Chapter 10

Back in the Tokito House, Tanjiro has been sowing some fabric together. Then a woman called to him.

"Sumiko, do you have a minute?"

Tanjiro stopped in his work and turned to face the woman with a smile. "Sure!"

"Sorry to bother you but we're short-staffed. Could you help carry these up the stairs?" the woman asked him.

"It'd be my pleasure. I'll take care of it, no problem." Tanjiro answered.

"Thank you, Sumiko." said the woman. "Nice to have a hard worker around."

"I apologize for removing your makeup yesterday. I feel like it's partially our fault the House Madam found that scar of yours."

"I'm fine, just thankful that they're letting me work here." Tanjiro said.

"Oh! Rena. Would you like to carry these up the stairs as well?" the woman said as she saw Kyojuro walk in.

Kyojuro nodded, remembering that he can not speak. So both Tanjiro and Kyojuro took the boxes up the stairs.

As Tanjiro and Rengoku carried the boxes up the stairs, they heard two young girls speaking. Tanjiro heard the word "ashinuke" and he popped his head inside the room to ask what the word means.

"What even is ashinuke?" he asked.

"That's a lot of baggage to carry." said one of the twin girls. They watched as both Tanjiro and Kyojuro carried the boxes into the room. They placed them against the wall.

"I think they're all gifts for Orian Koinastu." Tanjiro replied.

"You said you've never heard of ashinuke? It's probably a good thing you haven't. "Ashinuke" means to run away without paying off your debts." said the first twin.

"And it's really bad if you get caught." said the other twin girl.

"Why do they do that?" Tanjiro asks. Kyojuro looked at them with curiosity.

"Some people try running away in order to be with the man they're in love with."

"Right, like Orian Suma did the other day."

Suma? Tanjiro became serious at the mention of Tengen's wives. That's Mr. Uzui's wife.

"Listen..." Tanjiro was about to ask more about Suma when Orian Koinastu came in.

"You two shouldn't be spreading rumors. After all, nobody knows her whereabouts now. Who knows what happened to her." said Orian Koinastu.

"Fine." the twin girls said at the same time.

"You two brought these up on your own?" asked Orian Koinastu. "Thank you."

"Oh, it's our pleasure." Tanjiro said.

"Come here." Orian Koinastu said as she beckoned Tanjiro and Rengoku.

Orian Koinastu lifted up Tanjiro's hand and she placed a bag of candy. "Take this candy as my thanks. Keep it secret, or you'll have to share it."

"Hey, I want some candy."

"Me too! Me too!"

"Now, now. I gave you some earlier." Orian Koinastu said to the young girls.

"Um," Tanjiro began as he handed the bag of candy to Rengoku. "Did Orian Suma really commit ashinuke?"

"May I ask why you're so curious about that?" Orian Koinastu asked.

Tanjiro gasped slightly. Rengoku became slightly alert. She has her guard up. Tanjiro thought. But I've got to find a way around it and ask about Miss Suma.

"It's just... Orian Suma is... She's actually... Believe it or not... she's my... elder sister." Tanjiro said, making a face and not making eye contact with Orian Koinastu.

"What!?" Orian Koinastu and the two young girls said at the same time, shocked.

Rengoku put his hand on Tanjiro's shoulder, giving him an encouraging proud smile. Tanjiro smiled back, glad that Rengoku decided to come along with him.

"I think I understand now. So you were sold shorty after your sister." Orian Koinastu said.

"Yes. That's right." Tanjiro said, struggling to lie and not tell the truth. "The entire time she was here with you, I was exchanging letters with her. I promise you she isn't the type of person who would commit ashinuke."

"Oh. I had no idea." Orian Koinastu said.

Tanjiro sighed, glad that lying to her is over.

"I was surprised as well. I could hardly believe that Suma would commit ashinuke. She was such a well-behaved girl. There were no signs that she was infatuated with any man. But they ended up finding her diary. I heard they read through the entire thing and found she'd written about running off." Orian Koinastu explained.

Ashinuke... demons couldn't ask for a more perfect coverup. Even if someone were to vanish, people would only assume that she'd run away. The diary could have been forged. I pray that you're safe, Miss Suma, but if you're not, we're going to rescue you.

Back with Tengen Uzui, he is crouching on a rooftop building. He was deep in thought. Another day, and nothing. Yet I can't shake this feeling something is creeping in from the fog. How can they avoid detection with such ease?

Could it be that the demon residing here... is an Upper Rank demon? If that's the case, we might be in for an ultra-flashy fight to the death.

Back with Inosuke in the Ogimoto House, he was walking down the hall of the building holding a tray of empty dishware. He was mentally complaining.

It's so hot, I feel like I'm going to die in this stupid thing! And wearing this stupid outfit is dulling my senses!

As Inosuke was going around the corner of the hallway, he happens to overhear two women talking.

"Oh, Yae, can I ask you something real quick? Do you think Makio's adjusting here all night?"

Inosuke walked closer and he pressed himself against the wall, trying to hear what they're saying.

"Well, she's been locked up in her room ever since she got here. She mentioned not feeling very well, but keeps refusing to go to a hospital."

"If she doesn't do something, the Madam's going to drag her out."

"I brought a meal to her room, but she didn't come out to get it, so I ended up having to leave it outside her door."

Makio? That's Uzui's wife. Bout time we found a new lead. Not feeling well shouldn't be enough to stop her from checking in. Inosuke thought.

"Well, if she is sick, she'll be inside her room." Inosuke said, lowering his voice. Guess I'll take a look.

Inosuke began running but then one of the women who was speaking saw him.

"Careful, Inoko! You'll hurt yourself rushing around like that."

Inosuke turned around and bowed. He then continued walking the rest of the way.

In Makio's Room

"Now then, answer me. Who was it that you were writing all these little letters to? What was your name? Oh, I remember. It's Makio, isn't it?" said a strange unknown female voice.

Makio looks up, a serious expression on her face. She is tied up by ribbons.

"Answer me, Makio."

Inosuke found the room where Makio may be in. He walks up the stairs, ready to see what will be behind that door.