A/N: None of the characters mentioned belong to me. I am just writing this fiction to bring the element, KnY actually never had that much.

Yeah, it's romance!!

Enjoy the chapter~

[Ubuyashiki Mansion]

After Tanjiro's departure, all the Hashira settled down and returned to their positions once again.

It took some time but Shinobu was able to calm her raging heart with the assurance that Tanjiro would be waiting for her when she would return.

He had some business to deal with her so it was given he would stay until she returns...right?

Maybe this was the first time she felt this meeting to end as soon as it could. Nevertheless, she had no intention of voicing her desires.

"Giyu."

"Hai, master." Shinobu glanced at the checkered haori-wearing youth beside her and saw his expression as solemn as ever. He was the less reactive and most uncaring about Tanjiro's origin.

"What do you think about Tanjiro-kun's story about Kibutsuji?" It was a dilemma why Master picked Giyu for his thoughts on this. It was so random that Shinobu didn't even try to think of the reason and kept her head bowed.

There was a slight pause before the Water Pillar spoke, "I am skeptical about his origin, and before confirming whether his confrontation with Muzan is true or not, I couldn't believe a single word he spoke just now."

...just as she thought, Shinobu hated this guy.

He could have been a little more modest with his words but Giyu outrightly announced Tanjiro as a liar.

'Even though I am reacting this way...do I myself trust Tanjiro-kun completely?' Another question she needs some time to contemplate about.

It was not just Giyu but the eldest Hashira Himejima Gyomei had a similar thought. Until Tanjiro had proof that he had a confrontation with the Demon Lord yet survived, only then the young boy's words could be valued.

"So it all comes down to evidence huh..." The current head of the Ubuyashiki family sighed under his breath.

However, it was not the time to ponder over matters that could be settled along the path.

'I hope Tanjiro-kun can gain their trust rather than facing everything alone...'

"Thank you for your help, Kakushi-san." With a polite bow of his head, Tanjiro thanked the female Kakushi who helped Tanjiro locate the butterfly mansion.

"Ah...don't mind it. It's my duty." The Kakushi replied while thanking the fabric around her face which hid the embarrassing blush she wore. Truly unbecoming of a hunter...

Tanjiro didn't know why her scent seemed so...funny but he didn't dwell on the matter and bid his farewell to the Kakushi.

Turning toward the big mansion, Tanjiro couldn't help sighing.

"It smells like home..." He wasn't overwhelmed by the size of the residence since the villas and mansions in which Lady Tamayo lives are majorly large as well, even though she uses only some percent of the house for her experiments and treating the patients.

Walking inside, he checked the surroundings and picked up the sound of something blunt patting over something thick...like bed covers. He deduced that somebody must be dusting their comforter. There was the scent of something delicious wafting in the air actively as well, triggering Tanjiro's appetite.

'I should have eaten something in the morning first...' Regretting his decision to not take a stroll down the alley and have ramen from the famous shop of that district, Tanjiro began walking inside the mansion.

There was no scent of wisteria around which reminded him how demon hunters don't try to divert the demons out of their house unless they aren't out of the residence or heavily injured. The reason was that they didn't want the surroundings to get in danger while the house where the demon Hunter resides remains protected by the scent of wisteria. Demons better attack those who hold the capability to slay them.

'Hmm?' With a soundless track of speed someone approached Tanjiro from the left before he twirled on his feet with his left hand already resting over the hilt of his blade.

The amount of presence this person gave was almost unnoticeable but no one was free of their pulses and heartbeat to overcome Tanjiro's senses.

"Sharp as ever, Tanjiro-kun~" Tanjiro frowned since he felt like he had heard this voice before yet was not entirely sure whether this was the same person back-

'Uh...how stupid of me...' Remembering that this person surely would be present here as well, Tanjiro let go of his animosity and bowed deeply.

"I apologize for my rude gesture, Kocho-san." Tanjiro was extremely embarrassed by the situation since he nearly raised his blade against the lady of the house and someone older than him.

The reason he wasn't able to identify her scent stems from the fact that during their first meeting, she was coated with blood and later on with medicines which overwhelmed the natural fragrance every human carries. And since she was injured, Tanjiro didn't get to hear her voice properly as well.

"Don't be stiff, Tanjiro-kun. It was my bad to approach you like this." Kanae actually was trying to check whether Tanjiro was able to perceive her position and movements even with his eyes closed. And she was surprised to see the precision, the boy possessed.

'If he's here means he must have met Shinobu already...' Kanae couldn't wait to see the reaction of her sister when she came back. The boy of her dear sister's dreams has returned after all~

"Even if you say that, I should have been a little more cautious."

"But weren't you cautious just now, Tanjiro-kun?" Kanae replied in an innocent tone with her index finger pressed against her chin.

"Ah...not like that. Again, I apologize for my rudeness." Another deep bow as Tanjiro apologized in a fluster.

"I am just joking, Tanjiro-kun. Come on, let's go inside." Kanae laughed it off since she never meant to make Tanjiro guilty for his actions. She was just enjoying the amusing reaction the boy had.

'He really has grown to be a polite boy...' As per what Kanae knows, Tanjiro has lived with his sister most of his life yet the boy has turned into such a kind soul.

The former Hashira led the blindfolded boy inside the house while chatting about some trivial stuff, mostly related to Nezuko and their current life. Kanae didn't have a collection of their first meeting but from what she had heard from Shinobu, Kanae used it as a base to continue the conversation.

"We are currently living on the outskirts of Tokyo. She's in the care of a person whom I could believe with my eyes closed so there would be no problem whatsoever."

Kanae hummed in response, already aware of who this confidant was. Shinobu never hides anything from her, after all.

"So would that be fine for you to stay here for some days, Tanjiro-kun?"

Hearing her question, Tanjiro tilted his head which the older female found adorable before the boy muttered in a perplexed tone, "Why would I stay here for days, Kocho-san?"

As far as he was concerned, the medicine he came here to talk about would take an hour or two, and if Shinobu was on board with the preparations then Tanjiro would have to make a round trip to Tamayo's mansion to get the necessary ingredients.

Since Shinobu couldn't work with a demon, Tanjiro had the role of working as a mediator between the two.

However, he didn't have any reason to stay here despite the answer Shinobu would give him, considering how he had a lot of work pending.

However, Kanae had thoughts otherwise, "I mean, I am guessing you have finally decided to join the demon slayer corps, am I right?" A blind hunch that was proven to be right when the former Hashria saw Tanjiro nodding his head.

'Perfect~' Holding a grin, the older one continued, "Then as a demon slayer recruit, you would have to pass some tests conducted by a Hashira so you could gain the official title."

Tanjiro seemed even more confused hearing those terms as he sat down on the cushion Kanae placed for him as she sat just opposite him.

While Tanjiro was dwelling in his thoughts, Kanae called for Sumi and told her to bring some tea for the two.

The little girl was looking at Tanjiro with a pretty intense gaze since he met all the criteria Sumi knew about that benefactor her Shinobu-sama always talked about. Not only Sumi, but Kiyo, Naho, and Aoi as well, know about the mysterious savior Kanae and Shinobu stumbled upon.

'Is he the one about whom Shinobu-sama never gets tired of talking about?' The little girl was now intrigued to know the guest's identity.

However, she soon was brought back to reality by Kanae's soft voice, "Tanjiro-kun won't run away, Sumi-chan. You can have him later, okay?"

Sumi nodded earnestly with a bright smile at the promise of getting herself and the other two some time with the person whom the whole butterfly mansion knows about.

Tanjiro wryly smiled at that but didn't comment. It was apparent that the small girl was interested in something about him. Maybe his katana?

"So, Tanjiro-kun...how did the meeting go with the Pillars and Oyakata-sama?"

Tanjiro's smile faltered hearing that, which Kanae noticed and already guessed the reason behind such a reaction.

"Well..."

Hearing his story, Kanae decided that she needed to have a good talk with Sanemi~

A/N:- Godamn.

The fact that I tried matching the trend of long chapters on site while I usually write 1-1.5k words per chapter, got me lazy.

Writing more than two chapters at once made me feel like not writing the fanfic at all. So here I am, with a shorter chapter and a promise to post the next one within two weeks.

Drop a review if you liked the chapter ~