Time passed slowly in the tense standoff between them, and Yato's complexion grew pale from excessive blood loss.
Just as Yato was about to faint, Hiru finally moved. He rose stiffly, his gaze still fixed on the wound on Yato's left arm. His voice was dry and hoarse.
"...Go bandage yourself. I need to calm down."
After saying that, Hiru forced himself to look away. Ignoring the three wary swordsmen, he took off his bloodstained outer robe, picked up a fresh canvas, and sat before the easel. Dipping his brush in red pigment, he drew the first stroke.
No one left the room. After bandaging Yato's wound with his portable medicine, Oborozuki walked to Yoriichi's side and lowered his voice.
"Mr. Yoriichi?"
"Wait a little longer." Yoriichi didn't sheathe his blade, though the fiery red hue along its edge had already faded. "Hiru hasn't suppressed his hunger yet. He's only forcing himself to focus elsewhere."
The others said nothing. They simply watched in silence as Hiru, still partly in his demon form, continued to paint before the canvas.
The painting was composed of only three colors—black, white, and red. The palette was simple, yet as time went on, the image began to take shape.
In the pitch-black night, a solitary figure stood in the distance. Dark red liquid spread from beneath his feet, gradually flowing toward the edges of the canvas. The farther it spread, the brighter the color became, until at the border it turned into a surging crimson river. Behind the figure appeared a pure white silhouette—identical in form, but faceless and ethereal.
The entire painting radiated a haunting sense of distortion, and yet, somehow, a strange harmony emerged from within it.
As the painting progressed, the traces of demonization on Hiru's body slowly began to fade. Aside from his eerie gray eyes, he looked like an ordinary artist again—long, graceful fingers holding the brush as he continued to add fine strokes to the unsettling image.
Still, the ominous pressure radiating from the painting only grew stronger. Even standing nearby, the others could feel a surge of murderous intent rising from deep within their hearts.
"Mr. Yoriichi," Oborozuki said cautiously, stepping in front of the weakened Yato, "has Mr. Hiru still not calmed down?"
"No." Yoriichi's voice was quiet, tinged with sorrow. "The demonic energy inside him is still surging. Please, don't let your guard down."
They waited until nightfall. Finally, Hiru set down his brush. His gray eyes—sharp as shuriken—turned toward Yoriichi.
"Could I ask my brother to clean the room for me?"
Yoriichi finally sheathed his sword, his expression heavy with concern. "You…"
"I'm fine," Hiru said softly, lowering his head as he began cleaning his brushes. "I just didn't expect human blood to affect me this much... Yato-san."
Yato, still pale, kept his guard up. "What is it?"
"Could I ask you to stay a few more days?" Hiru's voice remained calm. "I'd like to conduct another test once you've recovered. Until then, I won't consume anything."
Yato looked surprised, but after exchanging glances with the others, he nodded. "Alright. May I ask why?"
"I just... dislike the feeling of losing control." Hiru bowed his head toward the painting, his face hidden by shadow. "And... perhaps it's because my brother is here—it gives me something to rely on.
I've never been so painfully aware that I'm no longer human... no longer...
I'm sorry. Please... leave me alone for a while.
Let me be by myself."
"Everyone, let's go," Yoriichi said quietly, leading the group out. Once they were outside, he turned and bowed to them. "Thank you for your efforts."
"He really is terrifying, Mr. Yoriichi's brother," Yato said weakly as Iwayuki supported him. "I've never felt such pressure before."
"Hiru isn't an ordinary demon," Yoriichi replied, his tone calm once more. "But as long as he hasn't lost himself, no matter whether he's human or demon, he will always be my brother."
"I'll report everything to the master," Oborozuki sighed. "I'm sorry, but I can't keep this from him."
"...You've already done more than enough by giving Hiru a chance." Yoriichi picked up the cleaning tools resting at the base of the stairs. "Please, rest on the first floor. I'll take care of the rest."
Watching Yoriichi return to the room with the cleaning supplies, the four men exchanged glances before slowly descending the stairs.
Oborozuki, who needed to write a report, and Yato, still weakened from blood loss, remained on the first floor. Rengoku and Iwayuki went out to search for nearby demons, and at Yoriichi's request, they captured one alive and locked it in the basement.
After that, Rengoku and Iwayuki didn't linger for long. Once they had regained their strength, they bid farewell to Yoriichi and the others and set out again to hunt demons elsewhere.
They couldn't afford to stop.