33 Demon Slayer: Floating Comment

[Lady Tamayo, Can I Be Your Dog?]

Haruto forced himself to tear his gaze away from the bizarre comments floating by in the chat and focused instead on the beautiful woman before him.

Her face showed none of the bulging veins or drooling hunger he associated with demons. Her eyes were not wild or bloodshot with rage.

Black hair, amethyst eyes, a dark kimono adorned with blooming flowers—this Lady Tamayo was unlike any demon Haruto had ever encountered.

Her skin was as white as snow, her hair tied into an elegant bun at the back of her head. Her refined features and graceful posture made her seem like royalty, kneeling quietly as if she belonged to a higher realm altogether.

Next to her, the green-haired, sullen Yushiro sat, glaring daggers at Haruto.

Don't look. Take your filthy eyes off the beautiful Lady Tamayo.

Yushiro's gaze practically screamed the words.

Haruto smirked inwardly. Oh? Make me.

Outwardly, he wore a polite smile as he accepted the gift from Genya, who had prepared it earlier on their journey.

"A small token of respect. I hope you'll accept it."

Yushiro's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward to take the gift.

The packaging's too modern. Lady Tamayo won't like it.

Tamayo's gentle voice interrupted his spiraling thoughts, soothing and melodic.

"I've heard so much about you from Ubuyashiki, Haruto. Meeting you today, I see his words weren't outstanding."

Yushiro froze, his mind racing. Outstand—? Outstanding? What did she mean by that?

He cast a panicked glance around the room, his mind spiraling further. Aside from Haruto and Lady Tamayo, the only others present were himself and the spiky-haired brat, Genya.

Haruto, meanwhile, raised a curious brow. "You know that guy? When did you and Yashiro become acquaintances?"

Lady Tamayo lowered her gaze, her violet eyes shimmering mysteriously.

"If he didn't tell you, then it's a secret."

Haruto smirked, leaning slightly forward. "Secrets only make a woman more beautiful."

Tamayo blinked in surprise, her lips curling into a soft, almost amused smile. "A… woman, you say?"

Yushiro's face darkened instantly. His jaw clenched, and his fists trembled on his knees. Haruto could practically hear the grinding of teeth.

You insufferable little brat, how dare you sully Lady Tamayo's honor with your vulgar words!

The chat was exploding in real-time.

"Secrets make a woman beautiful? Did this turn into Detective Conan all of a sudden?"
"LOL, if Haruto tried that line on Lady Shinobu, Kanae wouldn't have to worry about her getting married—she'd have twins in three years."
"Don't! I ship HaruShino—or maybe HaruKana!"
"HaruShino? Shinobu's like 12 right now. Chill, guys."
"Star Rabbit fans, rise! Star Courage fans, too!"

Haruto ignored the chatter and turned back to reality. He ruffled Genya's hair playfully.

"This is the kid who can turn demons' powers into his own, huh?"

Genya turned away, sulking, but as soon as Haruto's hand left his head, he discreetly smoothed his hair back down.

"If you'll excuse me, I'll go change into something more suitable," Tamayo said with a nod before gracefully retreating to the inner room.

The moment she was out of sight, Yushiro's face darkened even further.

"What did you mean by that earlier?"

"Hmm?" Haruto tilted his head innocently.

"That… that line about secrets and women!"

"Oh, that?" Haruto tapped his nose as if wearing invisible glasses and lowered his voice conspiratorially. "A secret makes a woman, woman."

"What…?" Yushiro's eyes twitched as he tried to process the foreign words.

"Honestly," Haruto sighed, crossing his arms. "It's the 20th century. Learn some English, man. How old are you, anyway? Must be over a hundred by now. Haven't you picked up a book in all that time?"

"Shut up."

"Lady Tamayo's met countless people in her long life. If all you do is—"

"I said SHUT UP!" Yushiro shot to his feet, fists clenched, ready to swing at Haruto.

But Haruto didn't move. Instead, he nodded toward the doorway, a serene smile on his face.

"Lady Tamayo."

Yushiro instantly froze, spinning toward the door with a bright smile. Only… the door was still closed.

"I was joking," Haruto said, flashing a smug grin.

"Why, you—"

Before Yushiro could unleash his fury, the door slid open, and Tamayo's calm voice cut through the chaos.

"Yushiro. That's enough."

Tamayo now wore a white lab coat over her kimono, gloves on her hands, as she gently placed a tray of medical tools on the table.

Yushiro shrank back, sulking, though he still shot Haruto a murderous glare from the corner of his eye.

"There's no need to worry," Tamayo said to Genya with a reassuring smile. "Just roll up your sleeve and place your arm here."

Genya paled at the sight of the needle, swallowing hard. "You're… you're drawing blood?"

This tough little guy… afraid of needles? Haruto barely managed to stifle a laugh at the sight of Genya's stiff, trembling posture.

Tamayo glanced toward Haruto next, holding up another syringe. "And you'll be next, Haruto."

"Wait, what?" Haruto's eyes darted to the needle in alarm. "Me? What for?"

"You're aware Yushiro and I are both demons, yes?"

"Sure, though you don't look the part. Ubuyashiki mentioned it."

Tamayo chuckled softly. "I've spent countless years modifying my body. I no longer need to consume humans, but I do require a small amount of human blood to sustain myself."

The mention of "consuming humans" made Genya flinch. His hands shook, and his fists clenched tightly under the table, as memories of that terrible night surged unbidden into his mind.

"In the past, I relied on purchased supplies, but Ubuyashiki told me your blood is… unusual. He insisted I sample it."

Haruto's brow furrowed. "Ubuyashiki said that? My blood? What's so unusual about it?"

Tamayo nodded. "Yes."

The faint blue veins beneath Haruto's pale skin seemed to pulse as he raised his arm.

And then it hit him—like a lightning bolt.

The words of Lower Rank Three, Wakuraba, echoed in his mind.

"Your blood… your blood…"

The image of a dying priest, his blood coursing through vines to Wakuraba, who stumbled and fell after consuming it…

Haruto froze.

Oh no. I've become a replacement.