In Chinese records, twenty wooden strokes on the bottom was considered as minor in comparison to forty or sixty. you remembered how the characters in those ancient Chinese series going through sixty hard strokes on their bums, their faces and bodies immediately drenched in sweat which amplified the pain down there, those two pieces of sitting muscles were completely red and bloodied. You remembered how many of the palace maids died from them. Perhaps you were being lenient on Tadamune's punishment since many people of this period too valued their face and dignity, twenty wooden strokes down there at the citadel should suffice for him to learn his lesson.

You on the other hand, still had a reputation to maintain. Taking in a wakashu was the norm, but two? Your fellow samurai comrades would call you ambitious. You received multiple pats on the shoulders, well, they were slaps more-so while giving well wishes on your endeavours, how much time you had to spend with them.

But the problem was, you had no intention in putting them in that role, at all. In fact, you didn't even see them that way. What endeavours? What the heck did they even mean time? They had all the time in the world of this fictional world on training, meetings and looking at new potential lovers, but not on raising their offspring? Heck you would be labelled as a deadbeat parent, or the father who never returns from his milk trip in your world. You had your time spent on training, war discussions, figuring out on how to escape this place, wondering what would the changes be in the events of the twins be raised together and out of their home and worrying about your untimely death under the hands of demons if you failed as a background character. But no, you are now the factory reject for not running away from your responsibilities and not perform the age-old ritual of keeping Billy's jeans in your bedroom. And the nail in the coffin was, you even had to explain very clearly, or at least you thought to Akeno weeks after her husband's punishment.

"How is your husband?" you finally engaged after a small sip of tea. Despite the bamboo blinds' obstruction, you could sense Akeno's unease. She bowed after her hesitation: "Your generosity was well received by us, especially my husband your lordship,"

"I am aware that I no longer have any say in the agreement," she paused for a moment, rising from her position before continuing: "But as a mother, I could only sincerely request that Lord Sanada treat them as your own,"

You've been hit by! You've been struck by! A dead pe-

GO AWAY!

Taking in a deep breath before exhaling, you nodded: "I understand your concerns, Lady Akeno,"

Well, you can't tell her that you knew the family's situation.

"Your sons will be well taken care of; I do not see the need in viewing them otherwise," you reassured, hoping that your answer was clear as day. At this rate, you couldn't help but treat this meeting as a regular Parent-Teacher Conference, especially you promised a once a month visit.

Akeno's silence instigated her uncertainty, so you continued: "I trust that you see potential in your sons, as do I, hence I wish to assist them in reaching theirs,"

If she's not convinced, you can't say anything more than that.

"Michikatsu and Yoriichi will be in your hands, my lord," she eventually relented. you thanked the gods for their kindness.

"Are the two of you hungry?" Michikatsu jumped from the sudden intrusion of your voice, his eyes eventually met yours; while Yoriichi, had been burrowing his on your face since your departure.

"We already had our fill before you arrived, Lord Sanada," the older twin replied sheepishly, he finally broke eye contact, his hand on Yoriichi's tightened.

Why are they so small?! They were holding hands all this time!

Even Michikatsu's voice was high pitched! You doubted that your heart could handle it.

"Ah, what did you eat then?" you probed, hoping that it will ease him from the unnecessary anxiety. You made sure your expressions were at least friendly with a small smile. You waited for the older twin to answer as his eyes shifted to the right, seemingly thinking of what he should say.

After a while he finally answered: "I had cooked fish, Lord Sanada,"

"Do you like fish?" you probed once again, there was a hint of uncertainty and confusion, as if though he was not sure how to answer. His attitude gave you the immediate assumption that he had never been asked anything about him in his six years of his lifetime.

He might be thinking you are a peculiar adult. But at least he was respectful; unlike some of the kids nowadays.

While you left Michikatsu to ponder on this life-changing question, you turned your attention to Yoriichi, who still was staring deep into your soul: "What about you, Yoriichi? What did you have?"

You couldn't help but mentally slap yourself, this was certainly Karma doing its work for your dismay towards your interaction with children with mundane questions, and here you were, using the same technique on Demon slayer characters who may not have encountered anyone to be interested in their lives.

"..." Yoriichi's dark, red, pupil-less eyes remained unmoved as they stayed focused on yours, his bland, emotionless face took the cake. You pursed your lips, attempting to stifle your wheeze at his lack of response. It was unnerving to a certain degree; humour took on a bigger influence on your feelings. Feeling Michikatsu's curious eyes on your reaction, you proceeded with your attempt with his younger twin: "Do you like fish then? The same as your brother?"

He nodded. You let out another internal fist pump. Recollecting your thoughts before responding: "That is good, I don't like fish as much, they can be quite fishy," you shuddered at the thought of the raw maguro you ate two days before, even until now, you disliked the smell of raw tuna.

"What do you reckon, Michikatsu?" you eventually returned your gaze towards the older twin who had his attention on you, his eyes however remained averted, his voice remained sheepish: "I like fish, Lord Sanada..."

His respond made you smile: "Good to know, what else do you like?" you broke eye contact from the boy glancing at the bustling scene on a road your carriage passed through. You noticed the small crowd gathering at a particular stall before stretching your arm towards the bamboo blind, signalling your male attendant towards the stall.

You occasionally glanced back to the older twin who was hesitant in his answer before returning to the view outside of your carriage. Quickly accepting the package your male attendant handed you, you finally gave your attention to Michikatsu. Your fingers dug through the knot of the package, tugging the cloth apart as the boy eventually answered: "I like soups, Lord Sanada,"

"Have you had mochi before?" you inquired as the cloth you untied spread across your lap. Both their eyes immediately focused on the pinkish tone of the rice cake, you pondered whether Tadamune actually restricted their diets to this degree; Yoriichi perhaps, but Michikatsu who was supposedly his pride and glory did not have any taste of sweetness was interesting to you.

You grabbed onto one of the rice cakes before bringing the rest to them.

No action. Their eyes remained fixated on the mochi, Michikatsu eventually looked up at you as you instinctively took a bite out of the rice cake. The older twin's initial hesitation was put to an abrupt end as a soft growl formed in his stomach, he hastily lowered his head in embarrassment. Reaching his small hand for the mochi, Yoriichi followed suit. You watched expectantly at their action, anticipating their reaction.

There was a small glow in Michikatsu's eyes the moment he chewed onto the rice cake. Yoriichi on the other hand appeared unfazed by the sweets; his chewing revealed otherwise. You were aware that sugary items are not something to be encouraged; you had never seen any child to hold such genuine reaction, albeit restricted towards mochi. But alas, the lack of contact with electronic devices really turned you into a bored individual, easily entertained by the mere sight of children discovering their sweet tooth.

Michikatsu's outstretched hand came to a stop at the corner of your eyes, you could see the reluctance in his demeanour, wanting to grab for another mochi but decided otherwise then lowered his head, with both hands placed on his lap. Yoriichi returned to look at you.

Wow, don't tell me he is still traumatised by the broken teapot.

Bringing the cloth of mochi in front of the older twin, you gestured him to take another. He gave you a light bow in return before grabbing onto another one. You did the same to Yoriichi he nodded before eating them.

You noticed the air was no longer tense, Michikatsu's fist did not tighten as his posture relaxed. While there was not much difference on Yoriichi's part; the little wiggles on his toes demonstrated a positive reaction.

With that done, you turned your attention to the bamboo blind, watching the view through the narrow slits as you rested your chin on your hand, waiting for your destination.