At this very moment, Yuichiro could not help but feel a surge of sympathy for the Demon Slayer Corps.
After all, in a sense, this amounted to the upper ranks of the Corps leading a rebellion themselves.
He once again grabbed Muichiro, who was about to step into the cave.
"That's enough. I understand now. Since Hiru and Yoriichi chose to conceal this, it means they didn't want us to know. And you saw it yourself—he clearly doesn't want anything to do with you. He wouldn't even tell you his name, and he's already changed where he's staying. If we keep bothering him, that's just rude."
"But—"
"There are no 'buts.' Let's go."
Yuichiro pulled Muichiro behind him and gave Kokushibo a slight bow.
"We'll inform the others to avoid this area. Sorry for the disturbance today."
With that, he dragged the reluctant Muichiro away at a brisk pace.
After watching the brothers' figures disappear from view, Kokushibo closed his eyes again.
Yet their deliberately lowered voices still drifted faintly to his ears.
"Brother, why did you drag me away? Don't you think Big Big Brother is pitiful? He's been alone here the whole time…"
"You're hopeless. I can't sense his aura at all. That can only mean he's reached the same Transparent World as Yoriichi. A swordsman at that level doesn't need our pity. If anything, he'd pity us for being weak and not knowing it."
"Huh? Big Big Brother can use Transparent World too? That's amazing… I can't even begin to grasp it."
"You think you can compare yourself to him? More importantly, someone that strong—whether human or demon—isn't someone we can handle. We're not close to him like we are to Yoriichi and the others. If he lost control and attacked us, who would save us?"
"That's why I brought you during the day… Ow!"
"Even so, no. Better safe than sorry. In short, if you don't want to cause trouble for Yoriichi and the others, then keep this buried. Don't tell anyone, and don't come back. Understood?"
"…Okay."
Their voices gradually faded into indistinct murmurs.
Kokushibo felt a faint sense of approval.
Yes. That is the proper way to conduct oneself. Though the Tsugikuni name has long declined, at least the talent of the descendants remains. With an elder brother restraining him, that child likely won't return.
However, Kokushibo soon discovered he had severely underestimated a child's initiative.
The very next day, Muichiro appeared again.
There was a trace of resignation in Kokushibo's voice.
"Why are you here again?"
Muichiro grinned at the frowning Kokushibo and made a shushing gesture before slipping into the cave.
"Don't frown. I snuck out without telling my brother. I even brought you something."
Kokushibo lowered his gaze to the sweets wrapped in oil paper and sighed.
"I am a demon. Human food is useless to me."
"And this!"
Muichiro produced a smaller paper packet and held it out.
"I secretly got it from my friend. It's medicine that lets demons regain their sense of taste. Every time his brother goes home, he takes this and eats with the family!"
"…Take it back. And you should leave."
"Don't be so cold…"
Muichiro crouched beside him, muttering.
"My friend once said something I think is really right: family needs companionship. No matter how deep the bond, it still needs people to maintain it.
"Yoriichi and Hiru are both busy. My brother hates trouble. And your existence is such a secret. So I think at least I should take responsibility."
Kokushibo was silent for a moment.
"I am not your family."
"But you're family to Yoriichi and Hiru, and they're family to me. So that makes us family too, doesn't it?"
Muichiro spoke earnestly.
"You don't say it, but when I come here I can feel your emotions fluctuating a lot. And there's no malice.
"Hiru said communication is important between family members. Turning into a demon isn't something you can solve by shutting yourself away. You have to face it bravely and move forward."
"…I am not trapped."
"Really? Then pretend I didn't say anything."
Muichiro dusted off his clothes and stood up, his voice bright as ever.
"Then I'm going! I'll come again next time I'm free! Big Big Brother, do your best! Hiru's been trying hard to find a way to turn demons back into humans. They haven't given up on you, so you can't give up on yourself either!"
That isn't for me.
Kokushibo watched his departing figure and sighed softly.
It seems I must change residences again.
But Muichiro clearly had no intention of letting him live in peace.
In the days that followed, he came tirelessly during the daytime, trying to pry out Kokushibo's name and grow closer.
That persistence became increasingly vexing.
Kokushibo even began to consider temporarily leaving the region—or simply following the mark to find Hiru and have him notify Yoriichi to put everything aside and settle their battle at once.
Yet just as he resolved to act, Muichiro—who had harassed him without fail for four months—suddenly stopped appearing.
Kokushibo abandoned the idea of relocating and continued to stay nearby.
But during that quiet week without interruption, he found himself unable to calm his mind to train.
Only then did he realize—
Amid his descendant's relentless pestering, he had unconsciously developed a new habit.
He let out a faint sigh.
To be influenced like this… my discipline truly is lacking. I will go check on him once, then leave. I cannot allow this to impede my steps.
With that thought, Kokushibo rose and stepped out from the cave's shadows into the moonlit forest.
Thanks to Muichiro's constant visits, traces had been left throughout the woods, making the search effortless. Before long, he found the river valley where Muichiro lived.
Suppressing his aura, Kokushibo slipped silently into the valley and easily located the house.
He looked inside through a small ventilation window, intending only to confirm Muichiro's condition before departing.
But as his gaze swept across the other figures inside, his steps halted.
Besides the Tokito twins, there were two other children—a boy and a girl of similar age. The girl appeared slightly older, likely the elder sister.
What stopped him, however, was not their presence—but the paper earrings hanging from their ears.