Genya, carrying large bags, was surprised to see Haruto at the entrance.
Yushiro, holding disinfectant and other medical supplies, glared at him fiercely, and without a word of greeting, scurried into the mansion.
Haruto watched his short figure with amusement, then turned to Genya: "What did you buy?"
"I passed by a bakery and they had freshly baked savory pepper buns, so I bought a dozen." Genya rummaged through his bags and pulled out the still-warm wax paper package, handing it to him: "They smell delicious, Teacher, eat them while they're hot."
"What about that one?"
"This is ohagi…" Genya scratched his head awkwardly: "My brother loves ohagi the most."
"Oh~"
Haruto popped a pepper bun into his mouth. The slightly spicy pepper mixed with the savory meat juices exploded in his mouth, making him nod contentedly: "…First, take the ohagi to your brother, then come with me to a place."
The place he wanted to take Genya was Mt. Kumotori, which they had left three months ago. Sora had brought an old nichirin blade to the Kamado Family boy more than two months ago, and he wondered if the boy had started practicing with it seriously.
Even a supporting character like him worked so hard, almost to the point of sacrificing his life. Tanjirou, as the protagonist, couldn't be lazy.
"Is it a new Tsuguko you've taken in, Teacher?" Genya asked, turning his head as they walked along the mountain path.
"Not really, he hasn't agreed yet, just like your arrogant brother…"
Haruto, always rejected by the Tsuguko he favored, shook his head: "I just passed down the Breathing Technique. This is the first time I've come to instruct him."
Since he couldn't cultivate the Breathing Technique himself, Genya wasn't saddened by the fact that his teacher "had someone else outside."
The powerful Breath of the Stars style would have to be passed down eventually.
"What do you want me to do?" Seeing the wooden house appear in the distance, Genya asked: "Go up and challenge him to a fight?"
"Eh, no, no, no, Tanjirou is very gentle. If you ask him to fight you, he definitely won't agree." Haruto stopped and rubbed his chin: "Just like your brother, widen your eyes, make your veins bulge––that already doesn't look like a good person…"
"…" Genya recalled his brother's furious expression, narrowing his eyes and tensing his skin.
Aside from his young age and his rooster comb hairstyle, he was practically identical to Sanemi.
"Haha, just like that… go scare him. If you think he's not training hard enough, beat him to death."
Haruto patted his shoulder and watched him stride confidently towards the wooden house.
[Fan Zhu Ge seems like an old white-bearded grandpa, bringing Tanjirou a trial every once in a while.]
[Again calling him Fan Zhu Ge. When he's tempering the protagonist, please respectfully call him Star Pillar-bro!]
[Demon Slayer famous quote: When there's trouble, Star Pillar-bro; when there's no trouble, Fan Zhu Ge.]
Genya, with his rooster comb hair bristling, angrily rushed up the hillside, but he didn't see Tanjirou, the red-haired boy with a scar on his head, outside the house as his teacher had described.
Only a few little children were playing by the door of the house. Seeing a strange person appear at their doorstep, they quickly retreated, shouting: "Sister!"
Nezuko, carrying Rokuuta on her back, hurried out of the house, shielding her younger siblings behind her, and vigilantly watched Genya, who had burst out: "Who are you?!"
She didn't have her brother's excellent sense of smell, which could even detect a person's character from the air.
She could only judge by appearance, and the wild-looking Genya naturally didn't fit her understanding of a good person.
Is it… a girl… Genya's feigned anger began to falter. He never knew how to interact with girls. Facing the gentle girl's eyes in front of him, even his wide smile seemed a bit unnatural.
"Hahahahaha…"
Haruto laughed, bending over backward. He had known for a long time that Genya had gynophobia. Except when facing Kanae, whether it was Makomo or Kochou Shinobu, Genya always seemed somewhat unapproachable.
Rather than being aloof and cold, it was more that he didn't know how to interact with them, so he could only show his worst side.
"Where is the Kamado Family's eldest son, the one named Tanjirou?"
Haruto heard Genya fiercely ask Nezuko, though his two hands clasped behind his back were almost twisted into a Chinese knot.
"Ehehehe—"
The white-haired swordsman suppressed his laughter, and footsteps were heard from the mountain path.
Haruto turned his head. Tanjirou was coming up the mountain, light-footed, carrying an empty basket on his back, a faint smile still on his face.
"Today's charcoal sold out again. If I save up, I can pay back Haruto-san's money… Tanjirou, keep going, you'll definitely be able to give your family a good life…"
After more than two months, Tanjirou hadn't changed much, but he looked much sturdier than after the New Year.
Seeing Haruto in the shade of the tree, Tanjirou's red eyes lit up and he ran towards him: "Happy spring! Haruto-san! What are you… looking at?"
"Oh my, oh my, Tanjirou," Haruto said with a beaming smile: "Happy spring! I'm looking at…"
His cheerful smile froze on his face.
"How did you… come up from the foot of the mountain?"
"I went early to sell the charcoal I made yesterday. The weather hasn't completely warmed up yet, so charcoal can still fetch a good price now."
Tanjirou's eyes sparkled as he turned towards the wooden house: "Come to our house for a visit! Although Mother is out, Nezuko is also very good at cooking…"
His smile likewise froze on his face.
At the end of his vision, a very fierce-looking, rooster-haired delinquent was roaring at his cute, kind, beautiful, and generous younger sister: "You're lying!"
"Why would I lie? Brother really did go out!"
"Teach… anyway, I just know he's here! You tell him to come out quickly and have a good fight with me!"
"What on earth are you talking about?"
"Let! Him! Out!"
"Whoosh!"
Haruto suddenly turned his head, as if he had heard something catching fire.
Ah~ it turned out to be the raging flames of anger burning in Tanjirou's eyes.
He dropped his basket and clenched his fists.
To insult my family in front of me! It's unforgivable!
His feet pushed off the ground, and Tanjirou dashed forward, intending to knock Genya to the ground with a hip check.
Genya had already noticed the commotion and lightly tapped his toe on the ground, dodging the attack.
"Too slow!" The frustration he felt facing the girl finally released. He raised his hand and landed an elbow strike on Tanjirou's back.
He's brave enough, but too slow!
How can such slow speed be associated with the Teacher's Breath of the Stars?
Let me see what abilities you possess to gain the favor of a Pillar-level Swordsman!
Tanjirou, having taken a heavy blow to the back, fell face down with a "thud."
Genya had just taken a stance, ready for a good fight, when the children, who had been huddled behind the girl like quails, suddenly rushed forward with a cry!
"Don't bully my brother!"
"Bastard!"
Even the baby, still clinging to the girl's back in a swaddle, had tears in his eyes and tried to grab his rooster comb hair.
The children clung to his legs, and arms, hanging heavily on Genya.
"Hey, hey, hey! Let go!"
Genya's breath hitched, and some little kids, who had once bounced behind him, emerged from his distant memories.
Tanjirou, who had fallen to the ground, pushed himself up with his hands, leaping up, his eyes filled with anger and determination!
"Stay away… from my family!"
He leaped into the air, arching his upper body backward, pulling his body taut like a bow.
"Take this… "
A clean, broad forehead appeared in Genya's line of sight.
"Headbutt!"