Tanjiro and Inosuke were tied up tightly with ropes by Kanao.
Kane, Shinobu, and Kanao each carried over a small stool and sat down in front of the two of them, ready to begin their "trial."
"Now then," Shinobu began, "why were you trying to steal clothes?"
Tanjiro was still trying to think of how to explain himself, but Inosuke blurted out first, "I checked before — you haven't come into this room in a long time. Why'd you suddenly come back today?"
Shinobu couldn't help knocking him on the head. "So it was premeditated?! Honestly! Kanao just came back from a mission today. Her own room's being used as a sick ward for the injured, so we told her to stay in ours for the time being. We never expected to find thieves waiting inside."
Tanjiro's heart almost leapt out of his chest. He tried to signal frantically to Inosuke with his eyes to stop talking before he made things worse.
But Inosuke completely missed the hint, clenching his fists in frustration. "Tch! A miscalculation!"
Shinobu pressed on, ignoring him. "Don't change the subject. Why were you stealing clothes? If it were Zenitsu, I might understand — but you two? Don't tell me his perverted habits have rubbed off on you. Then again, even Zenitsu wouldn't stoop so low as to steal a girl's clothing."
Before Inosuke could dig their hole any deeper, Tanjiro quickly tried to explain, "We were doing it for Zenitsu!"
"What? Did Zenitsu tell you to do it?"
"No! Not like that!" Tanjiro was sweating nervously, his words tumbling out.
Kanae smiled gently. "Shinobu, let's hear him out. I believe there's more to this than it seems."
"Miss Kanae…" Tanjiro looked at her, deeply moved by her kindness.
"But," Kanae continued with a faintly mischievous smile, "if your explanation doesn't satisfy us, then we have a duty to make sure you both learn there are certain things young men your age simply shouldn't do."
A chill ran down Tanjiro's spine. He swallowed hard and hurriedly went on, "It's true! Zenitsu's been completely despondent ever since his senior, Kaigaku, violated the Corps' rules and was captured for judgment.
"As his friends, we couldn't just stand by. We've tried everything to cheer him up, but nothing worked. So Inosuke and I thought… maybe if we disguised ourselves as girls, it would snap him out of it."
The Butterfly Sisters exchanged glances and began quietly discussing among themselves. Tanjiro's heart pounded in his chest while Inosuke, completely unfazed, was busy sifting through the pile of clothes to see which ones might fit him.
After a short while, Shinobu cleared her throat. "Ahem. After some discussion, we've decided… your reasoning is acceptable."
Tanjiro sighed in relief — only for tension to return immediately at her next words.
"However, that doesn't mean you'll go unpunished."
"We'll accept any punishment!" Tanjiro said nervously, bracing himself.
"Good," Shinobu said, smiling sweetly. "Your punishment… is to let me do your makeup!"
Tanjiro blinked. "That's it?"
For a moment, he was almost overjoyed, bowing gratefully. "Thank you very much!"
The "makeover session" began. Inosuke was restless and uncooperative, so Kanae and Shinobu teamed up to handle him personally.
Tanjiro, on the other hand, sat obediently still, leaving Kanao to do his makeup alone.
With Kanao so close, Tanjiro could feel her breath, her floral scent filling the air around him. His cheeks turned bright red, a strange flutter stirring in his chest.
Kanao tilted her head. "What's wrong? Did I mess something up?"
"N-No! You're doing great! Please, go on!" Tanjiro said, straightening his posture in a panic.
Before long, the Butterfly Sisters and Kanao all stepped back, smiling with visible satisfaction at their handiwork.
In front of them stood two "porcelain dolls" — Tanjiro and Inosuke, dressed in women's kimonos, faces fully made up.
"How lovely," Kanae said, stifling a laugh. "Especially you, Inosuke — your face is prettier than most girls."
"Inoko? You mean me?" Inosuke asked blankly, not understanding what the fuss was about.
"That's right," Kanae said with a grin. "Since you're girls now, you're Inoko and Tanko."
Tanjiro tried to look at himself in a mirror, but Shinobu stopped him.
"Don't peek yet. Leave some surprise for yourself," she said with a sly smile. "Come on — let's go show Master Ubuyashiki first."
Tanjiro was puzzled. Why Master Ubuyashiki? Weren't they supposed to show Zenitsu?
Shinobu knocked on the Master's door. "Master! We've brought something to show you!"
"It's open. Come in."
Ubuyashiki looked up curiously as they entered — and nearly dropped his teacup. The tea he'd been drinking sprayed from his mouth.
"Cough— What in the world— Tanjiro? Inosuke?!"
"It's us, Master Ubuyashiki. Do we look… weird?" Tanjiro asked hesitantly, suddenly unsure of himself.
Shinobu pinched his cheek with a dangerous smile. "Tan-ko, are you doubting our makeup skills? Master, tell us — don't Tan-ko and Ino-ko look good?"
"They— they look wonderful!" Ubuyashiki said, trying to hold back laughter. "I just… didn't recognize you at first because the difference is so shocking!"
If not for the ghostly white powder on their faces, the exaggerated blush, and the thick lipstick making their lips shine unnaturally bright, they might actually have looked cute. But as it was, Ubuyashiki had to fight hard not to burst out laughing.
"So, Tanjiro — sorry, Tan-ko — and Ino-ko… why the sudden crossdressing? Was this your idea, Shinobu?"
Shinobu coughed lightly, putting on a serious face. "Of course not. This was their idea. They wanted to cheer Zenitsu up, so we reluctantly agreed to help. Isn't that right, Sister?"
"Indeed," Kanae said sweetly. "Their friendship with Zenitsu is truly admirable. I'm a little jealous, honestly."
"Well said," Ubuyashiki nodded. "Such strong bonds between comrades are wonderful. Now hurry along before the powder all falls off your faces."
He waved them away quickly, unable to hide the twitch of laughter on his lips.
As soon as Tanjiro and Inosuke left, the room erupted with the sound of laughter from Ubuyashiki and the Butterfly Sisters.
Out in the hallway, Tanjiro glanced uncertainly at Inosuke. "Inosuke… do you think my makeup looks okay?"
Inosuke gave him a thumbs-up. "Call me Inoko. You look great, Tanko! How about me?"
Tanjiro hesitated, recalling Inosuke's rather… dramatic makeup. But seeing Inosuke's confidence, he smiled and returned the gesture. "You look great too! Beautiful — like a geisha!"
Together, they snuck through the night toward Zenitsu's room.
Inside, Zenitsu was fast asleep.
"Zenitsu… wake up!" Tanjiro whispered.
Zenitsu gro
ggily opened his eyes — and was met with a sight that would haunt him forever.
"Aaaah! No! My eyes! My eyes burn!"