Tsubaki (Camellia). That was the new name she received from Tamamo-no-Mae.
Her memories as a former Demon Slayer Corps member were submerged in faint mist by Tamamo's magecraft, and instead, only absolute loyalty to the master (Akira) who took in her orphaned self was imprinted in her mind.
Her daily life was as precise as clockwork and as devoted as a shadow.
4 AM, rising first before dawn to check the barrier waves enveloping the mansion, then meticulously inspecting whether the Tamamo and Kiyohime-style breakfast prepared by attendant Ubume was properly delivered to the sisters.
In the morning, she assisted Okita and Ushiwakamaru in the darkness of the underground training hall, guiding the Kocho sisters' Breathing.
Transmitting the essential points of Flower Breathing, which she had dedicated her life to mastering, was her most weighty and honorable given duty.
Though she hadn't reached Constant, she had excellent affinity for Flower Breathing itself with clear petal effects, and while it was difficult to say her personal skill was exceptional, she was a swordsman who had properly mastered the Breathing and forms.
In the afternoon, as the trading company's security captain, she supervised human employees and maintained order, and when the sun set and night arrived, she moved as their hands and feet, synchronized with the time when the master and Servants were active.
"If it's for Master, this life is not too precious. No, this life already belongs to Master."
To her, Akira was not a simple employer.
He was a savior who saved her life, a god who gave her life purpose. Though she knew he was an oni who ate humans, that posed no moral dilemma for her.
Rather, she harbored blind admiration for that absolute power and cold charisma.
That night too, Tsubaki was walking down the corridor, carrying tea and snacks for the master's bedroom and the night report.
"Excuse me, Master. It's Tsubaki. I've brought today's trading company report."
She kneeled politely before the door and announced. Normally, a calm "Enter" voice would have responded, but today, instead of an answer, only strangely moist sounds and rough breathing leaked from inside.
"..."
Silence. And again, suppressed moans.
Tsubaki panicked and tried to raise her voice once more, but at that moment, Akira's voice came from inside.
"...Enter."
A voice lower than usual, filled with heat. Tsubaki swallowed dryly and carefully slid open the door. And in that moment, her pupils shook greatly at the sight pouring through the door gap.
The room's scenery exceeded Tsubaki's imagination. The room illuminated by faint lamps was filled with dense musk scent, sweat smell, and something bloody yet sweet.
On the bed lay the Rider called a hero of the world, Ushiwakamaru, prone and completely naked without a single thread.
The sharp and gallant appearance that usually roamed battlefields slaughtering humans and oni was nowhere to be found.
Her white back glistened with sweat, her buttocks were raised high and exposed defenselessly.
And behind her, Akira held her pelvis and moved his hips violently.
"Hahk! Ugh...♡! My lord, more... deeper...♡! Break Ushiwaka, please...♡!"
Ushiwakamaru threw her head back and let out beast-like screams. Sweat-drenched disheveled black hair stuck to her white skin, and eyes melted in pleasure stared into space, losing focus.
"Though an unworthy body... everything of Ushiwaka is my lord's. Please... violate me as you wish...♡"
She reached her hand back, embracing Akira's neck, whispering as if pleading.
Each time Akira's solid muscular body collided with her soft skin, explicit friction sounds of *smack*, *smack* filled the room.
Tsubaki's face burned unbearably. Her heart beat as if about to burst, her legs trembled.
She hurriedly tried to avert her gaze, but her eyes met Kiyohime's, who was elegantly drinking tea on one side of the room.
"Oh my, you've arrived?"
Kiyohime, wearing only a thin yukata, fanned herself leisurely while watching the spectacle.
Her gaze seemed interested like an audience at an arena.
"S-sorry! Disturbing... I'll leave the report here and withdraw!"
Tsubaki flustered and placed the tray she brought on the table. Her trembling hands made teacups clatter.
As she tried to hastily back away, Akira's rough movements reached their climax.
"Gruuuh...!"
With Akira's low growl, Ushiwakamaru screamed shrilly, clutching the bedsheet.
As Akira pulled his body back, his masculinity glistening between his legs, violently large and veined, was explicitly revealed.
'It's big....'
Tsubaki instinctively gulped. Master was overwhelming in every aspect.
Martial power as an oni, intellect leading the trading company, and even vitality as a man. If pierced by something that huge, what happens to a woman?
Along with fear, unknown heat stabbed her lower abdomen.
Then, Kiyohime silently approached and grasped Tsubaki's shoulders from behind.
"Where are you going so hastily, Miss Tsubaki? The report isn't finished yet."
Kiyohime's hand traveled down Tsubaki's spine, tightly grasping her firm, voluminous buttocks hardened by training.
"Hih?!"
"Hmm, perhaps because you're a warrior, your body is firm. Your chest is excellent too, but above all these buttocks... very solid easy-birth type. A very suitable vessel to receive Master's accumulated sexual desires."
Kiyohime whispered, blowing hot breath into Tsubaki's ear. It was temptation like sweet poison.
"How about becoming Master's personal attendant rather than just a security captain on this occasion? Attending at night is also a loyal retainer's duty and greatest honor."
Tsubaki's heart almost stopped. It was a dream she dared not even imagine, impious yet too sweet.
Pressing skin against the heavenly master.
"I, I'm... just a servant. How could a humble orphan with no talent dare to... Master..."
"Background doesn't matter."
A heavy voice resonated through the room. Before she knew it, Akira, having finished intercourse, had laid down the collapsed Ushiwakamaru and sat on the bed.
His sweat-drenched nude body emitted beast-like intimidation, and crimson eyes pierced through Tsubaki.
"If you wish it, I'll accept you too."
His one sentence severed Tsubaki's reason. Absolute lord. Life's benefactor. My god. He wants me.
That single fact alone made Tsubaki's body heat up feverishly. As Kiyohime whispered again into Tsubaki's ear as if questioning, she moved her hands slowly as if enchanted.
"...Master."
Tsubaki undid her clothes fastening with trembling hands.
As the Akatsuki Trading Company uniform top fell to the floor, and she threw off her hakama and underwear, her abundant nude body hardened by training yet with feminine soft curves was revealed.
She crawled on her knees and prostrated at Akira's feet.
"If... such a lowly body is acceptable... please..."
Akira lifted her chin, meeting her gaze. Eyes soaked with desire and loyalty. He smirked and brought his still-warm member to her mouth.
"Then, clean it."
"...!"
"Clean it. Without leaving a single drop."
It was both command and permission. Tsubaki opened her mouth with an ecstatic expression.
"Yes... It's an honor, Master♡"
She lifted her lord's thing like a precious treasure with both hands, sticking out her tongue and began meticulously licking from shaft to tip.
That night's intercourse was long and deep.
Ushiwakamaru was already exhausted and slept unaware of the world, and Kiyohime happily coached Tsubaki from the side on how to move her hips, what sounds to make that men like.
For Akira, it was his first time with a human woman. Different from heroic spirits, the uniquely warm and fragile reactions of a living human. Different from oni too.
Though Tsubaki shed tears from the tearing pain of her first experience, she writhed in pleasure at becoming one with her master.
"Ah, ah! Master! It's too big! So tight... ahhn!"
Her virginity was offered to Akira. At the moment of climax, Akira generously poured his seed (though it wouldn't impregnate) into her deepest place.
"Hhaaang!"
Tsubaki arched her back like a bow, reached climax, and slept as if fainting in Akira's arms. Akira stroked her sweat-drenched hair and sighed.
"Huu... Doing it with a human feels different. I really got carried away by the atmosphere and did it."
Post-nut clarity washed over him, but there was no regret. Anyway, oni have no reproductive ability so no pregnancy worries. Onification doesn't progress from just semen. All that remained in Tsubaki's body were only my traces.
"Still, I took her first time, so I should take responsibility."
Akira muttered, looking down at Tsubaki sleeping using his arm as a pillow.
"I'll make sure you never worry about living your whole life. Though I can't make you a wife or concubine, I'll let you live in this trading company without want, in a higher position than anyone, until you grow old and die. Later if you want to marry another man... well, I can give you top-class wedding gifts and a house."
Hearing that, Kiyohime behind Akira massaged his shoulders and chuckled.
"Oh my, Master really. What woman who's tasted Master's flavor could go to another insignificant man? This child's body and heart are now Master's. Moreover, this is the greatest blessing for this child."
Kiyohime's gaze deepened.
"Originally fated to be torn apart and eaten by an oni in some nameless mountain, found as a cold corpse... But now sleeping warmly in the arms of Master who will grasp the world, guaranteed a lifetime? This is truly heavenly fortune. A life hundreds, thousands of times more valuable than a miserable death in the Demon Slayer Corps."
Akira nodded. Instead of a miserable end as a Demon Slayer Corps member, a life as an Akatsuki Trading Company executive receiving the master's favor. That was Tsubaki's given new fate.
The next morning, Tsubaki appearing at the training hall looked more glowing and healthier than usual.
Though her walk was slightly awkward due to lower back pain, her expression held unconcealable satisfaction and confidence. The composure of a woman who had become a woman.
"Instructor? Are you unwell? Your walking seems... uncomfortable."
Kanae asked worriedly. Tsubaki flinched and coughed.
"Ahem! Ah, no. Just received some special guidance from Master yesterday... my muscles were just surprised. It was very, intense training."
"Special guidance? From Akira-san?"
Shinobu tilted her head. Tsubaki looked at distant mountains with a flushed face and smiled meaningfully.
"You too... if you train hard and remain loyal to the trading company, an opportunity might come someday."
"Opportunity?"
"Yes. The opportunity to be recognized as true family by Master, and receive his... deep affection. The greatest happiness a woman can feel."
Tsubaki's eyes were in ecstasy. Shinobu still didn't understand what those words meant, just blinking.
"Affection? Family? He already treats us like family well? Gives us lots of food too."
But Kanae, 14 years old, quick-witted and precocious, noticed the red marks (hickeys) slightly visible on Tsubaki's nape and collar, and the strange atmosphere emanating from her.
'That's...!'
Kanae's face turned crimson like a ripe apple. She hastily waved her hands.
"U-um! I don't see Akira-san that way! Though I respect him, such... feelings between man and woman aren't yet...! I'm still young!"
"Huh? Sister, what's wrong? Your face is super red! Do you have a fever?"
Only the clueless Shinobu looked confused, placing her hand on her sister's forehead. Then, Nobbu sitting in a corner of the training hall watching this scene chuckled while chewing senbei.
"Hmm~ So peaceful. Those butterfly sister girls."
Nobbu alternated looking at Tsubaki's figure and the still-growing sisters' bodies.
"Though bean sprouts now, if fed well and raised well, they'll become beauties more well-developed than Tsubaki. Especially their pelvis is no ordinary thing. Easy-birth type, easy-birth type."
"Nobbu, don't say things like an old man. It's unpleasant to hear."
Okita hanging laundry nearby scolded in disgust.
"Why? It's true, right? A demon king's eyes pierce the future. I wonder if even 3 years, 5 years later, those girls will just see Master as 'respected mister.' Wanna bet, Okita? I bet on 'they fall' with my limited edition sakura manju x10."
"Sigh... I won't make such bets. Betting just manju in the first place. Well, there's a term called grooming, so I understand though."
Okita also seemed to not deny it inwardly.
When afternoon came, Akira sat facing Kiyohime in the office discussing new business plans. With body and mind lightened from the affair with Tsubaki, he was filled with motivation.
"Kiyohime, time to move to the next stage. This product is pork."
"Pork... perhaps you mean pork cutlet?"
Kiyohime asked elegantly while folding her fan. Currently in Japan, the dish called cutlet existed. Western-style cuisine with thin meat coated in breadcrumbs and fried. But what Akira wanted wasn't such half-baked Western-style cuisine.
By Japanese standards, Western cuisine is no different from cutlet, popular now but closer to minor in the future.
"No. What I'm talking about is real tonkatsu. Japanese cuisine with thick meat fried crispy, sliced so it can be picked up with chopsticks."
Akira laid out his plans one by one.
"Current restaurants' cutlets pound meat with hammers to flatten it thin. To tenderize tough meat. But then all the juices leak out, tasting like chewing rubber."
"Right. Less chew too. People mostly prefer things full of juices."
"So we'll introduce a meat tenderizer. If we combine our powers, making a machine with densely packed blades is nothing. Using that to cut the meat's muscle fibers, even thick meat can melt in the mouth."
Kiyohime's eyes sparkled. She already knew what kind of taste the crispy outside, tender inside thick tonkatsu Akira described was.
An era without meat tenderizers. Won't appear until after the 1950s, so only cutlets until then. Plus, even now it's more cutlet form than Western-style tonkatsu, and Japanese-style set menus with rice or soup only appear in the late 1920s.
"That thick loin and tenderloin... coated in crispy breadcrumbs and fried. Just imagining makes my mouth water. The taste where crispy coating and tender meat harmonize..."
"At the trading company first-floor food corner, we'll sell katsu sandwiches with thick tonkatsu between white bread. Busy office workers or students will go crazy, right? And at main store restaurants and partner restaurants as set menus. With rice and miso soup, and shredded cabbage."
"Miso soup and rice, perfect localization! We're leading trends ahead of the era?"
"Not just that. With our curry on top: curry tonkatsu, with egg mixed in soy sauce over rice: 'katsudon' (tonkatsu rice bowl). Menu expansion is infinite. With this, we lead Japan's dining tables, no, popular culture itself."
Akira clenched his fist. If ramen and curry tamed tastes, tonkatsu drives the wedge. These profits will entirely fund oni hunting and become a foundation for a bright future.
Having future knowledge, just taking the lead with it brings unreasonable advantages.
"Master's ambition... really thrilling. I'll go to the kitchen right now to research optimal frying temperature. Using lard would be more savory, right? I'll also try making special sauce."
Kiyohime burned with enthusiasm and headed to the kitchen. Akira smiled watching her retreating back.
Under Tokyo's morning sunlight, butterflies were growing robustly, and the Akatsuki Trading Company's vault was swelling as if about to burst.
In 1906 Tokyo, this city where delicious smells and secret desires coexisted, Akira's empire was steadily taking root.
And, the Demon Slayer Corps was still investigating around Ginza. Whether their deductions and hands would reach the Akatsuki Trading Company. It was still unknown.