On the carriage heading for the Eternal Paradise Cult, the atmosphere was unusually heavy.
Zenitsu shrank into a corner, gripping his Nichirin sword tightly, his eyes constantly flicking toward Inosuke, who sat opposite him with one leg crossed over the other, calmly eating a peach.
In Zenitsu's mind, the terrifying scene back on Peach Mountain replayed again and again—
Silver hair, rainbow-colored demonic pupils, and that overwhelming pressure.
"Th-then… um… big bro…" Zenitsu finally couldn't hold it in anymore, his voice shaking like a sieve.
"I'm really grateful you took Senior Brother in, but… what was that about you? That appearance… that aura…
"I forgot to ask you back on Spider Mountain.
"You're a demon, right? You're definitely a demon, right?!
"But now you're sitting in the sun like it's nothing! My entire worldview is collapsing!"
Tanjiro also set down his rice ball, looking at Inosuke with a serious, worried expression.
"Inosuke-kun… I've also been afraid to ask you.
"I smelled it—an extremely strong demon scent, but it's different from your usual one.
"And on top of that… you can withstand sunlight. That's just unbelievable.
"Does that mean… Nezuko might be able to as well someday?"
Inosuke paused mid-chew and rolled his eyes internally.
"Tch. What a pain. Almost forgot I still had to explain this."
He swallowed the peach, wiped his mouth, and put on a deep, serious expression—one that said since you've noticed, I won't pretend anymore.
"Hmph. I originally wanted to interact with you as an ordinary human."
He crossed his arms, a trace of melancholy flashing through his multicolored eyes.
"But since you've sincerely asked, I, the young master, will mercifully tell you."
He pointed at his own face, then toward the direction of the Eternal Paradise Cult.
"You've met that old geezer—Doma, right?
"He's Upper Rank Two. A demon.
"And my mom, Kotoha, is human."
Zenitsu and Tanjiro nodded.
"So—"
Inosuke spread his hands and lied through his teeth with complete confidence.
"I'm their biological child. Half human, half demon.
"That's perfectly logical, isn't it?"
"Eh?!"
Zenitsu and Tanjiro exclaimed at the same time.
"W-wait a second!"
Zenitsu started counting on his fingers.
"Dad is an Upper Rank demon, Mom is human… the child is born…
"With demon power and able to bask in the sun like a human?!
"My god! Is this the legendary perfect lifeform?!"
Tanjiro twitched his nose, suddenly enlightened.
"No wonder! No wonder Inosuke-kun smells both like Aunt Kotoha's gentle human scent,
"And Mister Doma's cold demon scent!
"So you really are father and son by blood!
"And Inosuke-kun is so good-looking too—he completely inherited the best of both parents!"
"…These two idiots…
"They actually believed it?
"And not only that, they patched up the logic for me?!"
"Ahem. That's right."
Inosuke immediately went with the flow, putting on an air of mystery.
"Because I'm a hybrid, I usually stay in human form.
"Only when I'm extremely angry—or when I need to… cough… fight,
"Does my old man's bloodline awaken.
"This is the highest secret of the Eternal Paradise Cult. If you dare tell anyone…"
He made a slicing motion across his throat.
"I get it! I get it!" Zenitsu nodded furiously.
"To protect Aunt Kotoha and yourself! We'll take it to the grave!"
Tanjiro nodded solemnly as well.
"Don't worry, Inosuke-kun! Whether you're human or demon, you're still our companion—just like Nezuko!
"And even though Mister Doma is a demon, he looks like… a very loving father!"
Inosuke's mouth twitched.
...
After several days of travel, the familiar gate finally came into view.
"We're finally here!" Zenitsu let out a sigh of relief.
"Even though Inosuke's background is shocking, his home really is a great place—food, lodging, and beautiful Aunt Kotoha…"
"You lot! Open the gate!" Inosuke kicked the door.
BOOM!
The gate was kicked open by this idiot—
But the sight that greeted them made Zenitsu and Tanjiro's smiles freeze instantly.
In the courtyard of the main hall,
A pink-haired, heavily muscled man was wearing an apron covered in tiny pink floral patterns, gripping a large broom and sweeping at a dizzying speed.
Fallen leaves were kicked precisely into a trash bin. Not a speck of dust remained.
"Th-that is…"
Zenitsu's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"That's the guy from the Mugen Train—the one who injured Upper Rank Three?!"
Their gazes shifted to the side.
A skeletal man was squatting by a well washing vegetables, while a stunning woman carried a basket of radishes on her back.
"Brother! Hurry up! Lady Kotoha is waiting to cook!"
"Shut up, Daki! I'm removing the dirt properly—this is delicate work!"
"That smell… they're also extremely strong demons!
"Upper Ranks!"
Tanjiro's hand flew to his sword hilt, cold sweat pouring down.
"Why… why are there so many Upper Ranks here?!"
Just as the two of them thought they had stumbled into a demon nest and were preparing for a desperate fight—
"Oh my! Inosuke is back!"
A cheerful voice rang out.
Doma, dressed in cult leader robes and fanning himself with a golden fan, walked out of the main hall with a smile.
Behind him followed a black-haired young man holding a tea tray, trembling from head to toe.
Kaigaku.
Where was his former arrogance?
He wore an ill-fitting servant's outfit, with several bandages stuck to his face.
"S-Senior Brother?!" Zenitsu cried out.
Doma's eyes lit up when he saw Inosuke. Ignoring the two kids who were half-drawing their swords in terror, he lunged forward and gave Inosuke a massive bear hug.
"Little Inosuke! Daddy missed you so much!
"Look, look—your souvenir is being properly educated!"
Inosuke shoved Doma's face away in disgust.
"Old geezer, get lost. This is what you call education?"
He pointed at the trembling Kaigaku behind him.
"Yes!" Doma replied innocently.
"When he first arrived, this kid had a terrible attitude—he even tried to zap me.
"So I just… let him feel our enthusiasm a little."
As the words fell—
Akaza, who had been sweeping, walked over and cast Kaigaku a cold glance.
"Hey, newbie. That area isn't clean. Go wipe it another hundred times.
"If it's still dirty, no dinner tonight."
Kaigaku shuddered violently.
"Y-Yes!"
Daki leaned over and poked Kaigaku in the forehead.
"Hey, what's-your-name. My basket is heavy. You carry it.
"If you drop a single radish, I'll turn you into dried radish strips!"
Gyutaro added darkly, "Mei's right… slack off and I'll cut you…"
Kaigaku: "..."
He wanted to cry.
He really wanted to cry.
This wasn't the Eternal Paradise Cult at all—this was hell.
Upper Rank Three was janitorial staff.
Upper Rank Six were laborers.
Upper Rank Two was a perverted boss.
And he was at the very bottom of this food chain.
Seeing this, Zenitsu and Tanjiro were completely stunned.
Was this really that arrogant, domineering senior brother?
He was basically a human punching bag!
Just then, gentle footsteps approached.
"Inosuke! You're back!"
Kotoha came out smiling, carrying a plate of freshly cooked food.
"Mom!"
Inosuke instantly reverted from domineering boss to obedient child, diving into her arms and rubbing against her.
"Ah! Lady Kotoha!"
Daki, who had been ferocious a moment ago, immediately turned into a well-behaved kitten. She tossed aside her basket and ran over to cling to Kotoha's arm.
"Your pancakes smell amazing! Can I have some?"
"Of course you can. Mei-chan worked very hard today too."
Kotoha gently patted Daki's head.
Even Akaza stopped sweeping and bowed slightly.
"Lady Kotoha, the courtyard has been cleaned."
"Thank you for your hard work, Lord Akaza. Come have some snacks."
Finally, Kotoha noticed Kaigaku, who was crouched in a corner, ignored by everyone.
She walked over, picked up a pancake, and handed it to him.
"You're Inosuke's friend too, right?
"You've worked hard these past few days. Everyone can be a bit strict sometimes, but they're all good people.
"Here, eat up. Don't let yourself go hungry."
Looking at this angelic woman—
And at the warm pancake in his hands—
Kaigaku's heart, long since frozen and twisted, trembled.
In this hell full of monsters…
Only this woman treated him like a human being.
"Th-thank you…"
Kaigaku devoured the pancake, tears mixing with snot as they streamed down his face.
...
Inside the main hall.
Everyone took their seats.
On the left sat the three members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
On the right sat the three Upper Ranks.
A table separated them, filled with Kotoha's cooking.
"Ahem."
Inosuke cleared his throat, putting on the air of a young master.
He looked first at Daki.
"Mei, how have the past few days been?"
"Awesome, Young Master!"
Daki raised her hand excitedly.
"No worrying about getting beheaded, no listening to Lord Muzan's nagging, and Lady Kotoha is so nice!
"I've decided—I'm staying here forever!
"I'll be your big sister! Anyone who bullies you, I'll have my brother slice them up!"
Gyutaro nodded silently beside her.
"As long as Mei's happy… I'm fine…"
Inosuke nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Kaigaku.
Kaigaku sat opposite Zenitsu, head lowered, not daring to meet his junior's eyes.
"Hey, Senior Brother."
Inosuke kicked the table leg.
Kaigaku jolted and looked up, his expression complicated.
"How does it feel being surrounded by strong people these past few days?
"Starting to think becoming a demon isn't all that impressive?
"Look at that pink-haired guy sweeping, and that green-haired one washing vegetables—do they look happy?"
Kaigaku fell silent.
Happy my ass.
These Upper Ranks were obedient like grandsons in front of that woman.
The so-called power of demons seemed to be used here only for housework.
"Zenitsu."
Kaigaku suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse.
Zenitsu jumped.
"Huh? S-Senior Brother?"
Kaigaku clenched his teeth, turned his head away, his voice barely audible.
"That… I'm sorry."
"Huh?"
Zenitsu thought he'd misheard.
"I said I'M SORRY! Are you deaf?!"
Kaigaku snapped in embarrassment—then immediately shrank back, sneaking a glance at Akaza beside him.
In a much smaller voice, he added,
"I shouldn't have… called you trash."
"Senior Brother…"
Zenitsu's eyes instantly reddened.
That senior brother who only ever cursed at him… actually apologized?
"Hmph. At least you still look somewhat human," Inosuke snorted.
"But don't think apologizing settles everything. I remember everything you did back then."
Inosuke stood up and walked over, looking down at Kaigaku.
"Back at the temple, you lured a demon inside to save yourself and got those kids killed.
"Sure, those little brats weren't saints—they bullied you plenty, never treated you like a person.
"They even… wanted you dead.
"If it were me, I'd have wanted to kill them too."
His tone suddenly shifted. Kaigaku snapped his head up.
He… he knew?
He knew those kids bullied me? Knew I just wanted to survive?
"In that situation, wanting to live is instinct.
"I can understand your fear. I can understand your distrust of others."
Inosuke's voice was unusually serious.
"But!
"That's not an excuse for you to bully Wenyi or betray Grandpa!
"Grandpa gave you a home. Wenyi treated you like family.
"And you took the anger you suffered elsewhere and dumped it on the people who loved and cared about you.
"That's what disgusts me the most!"
Kaigaku's body trembled as tears burst forth.
No one… no one had ever talked to him like this.
People only called him scum, a traitor.
No one said they understood his fear.
No one ever told him where he was truly wrong.
"Young Master…" Kaigaku choked.
"If… if one day I really change… really become stronger…
"Will you accept me then?"
Inosuke raised an eyebrow and tapped Kaigaku's head with his folding fan.
"Depends on my mood.
"But as long as you're still working in this house and haven't turned into a demon…
"I'll have your back.
"When you truly straighten out that twisted heart of yours, I'll teach you how to become strong.
"Truly strong."
Kaigaku lowered his head, clutching his clothes tightly.
"I understand… I'll… work hard wiping the floors!"
Zenitsu, watching this scene, was so moved he burst into tears, hugging Tanjiro and sobbing uncontrollably.
"Big bro is a god! He actually scolded Senior Brother back to his senses!"
After dealing with Kaigaku, Inosuke's gaze finally fell on the pink-haired man who had been pretending to be invisible.
"Hey, striped basketball."
Akaza stiffened, set down his teacup, and looked over expressionlessly.
"Back on the Mugen Train, you enjoyed beating me up, didn't you?"
Inosuke rubbed his ribs. They'd healed long ago, but pride was on the line.
Doma immediately fanned the flames.
"Oh my, Lord Akaza! How could you hit the young master?!
"That's my precious darling! You were slapping my face!"
As he spoke, Doma shoved Akaza toward Inosuke.
"Quick! Apologize!"
Veins bulged on Akaza's forehead.
He glanced at Kotoha.
Then at Inosuke, whose expression clearly said apologize or I'll make a scene.
He really didn't want to apologize.
He was a warrior. Upper Rank Three.
Apologize to a human brat? What a joke.
But…
That day on the train—
The way this kid fought desperately to protect his companions…
It stirred vague memories.
That feeling of wanting to protect someone…
Akaza took a deep breath, closed his eyes, then bent sharply at the waist, bowing ninety degrees to Inosuke.
"I'm sorry.
"That day… I struck too heavily.
"But you truly are… a strong warrior worthy of respect."
Dead silence.
Upper Rank Three… bowing and apologizing to a low-ranking slayer?
The world had gone mad.
"Hmph. That's more like it." Inosuke grinned smugly, opening his fan and waving it.
"Alright, I forgive you.
"Remember to work harder from now on.
"I'm thinking of digging a swimming pool in the backyard—leave it to you."
Akaza: "..."
Just destroy the world already.
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