Chapter Text
"Wake…up…Wake up…"
In the pitch-black darkness where nothing is visible, a voice calling out. I don’t know who the voice belongs to. From the sound of it, it’s probably a man. Beyond that, I can’t tell.
"How long do you plan to stay like this? Wake up, and fulfil my dream."
…Dream…? I don’t understand what you’re talking about…
Hey, who are you? What am I supposed to do?
"…I’ve already entrusted everything to you…I’m counting on you, my 'dream'…"
Hey, you don’t make any sense! What are you talking about…
"…Sumihiko…please, …”
"Sumihiko!!!!!!!!"
"Whoa!?" Sumihiko jolted awake at the sound of his name being shouted. Standing in front of him was his childhood friend, Tojuro, shaking his shoulder with a worried expression. It seemed Sumihiko had been sleeping through in the classroom.
"Tojuro-kun, what’s up? You scared me…"
"Are you okay, Sumihiko? You keep mumbling and frowning just now."
"…Huh? Really? Maybe because I had a weird dream…" Sumihiko smiled sleepily, his face still soft from waking up, but Tojuro’s expression remained clouded.
"…A dream… that dream again? It’s been happening since you’re little, right?"
As Tojuro said, Sumihiko had been having strange dreams since 4-5 years old. The surroundings were always engulfed in endless darkness, and he couldn’t see a thing. He didn’t even know where he was, but he always heard the same voice. Of course, he couldn’t see the owner of the voice either. It was a deep male voice, one that carried an eerie aura. And every time, it said the same thing, "Hurry, wake up, and fulfill my dream."
(But this time was a little different from usual… I think I heard another voice at the end…)
As Sumihiko was lost in thought, Tojuro, who had been watching him, forced his usual bright smile back onto his face and picked up his bag from the floor.
"Sumihiko, let’s get out of school for now. We’re almost past dismissal time."
"Huh? Is it already that late?"
"…Don’t tell me you’ve been sleeping since noon again."
"Hehe." Sumihiko laughed awkwardly, as Tojuro’s remark hit the mark. Tojuro, on the other hand, chuckled in exasperation.
Sumihiko could fall asleep anytime, anywhere. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that most of his day was spent sleeping. He might just be the most sleep-heavy person in all of humanity.
"Seriously… Kanata’s going to scold you again, you know?"
"Ugh, I don’t want that… Kanata’s always so naggy."
"…Well, Kanata only ever do something what he think good for you." Tojuro quickly start going while grabbing Sumihiko’s hand, who was grimacing at the thought of his older brother Kanata’s scolding. Leaving the classroom now empty of people in complete silence.
…
As autumn neared its end, the days had grown noticeably shorter. The sky, dyed a brilliant orange by the setting sun, shone beautifully, but soon this radiance would be swallowed by darkness. The chilly wind had become more frequent lately, and though the two were wearing their long-sleeved uniforms today, it might soon be time to start using blazers and scarves.
Sumihiko trudged sleepily along the path they only used on their way home, as their mornings were always in a rush due to his oversleeping and subsequent parkour to school.
"It’s gotten pretty cold now. The changing of seasons makes it easy to catch a cold, so we need to be careful," came a murmur from beside him.
Sumihiko, however, was only thinking about going home and sleeping. Just then, a voice brushed past Sumihiko’s ears.
[…Wake up.]
"…!"
"What’s wrong?" Tojuro called out to Sumihiko, who had suddenly stopped in his tracks. But Sumihiko didn’t seem to hear him, standing frozen with wide eyes.
Just as Tojuro was wondering if Sumihiko was about to fall asleep right there, Sumihiko turned to face him.
"Tojuro, did you just say something…?"
"…? I asked what’s wrong, but…"
"No. That’s not it…"
Sumihiko’s question made Tojuro tilt his head in confusion. It seemed Sumihiko had heard something, but unfortunately, Tojuro hadn’t heard a thing. Just as Tojuro was about to suggest that Sumihiko might have misheard, the voice came again.
[…Wake up, my dream…]
"…!! See, I heard it again!"
"I didn’t hear anything…"
"Huh…"
Muttering that this was strange, Sumihiko looked around and then realized it. This voice was undoubtedly the same one from his dreams. Why he suddenly could hear it now when he wasn’t asleep? Why only he could hear it? As if responding to his thoughts, the voice grew louder and louder, until a splitting headache forced Sumihiko to his knees.
"Ugh!? Sumihiko! What’s wrong!? Are you okay!?" Tojuro, seeing Sumihiko’s in distress, desperately called out to him, but his voice couldn’t reach Sumihiko at all.
[Wake up…wake up.
Hurry… now…
Fulfill my long-cherished wish.
My dream…
Kill… kill the demon slayers… kill them!!
Devour! Hate!! Kill them!!!
And you shall become… the perfect existence… the "Demon King"!!!!]
"……!!"
In the next moment, a black, mist-like substance appeared around Sumihiko, rapidly enveloping him. He tried to escape, but aside from overwhelming headache he got drowsy that made it even impossible to react.
"Sumihiko!!!!" Tojuro desperately reached out to Sumihiko who was being swallowed by the black mist, and grabbed his arm. But instead of pulling him up, Tojuro himself was also got consumed by the mist. When the mist cleared, no one was left there.
… That day, two high school students went missing.
…
The sky was clear, but the trees and ground were blanketed in pure white snow. Amidst this, a boy with fiery red hair was stuffing a large amount of charcoal into a basket. As he finished his task and slung the basket onto his back, a woman emerged from the house behind him and called out.
"Tanjiro, what are you doing?"
"Ah, Kaa-chan!... Good morning. The weather's nice today, so I thought I'd head down to town and sell some charcoal..."
"But the snow's piled up, and it's dangerous. Why don't you take it easy today?" His mother spoke with concern, but Tanjiro smiled and assured her that he was fine.
"I rested plenty yesterday, so I'm okay. Once the snow starts this season, it doesn't stop for a while, so I want to earn as much as I can."
"I see... I'm sorry, Tanjiro. Don't push yourself too hard."
"Got it!"
With a wave and a cheerful "I'm off!" Tanjiro began his descent down the snow-covered slope.
Even though he had walked this path for years, the snow made it treacherous. Though he wore straw sandals, one misstep could send him tumbling. He had left home to ease his family's burden, but if he got hurt and caused them grief, it would all be for nothing. Worse, it might even add to their troubles. Tanjiro proceeded with utmost caution, carefully making his way down the mountain path. He was about halfway down when the sky, which had been dim when he left, was now fully lit by the warm sunlight reflecting off the snow... That's when he hear something.
"...Sumihiko... please...!!"
"A voice?... Why would someone be here, halfway up the mountain?"
A faint voice reached his ears. Aside from the Kamado family at the top of the mountain and Saburo's house at the base, there was nothing else on this mountain. It was still early morning and voice wasn't coming from near his home, nor was it close to Saburo's house. It was strange for someone to be in this in-between area.
(I don't smell blood... but this definitely isn't normal.)
Perhaps someone had gotten lost in the mountains and was now in trouble. In these snow-covered depths, it could be a matter of life and death. Tanjiro decided to investigate and quickened his pace toward the source of the voice.
"...Please! Open your eyes...!! If this keeps up...!!"
As Tanjiro pressed forward, the voice became clearer. The desperate tone confirmed that this was no ordinary situation. Tanjiro broke into a light jog.
"...Sumihiko!! Please wake up! You'll freeze to death like this!!!"
"Are you okay!?"
"Ah!!! Who are..."
At the end of his search, Tanjiro found two boys dressed in what looked like foreign-style clothing. Though they appeared to be around his age or older. One had golden hair streaked with fiery red and eyes like the sun, which widened in surprise upon seeing Tanjiro. The other had black hair tinged with red, much like Tanjiro's, but his eyes were closed, either unconscious or unable to open. Both were dressed too lightly for the snowy mountains, and their faces were pale, especially the unconscious boy, who was breathing shallowly, his forehead damp with cold sweat.
"Please, can you help us!?"
…
Tojuro's POV
Enveloped in black mist, I found myself in an unfamiliar snowy mountain. Though I was wearing long sleeves, the fabric was thin and offered little protection against the biting cold. I shivered as the icy air pierced through me.
"That's right, Sumihiko...!"
Sumihiko had been swallowed by the black mist with me. If that was the case, he must have been transported here too. Being alone in an unfamiliar place would be terrifying. I had to find him quickly!
Turning around, I saw Sumihiko buried in the snow, fast asleep. While I was relieved to find him, the sight of him unconscious and half-buried in the snow sent a chill through me. I quickly lifted him, but his body was as cold as ice.
"Sumihiko! Sumihiko! Wake up!!"
I called out to him, but there was no response. He was breathing faintly, but something was wrong. His breaths were shallow, and he seemed to be having another nightmare. More importantly, if he stayed buried in the snow like this, he would surely freeze to death. If he was unconscious, it was best to keep him away from the snow as much as possible.
As I tried to lift him onto my back, a sharp pain shot through my right ankle, causing me to lose my balance.
"Ugh..."
I crouched down, clutching my ankle, which throbbed painfully. Just my luck. It seemed I had sprained it when we were transported here. I was used to physical training, but even so, walking on a snow-covered mountain path while carrying someone was too much. The footing was too unstable.
...In other words, we were completely immobilized.
"Sumihiko, wake up!" I tried again to rouse him, but there was no response. I grabbed his shoulders and shook him hard.
"Sumihiko, please...! Open your eyes!!" My voice trembled from the cold. My fingertips were red and numb from the snow, and I could barely feel them.
"Please! Open your eyes...! You'll really die like this!!"
This was bad... My thoughts were becoming sluggish. I couldn't walk in this snow. Was there any way to at least save Sumihiko?... I wanted to think, but I couldn't focus...
"...Sumihiko!! Please wake up! You'll freeze to death like this!!!"
"Are you okay!?"
"Ah!!! Who are..." From behind me, I heard the voice of a young boy. Turning around, I saw a boy around our age, carrying a basket filled with charcoal. He must have rushed over, as he was out of breath. He had black hair tinged with red, eyes like mine, and a scar on his forehead. He wore earrings shaped like hanafuda cards. I stared at him in shock. Not only was he dressed in old-fashioned clothes I'd only seen in pictures, but his face bore a striking resemblance to Sumihiko's.
But now wasn't the time to be surprised. If we didn't find warmth soon, Sumihiko wouldn't make it.
"Please, can you help us!?" I pleaded with the boy, clinging to the faint hope he offered.
…
Normal POV
The fire in the hearth crackled softly. Outside, the piled-up snow made the cold unbearable, but inside, it was warm and cozy. Tojuro sat near the hearth, wrapped in a borrowed haori, soaking in the warmth. Beside him, Sumihiko lay on a futon, still fast asleep.
"Are you hungry? I’ve got some warm food ready if you’d like some." Tanjiro entered the room, ladling a simple stew of radishes and mountain vegetables into a bowl and offering it to Tojuro.
"It’s just something simple, but I hope it’s to your liking…" Tanjiro’s mother, Kie, who had followed him into the room, smiled warmly as she spoke.
"No, we’re already so grateful for your help. We’ve caused you so much trouble already."
"Don’t worry about it! We help each other out in times of need!"
Tojuro accepted the bowl with a slightly apologetic expression, but Tanjiro responded with a bright smile. Tojuro thanked him again and took a sip from the bowl. The flavor was simple, just broth and vegetables, but to Tojuro, who had been chilled to the bone, it felt like a warm embrace, gently thawing his frozen body.
"It’s delicious!"
"Right!? Kaa-chan’s cooking is always amazing!!"
"Fufu, I’m glad you like it."
Tojuro devoured the stew with gusto, exclaiming how delicious it was, which made Tanjiro and Kie chuckle. After finishing the stew in no time, Tojuro sat up straight, facing Tanjiro and his family.
"I’m sorry for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Rengoku Tojuro, and the one who still sleeping is Kamado Sumihiko! I can’t thank you enough for saving us back there… We were almost frozen to death!"
"Don’t mention it… I’m just glad we made it in time. By the way, did you say his name is Kamado? What a coincidence! We’re Kamados too!"
"Really!? What are the odds of that?" The name "Kamado" wasn’t common. Tojuro had never met anyone with that surname outside of Sumihiko and his family, so he was even more surprised.
"Where are you from, Nii-chan?"
"Your clothes look kinda weird…"
"Sumihiko-kun is wearing the same outfit… Is it some kind of uniform?"
From top to bottom, the questions came from Hanako (the second daughter), Takeo (the second son), and Kie.
"We’re from Shinagawa City, Tokyo! These are our school uniforms. Do they look strange?"
"Shinagawa City…? I’ve never heard of that place."
"You go to school!? That’s amazing!"
Tanjiro and his eldest sister, Nezuko, reacted to Tojuro’s response. But Tojuro tilted his head at Nezuko’s words.
"…? Isn’t that normal?"
"Only rich people can afford to go to school! Especially out here in the countryside…"
"Are you and Sumihiko-kun from a wealthy family, by any chance?"
Tojuro tilted his head even further at Nezuko and Kie’s replies.
"Is that… not normal? I thought my family was pretty average… Speaking of which, do you not have gas or electricity here? That’s pretty rare to not have it these days…"
"Gas? I’m not sure what that is, but even if they have it in the city, I doubt it’s made it out here to the mountains."
"!!???" Tojuro’s face turned into a mix of confusion and disbelief.
Something’s wrong… something’s really wrong… Tojuro couldn’t help but think. Gas and electricity were supposed to be commonplace in modern Japan, whether in the city or the countryside. And school? Middle school was part of compulsory education. It was unthinkable for kids from ordinary families not to attend. Come to think of it, they’ve been treating us like we’re the odd ones, but from our perspective, Tanjiro and his family are the ones who seem out of place.
…………It’s like we’ve gone back in time.
As that thought crossed his mind, Tojuro froze.
If my guess is right… but that’s impossible. Tojuro quickly dismissed the idea, but another part of him insisted it was the only explanation. Lost in thought, Tojuro let out a deep sigh, then steeled himself and looked up.
"…This might sound strange, but what era is it right now…?" Please… let me be wrong about this… Tojuro prayed silently as he asked the question.
"It’s the Taisho era." Tanjiro was the one who answered.
Tojuro was filled with despair while Tanjiro and his family were puzzled. The moment Tojuro heard Tanjiro’s words, he slumped forward, placing his hands on the floor, and froze in place. He seemed to be muttering something under his breath, but even then they were too small to be heard, they couldn’t make out what he was saying.
"...I see... So that’s how it is... I really hoped this prediction would be wrong..."
Worried about Tojuro, who remained motionless and muttering, Tanjiro and his family exchanged glances before looking back at him.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere??" Tanjiro, speaking on behalf of the family, gently called out to him. Tojuro lifted his pale face.
"No... I’m sorry. It just took me a while to accept my current situation... I’m embarrassed."
"I don’t really understand, but... are you sure you’re okay? You look pale..." Tanjiro, sensing the unease emanating from Tojuro, grew even more concerned.
But Tojuro, perhaps noticing Tanjiro’s worry, looked up and smiled brightly.
"Ah! I’m fine!"
Seeing Tojuro’s smile, Tanjiro decided not to press further.
…
"Tanjiro, I’ve finished chopping the firewood!"
"Wait, already!?"
About half a month had passed since then. While Tojuro had come to terms with the fact that they had traveled back in time, there was still no way to return. With nowhere else to go, Tojuro felt lost, but Tanjiro and his family had warmly welcomed them, saying, "You can stay with us." Tojuro decided to accept their kindness.
There was no other option, especially since… even now, several days later… Sumihiko still hadn’t woken up.
Sumihiko had always been a heavy sleeper, capable of dozing off anywhere, but sleeping for several days without any sign of waking up was unusual. They had even brought a doctor from the town at the base of the mountain, but the cause of Sumihiko’s prolonged sleep still remained a mystery. The doctor assured them that his life wasn’t in danger at least, as he showed no signs of weakness, so they decided to wait and see.
Once his sprained ankle had healed, Tojuro, not wanting to be a burden, began helping around the Kamado household. He learned how to chop down wood and split logs as well other tasks from Tanjiro and his siblings. That morning, Tojuro, who was naturally an early riser, had been busy turning the logs he had chopped the previous day into firewood.
"Tojuro, you’re amazing... You’re way faster than me."
"Really? I’m still a beginner, honestly... Did I do it right?"
"You did great! The cuts are clean. Yeah, this’ll make good charcoal. Thanks, Tojuro."
"I’m just repaying your kindness! I’ll do whatever I can to help! Hey, how about I make breakfast today!?"
"Absolutely not. Are you trying to turn this whole mountain into charcoal???"
"(ﾟﾛﾟ)!?" Tojuro, that think it was a brilliant idea, was shocked when Tanjiro immediately shot it down.
But Tanjiro’s refusal was wise. While Tojuro had quickly mastered tasks like chopping wood, his skills in household chores ---especially cooking--- were disastrous. So disastrous, in fact, that he had nearly turned the Kamado household into a pile of charcoal.
"Nezuko and Kaa-chan have already banned you from the kitchen, remember? I appreciate the thought, but please give up on cooking..."
"O-okay..." Tojuro could only nod at Tanjiro, whose smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Feeling a little sorry for Tojuro, who visibly deflated at the rejection, Tanjiro quickly offered an alternative.
"Tojuro, can you help me load the charcoal into the baskets?"
"...! Ah, leave it to me! I’ll pack it with all my might!!"
"It’s not that strenuous of a task, though."
Tojuro instantly perked up, and Tanjiro chuckled. By the time the two finished loading the charcoal, Kie came out of the house.
"Tanjiro, Tojuro, your faces are completely black... Come here." Hearing this, the two looked at each other. They had been so absorbed in their work that they hadn’t noticed, but their faces were indeed covered in soot, completely black.
"Tanjiro, your face is completely black!"
"Haha, so is yours, Tojuro!"
The two laughed happily and ran over to Kie. Seeing them like this, Kie couldn’t help but smile warmly.
"You don’t have to go if it’s too dangerous with the snow, you know?"
Kie, assuming Tanjiro was planning to go sell charcoal again, wiped the soot from their faces with a clean cloth as she spoke. But Tanjiro insisted, saying he wanted to earn enough to treat everyone to something delicious. His younger siblings, who had come out after, whined about wanting him to stay, but Tanjiro, used to handling the younger ones, managed to convince them.
"Tanjiro, if you’re going to sell charcoal, should I come help?" Tojuro, who had been watching the family’s interaction, spoke up.
"No, your sprain just healed, right? I know you can walk around just fine now, but going down the snowy mountain might be dangerous."
"Not at all! I’ve been training, after all!!"
"Thanks. But, Tojuro, could you stay and protect the house for me instead? If you do that, I can go sell the charcoal without worrying."
"I see, understood! I swear on the name of Rengoku Tojuro that I’ll protect the Kamado household!! But, Tanjiro, be careful out there, okay? Everyone loves you. They’ll worry."
"Right. I’ll be careful. Alright, everyone, I’m off!!" Tanjiro waved energetically to his family as he set off.
………. When happiness shatters, it always smells like blood...
…
Tojuro's POV
That day, Tanjiro didn’t return home. According to Kie-san, when Tanjiro was running late, he usually stayed overnight in the town at the base of the mountain and will returned the next morning. In fact, even when Tanjiro tried to come home, the townspeople would stop him, saying it was too dangerous.
"Will Nii-chan stay over someone house tonight?"
"Yeah, it’s already dark, so he probably will."
"Then let’s all rest for now. He’ll surely be back by morning."
Nezuko and Kie-san responded at Shigeru question, and everyone began preparing for bed.
"Sumihiko, good night." There was no response, but as usual, I wished Sumihiko good night and wrapped myself in the futon.
Just as the warmth began to seep into the futon, I was struck by a terrible chill. What’s this…? It feels like something bad is approaching… I jumped up, and as if sensing the same unease, Nezuko and Kie-san exchanged worried glances.
"Kie-san, Nezuko, can you wake the others and take them to the back to hide? I’ll check what’s going on, so hurry!"
"But…"
The two looked at me anxiously. However, time was of the essence. There was no time to hesitate. I grabbed the bamboo sword ---which had traveled to this era with us--- from the corner of the room.
"Just in case, I’ll take this bamboo sword with me! So It’ll be fine. If there’s no problem, I’ll be back soon. So don’t come out until I return, no matter what."
"...Okay."
"...Be careful."
I smiled to reassure them, and they reluctantly nodded.
Honestly, I was filled with nothing but unease. The air outside felt ominous, and cold sweat dripped down my forehead and back. I was trembling, whether from fear or something else. But I had promised Tanjiro. I had to protect everyone…!
As I clenched the bamboo sword with renewed determination…
…Knock knock
In the eerie silence, the sound of knocking echoed.
"Forgive me for the late hour. I’m a traveler who has lost my way and am at my wit’s end. Might I trouble you for shelter for just one night?"
It was a man’s voice. Despite its gentle tone, an overwhelming sense of dread washed over me.
"...Wait a moment."
(I hoped my voice didn’t tremble…) Thinking this, I quietly approached the door and touched it.
"Ugh!!" I wanted someone to praise me for not screaming. There was no mistake. Whatever was outside this door wasn’t human! If I opened this door, something terrible would happen.
My grip on the bamboo sword tightened. I could feel my heart racing. I was wary of the ‘something’ outside the door, but somehow, I instinctively knew that whatever it is, it was aware of me too.
I didn’t want to open it. But I couldn’t just stay here like this…!!
"...I’m opening it now." Declaring this, I poured strength into my hand on the door and flung it open, raising the bamboo sword at the same time.
"Gah…!!" The next moment, I was slammed into the wall. I managed to twist my body in time to avoid a fatal blow, but my dominant arm was slashed deeply. I groaned from the searing pain. Looking toward the destroyed door, I saw a pale man with blood-red eyes staring down at me coldly.
"Your reaction speed is impressive… but you’re just a child. Full of openings, it’s almost laughable."
"...!" The pain made me want to drop the bamboo sword, but I gritted my teeth and held on.
No… if I let go of my weapon, I’d be killed instantly. There was no way I could let that happen. I tightened my grip even more, using the bamboo sword to support myself as I stood up, ready to fight.
Seeing this, the man shrugged dismissively.
"...You still plan to fight? There’s no way a brat like you can stand against me. If you surrender now, I’ll make your death quick."
I knew that. I couldn’t win against this man. But that didn’t mean I could just give up!! I couldn’t die! If I died, I couldn’t protect everyone! I’d leave Sumihiko all alone!!
I can’t lose!!!
"How foolish."
"Tojuro…?"
"Ugh!!" Just as the man coldly dismissed me, I heard a voice from beside me. Turning, I saw Nezuko peeking out from the door, her face pale and frozen in fear.
"Run, Nezuko!!" My call was in vain as the man’s tendril pierced Nezuko. The scene played out in slow motion before my eyes.
"Nezukoooo!!!!" I rushed over, but Nezuko was limp, her breathing growing weaker by the second.
"Onee-chan!"
"Nee-chan!"
"Nezuko!!" The others, who had been hiding in the back, came running out.
This is bad, this is bad. I can’t protect everyone... I promised Tanjiro! I haven’t even repaid his kindness yet!!
But mercilessly, the man’s tendrils stretched toward us.
...
Sumihiko's POV
Where am I…? It’s pitch black. Am I having that dream again…?
[…Wake up.]
Ah, there it is again. That voice…
[My dream… Wake up quickly. And fulfil my long-cherished wish.]
I’m so tired of hearing this. You never explain anything to me, so I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. What do you want me to fulfill?
[Wake up, wake up… Hurry, hurry…]
………….
[Sumihiko, please… I beg you………….]
…!
That voice again. The other voice I heard at the end of that dream the other day…
[I’m sorry for burdening you with this. But everything depends on you, Sumihiko. So please, I beg you… Don’t make a mistake…]
The moment I heard that voice, my vision was flooded with white.
…
Normal POV
Tojuro had prepared himself for death. However, the pain he expected never came. Puzzled, he cautiously opened his eyes. What greeted him was the sight of the door destroyed from the inside and the man’s tendrils sliced to pieces.
"What the!?" As the man, visibly flustered by the unexpected turn of events, stood frozen, someone stepped in front of Tojuro and the others.
"...Su...mihiko...?" Tojuro called out the name of the figure.
The person standing before them was undoubtedly Sumihiko, who had been asleep just moments ago. But something was off.
"...What are you!? I don’t remember creating a demon like you!!" The man’s angry shout echoed. It seemed as though he was panicking.
Sumihiko swayed forward, let out a roar akin to a beast’s, and lunged at the man, sending them both flying out of the house. Tojuro had never seen Sumihiko like this before.
"Sumihiko…!" Tojuro wanted to chase after Sumihiko. However, leaving the Kamado family behind filled him with unease. On top of that, Nezuko had been stabbed by the man earlier. While he was worried about Sumihiko, he couldn’t just abandon the others.
As he struggled with what to do…
"Tojuro, go. We’ll be fine." It was Kie who spoke. She must have been terrified after being suddenly attacked by a monster. She must have been anxious after seeing her daughter stabbed right before her eyes. Yet, Kie looked at Tojuro with a determined gaze and told him to go.
Tojuro hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded and dashed out of the house.
"...I’ll be back soon!!" He kicked off powerfully into the dark, snow-covered mountain path.
Tojuro ran through the snowy mountain path without stopping. The cold air bit at his lungs, but he refused to slow down. He followed the trail of destruction left by the man and Sumihiko, but there was no sign of catching up to them. They must have gone far.
(I don’t know that Sumihiko…)
Tojuro recalled the Sumihiko he had just seen. Sharp claws and fangs, blood-red eyes with slit pupils, and inhuman strength and speed… He didn’t know why Sumihiko had become like that. The Sumihiko he knew was always sleepy, gentle, and an ordinary boy. Well, aside from the parkour he did every morning to get to school.
Tojuro was uneasy, wondering if Sumihiko had become something entirely different. But to Tojuro, Sumihiko was still Sumihiko. Even if he had changed, he was still Tojuro’s precious friend.
That’s why he kept running.
(Please, be safe…!) Praying fervently, Tojuro continued running until he reached the source of the loud crashes and found Sumihiko and the demon locked in combat.
"Sumihiko!!" Gripping the bamboo sword he had brought, Tojuro charged toward the man fighting Sumihiko.
(Breath… Take in more air, let it flow through your body, and focus your strength!!!) He didn’t know why he thought that. He just felt that doing so would make him stronger and faster.
[……… Set your heart ablaze.]
The words that suddenly flashed through his mind felt surprisingly natural, as if they had always been a part of him. In that instant, Tojuro’s body moved on its own.
"Flame Breathing, First Form… Unknowing Fire!!!"
"What!?"
With a roaring sound, it seemed as though a crimson flame had appeared.
The man, distracted by Sumihiko, barely dodged the attack, but his expression was grim. How could he, a mere child, be pushed this far!? The man’s pride was in tatters. But this man, who possessed Everest-level pride, was also a creature obsessed solely with survival. Sensing the danger, he shouted, "Nakime!!!" and disappeared with the sound of a biwa.
"...! Wait!!" Tojuro tried to run toward where the man had been standing, but his foot slipped on the snow, and his vision flipped. To make matters worse, the spot where Tojuro had been standing was right next to a cliff. He began to fall, as if being sucked into the abyss.
"Whoa!!!" He instinctively reached out to grab something, and his vision was cut off as a hand grabbed his.
…
Tojuro's POV
"………Hey…up…"
I feel like someone is calling me. Who is it…? I’ll wake up in a second, just wait.
"…Wake up, hey…"
…Wait, I’m really sleepy. And it’s cold. I feel like I’m freezing.
"Wake up already, Tojuro!!"
"Wha!!" I jolted awake to see Sumihiko looking down at me with concern. Seeing me wake up, he smiled in his usual carefree manner and said, "Ah, you’re awake. That’s a relief…" That laid-back tone and expression were unmistakably the Sumihiko I knew. Seeing him like this after so long, I couldn’t help but hug him and ask him if he’s okay.
"Sumihiko, are you okay!? Are you hurt anywhere? Are you feeling sick!?"
Caught off guard by my sudden actions, Sumihiko’s eyes widened in surprise before tilting his head curiously.
"Tojuro, what’s wrong? Did something happen? Also, do you know where we are? It’s so cold with all this snow…"
"Ah! You’re right! Let’s get moving!!" We could talk while walking. Judging by Sumihiko’s tone, he probably didn’t remember anything. If that’s the case, it’s impossible for him to understand the situation on his own. Honestly, there’s a lot I don’t understand either…
Plus, right now, Sumihiko is in his school uniform, and I’m in the borrowed sleepwear from Tanjiro. …This is way too cold. Picking up the bamboo sword that had fallen nearby, we started walking.
Come to think of it, if my memory serves me right, I think I fell off a cliff or something yesterday…? Where are we…? Honestly, all the snowy mountains look the same, and I haven’t fully memorized the area yet. Will we even be able to make it back to the Kamado household…? Wait, aren’t we in serious trouble right now…??
Just as I realized the gravity of the situation and felt the blood drain from my face, Sumihiko spoke up.
"Tojuro, do you hear something?"
"Huh? What is it?"
"I don’t know… Maybe someone’s arguing?"
"…! Sumihiko, where’s it coming from?"
"Hmm… over there!"
"Let’s go!" Someone might be in trouble. We’re not exactly in a position to worry about others, but we can’t just ignore them either, so we have no choice but to check it out.
The mountain air is so cold it feels like my lungs are freezing. Honestly, running is exhausting, but we need to hurry! After running for a while, we reached a slightly open area. There, I saw a man wearing a haori with mismatched patterns, holding a sword, knocking Nezuko unconscious. Behind him, Tanjiro was also lying on the ground.
Before I could think, I rushed out.
"Tanjiro! Nezuko!"
"Whoa! Tojuro, wait!"
"Hmm!? You…!"
I swung my bamboo sword at the man, but he subdued me in an instant. Unbelievable.
"Th-this guy’s strong! Be careful, Sumihiko!!"
"Calm down, Tojuro. It’s dangerous to rush in like that."
I quickly got up and readied myself, but Sumihiko stopped me. Ugh…
"Who are you two?"
"That’s our line!"
"…I’m Tomioka Giyuu."
"I’m Rengoku Tojuro!"
"…I’m Kamado Sumihiko."
"Rengoku… Are you two acquainted?"
"We’re staying with the Kamado family! Why are you attacking them!?"
"Huh? Really?"
"…Sumihiko was asleep. I’ll explain later." Sumihiko was still confused and couldn’t keep up with the situation, but just wait a bit… Right now, we have to protect Tanjiro and Nezuko…
"…This girl is a demon. And I hunt demons for a living. Of course, that includes her."
"Nezuko’s human!!"
"…Listen till the end. Demons must be slain. But this girl seems different. You two, what happened yesterday? When did this girl become a demon?"
"I don’t know! What even is a demon? Like the ones in bed time stories!?" When I said that, Tomioka-san eyes widened in surprise.… Come to think of it, he looked just as shocked when he first saw my face.
"You… don’t know what demons are?"
"…? No, I don’t!"
"……"
…Wait, are demon is a common knowledge in the Taisho era…? I don’t remember learning about them in history class!!!
"Achoo!"
"…! Sumihiko, are you okay?" Crap. I completely forgot, but we’re not dressed for this weather. If this keeps up, Sumihiko will catch a cold. As I rubbed Sumihiko’s arms to warm him up a bit, Tomioka-san draped his haori over Sumihiko.
"For now, let’s move somewhere else. You’ll freeze in those clothes. Is there anywhere nearby where we can warm up?"
There’s only one place that comes to mind. But is it really okay to bring this guy back with us…? As I hesitated, Tomioka-san seemed to sense my thoughts and sheathed his sword.
"I won’t attack anymore, so don’t worry."
……Honestly, I’m still suspicious, but since I don’t sense any hostility, I decided to trust him for now.
"…Alright." I carried Tanjiro on my back, and Sumihiko carried Nezuko as we started heading toward the Kamado household.
…Huh? Did I forget something…?
"Ah, "
"What is it?" Tomioka-san asked as I suddenly spoke up.
"…Now that I think about it, we’re actually lost right now."
" …… "
An awkward silence filled the air.
"Ta-Tanjiro, wake up!! We’re lost!!!"
"…Whoa! What!? Huh!? Tojuro!? …Wait, Nezuko!? Is Nezuko okay!? …Huh!? Sumihiko’s awake!!! And the guy with the sword is here too! Stay away from Nezuko!!!"
Thud!! ←Headbutt
"Guh…!!"
"T-Tojuro! This guy’s unconscious!!"
"What the-!?"
"Whaaaaa!! I’m so sorry!!!!"
It turned into a complete disaster…
In my defense… I was still half-asleep and confused…… By Tanjiro
…
Omake
"Le...letter...letter...for you..."
A frail, elderly crow, wobbling as if it might collapse at any moment, arrived at a man’s location. The man paused his morning training routine, which included sword swings, and looked at the crow.
"Hmm? Aren’t you Tomioka’s Kasugai crow? Isn’t that letter for Tomioka? I’m not Tomioka, you know?"
The man had heard that the Water Hashira’s crow was quite old and often mixed up the recipients of mission reports and letters. He wondered if the crow had mistakenly brought a letter intended for Tomioka to him instead. However, it seemed the letter was indeed addressed to him.
To be honest, the man didn’t interact much with Tomioka, so he couldn’t think of any reason why he’d receive a letter from him. But if the letter was truly meant for him, he figured he should accept it. With that in mind, he took the letter and quickly skimmed its contents.
"………"
The letter was written in beautifully elegant handwriting, something unexpected from the somewhat scatterbrained sender. After reading it, the man tucked the letter into his pocket.
"Alright! I’m not entirely sure what’s going on, but it seems Tomioka needs my help!! Well then, I’m Rengoku Kyojuro, will lend my full strength to assist my colleague in his time of need!!" With that bold declaration, he gently picked up Tomioka’s crow and headed to his room. Sitting at his desk, he penned a reply, agreeing to help. After carefully ensuring the ink had dried, he folded the letter neatly and tied it to the crow’s leg.
"Please deliver this to your master! Be careful not to mix up the recipient, alright?"
"Leave it to me..." Tomioka’s crow wobbled as it walked and then fluttered unsteadily into the air. Though he was a bit worried, Kyojuro decided to trust his colleague’s crow.
"Brother, there you are. Breakfast is ready."
"Ah, Senjuro! I’m sorry for always leaving everything to you. Let me change and wash up, then I’ll be right there!!"
"Alright, I’ll be waiting."
Eager to enjoy the breakfast his adorable younger brother had prepared, Kyojuro left his room.