Hibashira-juku was a post town nestled in the foothills between Yamanashi and Kanagawa.
A shallow river flowed nearby, and a crossroads connected it to several rural villages, and one much larger city beyond.
As a post town along major routes such as the Tōkaidō and Nakasendō, Hibashira-juku was usually bustling. Officials, traders, pilgrims... travelers of every kind passed through its streets, especially after nightfall, when the town was at its liveliest.
But now…
---
Kagerou walked along the road, a kiseru resting between his lips, not out of habit, but to chase away the chill creeping into his lungs.
He scanned his surroundings as he moved.
He had heard of this town before. Especially this road. It was the very route his tobacco supplier often used, and whenever Kagerou stopped by to buy more, the old man would always have a story or two to tell about Hibashira-juku.
A town that never sleeps, they called it.
And yet, Kagerou could count on one hand the number of people he had passed since entering.
Fog clung low to the ground, rolling in from the foothills, swallowing lantern light and dulling sound. The cold seeped into the stones beneath his sandals.
It didn't just feel quiet.
It felt abandoned.
"…Now I know why this town was targeted," Kagerou muttered, exhaling a thin stream of smoke as he continued forward.
"But with things like this…" He glanced down the empty road ahead. "…I don't think the demon will make a move tonight"
"Then what should I do now?"
He continued walking without any real direction, passing building after building. His ears stayed sharp. He could tell that there were people inside.
Hiding. Listening... Too afraid to step outside.
"…Whatever," he sighed quietly. "Let's find somewhere to stay first"
The Kakushi who had escorted him here had explained the town well enough before going back to the Ubuyashiki estate.
Hibashira-juku had several Wisteria-Crest Safe Houses, private homes, inns, and estates that secretly cooperated with the Demon Slayer Corps. Each was discreetly marked with wisteria charms or crests. Any one of them would have welcomed him.
But Kagerou didn't head in that direction.
What he needed right now wasn't just a place to rest.
He needed information.
And for that, a ryokan was far more suitable.
A place where travelers gathered.
Where rumors spread.
Where fear loosened its grip under warm sake and dim lantern light.
After nearly an hour of wandering, Kagerou finally stopped.
One building stood out sharply from the rest.
Light spilled from its windows.
Voices echoed from within.
Laughter. Music.
"…So even now, people still find time to enjoy themselves," Kagerou murmured as he gazed at the ryokan's entrance.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"Well~ that just makes things easier for me," With that, he stepped forward and entered the ryokan.
---
The moment Kagerou crossed the threshold, the atmosphere shifted.
All eyes turned toward him.
Curious.
Amazed.
Wary.
Every kind of gaze lingered on him at once.
Kagerou ignored them, at least for now.
He walked calmly toward the reception desk. The woman standing there looked up and the instant she saw him, she smiled.
Not the polite smile meant for customers.
But something softer.
Warmer.
The kind of smile a lover might give to someone dearly missed.
"…Welcome, handsome," the receptionist said sweetly. "How can I help you?"
Unbothered by her gaze, Kagerou gave a small nod.
"Do you have any rooms available?"
"Oh~ we do," she replied, tilting her head slightly. "How many nights will you be staying?"
"Just one. For now"
"…Understood." She slid a form across the counter. "Please fill this out. You can pay afterward"
Kagerou took the paper and immediately began writing.
"Just your name, the type of room you want, and the number of nights," she continued lightly. "After that, you're free to enjoy your stay"
Her smile thinned just a little.
"Though… I didn't expect we'd receive a guest at night. Not after what's been happening"
Without lifting his eyes from the form, Kagerou replied, "Huh? Really? What happened?"
The woman blinked in surprise.
Then she stepped closer, close enough that her voice dropped to a whisper meant only for him.
"I've never seen it in person," she said softly, "but they say there's a murderer roaming the streets almost every night"
Her breath was warm.
"There have already been so many victims... people killed, or simply disappearing," She leaned back slightly, eyes tracing his face. "So seeing you come here at night... completely unharmed…"
A playful curve formed on her lips.
"It's strange. But…"
"If it's you, handsome, I wouldn't mind being your next victim~"
"No," Kagerou replied flatly. He turned away without sparing her another glance. "It's not me"
His eyes drifted briefly toward the surrounding guests.
"…So that's why everyone's staring at me," he murmured.
He handed the completed form back to the receptionist.
"But if there really is a murderer roaming around," Kagerou added calmly, "what are the police doing about it?"
Unbothered by his lack of interest, the woman took the form, scanned it, and nodded.
"That's just how dangerous this murderer is," she replied. "The police have conducted investigations, but there were no results"
She slid a stamp across the paper.
"No traces. No evidence. Nothing they could use to track the killer down. Aside from wounds that resemble gunshots, there's nothing else," Her voice lowered slightly. "Some victims were even found in terrible condition… as if they'd been mauled by wild animals"
She finished approving the form with a soft tap.
"That's why, even after several days, no one dares to go outside at night. Everyone's afraid they'll be the next victim," She looked up again, smiling. "All done. You just need to pay now. The total is (this much) yen. Our ryokan provides both dinner and breakfast. You're also free to use all of our facilities, including the onsen"
A pause.
"…And if you need company," she added sweetly, leaning in just a little, "I'm always available~"
"Thank you," Kagerou replied flatly once again.
Ignoring her last remark entirely, he reached into his Samue-style Demon Slayer uniform, pulled out the exact amount of money, and placed it on the counter.
"Can I get my dinner now?"
"Ah~ yes, of course," she said. "Would you like some sake as well?"
"Is it included?"
"I'm sorry, handsome, but that's extra"
"I see"
She tilted her head.
"So? Sake?"
"No, thank you," Kagerou replied. "I'll just take what's provided"
He lifted his kiseru to his lips and exhaled softly.
"I'm also fifteen," he added casually. "So I don't drink"
Without waiting for a response, he turned away and scanned the room for an empty table.
Behind him... The receptionist froze.
'…Fifteen?'
Her gaze followed him instinctively, slowly tracing him from head to toe. Only now did she truly notice the ninjatō resting at his hip, an odd sight in this era.
'A wandering swordsman/samurai…? At fifteen?' Her smile returned, sharper this time. 'Hehe~ Much better~'
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#A/N: "I don't know too much about Ryokan or how they operated back then, so I can only include what I know about the "inns" I know, mostly inspired by Taverns in anime and manga, I've tried to do as much research as I can but there's not much I can find, so if you feel there's something wrong, I can only say sorry"