As they arrived at the hot spring—
A familiar figure came into view.
A shaved-sided hairstyle.
Aoyama instantly recognized him—
The hot-tempered guy he had kicked flying during Final Selection—
Genya Shinazugawa.
Tanjiro, always trying to build good relationships, stepped forward to greet him—
Only to have his head slammed straight into the hot spring by Genya.
In the next instant—
Aoyama moved.
Grabbing Genya's wrist—
He twisted it slightly and forced his hand away.
With a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes, he said:
"Still this hot-tempered, huh?"
"That's not good."
"I've heard bad temper damages the liver."
His fingers tightened again—
Genya's wrist immediately turned red and swollen.
"…It's you."
Genya recognized him.
The one who had kicked him away.
Aoyama nodded.
"That's right."
As Genya tried to break free—
Aoyama suddenly let go.
Genya staggered backward several steps.
Seeing the tension rise—
Tanjiro hurried to mediate.
"It's fine, Senior Brother Aoyama! I'm okay!"
"Let's just bathe together!"
Genya stabilized himself—
Then shouted angrily:
"That kick at Final Selection—I wasn't prepared!"
"Today, I'm challenging you properly!"
Aoyama smiled lightly.
"Sure."
"I don't mind kicking you again."
"Ah—no, no, no!"
Tanjiro clung tightly to Aoyama's arm.
"We're here to bathe, not fight!"
"Fighting between members violates the rules!"
"Hey! Brat, don't get in my way!!!"
Aoyama shrugged helplessly.
Looking down at Tanjiro, he teased:
"You hear that?"
"He told you not to get in the way."
"Still not letting go? Afraid your senior will get beaten?"
Then added casually:
"He challenged me."
"This counts as self-defense—not breaking the rules."
"…Eh?!"
Tanjiro looked at Genya worriedly.
I'm worried about YOU getting hurt!
"…Then at least stop before things go too far."
Since he couldn't stop them—
He could only hope they held back.
Especially—
Senior Brother, please hold back…
Genya had a major weakness—
He couldn't use Breathing Techniques.
But—
He had a special constitution.
By eating demons—
He could temporarily transform—
Gaining their regeneration and strength.
The stronger the demon—
The stronger the boost.
But here—
There were no demons to eat.
He could only rely on raw combat.
Genya charged—
Throwing a punch.
Aoyama tilted his head—
Easily dodging.
Then—
He clenched his fist—
And struck.
BAM!
A solid punch landed on Genya's cheek.
"Your punches have power."
"But you need to be faster."
Before Genya could react—
Aoyama leapt—
Landing behind him.
"You—!"
Furious—
Genya spun around and attacked again.
But before his punch could land—
Aoyama's leg came crashing down.
THUD!
Genya slammed face-first into the ground.
"Senior Brother Aoyama!!! That's enough!"
Tanjiro tried to stop him.
Genya pushed himself up—
Spitting out blood.
He reached into his mouth—
Another tooth had fallen out.
"Shut up!"
With a roar—
He leapt again.
This time—
He was determined to hit.
Aoyama took a breath—
Then moved.
Grabbing Genya's arm—
He used half his strength—
And flung him away.
CRASH!
Genya landed in a nearby bush.
Tanjiro rushed over—
Helping him up.
"Genya, stop fighting!"
"Senior Brother Aoyama has been holding back this whole time!"
Genya shoved him aside.
Wiping the blood from his mouth—
He already knew.
He could feel it.
Aoyama stood calmly where he was.
"Still want to continue?"
Genya clenched his teeth.
Veins bulged on his forehead.
After a long pause—
"…Next time."
He turned and left.
"Phew…"
Tanjiro let out a sigh of relief.
"Good thing it stopped…"
If it continued—
Even with Aoyama holding back—
Genya would've been seriously hurt.
After a simple soak—
They left the hot spring.
In the dining hall—
Mitsuri Kanroji was already there.
Surrounded by mountains of dishes.
Seeing them—
She waved happily.
"Aoyama-kun! Tanjiro-kun! Come sit here!"
Aoyama stared at the piles of bowls and plates.
He knew she ate a lot—
But this…
This was ridiculous.
If she were in my world…
With that face and figure…
She could stream eating content and make a fortune…
Slurping noodles—
Mitsuri smiled brightly.
"Aoyama-kun, why aren't you eating?"
"The food here is amazing!"
Meanwhile—
The staff clearing plates were drenched in sweat.
Then they heard her say—
"Ahh, I haven't even eaten that much today~"
One of them nearly tripped.
Not much?! That's enough for thirty people!!!
Nezuko, in her small form—
Didn't need to eat.
She ran around in her bathrobe—
Then got tired.
She plopped down—
Resting her head on Aoyama's lap.
Mitsuri smiled warmly.
"Nezuko-chan is really close to you, Aoyama-kun."
Tanjiro sighed.
Ever since Nezuko got close to Aoyama—
She had grown noticeably colder toward him.
"Nezuko, come here, to your big brother~"
He beckoned her gently.
"Mm!"
Nezuko turned her head away—
Ignoring him completely.
Tanjiro froze awkwardly.
Then forced a laugh toward Mitsuri.
"She's… just being playful…"
"Eat."
"It'll get cold."
Aoyama casually helped him out of the awkward moment.
To Read 60+AHEAD advanced Chapters, head over to P@treon
patreon.com/DarkVerse146