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"Kanae-nee, please don't!"
"No can do! Besides, you still owe me two favors, remember? So today, little Kaidō, you're going to behave yourself and let me handle everything!"
Before he could protest further, Kanae stripped off his outer garments and replaced them with the kimono she'd selected, then set about applying makeup. (Only the outer layer came off.)
"Nooo~!"
———————
"There! Perfect! I knew this outfit would look wonderful on you! Ufufu~"
After Kanae's forceful makeover, Kaidō sat on the tatami with the expression of a man who'd lost all will to live.
"My dignity... Kanae-nee stole my dignity!"
Kanae had dressed him in a pink cherry blossom kimono with a red haori bearing white butterfly patterns. His long white hair fell over both shoulders, framing his face. Light crimson lipstick adorned his lips, and soft pink eyeshadow enhanced his features.
Seeing the result, Kanae nodded with deep satisfaction. "Not 'Kaidō-kun' anymore—Lady Chiko! The Cherry Blossom Festival is in a few days, so you'll accompany me, won't you? This counts as one of those favors you owe me!"
"(╥﹏╥) Fine..."
CRASH!
The sliding door toppled over. Shinobu and Ruka Rengoku tumbled into view, quickly looking up at Kanae and Kaidō. The awkwardness was palpable—they'd witnessed the entire process.
"Sister, I was just... discussing something with Ruka-san and happened to pass by..."
CRASH!
The courtyard door collapsed as well. The Butterfly Mansion's three little helpers—along with Aoi Kanzaki and Kanao Tsuyuri—were exposed.
Not only that, but several female Corps members peeked over the walls, curiosity written across their faces.
"I'm finished. My life is over. Heh... hehe... hehehe..." Kaidō felt his entire existence turning grayscale.
"Screw it! Let the world burn! I don't care anymore! The most precious thing I had is gone! This world is too cruel! My dignity... it's been obliterated! This is mortifying!"
His mental fortitude apparently shattered, Kaidō began rolling around on the tatami like an oversized toddler throwing a tantrum.
Watching his petite form tumble back and forth, everyone found it simultaneously hilarious and adorable.
The female swordswomen on the wall exchanged whispers:
"Wait, that's really the Dragon Hashira?"
"Probably... yeah."
"How come the Dragon Hashira seems so different from usual?"
"(¬‿¬) This version is... cuter."
———————
System: [Crossdressing is like opening Pandora's box—once you start, there's no going back. My decision was absolutely correct. Hehehe.]
Kaidō: [System, I'm adding this to the list.]
Seeing Kaidō's despair, the three little helpers approached to comfort him.
"I think the Dragon Hashira looks beautiful like this!" Kiyo said earnestly.
Sumi nodded enthusiastically. "Mm-hmm! I really like the Dragon Hashira this way!"
Naho added, "Dragon Hashira-sama, please don't be upset! You're truly beautiful—Zenitsu-kun told us so!"
"Zenitsu?? Oh, he's going on the list too!" Kaidō's thoughts turned vengeful. Once that yellow-haired idiot recovered, he'd personally oversee his "training."
....
In the infirmary, Zenitsu—currently regaling female Corps members with tales of Lady Chiko—suddenly shivered as an arctic chill ran down his spine.
"Achoo! Why'd I sneeze? Maybe Nezuko's thinking about me? Hehehe..."
"Zenitsu, keep going! What happened to the Dragon Hashira after that?"
"Yeah, yeah! Tell us what happened next!"
Surrounded by swooning admirers, Zenitsu had already forgotten his premonition and continued enthusiastically recounting Kaidō's crossdressing adventures.
———————
Three Days Later—Akasaka Town.
The town was a paradise of cherry blossoms. Petals drifted through the air like pink snow, carpeting every surface.
During the summer bloom season, crowds flocked here to admire the flowers. In the plaza near the town center stood thirteen massive floats—each three stories tall, every level decorated with lanterns that made them resemble miniature mountains of light.
Cherry trees lined the streets. People strolled everywhere. Even the air carried the sweet scent of blossoms.
The most eye-catching sight, however, was Kanae Kocho's group.
Kaidō was being led by the hand between Kanae and Ruka Rengoku as they admired the flowers. Shinobu walked alongside them, holding Kanao's hand.
"Do you really have to hold my hand? I'm not a child!"
"Oh my! That's debatable! With this many people around, if you got lost, that would be problematic! Besides, right now you're not 'Kaidō-kun'—you're Lady Chiko!"
"Pfft—sorry! Excuse me!" Ruka couldn't suppress her laughter, remembering the scene from the Butterfly Mansion.
"I'm not small! I... -﹏-, never mind."
He'd looked up to emphasize his point—only to realize his height barely reached Kanae's shoulder. Another blow to his ego.
Kaidō: [System, this is...]
System: [You're adding it to the list, right?]
Kaidō: [...]
Having completely given up resistance, Kaidō resigned himself to his fate. Since he couldn't fight it, he might as well enjoy it. This would only happen once anyway.
"Ruka-san, let's rest over there for a bit. The festival begins tonight."
Kanae pointed toward a nearby bench.
"Good idea. I brought rice balls—let's share them!"
They settled on the bench. Ruka distributed the food she'd prepared. Some chatted, others watched the cherry blossoms drift past. Time passed peacefully until nightfall.
———————
Evening.
Every household in Akasaka Town lit their lanterns. The thirteen floats illuminated as well—each bearing 365 lanterns.
The combined light from all thirteen floats bathed the entire area in a warm, ethereal glow. It was breathtaking.
Then the parade began. The floats moved slowly, one after another, mechanical puppets performing atop them. The procession wound from the plaza through the old town district. Every spectator watched in awe.
"Oh my, how beautiful! Don't you think so, Chiko-chan? Chiko...?" Kanae turned and froze. Chiko had vanished.
"Oh no! Shinobu, Kanao, Ruka-san—Chiko's gone!"
"What? She was just here a moment ago!"
"Sister, could she have gotten separated in the crowd?"
"We need to backtrack and find her!"
———————
"Uh oh. I'm lost. Kuroha's not here either—how am I supposed to navigate?" Chiko stared at the bustling street, her internal GPS completely failing.
Normally, her Kasugai Crow provided directions, so she never got lost. But she'd spotted some food stalls earlier and wanted to buy treats for Retsuki. Now she'd somehow ended up completely turned around.
"Chiko! Where are you?"
"Hm? Did someone call me?" She turned toward the voice and finally spotted Kanae's group in the distance.
"Kanae-nee! Shinobu-nee! Ruka-san! I'm over here—ow!" She started running toward them but immediately tripped over her platform sandals and face-planted.
"Chiko! Are you hurt? Let me check for injuries! Why did you wander off like that?" Kanae rushed over and pulled Chiko into a protective embrace, voice equal parts concern and reproach.
"Ugh... sob!"
"I just... wanted to buy... snacks for Retsuki... I didn't mean to... hic..."
"There, there. It's okay now. I'm sorry—it was my fault for not watching you better!"
"Thank goodness she's safe. We need to keep a closer eye on her next time."
"Chiko-chan, hold my hand properly! If you get lost again, I might not come looking for you!"
"Mm~"
System: [Wait, crossdressing causes intelligence debuffs? And it affects the people around her too??]
———————
Kaidō's Estate.
After returning home, Kaidō locked himself in his room with the expression of a man who'd lost everything.
Ever since yesterday's Cherry Blossom Festival ended, he felt like he'd burned through all the dignity he'd ever possessed in his entire life.
Not only had they witnessed him acting like a child, but they'd also treated him like one—showering him with care and attention as if he were genuinely underage.
"This is too humiliating! I'd rather die than crossdress ever again!"
"Kaidō-oniichan, what do you mean 'crossdress'?"
"GAH! ...Oh, it's just you, Retsuki. You scared me half to death!"
The sudden voice made him jump out of his skin. Turning around, he discovered his sister had materialized behind him at some point.
"Retsuki, you didn't hear anything just now, right?"
"Hear what?"
"Nothing! Just... pretend you didn't hear anything, okay?"
"Okay~ Lady Chiko~"
"Y-y-you—how do you know??"
"Not just me. Everyone at the Butterfly Mansion knows! All the female Corps members know! The Kakushi know! Kanae-nee and Zenitsu told everyone."
Her smile turned mischievous. "Lady Chiko is so adorable! I heard you got lost trying to buy me treats and even cried. I'm so touched~"
Hearing this, Kaidō felt his world crumbling. One person tells ten people, ten tell a hundred. By now, the entire Demon Slayer Corps probably knew. No—they definitely already knew.
"Oh, so you think it's funny, Retsuki? Alright then—let's see how you handle my punishment!"
He pounced like a starving wolf, pinning her to the floor and restraining her wrists with a wicked grin. "Time to enjoy your big brother's special affection!"
He started mercilessly tickling her.
"Ah! Hahaha! That tickles! Kaidō-oniichan... I... I'm sorry! I'll never do it again! Hahaha! I'm ticklish! Hahaha!"
"Are you going to make fun of me again??"
"N-no more! Hahaha! I... I swear on the ceiling... never again! Stop tickling me! Hahaha!"
Then something awkward happened.
During her "resistance," Retsuki accidentally pulled her collar open, revealing a glimpse of pink fabric underneath...
Kaidō/Retsuki: "..."
They stared at each other in frozen silence. Slowly, Retsuki closed her eyes.
Kaidō immediately scrambled backward and sat on the opposite side of the room. Retsuki adjusted her clothing, face burning crimson all the way to her ears. The silence stretched on.
"Sorry, Retsuki. That was my fault."
"It's okay, Kaidō-oniichan. I... I don't mind... Wait, no, I mean I'm fine with... That's not what I meant either! Ugh, anyway, just... just forget it!"
Retsuki was flustered. Part of her had been expecting something when she'd closed her eyes, and now she didn't know what to say.
"Pfft~ Alright, Retsuki. What happened was my mistake. I'll be more careful in the future. I need to go out for a bit."
"Yes, Kaidō-oniichan. Come back soon!"
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