Demon Slayer: The Journey That Began When I Became Yoriichi's Sister

Yu Zi had beads of cold sweat on her forehead, her back ramrod straight as she sat upright to one side, holding her infant child stiffly in her arms.

It's fragrant and soft, like holding a delicious piece of fried chicken.

But she didn't dare to move at all.

Because the two people talking not far in front of her kept glancing over.

Tanji may have some trust in Yuko, but the scene where Yuko drooled earlier really made him less likable, plus there's the responsibility of being a father.

Even though he tried to keep his eyes to himself, he couldn't help but turn his head from time to time.

Yoriichi, on the other hand, simply looked at Tanjiro's head and followed suit.

Yuko felt as if she were holding not a child, but some kind of expensive, fragile object on display in a museum.

If she showed any sign of distress, the security guards nearby would rush over and pin her down.

This is probably what it means to feel like you're sitting on pins and needles.

Believe it or not, it does have an effect; at least my appetite has decreased significantly.

"Everyone, I'm back!" Zhu Mizi returned carrying a huge basin of chestnuts. "Look how big these chestnuts are this year!"

When she returned to the house and saw Yuko stiffly holding the child, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

“Miss Yuko, that’s not how you hold a baby.” Zhu Miko smiled and took the baby from Yuko’s arms.

Yuko's body went limp immediately. She let out a long breath and wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.

Taking care of a child was even more difficult than her physical strength fighting Iwakatsu.

Seeing her relieved expression, Zhu Mizi couldn't help but tease her, "Shouldn't you learn how to take care of children too?"

"Miss Yuko can't be a good mother like this."

Yuko's lips twitched, feeling a sense of powerlessness that she couldn't refute.

This caused two people in the know to chuckle secretly.

……

The Tanji family's unwavering hospitality made it difficult for the two to refuse, so they stayed for a while.

One afternoon, Zhu Mizi was taking a nap inside the house.

Yuko sat stiffly to one side, holding Tanjiro's youngest son, while Yoriichi played happily with Akane.

"The tea is ready." Tanji brought over the tea.

"I'm so sorry to have asked a guest to help take care of the child."

Yoriichi's voice rang out softly: "Don't worry about it. She must be tired. Giving birth and raising children is a hard thing."

She cares!

Yuko immediately cast a pleading look at him.

After putting down the tea, Tanji quickly stepped forward to take the child.

Tanji said, feeling embarrassed, "Thank you for your hard work, Miss Yuko."

After saying that Yuko couldn't take care of children, Zhu Mizi intentionally or unintentionally entrusted the child to Yuko's care.

They called it "cultivating Ms. Yuko's ability to take care of children."

Despite Yuko's earnest statement that she would not get married, she couldn't resist Akiko's enthusiasm.

These days, Yuko has never eaten in front of them, so Zhu Mizi naturally learned about Yuko's situation from everyone.

Even after learning her identity, he still trusted her and was willing to entrust his child to her care.

How could Yuko possibly refuse?

"No, the child... is fine." Yu Zi wiped away her cold sweat and gave a very forced smile.

Tanji was sweating profusely; it seemed to be a tough battle.

Yuan Yi glanced at the sky, took a small sip of tea, and said calmly, "After we finish this cup of tea, we'll leave."

Tanji was slightly taken aback.

Yu Zi smiled slightly: "Your brother will feel bad if you just stay here and eat and drink for free."

Tanji held the sleeping child and quickly said, "How could that be? You two are our family's saviors. If it weren't for your help, not to mention us, even this child wouldn't have had the chance to be born."

……

There was only silence in response to him.

“I understand,” Tanji said after a moment’s hesitation. “Then at least let me pass on your story.”

Yoriichi simply replied calmly, "No need."

Tanji looked at him with concern: "But you must also be troubled by the lack of a successor, right?"

"Even if I, an insignificant charcoal seller, cannot inherit it."

"Someday someone will definitely..."

……

“No need.” Yoriichi’s calm voice rang out. He picked up his teacup, turned to look at Tanjiro, and said calmly, “Those who explore the path to its end will all find their destination in the same place.”

"No matter how times change, or how different the path we take may be."

"Ultimately, we will all arrive at the same place."

“You seem to see me as someone special, but that’s not the case.”

“I can’t protect anything important. I haven’t done anything I was supposed to do in my life. I’m a worthless man.”

Tanji looked at the calm man with concern, his inner thoughts surfacing.

Please do not...

"Please don't say that." Yu Zi's calm voice rang out from inside the room. She was sitting on the inner side of the room with her back to the two people on the porch.

"Even if the other Pillars were present at the time, they would not have been able to kill Muzan."

"No one is asking you to defeat Muzan. You shouldn't force others to do what you yourself cannot do."

“My brother has done nothing wrong.”

Yoriichi is a person who seems to be indifferent to emotions, but is actually very kind at heart. He says that those who reach the end of the road will all end up in the same place. He seems to be indifferent to other things, but at the same time he feels guilty for not being able to kill Muzan.

This is also why he felt useless from the bottom of his heart.

Despite possessing such immense power, they accomplished nothing.

Yoriichi's eyes flickered slightly, showing a hint of emotion.

Following Yuuko's lead, Tanji immediately chimed in, "Yes! Yoriichi-san! It's wrong to take all the blame upon yourself!"

Yoriichi pursed his lips and said nothing. He watched the sun set on the horizon and drank the tea beside him.

Yoriichi stood up and sheathed the Nichirin Blade beside him: "Ikuko, let's go."

Tanji seemed to want him to stay: "Are you leaving already?"

"Ah."

When guests are leaving, the host should certainly see them off.

Tanji woke up Akiko and saw the two off.

Tanji's daughter, Zhu Mili, somehow found two periwinkles and gave them to the two of them.

Is the pink periwinkle a symbol of tender remembrance, and the white periwinkle a symbol of friendship?

Yuko, holding a pink flower in her hand, smiled and picked up Zhu Mili.

The child may not understand the meaning of flowers, but their affection for the two is undeniable.

As they parted, Akiko waved her arms playfully and pestered Yoriichi to show him her sword techniques and forms.

Yoriichi was deeply grateful for the warm hospitality of Tanjiro's family, and how could he possibly refuse?

……

As the desolate night fell, the chirping of insects that had just begun to rise in the forest suddenly seemed to be cut off.

In the hazy darkness of night, a blazing sun rose in front of Tanji's house.

Orange-red flames rose from the jet-black blade, the fiery blaze dancing in the air like a magnificent ribbon, or roaring like a mighty fire dragon.