"Hello there. I just moved in next door — please accept this small gift."
That evening, Kibutsuji Muzan knocked on the door of the Tamayo household, a neatly wrapped gift in hand, a gentle smile upon his face.
"Ah, a new neighbor! How nice,"
the man who opened the door looked pleasantly surprised and quickly stepped aside.
"If you don't mind, please, come in and have a seat."
"Then I'll accept your invitation," Muzan replied politely, offering the small package.
"My wife, we have a guest. Please prepare some tea and refreshments,"
the man called over his shoulder as he closed the door.
"All right!"
came a soft female voice from inside.
Muzan followed the man into the living room. His composed manner and courteous words easily earned trust; the man's attitude quickly warmed — from wary neighbor to friendly acquaintance.
From their conversation, Muzan learned his name — Yamakawa Yuusuke.
Muzan, in turn, gave his own false name with a small, practiced smile.
"You may call me Tsukihara Ren."
"The tea is ready."
The wooden sliding door opened, and a graceful woman stepped in, carrying a tray with tea and sweets.
Her long black hair was parted at the center and tied into a low bun adorned with a flower-shaped hairpin. Her eyes were dark and calm, her pale pink lips soft against her ivory complexion — gentle, serene, and quietly beautiful.
"Ren-san, allow me to introduce my wife — Tamayo," said Yamakawa Yuusuke with a smile. Then, turning toward her, he added, "Tamayo, this is Tsukihara Ren, our new neighbor. He came to greet us."
"Hello," Tamayo greeted softly, setting down the tray with graceful hands and offering them tea.
"This scent…"
Muzan did not drink immediately. His sharp nose caught a faint blend of herbs in the air.
He murmured quietly, his gaze half-lidded.
"Myrrh, angelica root, corydalis, musk, benzoin…"
One by one, he named more than a dozen medicinal ingredients — each tone calm, precise, and assured.
"...!"
Both Yuusuke and Tamayo looked at him in surprise.
"I didn't expect you to know so much about herbs," Yuusuke said, clearly impressed.
Muzan gave a faint, modest smile.
"To tell the truth, I've been weak since childhood. My family often invited doctors to treat me. Out of curiosity, I learned from them — and over time, I became familiar with various medicinal materials."
"I see. No wonder your complexion is so pale," Yuusuke said, nodding thoughtfully. "I thought you looked unwell when I first saw you."
Then, with a hopeful look, he added,
"Coincidentally, my wife also knows quite a bit about medicine. Perhaps you two could share your knowledge — you might discover something new together."
Yuusuke's voice carried quiet earnestness. He knew of Tamayo's illness — an incurable sickness that had plagued her body for years. He himself knew nothing of medicine, unable to help her except through unwavering support.
But now, fate had brought them a neighbor who understood medicine — and perhaps, just perhaps, this man could bring them a glimmer of hope.
"Husband…"
Tamayo's gentle voice trembled faintly. She understood his feelings — his desperation to help her. Though she endured her illness in silence, he suffered just as deeply watching her fade.
"Oh? Lady Tamayo knows medicine as well? How fortunate," Muzan said smoothly, his tone warm yet unreadable.
"As it happens, I've been struggling with a few difficult mixtures myself. To have such a knowledgeable lady nearby whom I can consult… truly, I'm taking advantage of your kindness. If you don't mind my inexperience, I would be honored."
His tone was polite, his eyes filled with sincere admiration — so convincing that both Yuusuke and Tamayo felt their impression of him deepen further.
"It's far too generous to call me 'knowledgeable,'" Tamayo replied modestly, though her cheeks softened with faint pleasure. "I've only studied a little — I'm hardly a true physician."
"If you don't mind learning together," she continued, "I would be happy to exchange ideas."
Had she known his true age — or his true nature — she might never have spoken so gently.
But at that moment, she knew only the courteous stranger before her, not the monster who would soon shatter her world.
Their conversation flowed easily after that. The air in the room lightened; laughter occasionally rippled through the quiet home. The three spoke like old friends, the warmth of the lantern casting a soft glow upon them.
Then—
"Waaah… waaah…"
A baby's cry suddenly broke the peace.
"That must be Yūto — he's probably hungry," Tamayo said, quickly standing up.
"Go ahead, dear. I'll continue speaking with Ren-san for a bit," Yuusuke replied kindly.
"A newborn boy?" Muzan asked, watching her retreating back.
"Yes. Just turned a month old," Yuusuke said proudly.
"How wonderful. To have such a healthy child — that's a great blessing."
Muzan smiled, offering his congratulations — though the expression in his eyes remained unreadable.
"Ren-san," Yuusuke said suddenly, his tone shifting. He looked at Muzan with quiet resolve. "Do you know why I wanted you and Tamayo to talk?"
Muzan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Because I happen to know medicine?"
Yuusuke shook his head. His voice lowered, tinged with grief.
"I won't hide it from you. Tamayo… has an incurable illness. No treatment has eased her pain. The doctors say — at most — she has two years left to live."
His hands trembled slightly as he spoke.
"I know it's a faint hope, but when I heard that you were well-versed in medicine, I thought perhaps… perhaps fate had brought us a miracle. I can't stand by and watch her fade away."
Then, bowing deeply before Muzan, Yuusuke's voice broke with desperate sincerity.
"Please… I beg you — help her. Help Tamayo! I know this is shameless to ask of someone I've just met… but as her husband, and as a father — I must do everything within my power."