Now that I think about it, I still haven't brought gifts for the household. Before I left the house two weeks prior, Kanae delightfully told me that I should bring gifts from Hokkaido to surprise the children and Aoi especially. From what I've heard, Aoi hasn't been able to smile ever since that incident. The result is that Aoi has been hard for herself. Thankfully, the kids are understanding of their new sister's plight and quickly considered her as their new favorite sister. Right next to Shinobu and Kanae.
Now that I'm thinking about it, it feels like I'm picking stray children left and right. If Komachi were here, then she would be delighted at having so many siblings to spoil.
Unfortunately, Fate is prickly in terms of what destiny she wants to give. I only hope that she's doing good at her studies.
"Tanjiro! Listen to me! I almost died during that battle, so let have the privilege of taking care of Nezuko tonight!" This guy must be pretty desperate if he wants to flirt with Nezuko, who's an actual demon, and directly at Tanjiro's face. If he tried to do it with my sister, then I would've used one of my 108 skills on him. I wouldn't even give him a breathing room.
"You can't! I forbade it! Besides, you are still recovering from the battle, so how can you take care of Nezuko?" That's right, Tanjiro! Show your older brother instincts!
"But Tanjiro! When you find a way to turn her back into a human, then I'm going to propose to her!" That's jumping the gun a bit too much, in my opinion. In my case, the reverse happened. That, and I was depressed back then. If the Kocho siblings, especially Kanae, weren't around at that time, then I wouldn't know what to do.
"No! I won't allow it!" It is the final sentence I heard from Tanjiro before I entered the room with the blonde kid, I'm guessing that he's Agatsuma Zenitsu, still shouting at Tanjiro, who looks as if he's looking at something disgusting. I don't blame him. I would be doing the same if those happened with the kids. Don't know about Shinobu. I'm pretty sure she can take care of herself.
"Well, for someone that is heavily injured, you guys are quite lively." I started as I approached them. Tanjiro is looking at me with a big grin on his face while Zenitsu is looking at me with curiosity. I'm guessing that the one who's wearing a boar mask is Inosuke Hashibira, the Breath of the Beast user. Peering closer, I could see as to how he developed his breath style. Even though he's clothed, it seems like the kid took a training regimen that would allow his body to imitate that of an animal. Is he raised by an animal, if so, what kind? Is it a boar? So many questions, yet not enough time. I'll interview him tomorrow when my body feels like it's about to pass out from lack of sleep.
"H-Hikagaya-san!" Tanjiro started while Zenitsu continues to look at me. I wonder why he still hasn't realized that I trained (copied) under Zenitsu's teacher. Good thing that I can perform one of my 108 skills. Otherwise, this would've been awkward for both of us. One that I would rather avoid happening. Thank you very much.
"Yo." Giving my thanks to the girls, to which they gave me giggles in response, I made my way to Tanjiro's bed. "Are you doing okay? I know that today's event may have been rather taxing, but I assure you that they weren't doing it out of spite." I need to say it to Tanjiro because I know that the Pillars weren't doing it out of spite. Don't want to have Tanjiro any resentment to the Pillars, after all.
"It's okay, Hikigaya-san. I understand." I let out a sigh of relief at Tanjiro's words. "I want to say thank you, Hikigaya-san, for what you did to me. You didn't have to risk your life, but you still did it. I don't have much to pay you with, but I'll pay it back someday! I promise! That's why..." Oh god, tears are leaking out of his eyes again. I can't bear with this. I'm weak with expressive people!
I sighed and decided to do what I do to Tokito when he wants to cry: head patting! "It's okay, Tanjiro. I chose this path to walk, and I'm not afraid of walking on it. From what I've seen between you and Nezuko, I believe that you would be able to find a cure for Nezuko. And if that happens, then my faith for the both of you would prevail." And I wouldn't have to commit harakiri! "Besides, I have made a promise to my wife after all."
"A promise?" Tanjiro questioned. I'll need to elaborate on that one, huh. I hoped that I wouldn't have to expand on it because it's embarrassing to say it out loud!
"Well... I made a promise to her that I would become friends with demons and what better way to start on that promise by making friends with your sister." I clarified. God, I hope that wasn't as embarrassing as it sounds.
"Is that so..." Before Tanjiro can continue, Zenitsu suddenly screamed. How high can he scream?! It's like hearing a banshee awake for the first time.
"AHHHHH! Now I remember! You were the one that Ojii-chan was talking about, the one that was able to make an improved version of the First Form!" Don't praise me for it. It's embarrassing enough that I stole the Breath style, but to hear it being praise is mortifying to hear.
"Really?!" Oi, don't you be happy about it, Tanjiro! "Hikigaya-san did that? That's amazing!"
"That's not all!" Stop, please. "Rumor has it that he managed to hold off an entire group of demons, and when reinforcements arrived, he's the only one standing." To be clear, that was not true. When I arrived at the scene, half of the demons that were there were already dead, and the rest of the Demon Slayers immediately vacated the area when I arrived. In fairness, I did prioritize the Demon Slayers that were uninjured to help the heavily wounded. But still, to hear that story being overblown to that extent is so embarrassing to hear!
"Is he that powerful?" No, I'm not, Tanjiro. Just because I managed to draw Gyomei from time to time, doesn't mean that I'm that powerful. In terms of strength, Gyomei is the most powerful out of all of us. In terms of skills, Tokito has the most prowess. As for me? I consider myself as a second-rate. Stealing techniques and modifying as my one isn't something to be proud of but rather despised. Even if Kanae tries to make light of it, at the bottom of my heart, I know that I'm scum for stealing their techniques.
"No, I'm not." Before they could object, I continued, "Straying from the conversation aside, Tanjiro, I have to ask you a question."
Seeing him nod, I asked, "Do you know the Breath of the Sun?"
"The Breath of the Sun?" So he doesn't know, huh. Damn.
"The Breath of the Sun was the first recorded Breath Style that originated in the Feudal Era. It was the basis for other Breath Styles that eventually branched out into the Breath of Water, Thunder, Flame, and Wind. The hanafuda earring that you're currently wearing, it was said in the records that the first Breath User was wearing that same earring." Seeing Tanjiro's shocked face is quite amusing to see. Unfortunately, this was a serious discussion. "If I were to hazard a guess, that's probably the reason why your family is dead. Some Demon either saw you or one of your family members wearing the earring and decided to say that to Muzan."
"What does Muzan have to do with any of this?!" Tanjiro shouted. I harshly slapped his shoulders to calm him down.
"It's because he's the only one that can turn humans into Demons. In his mind, seeing the descendants of the man that almost killed him would deem you as a threat." I concluded. It's the only logical conclusion that I could think. If I were in Muzan's shoes, and I don't want to be in those shoes, then I would do the same thing.
"Is that the reason... We were only a family of coal burners. We even had a family history to back it up. My family had to die because of that reason alone?!" Tanjiro slammed his fist down the bed, causing it to bend. The atmosphere is tense, with Zenitsu remaining silent and Inosuke's snore stopping. This whole thing had turned personal, real quick. And it's probably my fault.
Releasing a heavy sigh, I hugged Tanjiro, hard. "Tanjiro, I know that I have no right to say this, but I'm sorry. Losing your family is hard to take in, but it's important to note that everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps has lost someone important to the Demons. You aren't the only one suffering. Besides, you have friends to support you and a little sister to turn back into a human. So don't lose hope. I know that you would be able to turn Nezuko back into a human. I didn't stake my life only to die by harakiri."
After giving that little motivation speech, Tanjiro bawled at my chest while I continue to hug him and comfort him. I swear, I'm acting like a dad at this point. I know that I have a kid on the way, but I didn't expect that I would already be feeling like I was a thirty years old man.
After a couple of minutes passed, he finally stopped crying. "Thank you for that speech, Hikigaya-san," Tanjiro said with a smile on his face. Gah, don't make that smile at me, it's almost as if I was looking at Kaeda's smile the first time we met!
"No problem. Just be sure to rest up. In the meanwhile, be sure to follow Shinobu's medicine to the letter. Especially you, Zenitsu." I heard him yelp, but I don't care at this point. "With you almost being turned into a spider, you need to follow Shinobu's instructions. Otherwise, you might find yourself in a ditch. Is that clear?" Seeing Zenitsu rapidly nod, I nodded as well before standing up.
"Anyways, I'm off to bed. If any of you need medical attention, ring the bell next to you. Got it? And don't you use willy-nilly, okay?" Seeing them nod, I proceeded to walk towards the other part of the room. The room is silent, which was perfect for someone like me. With Shinbou busy talking with Kanae, I decided that I shall make use of that time to silently sleepy alone. After all, I'm a loner by nature. And I miss my silence.
As such, the moment I hit the bed, I let myself sink in into the bed. And with that, I found myself asleep.
"Ara, Ara. It seems like my husband has decided to wake up."
Groggily waking up, I noticed that my wrist is cuff into the bed. Squinting my eyes, I looked at my feet to see it being cuff as well. Finally, I look towards my left, to which I see my wife, Kanae Hikigaya, calmly seeping some tea. During the past five years that I've spent my time with her, I can safely deduce that she's angry at me.
"I was delighted to hear from Shinobu that you were coming home, you know? I missed being by your side, after all. But then, you had to pull another unreasonable action without telling me." Here, Kanae's smile became a lot sharper. "You should be careful with your words and actions, husband of mine. Do you have anything to say in your actions, dear?"
I instinctively gulped at her words.
I'm doomed, aren't I?