in his body with vigilance, feeling the hairs on his skin stand on end.
He was instinctively afraid.
A sensation he hadn't felt since the Demon Slayer selection exam.
This situation confirmed that he had found the powerful demon he had been searching for.
Killing him could make him a true Hashira.
'But he's too arrogant.'
His gaze swept around once more, and his expression grew even graver.
There were too many people around; he absolutely couldn't fight here, as it might harm innocents.
And… there were so many men, women, and children gathered around the demon.
'Damn it! Is this demon really bewitching humans to aid in his misdeeds?'
With this suspicion in mind, Kamiya observed the believers of the Eternal Paradise faith.
Their expressions were relaxed and joyful, their brows unfurrowed, their demeanor peaceful, and there was no malice in their eyes; they likely had no idea of the demon's true identity or were under the influence of a Blood Demon Art.
Kamiya sensed no fear or demonic influence.
The most prevalent emotion in the crowd surrounding Doma was admiration and hope.
The people looked to Doma as their guide and savior in their despair.
There was no doubt that if Kamiya showed aggression toward Doma, he would have to face the entire crowd.
If he acted here, all these people would become obstacles!
' What should I do, what should I do… I need to think of something quickly,' he muttered, having grasped the full situation.
The demon before him was utterly despicable.
Kamiya Rengoku gritted his teeth and cast his gaze once more toward the figure on the high platform.
His disrespectful actions slowly drew the displeased stares of the nearby cult followers, and Kikyo couldn't help but frown.
"Kamiya-san, you're being very rude right now," she said in a low voice, as the priestess didn't want to cause a scene on such an important day.
She reminded him, then bowed toward the high platform and apologized, "My deepest apologies, Doma-sama…"
Faced with the crowd's angry glares, Kamiya stood still for a moment before finally bowing awkwardly, his face tense as he managed to utter a single word: "Sorry…"
A humiliation.
Kamiya Rengoku was forced to bow to a demon, but he had no choice.
If he acted now… there would be too many deaths.
'Hahaha, he… he actually apologized? A demon slayer apologizing to a demon?!'
Doma could hardly believe he was witnessing this, outside of Tanjiro Kamado.
Doma opened his fan to hide his genuine smile, as he didn't want to tarnish his public image.
"It's alright. If this man is willing to join our festival, it would bring us immense joy as well."
Doma observed with interest the changing expressions on the other's face, maintaining a "kind" smile.
He had literally just invited a demon slayer to have fun with him.
'He… he's provoking me again?'
Kamiya turned red with anger, but a forced polite expression appeared on his face.
Unfortunately, anyone could see his troubled state caused by Doma's words.
Doma shifted his gaze, then suddenly raised his right hand with extreme speed.
Ordinary people couldn't see his movement, but it was clear to a warrior like Kamiya.
The sudden motion made Kamiya instinctively tense his body, but the expected attack never came.
Doma simply adjusted the sect leader's hat on his head calmly.
Kamiya exhaled subtly in relief; unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to fight the demon here.
At that moment, Doma turned his head toward him again and smiled politely once more.
His expression sent an invisible message to Kamiya: 'You really fell for it, didn't you?'
An utterly immature act, but Kamiya had to swallow this bitter pill without reacting.
The rest of the festival evening passed peacefully for Doma, as he was no longer bored thanks to Kamiya.
He amused himself by watching Kamiya's reactions each time he hugged a child or came dangerously close to the skin of a defenseless young girl.
The aspiring Hashira was mentally exhausted by the end of the festival.
Eventually, the believers dispersed in twos and threes, leaving only a few to clean up.
Doma slowly descended from the high platform, casually picked up an exquisite lotus lantern, and walked gracefully through the lively crowd.
Kamiya followed him at a distance, his hand firmly gripping the hilt of his Nichirin Blade.
Doma ignored him for the moment, strolling leisurely, a carefree smile once again adorning his face.
He bought a few small toys that caught his attention, then blended into the crowd to watch a theatrical performance.
It was an event Kaguya had organized under Doma's advice.
She wanted ideas for other types of products to sell, and Doma had suggested the entertainment industry.
As for the play's content, Doma hadn't contributed to the writing.
Kaguya had insisted on writing her own play, claiming she had an idea.
'An impossible love between a devout believer and a concubine already claimed by a cruel merchant? She's telling our story and doesn't even pay me.'
Doma was indignant about this but satisfied with the actors' performance.
When the play ended, Doma glanced behind him and turned into an isolated intersection away from the local crowd.
'Time to have a chat with my stalker.'