A hangover felt like there were ten Gonpachiros and Stripe-itsu dancing inside his skull—badly, and completely out of rhythm.
"Ugh—"
Inosuke lay sprawled on the ice-cold floor, feeling as if the entire world were spinning.
Just last night, he'd been making grand declarations in the pavilion, swearing to become the perfect villain and turn Doma into a tool he could order around.
Three seconds of cool later, and now he was nearly vomiting up bile.
"Awake already, my young lord?"
A smiling face suddenly filled his vision.
Doma was squatting in front of him, holding a bowl of fragrant hangover soup.
"Wah—!"
Inosuke jolted, scrambling backward on all fours.
"Idiot! Don't you make any noise when you walk?! Are you trying to scare me to death?!"
"Oh my, how could Papa scare you?"
Doma smiled brightly. "Kotoha specially brewed this for you. Come on—open up, ah~~"
His smile was dazzling—almost reverent in a way Inosuke had never seen before.
Inosuke instantly broke out in goosebumps.
Something was wrong. Very wrong.
This old bastard was usually clingy, sure—but there was always a lofty, mocking air about him.
Today… why did he look kind of obsequious?
…Did he hear what I said last night?
Inosuke narrowed his eyes, recalling his drunken vow.
I'll take control of the Eternal Paradise Cult!
I'll make sure he can't do anything bad!
If so—then he'd start right now.
Inosuke cleared his throat, slapped the spoon away, and put on his most arrogant "young lord" face.
"I'm not drinking that. It's too hot."
He pointed at Doma, issuing orders like a tyrant.
"Go. Change it to an iced one. Add honey. Add ice cubes.
And you—you personally fan it cool with your fan."
Tanjiro and Zenitsu shrank into the corner, trembling.
Bossing around Upper Rank Two?!
And yet—
"Understood, my young lord."
Doma didn't get angry at all. Instead, he looked pleased, like a parent watching their child finally learn how to order people around.
He dropped to one knee. With a flip of his palm, the soup instantly cooled. Using his Blood Demon Art, he even formed a few delicate ice flowers floating on the surface.
He lifted his golden fan and gently fanned, sending a cool breeze scented with lotus blossoms toward Inosuke.
"The temperature is just right. Please enjoy it, Young Lord."
"..."
Inosuke took the bowl, hands trembling slightly.
This old bastard… did he take the wrong medicine?
Or did I smash his brain while drunk last night?
This level of obedience was downright creepy.
Just then, light footsteps approached.
"Inosuke, you're awake?"
Kotoha entered with a tray piled high with freshly made rice balls and tempura. She wore a pale pink kimono today, her hair loosely tied, soft strands framing her ears.
Seeing Inosuke still lying on the floor, she quickly set the tray down and hurried over.
"Oh dear, why are you sleeping on the floor? What if you catch a chill?"
She helped him up, letting him lean against a cushion, then gently massaged his temples with her warm hands.
"Does your head still hurt? Mama made your favorite miso soup—lots and lots of tofu."
Feeling that warmth on his forehead, Inosuke's tightly wound nerves instantly loosened. He rubbed his head lightly against her palm.
"It's fine. Just a bit dizzy."
"That's what happens when you drink so much,"
Kotoha scolded gently, tapping his nose, then pulled out a wooden comb and began tidying his messy bedhead.
"Turn around. Mama will fix your hair. If you're going out, you can't look all sloppy."
Inosuke obediently turned around.
As she combed, Kotoha chatted softly:
"Did you pack enough clothes this time? That belly wrap—well, the warm undergarment—you must remember to wear it. And if the food outside isn't clean, eat less. Don't pick things up off the ground like you did when you were little…"
"Mom, stop it… Gonpachiro can hear you."
Inosuke muttered, but didn't move away.
"So what if they hear?" Kotoha smiled, though her eyes were faintly red.
"Friends should look out for each other."
She examined his hair tips carefully.
"Look, your ends are splitting a bit. Remember to eat more black sesame."
Nearby, Doma remained kneeling, fan gently moving, watching the mother and son with a constant smile.
"How wonderful," he sighed.
"Kotoha-chan's maternal love truly is the most beautiful art in the world."
"Shut up, old man," Inosuke snapped.
"Fan your wind."
In this warm yet bizarre atmosphere, a crow shattered the moment.
"Caw! Caw!"
A scrawny Kasugai Crow crashed through the window like a cannonball, tumbling across the tatami.
"Emergency summons! Emergency summons! Caw!
All Hashira! And Kamado Tanjiro, Hashibira Inosuke, Agatsuma Zenitsu—return to Demon Slayer Headquarters for a meeting!"
"A meeting?!"
Zenitsu's blissful expression instantly darkened.
"Again? I haven't had enough fun yet…"
"Get ready, you lot!" Inosuke shot to his feet, full of energy.
"Time to make some money!"
"Tanpachiro!
Stripe-itsu!"
Departure came at the mountain gate.
This time, Kotoha didn't cry. Instead, she bustled about, checking the three boys' packs.
"Tanjiro-kun, take these straw sandals. Shoes wear out fast on the road."
"Zenitsu-kun, this charm is for you. Hold it when you get scared."
Finally, she stepped in front of Inosuke and pulled out a cloth pouch embroidered with a little tanuki, carefully hanging it around his neck.
"What's this?"
Inosuke squeezed it—it was soft.
"A safety charm Mama prayed for. Inside are your baby teeth, and hair from all three of us."
She gently straightened his collar. "They say it wards off disasters."
Inosuke froze for a moment.
Hair from all three… so Doma's too?
Yeah. That'd definitely ward off disasters.
Hair from Upper Rank Two—most demons would flee just smelling it.
"…Got it. You… take care of yourself too."
He turned his head awkwardly.
"If that old bastard bullies you, write to me. I'll come back and beat him up."
"Oh, you child."
Kotoha laughed and rose on tiptoe, kissing his forehead firmly.
"Safe travels, my precious one."
Watching Inosuke blush red as a monkey's backside, Doma walked over with a smile.
"Then—may your martial fortunes flourish."
He placed a hand on Tanjiro's shoulder, then Zenitsu's.
"Tanjiro-kun, Zenitsu-kun—though you are not demons, as long as you are Inosuke's friends, the gates of the Eternal Paradise Cult will always be open to you."
Just as Tanjiro was about to bow in thanks—
Doma suddenly leaned close and whispered so only they could hear:
"Kotoha-chan was very happy just now.
If next time… you let Inosuke come back covered in wounds again, making her cry…"
In that instant, Tanjiro and Zenitsu felt as if an icy hand had clenched their hearts, freezing every drop of blood in their bodies.
"Then I'll have to seriously reconsider whether you truly deserve to be called Inosuke's good friends."
With that, Doma stepped back at once, returning to his harmless smile and waving cheerfully.
"Take care~ Come visit again~"
"RUN!!!"
Zenitsu screamed, grabbing Tanjiro and Inosuke and bolting down the mountain path without looking back, as if some primeval beast were chasing them.
Watching the three boys' figures disappear into the snow, Kotoha stood there for a long time.
"Lord Doma… will they be safe?"
"Of course," Doma said gently, pulling her close to shield her from the cold.
"I'm praying for them."
"And besides—Inosuke is already a man now."
Only after the three figures vanished completely did the smile on Doma's face fall away—like a mask torn off.
The temperature before the hall plummeted. Snowflakes seemed to freeze midair, even the wind holding its breath in fear.
"Alright."
Doma released Kotoha, his tone still gentle.
"Kotoha-chan, things outside are unstable these days. Stay in the inner hall and sew new clothes for Inosuke. Don't come out, okay?"
"…Alright."
Sensing something amiss, Kotoha nodded obediently and went inside.
The vast mountain gate was left with Doma alone.
He slowly unfolded his golden fan, its surface reflecting his emotionless, rainbow-colored eyes.
"Inosuke is gone.
Then I should take care of some… household business."
He lifted his gaze northward—toward the direction Akaza had fled after that battle.
"Akaza."
"You broke three of my son's ribs."
"As a return gift… shouldn't I break all four of your limbs, then twist your head off and kick it around like a ball?"
"After all, I'm a father who believes in proper reciprocity."
Boom—
A violent icy gale erupted.
Where Doma had stood, his form shattered into countless ice crystals, streaking northward like a storm.
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