53 Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

"Mr. Tomioka went out demon hunting."

Shinobu placed a cup of hot tea in front of Haruto, her brow furrowing slightly. "He said it's a waste for someone in perfect health to just sit around here. Might as well spend the time slaying a few more demons."

The Butterfly Mansion was bustling with slayers-in-training—some had passed the final selection, others hadn't. Upon hearing Shinobu's remark, their faces turned sour.

"Ah…" Haruto paused mid-sip, the teacup hovering in his hand. "That's not what he meant."

"I know." Shinobu crouched next to him, gathering the long hem of her haori like a butterfly folding its wings. "Kind of like Sanemi, right? Not your Sanemi, though. I mean that Sanemi… you know, the one with all the scars."

Her tone turned playful. "He looks so fierce and impossible to deal with, but my sister always said he's actually a kind person."

"Oh?" Haruto's voice shot up an octave, his brows lifting in surprise. "Kanae said Sanemi is kind?"

What's the gossip here? Is it ripe for picking?

But Shinobu carried on without noticing his reaction. "Even Masachika said that Sanemi's temper is just all in his face. Like a pufferfish—prick it, and it just puffs right up. Totally harmless."

Haruto tried—and failed—to imagine a "Sanemi-pufferfish." No, impossible. That guy was clearly a walking C4. One wrong move, and boom.

Still… tell me more about this Sanemi and Kanae gossip!

"So," Haruto asked casually, masking his interest, "does Sanemi come to the Butterfly Mansion often?"

"Mm, fairly often. His fighting style is unique but reckless. He's always getting hurt and ends up being dragged here by Masachika for treatment. My sister usually bandages him up."

Ah, that reckless brat… banking on his rare blood to lure demons into a drunken stupor. Always slicing himself open to disorient them.

"And your sister?" Haruto raised a brow. "What's her attitude about him?"

Haruto, ever the gossip enthusiast, was determined to stay on the Demon Slayer Corps' gossip frontline. But his curiosity came off as a bit too ambiguous, and Shinobu misunderstood entirely.

"My sister? Oh, she probably doesn't feel that way about him…" Shinobu tapped her smooth chin, her eyes gleaming mischievously. She tilted her head and winked at Haruto. "But if it's you, Haruto, I'd totally support it!"

Me?

Haruto froze, utterly dumbfounded.

"Wait… what?" he stammered. "Me? Pursue Sanemi? What kind of chaotic nonsense is this?!"

The two locked eyes in silent, beady-eyed disbelief until Shinobu broke the tension with a confused,

"Eh? Haruto… you like Sanemi?!"

"OF COURSE NOT!"

Haruto shot to his feet, his handsome face flushed an indignant shade of blue.

"I like girls! Soft, sweet, adorable girls between 15 and 35 who go 'boing~' when you poke them!"

Shinobu, startled by his sudden outburst, toppled sideways and clutched her chest.

"You scared me! I was talking about my sister! How did we end up on Sanemi? Do you like my sister, Haruto?"

Haruto: (??????)

"Oh… that's what you meant." He sat back down, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Well, I mean… I do like Kanae. But that's because we've known each other for so long and share the same ideals. It's hard not to admire her."

"Honestly, is there anyone in the Demon Slayer Corps who doesn't like Kanae? She's got a heart of gold. Even someone as proud as Tengen respects her. But that admiration…"

He glanced at Kanae, who was smiling gently as she tended to the other trainees.

"…isn't romantic, is it?"

"Sister is the kindest person in the world," Shinobu murmured, hugging her knees and resting her chin on her arms. "I just want her to be happy. I used to think that happiness could rest in your hands, Haruto… but now I'm not so sure."

"No one's happiness should rely on someone else," Haruto said with a faint smirk. "Even if I am as amazing as I think I am, everyone has to fight for their own happiness. That includes Kanae… and you too, Shinobu."

"What about you, Haruto?"

"Me?" He let out a dry laugh. "My master's been nagging me to settle down, but as long as demons exist, I can't even think about romance."

Besides…

His ocean-blue eyes darkened as an image flashed in his mind—the Upper Moon, Daki.

When would she discover that a descendant of the Takanashi clan was still alive?

The crows cawed restlessly outside as the Butterfly Mansion resumed its steady rhythm of life. Injured slayers were carried in by Kakushi, their lives hanging by a thread.

Haruto checked on Sabito, who remained unconscious but seemed slightly better. Shinobu had mentioned earlier that his swelling was so bad he looked like a steamed bun. It was only thanks to constant care that his vitals had stabilized.

Makomo, who had stayed by his side all night, nodded weakly at Haruto when he entered.

"Haruto… where's Giyu?"

"He went to kill demons. He's not in a good place right now."

"I see…" Makomo offered a weary smile.

Haruto left the room, standing on the veranda with a heavy sigh.

"…Sanemi-sama took down Lower Moon One, but Masachika…"

A bloodied Kakushi appeared below the steps, placing another injured slayer onto a stretcher as he spoke in hushed tones with Shinobu.

Shinobu covered her mouth, her violet eyes widening in disbelief.

"Masachika… he's dead?"

"No!" The Kakushi shook his head frantically. "When we left, Master Masachika was barely hanging on. The Butterfly Mansion is close, but moving him here might kill him on the way…"

"What?!" Haruto's sharp voice cut in as he stormed forward. "So you just left him to die?"

"Star Hashira-sama…"

"Where is he injured?"

"His abdomen… a demon pierced him clean through…"

"Shinobu, grab your medicine chest!" Haruto barked, his tone brooking no argument. "We're going to get him!"

Without hesitation, Shinobu nodded, hurriedly delegating tasks to a passing trainee before darting back with her massive kit.

An abdominal wound… would they make it in time?

Damn demons. Damn them all.

A crow circled above, cawing sharply as if ready to guide Haruto. He knelt, gesturing for Shinobu to climb onto his back.

"Hold on tight!"

Despite the urgency, Shinobu was light as a feather—easier to carry than a basket of sushi.

Focusing his energy, Haruto activated his technique. With one hand supporting Shinobu and the other gripping his sword, he bent low and shot forward like a streak of light, leaving Shinobu gasping in surprise.