~# Keep the chapters coming — Support with Power Stones!
<><><><><><><><>
"Oh my! Whose adorable little boy is this? What a coincidence running into you here! Want to come home with big sister?"
Leaving his estate, Kaidō passed the Butterfly Mansion and encountered the Kocho sisters. But remembering the Cherry Blossom Festival incident, his mood immediately soured.
"Hmph!" He puffed out his cheeks and turned his face away.
"Alright, alright. Big sister was wrong. Will you forgive me if I apologize? How about I buy you candy?"
"Kanae-nee, I'm not a child! Are you trying to kidnap me and sell me into slavery?"
"Of course not! You're far too adorable—I could never bear to sell you!" Before he could react, she'd pulled him into a hug and started patting his head.
'Why does everyone keep treating me like a kid? Looks like I need to play matchmaker again. Time to set Sanemi up with someone so he can keep his future wife in line!' Kaidō plotted mentally.
Currently on a mission, Sanemi Shinazugawa suddenly sneezed.
"Achoo! Tch, which bastard's talking about me now?"
"Kaidō-kun, do you remember? You promised to tell me about Retsuki-chan."
"You really want to know?"
"Yes."
"Fine. This isn't the place for that conversation though. Let's go to the Butterfly Mansion."
———————
Butterfly Mansion, Kanae's Room.
The Kocho sisters knelt on the tatami, watching Kaidō. They wanted to know the truth about Retsuki.
They both knew Kaidō had always been alone. A sister appearing out of nowhere naturally raised questions.
Still, they trusted him implicitly. Whatever his reasons for doing this, they had to be valid. He wouldn't lie without purpose.
"About Retsuki... the truth is, she was once a demon. Specifically, Lower Rank Four of the Twelve Kizuki—Mukago."
"What?? That's impossible! How did she become human again... wait, did you use your family's secret technique again?" Shinobu's voice rose sharply.
Turning demons into humans should be impossible! The only explanation was that Kaidō had used some forbidden art—likely at tremendous personal cost.
Seeing that he neither confirmed nor denied it, Shinobu's anger boiled over. She grabbed his ear and twisted. "Do you have ANY idea what the consequences could be? If something happened to you, how do you think everyone would feel??"
"Shinobu, don't be angry! I'm sure Kaidō-kun had his reasons."
"What reason could possibly be worth his life? Sister, do you understand what Kaidō means to the Demon Slayer Corps right now?"
"Shinobu-nee, lighter, lighter! Ow, ow, ow~"
"You still know it hurts??" Shinobu released his ear, then gently massaged it. "Sorry. I got too worked up. Did I hurt you badly?"
"I'm fine, Shinobu-nee. I know you're only worried about me."
"Kaidō-kun, could you tell us what happened?"
"Okay."
Kaidō recounted the entire story—how he'd encountered Retsuki, everything that had transpired, including the Purification Serum.
Regarding the serum's origin, he only told them it had been a gift from a family member, meant as emergency protection in case of accidents.
"Do you still have any of that Purification Serum? If possible, I'd like to study it. We might be able to help more people."
Shinobu understood the serum's value. If she could analyze its components and recreate it, they might save countless lives in the future.
"Sorry, Shinobu-nee. I only had that one dose."
"I see. That's unfortunate." Disappointment flickered across her face.
"Well then, Kaidō-kun, you need to take good care of Retsuki-chan. I can tell—she values her bond with you tremendously."
"I will. After all, she's not just my family—she's my little sister."
"Now that we've finished discussing Retsuki-chan, it's time to talk about YOU, Kaidō-kun!"
Kanae's smile returned—that healing, warm expression that somehow made Kaidō's spine tingle with dread.
"About me? What about me?" A sense of impending doom washed over him.
"Ta-da! Look what I prepared—new outfits for you!" Kanae produced a fresh kimono from somewhere, along with a red umbrella decorated with cherry blossom patterns.
Kaidō tried to bolt. Shinobu grabbed his wrist in an iron grip. The door locked with an ominous click.
Watching Kanae's "demonic hands" slowly approach, Kaidō's mind went blank.
"N-no... don't! My brain... my brain's going to break~!"
System: [Ah~ (^▽^) Another beautiful day~]
———————
Butterfly Mansion Courtyard.
A group of female swordswomen were discussing the Dragon Hashira's crossdressing adventures when they heard the scream.
"That voice... sounds like the Dragon Hashira! It's coming from the Flower Hashira's room!"
"Could it be..."
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"You too?"
"Then should we...?"
"(¬‿¬) Let's go investigate!"
———————
Chiko—Kaidō—now stood in the Butterfly Mansion courtyard wearing Kanae's new outfit and holding an umbrella.
'Just another humiliating day of being forcibly crossdressed by Kanae Kocho,' he thought miserably.
"Dragon Hashira-sama looks beautiful!" The three little helpers were once again dazzled by the transformation.
Shinobu clapped her hands. "Let's take Chiko-chan out for a walk!"
Kanae grabbed his hand. "Chiko-chan, hold on tight so you don't get lost again!"
"We should go shopping in town for new clothes!" Shinobu's excitement was palpable.
———————
Kaidō's Estate.
System: [Host, I have a small gift for you!]
Kaidō: [Hm? What kind of gift?]
Having just finished bathing and thrown on a robe, Kaidō was about to change into proper clothes when the System's voice echoed in his mind. Curiosity got the better of him—though he'd regret that almost immediately.
THUD.
A small rectangular box dropped from thin air and clattered onto the floor. Kaidō bent down to pick it up, saw what it was, and immediately recoiled several steps.
Kaidō: [o(▼_▼/;)o System, I now have irrefutable proof you used to be some kind of perverted system! What the hell is this soap supposed to mean??]
The System's so-called "gift" was a bar of soap.
"Kaidō-oniichan, are you done with your bath?" Retsuki's voice came from behind him.
"Ah? Oh, yeah—I'm... I'm done!"
"Kaidō-oniichan, are you okay? Hm~ What's this?"
Retsuki spotted the soap on the floor and bent down to pick it up. Kaidō tried to stop her but was too late. He felt terrible—she was just a kid.
'Why does my back feel cold all of a sudden?' As Retsuki crouched to retrieve the soap, an inexplicable chill ran down her spine—like someone was staring at her with very specific intentions.
[System, this is going on the list!]
[(¬‿¬) Hehehe~]
———————
———————
"Ugh, I'm so bored! No missions. Can't go to the Butterfly Mansion. And Muzan won't come out of the Infinity Castle in broad daylight to 'enjoy the sun' with me. Whatever—guess I'll just wander around."
He retrieved his greatsword from the system inventory and took to the sky, flying aimlessly around Corps Headquarters.
...
Before he realized it, Kaidō's wandering had brought him to a cemetery.
Row after row of stone grave markers stood in neat formation, immaculately clean—as if someone tended them regularly.
"Kenichi, Hideki, Makoto, Masao, Susumu, Yūta... This... this is..."
Reading the names carved into the stones, understanding dawned. "The Master's memorial garden."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki not only remembered every fallen Corps member's name—he treated them as his own children.
Despite his frail constitution, he made regular visits to clean their graves. Ever since Kaidō had given him the Enhanced Longevity Pill, which had dramatically slowed the curse's progression, Kagaya came here daily when duties permitted.
Staring at the grave markers, Kaidō felt an unexpected wave of sorrow wash over him.
"I'm not from this world. But you were all demon slayers—my seniors, in a way. The least I can do is pay my respects."
He purchased cleaning supplies from the System Lifestyle Shop and began sweeping away fallen leaves and dust from around the monuments.
Before long, Kagaya arrived as well, Amane at his side.
Kagaya knew he could never wield a blade and fight alongside his children. So he did what he could—visiting their graves was among the few ways he could honor them.
Seeing Kaidō tending to the fallen, he moved to help.
"Master!"
"There's no need for formalities, child. Thank you for doing this."
"You're too kind, Master. I'm just doing what little I can."
Time passed. When the graves were clean, they spoke briefly before Kaidō departed.
———————
Returning to his estate, Kaidō found a familiar figure waiting at his door—Hotaru Haganezuka.
"Haganezuka-san, what brings you here?"
"Show me your greatsword. Now." The swordsmith's tone left no room for argument.
"Uh... here."
Haganezuka accepted the blade and examined it meticulously from hilt to edge.
Finding not a single scratch, chip, or sign of damage, he nodded with satisfaction and returned the weapon.
"You've maintained it well. I approve. Also—give this to Tanjiro." He produced a letter from his robes and handed it over.
The moment Kaidō touched it, he could sense the intense, almost tangible resentment radiating from the paper.
"I'll make sure he gets it."
Watching Haganezuka leave, Kaidō sighed and shook his head. "Tanjiro, you have no idea how much Haganezuka-san agonizes over your swords. Guess I'd better head to the Butterfly Mansion. Hopefully Kanae-nee and Shinobu-nee aren't there, or else... shudder! Too terrifying!"
Just thinking about the past few days—being dragged into crossdressing by Kanae—gave him goosebumps. That sense of being utterly dominated was something he never wanted to experience again.
What he didn't know was that Kanae had been waiting for him.
[Host, I think—]
[No, you don't think. And neither do those eyes watching from other dimensions.]
<><><><><><><><>
~# 30 Advanced Chapters Available on my Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
~# Every 200 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter!
~# Add to Library!