"Whether it's a blessing or a curse, there's no avoiding it."
Horitake understood this truth perfectly. Since things had reached this point, he had to face it head-on.
After discussing it with Mitsuri, they returned to her designated area and stayed at the local Demon Slayer Corps branch for a day or two. Once he felt sufficiently prepared—or as prepared as one could be for their own execution—he decided it was time to officially meet Mitsuri's parents and family.
This meeting was of monumental importance, and therefore, every detail had to be considered.
First, they decided against wearing their Demon Slayer uniforms. Turning up at a family home in combat gear made it feel more like an official investigation than a social visit; it was awkward and slightly disrespectful. Instead, Horitake and Mitsuri both chose to wear elegant, tasteful civilian clothes.
Their outfits were chosen to be appropriate without being flashy, designed to highlight Horitake's steady temperament and natural presence without looking like he was trying too hard.
Beyond the attire, there was the matter of the gifts.
One does not simply walk into the home of their potential in-laws empty-handed. He needed to bring something to show his sincerity. The problem was: what?
This turned out to be a monumental riddle.
The gift couldn't be too cheap. If it were too inexpensive, he would look stingy, lacking the class and sincerity required to ask parents to entrust their daughter to him. On the other hand, it couldn't be too expensive. If it were overly extravagant, it might come off as "buying" their favor or being a flashy show-off—giving the impression that he was a superficial man who couldn't be relied upon.
He needed to find the "Goldilocks zone."
The price had to be moderate, but the quality had to be impeccable. Ideally, it needed to be something that resonated with them, leaving a stellar first impression.
Horitake was stumped. Deciding on the perfect gift felt like a problem that had plagued humanity for centuries. He agonized over it until he felt like his hair might start falling out from the stress.
In desperation, he turned to Mitsuri, asking her what her parents and siblings liked and what he could bring to win them over.
Mitsuri thought about it for a long while before replying, "My parents and family don't really have any specific hobbies or favorites. Just bring whatever!"
That answer nearly sent Horitake spiraling into the abyss.
What is the most difficult choice in the world? "Whatever."
The word seemed to offer infinite possibilities, but in reality, it was a minefield. One wrong step, one "whatever" that didn't land right, and the consequences would be dire.
His anxiety spiked. He and Mitsuri debated the topic for a long time. In the end, Mitsuri insisted that he shouldn't bring anything strange, exotic, or overly specialized. A box of high-quality sweets would be more than enough.
Is a box of sweets really okay? Horitake wondered.
This was his first time meeting his girlfriend's family as the prospective son-in-law. To show up with just a box of snacks felt… inadequate.
He deeply doubted Mitsuri's choice.
Mitsuri was a world-class foodie, but that didn't mean her family was. Was bringing snacks a bit too casual? Did it fail to convey the depth of his sincerity?
When he voiced his concerns, Mitsuri shook her head like a rattle.
"No, no, no! Sincerity and heart are shown through actions. A first-meeting gift doesn't prove anything, so buying a little something is plenty."
Her logic was sound, leaving Horitake with no room to argue.
Fine. If she says so, I'll bring a box of sweets.
Wait, no, no, no. If I'm that casual about it, something is bound to go wrong!
Carrying just one box was out of the question. He had to bring several. Mitsuri had a large family—parents plus four younger siblings. One box wouldn't even be enough for a single round of tea.
Furthermore, he couldn't just bring "standard" sweets. They had to be premium.
Horitake eventually selected several boxes of confections that were high-end but not obscenely expensive. They were the kind of treats that were clearly a luxury—delicious enough to be savored, but not so expensive that the family would feel too guilty to actually eat them.
He also chose boxes that looked understated from the outside. They didn't scream "expensive," but upon closer inspection—and certainly upon opening— the exquisite craftsmanship of the sweets would be obvious. This matched Horitake's own principle of being low-profile but high-quality.
Finally, the decision was made.
The day before the big meeting, Horitake gathered the gifts, several boxes of premium sweets wrapped neatly with elegant ribbons.
Mitsuri looked at the haul and nodded with satisfaction. "Mm, perfect. Like this, there won't be any problems at all."
Horitake, however, looked at Mitsuri's optimistic face and felt his confidence waver. He remained skeptical. "Mitsuri, are you sure? Is this really enough? Why do I feel like this is a recipe for disaster?"
Mitsuri smiled and leaned in, giving him a comforting hug. "Relax, Horitake-kun. It'll be fine. My parents and my family are all very nice people."
Mitsuri said it, but Horitake couldn't quite believe it. He was already imagining the various ways things could go south.
The night passed in a blur of nervous anticipation. Morning arrived, and with it, the time to face the music. There was no turning back now; he could only bite the bullet and move forward.
Both Mitsuri and Horitake changed into their best clothes and quietly left the Demon Slayer branch. Led by Mitsuri, they began the walk toward her family home.
Along the way, Horitake's expression was solemn and his posture stiff, as if he were a prisoner marching toward the gallows.
Mitsuri, on the other hand, looked like the picture of happiness. she clung to Horitake's arm, leaning into him as they walked, a clear display of the deep affection between them. With her by his side, Horitake managed to relax—if only by a fraction.
He looked ahead, steeled his heart, and prepared to win over the Kanroji family in one fell swoop!
With a heart full of trepidation, Horitake arrived with Mitsuri at her family home.
They were in a relatively prosperous large town. Her house was a two-story, detached residence. From the outside, it was clear the Kanroji family was solidly middle-class—a respectable, ordinary home that didn't stand out too much from its neighbors.
Still clutching his arm, Mitsuri pointed toward the house. "Here we are! This is my home."
Horitake nodded solemnly.
He had come this far. There was no retreating. A cut from a sword hurts the same whether you stretch your neck out or pull it back.
With a heart full of grim determination, Horitake stepped forward and knocked on the door.
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