The Ubuyashiki residence—with only me and Kagaya left—suddenly became spacious.
What accompanied me to sleep and wake—suddenly only birdsong and owl calls remained.
Don't know if the Shrine Priest deliberately frightened people, or if the bracelet I wove for Kagaya truly had effect—after returning home, he didn't fall seriously ill.
Just that his health never improved. Still looked sickly. Occasionally caught a minor illness.
Right now, besides me, no other relatives remained by his side.
Even as he grew older, I didn't dare leave the residence.
This differed from the time I agreed with Ume. She flew into rage because of this. Once again wrote a letter to shout loudly. This time, looked like she was truly angry with me.
After Kagaya heard, he smiled. "If those two don't mind—for New Year's, please invite them as guests to the residence?"
I bit my pen, thinking how to reply. Hearing these words, turned my head to look at him in shock. "Wha—what what what? Let them come here?"
"The children Lord Chihaya raised must also be reliable people. I also want to meet them. Unfortunately, can't go out casually."
Kagaya seemed to know my concerns. Also slyly winked at me. "Just don't tell others."
True. Now only he remained in the Ubuyashiki Clan. Kagaya acted much more freely than before. His control over the Nine Pillars and Demon Slayer Corps also steadily increased.
As long as he agreed—secretly letting two demons visit the residence as guests wasn't a big deal... Like hell!
But I had no other good solution. Under his urging, wrote to ask Ume if she wanted to visit the residence. Before long, she rapidly replied. Said decisively she'd come.
Ume and Gyutaro came to the Ubuyashiki residence the night before New Year's Eve.
The girl without emotional intelligence came empty-handed, swaggering. The brother skilled at dealing with people thoughtfully brought gifts. Also fresh vegetables and premium beef hard to buy in the mountains.
I decided to make sukiyaki.
Gyutaro came over to help me. Only Ume stayed in the room. Sat face-to-face with Kagaya. Tilted her head, sizing him up from head to toe, then toe to head.
I still wasn't at ease. Midway, secretly slipped over to observe the situation.
Ume spoke first. "You're that sickly person who kept Big Sister from coming back to see me?"
Truly worthy of Ume. Opening her mouth, she jabbed at pain points.
Kagaya had a good temper. Smiled and nodded. "Miss Ume's matters—I've also heard Lord Chihaya mention. Thank you and your brother for helping the Demon Slayer Corps these years."
Ume had a hot temper. But also easy to coax. Obviously just met once—Kagaya already knew how to smooth her fur.
Her expression eased. Also lightly hummed. "My brother and I—it's for Big Sister's sake. Not specially helping you."
In a few sentences, the atmosphere in the room eased. I secretly peeked from outside. Behind me, Gyutaro's voice suddenly came.
"My lord, no need to worry. Ume knows propriety." He also lowered his voice. Still held a spatula in hand.
Staying longer would look like deliberately running out to slack off. I immediately straightened up, returned to the kitchen with him to cook.
That night, everyone ate hot sukiyaki together. Later, Ume and Gyutaro became regular guests at the Ubuyashiki residence.
Ume initially looked like she hated Kagaya. But very quickly, she got along best with him.
Since nighttime streets also became lively—happiest was Ume.
She fabricated a human identity. Every night dressed beautifully. Called friends to play everywhere. Only returned near dawn.
I originally worried she'd play too hard, accidentally expose her identity... But fortunately, Gyutaro always moved with her. Each time, timely brought his crazed sister back.
After adding Kagaya, this reclusive friend—Ume also learned to bring souvenirs back for him... Sometimes new books from the West. Sometimes new products on the market.
Kagaya had a habit of subscribing to newspapers. Every day, messenger crows brought newly printed newspapers flying over. Through newspaper information, he could grasp certain industries' trends and development prospects... Perhaps the Ubuyashiki Clan's innate precognition ability at work.
Until fourteen years old, Kagaya never fell seriously ill... Though needed to watch temperature changes, still could be called in decent health.
That autumn, the Flame Pillar sent an absolutely bizarre report.
A family secretly serving demons was annihilated by the demon they worshipped. Only left two survivors.
This family committed countless evils. Relied on demon power to plunder others' treasures. Accumulated shocking wealth.
Though the demon was already eliminated by the Flame Pillar—didn't mean this family's sins were also wiped clean. That money also needed to compensate victims.
The Flame Pillar, skilled at slaying demons, wasn't skilled at handling these matters. After news reached the residence, Kagaya pondered briefly. Asked me to make a trip.
One—this family existed for several hundred years. Might hide unknown secrets... Two—I'd represent the Ubuyashiki supervising police delivering money to victims' hands. To prevent embezzlement...
Three—he heard one of the only two survivors was a sacrifice raised to offer to demons.
Kagaya very much wanted to visit that child. But the Shrine Priest sent a letter. Again mentioned marriage. Introduced a bride the clan prepared for him.
He was busy politely declining the Shrine Priest. Couldn't spare time.
I had nothing to do. Very readily agreed to make the trip for him.
However, regrettably—at that family's ancestral home, discovered no valuable secrets...
The demon in snake-woman form just luckily encountered a human who could collude with her years ago.
The two hit it off. From then, started long cooperation. The snake-woman's strength—not even qualified to squeeze into the Twelve Kizuki. Also never contacted Muzan.
I supervised police searching for victim families. Watched every sum's whereabouts. After handling these matters, went to the Rengoku house. To visit that unfortunate child.
I wore a kimono. Black gloves on my hands. Held a black umbrella. Completely blocked out sunlight.
Walking to the Rengoku estate's gate—the one who opened the door was a child just over ten.
He wore kendo attire. Looked up, met my eyes. Suddenly smiled brilliantly. "Might you be Lord Chihaya!"
Voice loud and clear. Not inferior to his father at all.
Seeing him, I knew—this was Shinjuro's eldest son.
"Shinjuro isn't home?" I asked.
"Correct! Father has a mission. Already left home two days ago. Father already told me about Lord Chihaya's visit!" He very composedly introduced himself. "I am Kyojuro!"
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