As Nezuko recounted what Yuko had said earlier, Yuko sat rigidly upright the entire time.
Knowing full well that danger lay ahead, taking a child from a mother's side and placing that child in harm's way was not something anyone could easily agree to.
Even though it was Nezuko who had spoken up on her own, Yuko was still so nervous that she didn't dare look at Kamado Kie's expression.
After listening to Nezuko, concern appeared on Kamado Kie's face.
"Nezuko…"
Nezuko said solemnly, "This is my own will. I want to help Sister Yuko!"
...
Kamado Kie nodded helplessly. "I understand. If this is Nezuko's decision…"
Yuko couldn't help lifting her head. "Ma'am…"
There was really no need—
Kamado Kie smiled at her and cut in before she could finish.
"I believe Miss Yuko will definitely protect Nezuko well, won't you?"
Yuko parted her lips, took a deep breath, and replied,
"Yes. I will protect Nezuko."
Kamado Kie and Nezuko both smiled.
...
"Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru—when you're outside, be sure to listen to Mother, understand?"
After everything was packed, Nezuko waved goodbye to everyone from the corridor.
Takeo asked in confusion, "Mom, why isn't big sister leaving with us?"
Kamado Kie didn't know how to explain it to him, so she answered vaguely,
"Because big sister still has things she needs to do."
Takeo frowned slightly, looked at the figure leading the way, and then asked his mother,
"Mom, will there really be evil demons attacking us?"
"Aren't demons just made-up things to scare kids?"
Kamado Kie laughed and said, "Isn't Takeo a child too?"
Hanako and Shigeru chimed in, "Yeah, yeah! Big brother Takeo is a kid too!"
Takeo flushed red with anger. "Who are you calling a kid?!"
Yuko walked ahead without much expression, clearing a path through the snow for everyone, but her mind was elsewhere.
There was something that deeply bothered her.
The massacre that befell Tanjiro's family—was it truly just because Muzan happened to pass by… or had Muzan discovered something?
The anime hadn't shown it clearly. Otherwise, she would have remembered and recorded it back then.
It was precisely because Yuko didn't know the truth that she had hesitated about letting Nezuko stay behind.
Fortunately, both Nezuko and Kie were understanding. Otherwise, she truly wouldn't have been able to say it out loud.
Tonight, she would finally get her answer.
...
By the time Yuko brought Tanjiro's family into town, it was already noon. There were hardly any people on the streets, which made it convenient for her to settle them in.
She pushed open the front gate and led them inside.
"Wow—what a big house!"
The moment they entered, the two children ran around excitedly, their eyes shining.
Takeo curled his lips and muttered to himself.
Childish.
Kamado Kie quickly stopped them. "That's enough. Don't run around everywhere."
Yuko shook her head. "It's fine. I live here alone."
Kamado Kie's eyes widened slightly. "Eh? You live alone?"
"Huh?"
"I thought you were already married."
The corners of Yuko's mouth twitched faintly. This body was fixed at the appearance she had before death—twenty-five years old.
In this era, it really was rare for someone to be unmarried at twenty-five.
Not wanting to linger on the topic, Yuko changed the subject.
"Everyone must be hungry by now. Madam, I'll take you to see the kitchen first."
"Ah, alright."
Although Yuko didn't need to eat human food, to avoid drawing attention in town, she had arranged with a vegetable farmer to deliver fresh produce to her house every week.
So the kitchen always had fresh ingredients prepared.
After showing Kamado Kie the kitchen, Yuko said,
"I must be going now. I'll leave the rest to you, Madam."
"Please don't be polite—just treat this place as your own. Arrange the rooms however you like."
Before Kamado Kie could respond, Hanako's eyes lit up.
"Really? I can pick my own room?"
Yuko chuckled and crouched down to pat her head.
"Really. Treat this like your own home. As long as you don't hurt yourself, you can play however you like."
"Big sister is so nice~" Hanako jumped up, kissed her on the cheek, and ran off in a flash.
Kamado Kie said helplessly, "You're far too kind."
Yuko smiled. "On the contrary, it's been a long time since this house was so lively. Please don't be reserved, Madam Kie."
Kamado Kie was touched. "I'm a little older than you, so just call me Sister Kie."
Yuko paused for a moment, then smiled. "Alright, Sister Aoi."
...
"Please be sure to lock the doors and windows tonight. I've planted wisteria flowers all around the estate. Demons fear them and won't dare enter the house."
Kamado Kie nodded seriously. "I understand."
Yuko inclined her head slightly and was about to leave.
"Please wait," Kie suddenly called out. "I still have another child named Tanjiro. He's down in town selling charcoal."
"At this time, I don't know where he's gone. If Miss Yuko happens to see him, please look after him for me."
"That child looks a lot like Takeo."
The town wasn't small—there was no way to search it quickly.
Thinking that Kamado Kie might go out looking for Tanjiro herself, Yuko hesitated, then briefly explained the situation and told her to stay home and not worry—she would bring him back the next day.
Kamado Kie smiled softly. "With you around, I can rest easy."
Yuko had only taken two steps outside when she stopped.
She felt that it was necessary to make things clear to a mother, no matter how difficult it was for her to say.
Taking a deep breath, Yuko turned back around.
Kamado Kie looked at her in confusion.
"Nezuko… might possess a special kind of aptitude…"
"Special aptitude?"
"An aptitude that allows her to retain her sanity after becoming a demon."
Kamado Kie froze slightly. Her reaction was quick—just from Yuko's awkward hesitation, she already understood.
"So… you want Nezuko to become a demon?"
Afraid of being misunderstood, Yuko hurriedly explained,
"If Nezuko becomes a demon, she may be of great help in defeating the Demon King."
Her explanation sounded rough and was difficult for an ordinary person to fully understand.
But from the unease in Yuko's expression, Kamado Kie obtained the answer she needed.
Kamado Kie forced a faint smile.
"I believe in you, Yuko, because you are kind."
Yuko parted her lips. "…Thank you."
...
After leaving the house, Yuko hurried back toward the mountain.
At her speed, she soon returned to Tanjiro's home.
Nezuko had just finished eating and was cleaning the kitchen. Seeing Yuko, she looked surprised.
"Sister Yuko, have you eaten?"
"I have." Yuko shook her head. After helping her finish tidying up, she went behind the house.
She cleared away a pile of weeds. The grave mound from hundreds of years ago was no longer recognizable.
Nezuko looked at it in confusion.
"This is…?"
"…My brother and sister-in-law's grave."
Nezuko's expression turned solemn, though she was still puzzled.
This place looked as though it hadn't been tended to in a very long time. Why would Sister Yuko's brother and sister-in-law be buried here?
---
Currently at chapter 327 for advance chapters
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