After Hiru's self-introduction, Jigoku Tetsushiro stood frozen for a moment before speaking. "I see! So Mr. Hiru hasn't given up his humanity yet! That makes me more confident about the upcoming test — otherwise, facing Mr. Yoriichi would be truly painful!"
"Really?"
"Of course! Mr. Yoriichi is incredibly strong!" Rengoku Tetsushiro nodded as he spoke. "He taught us the Breathing Styles — although we haven't unlocked the markings that further amplify our abilities like he has! Even just having the Breathing Styles makes demon-slaying far easier."
"But you'll die." Hiru stared at Rengoku Tetsushiro. "Isn't it said those who unlock the markings don't live past twenty-five? The markings awaken human potential, but overdriving that potential leads only to death."
"That doesn't matter! At least while I'm still young enough to perform at my best, I can borrow the markings' power to slay more evil demons and save more people from being devoured! That's enough for me!" Rengoku Tetsushiro laughed. "Thinking about it like that gets me excited — I'm already twenty-three this year. If I don't open the markings now, it'll be harder to use that power! Hahaha!"
"Really — Mr. Rengoku, could you lower your voice a little?" Yato rubbed his ears in annoyance. "My ears are going to fall off."
"Hahahaha! Sorry! But aren't you looking forward to it, Mr. Yato?"
"Huh? I can activate that thing whenever I want!" Yato turned his head away. "But I'm already twenty-seven. If I open the markings I'd die instantly, so I'll wait until I meet a demon I can't slay and activate them to go down together."
"Hahaha! That's Mr. Yato for you!"
[How can they face death so calmly, even excitedly?] Hiru fell into thought again. [Can humans really be that selfless?]
"Oh! I remember hearing Mr. Yoriichi has an older brother — another young, powerful Swordsman! Isn't he with you?"
Hiru pursed his lips, stood, and slipped back into the darkness of the second floor. He was wrong — this owl was unbearable. He just couldn't get along with him.
"Ah, he went back up…" Yato glanced at Rengoku Tetsushiro. "I guess Mr. Rengoku was just too noisy."
Rengoku Tetsushiro scratched his head in confusion, his voice unusually small. "Did I say something I shouldn't have?"
"Who knows… I'll look around outside."
"Then I'll stay and keep watch!"
"There's sunlight out there, he can't escape! Why are you staying?"
"No, I'll stay! I think I asked a rude question — I should apologize to him!"
"You're stubborn!"
...
Listening to the noise from outside, Oborozuki sighed softly. "Sorry, my companions are a bit rowdy."
"No, don't worry — it's been a long time since this house felt so lively." Yoriichi tied an apron around his waist. "Thank you for teaching me how to make daifuku."
"It's nothing to thank me for; it's a simple confection." Oborozuki shook her head. "But I want you to understand — if your brother…"
"His name is Hiru, Tsugikuni Hiru."
"If Mr. Hiru fails our test, then even if it means opposing you, we will risk our lives to slay him."
"...I know." Yoriichi's eyes dimmed. "But you don't need to take action. If your test is reasonable and he still cannot pass, I will end him myself. I hope you won't interfere, because I promised him — if I have to finish him, I will give him a gentle death."
Oborozuki heard the sincerity in Yoriichi's words. After a brief silence she said, "You are truly remarkable."
"I am only an ordinary person with selfish feelings," Yoriichi replied sadly. "Not someone worthy of your respect."
"I recall you and Mr. Michikatsu were brothers. Why haven't I seen that powerful Swordsman?"
"...Not anymore."
Oborozuki was stunned by the deeper sorrow in Yoriichi's voice; she regretted bringing up the topic for a moment.
"My brother is dead. What lives in that body now is a man-eating demon."
"What?!" Oborozuki's cry drew the attention of the other two who had just come in; they rushed to the kitchen instantly. "What happened?!"
Yoriichi lowered his lashes, meeting Oborozuki's incredulous expression. "Hiru told me. He saw the Tsugikuni clan slaughtered by that demon."
Yatou and Rengoku stood by, bewildered and silent.
"Then you… you…"
"I will slay him." Yoriichi looked up at the ceiling, his hand moving unconsciously to the bulge beneath his robe—the short flute his elder brother had given him. "He's not like Hiru. He's become a demon that devours people, harms others, and has lost himself."
"Mr. Yoriichi…" Oborozuki repeated, pity on her face, "you are truly remarkable. Truly."
Yato watched them with a mix of suspicion and curiosity. "May I ask what you two were discussing?"
Yoriichi looked calmly at Yato. "We were discussing my elder brother."
"Ah! Speaking of your elder brother, he really was a formidable Swordsman!" Rengoku smiled again. "But when I mentioned him to Mr. Hiru earlier, he seemed very angry — I'm truly sorry!"
"...Because my brother also became a demon." Yoriichi watched Rengoku and Yato widen their eyes in shock, then lowered his lashes again. "It was my brother, turned into a demon, who led demons that annihilated the Tsugikuni clan. Hiru barely survived that day and witnessed his brother become a demon. Later, when we collected the clan's corpses, some showed signs of having been devoured."
"A swordsman that strong choosing to become a demon — it's heartbreaking!" Rengoku frowned. "And committing cannibalism... he's unquestionably a demon that must be slain!"
"I agree." Yato's gaze hardened. "Mr. Yoriichi, you wouldn't—"
"I won't stop you… nor do I have any reason to." Yoriichi closed his eyes. "I only ask that after you slay him, you keep his belongings for me… at least allow me to pay my respects."
Yato tried to speak but was stopped by Oborozuki's hand. "That's enough. Mr. Yoriichi's pain is no less than ours."
Yato watched Yoriichi turn away in silence. He opened his mouth but said nothing.
Indeed — as demon-slaying swordsmen, who among them didn't carry painful memories?