[Looks like even Rengoku-san can't resist getting sleepy after a big meal.]
Tanjiro watched his younger siblings slumped against each other, fast asleep. Beside him, Rengoku had nodded off as well. He smiled faintly, leaned back in his seat, and closed his eyes.
[I'll rest for a bit too. Good chance to try using my Blood Demon Art alongside my Breathing—see if I can strengthen my body.]
The calm didn't last.
Before long, he felt a demon's presence growing heavier nearby. At the same time, something brushed against his wrist.
He opened his eyes, puzzled.
An unfamiliar girl was tying a hemp rope laced with demon energy around his hand. Several others were doing the same to Nezuko and the rest.
Tanjiro tilted his head.
"Um… may I ask what you're doing?"
"The Master told us to use the rope to enter their dreams, then destroy the core of their spirit at the end and kill them. Why are you asking that now?" The girl turned to her companions. "Who just spoke?"
But when she looked, they were staring wide-eyed in shock—and not at her.
"You're human, aren't you? Why are you attacking us?"
She spun around—and met Tanjiro's gentle, puzzled gaze.
She stumbled back in fright.
"Ah, sorry. Did I scare you?" Tanjiro rose and offered her a hand. "Are you hurt?"
"What's wrong with you?!" She slapped his hand away. "Why aren't you asleep?! The Master said everyone was already trapped in their dreams!"
Tanjiro blinked, then gave an apologetic smile.
"Maybe because I'm not human. Techniques meant for humans probably don't affect me."
The girl froze. Then her expression hardened. She reached behind her and pulled out a sharp awl, leveling it at him.
"I don't care what you are! As long as I kill you, I can go back to my dream!"
"That's dangerous," Tanjiro said gently, reaching toward her.
She instinctively jerked her hand back—only to realize the awl was no longer there.
It was already in Tanjiro's hand.
He lifted it and gave it a light sniff.
"Made from a demon's body… So I wasn't wrong about that scent earlier."
Ignoring the panicked strangers, he rested a hand on Rengoku's shoulder.
"If this is a Blood Demon Art, I should be able to counter it."
But before he could act, sharp gusts of air rushed in from behind. He turned to see the others charging at him with awls raised, hatred burning in their eyes.
They were ordinary people.
Even with the narrow aisle hemming him in, they posed no threat.
In the blink of an eye, he vanished.
When he reappeared, five more awls had already been stripped from their hands.
He gathered all six together and ignited crimson flames in his palm. The awls crumbled to ash.
"Better not to leave dangerous things like these lying around."
"Fire—his hands are on fire?!"
"What is he?!"
As they staggered back in terror, Tanjiro let out a quiet sigh and rested his hand on Rengoku's shoulder again. Crimson flames flared.
"As you've seen, I'm a demon—the same kind as the one who gave you those awls.
"I heard what you said. The world inside a dream is beautiful. But no matter how beautiful it feels, it's still an illusion. Losing yourself in it won't erase the pain waiting in reality."
"What would you know?!" the girl shouted, trembling despite herself. "Compared to this cruel, hopeless reality—if I can die inside that happy dream, it's worth it!"
He paused, sorrow flickering in his eyes.
"But wouldn't that leave you empty?"
"…What?"
"It's because dreams are so beautiful that waking up hurts even more," he said quietly. "You must have gone through something terrible… something that drove you to help a demon.
"If you're willing, tell me after we defeat it. If there's anything I can do, I'll help."
[Is he an idiot?]
The girl stared at him in disbelief.
[We're enemies.]
"Mm! So this is Kamado boy's Blood Demon Art! Remarkable! But why are you using it on me?"
Rengoku opened his eyes calmly within the flames.
Tanjiro withdrew his hand and quickly explained what had happened.
"I see! A demon that manipulates dreams—how rare!"
"My apologies. I grew careless because I could constantly smell its scent."
He moved to Takeo and Nezuko in turn, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. Crimson flames rose again.
"It seems the demon preyed on their weaknesses and used them as conduits for its Blood Demon Art."
"No!" Rengoku declared, voice ringing out. "As a Hashira, I am ashamed to have been caught so easily! I already owe Hiru a great deal, and now I trouble Yoriichi's disciple as well! Their kindness is more than I can repay!"
As Nezuko and the others stirred awake in the flames, Rengoku turned to face the hostile group.
"I apologize for ruining your plan! But I have my duty! If you bear grievances, speak to me afterward—I will listen sincerely!"
His booming voice jolted the entire carriage awake.
The most distraught was Zenitsu.
He clutched his head, on the verge of tears.
"I was just about to marry Nezuko-chan! We were in the middle of the wedding! And now you're telling me it was fake?! That's too cruel!"
His wailing immediately drew the Kamado siblings' attention.
Tanjiro looked completely bewildered.
Nezuko, meanwhile, could only smile helplessly—the same way she had when their youngest brother, Rokuta, once declared he wanted to marry her.
Takeo, who had just been scolding himself for getting lost in a dream, shot Zenitsu a sharp glare.
When Zenitsu shuffled closer as if seeking comfort, Takeo reacted on instinct. He stepped forward and blocked him outright.
In that instant, whatever lingering attachment he had to the dream vanished entirely.
[Look what that stupid dream did! That already unbearable guy just got even worse!]
He planted himself firmly in front of his sister.
[Stay away from her, you woman-obsessed creep!]