I'm not going to be an Spirit! (Translate)

After the nine pillars were disbanded, Kyōjurō Rengoku returned to his own mansion.

When he opened the door, he saw his younger brother, Rengoku Senjuro, sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard with a broom.

"Ah, brother, good morning."

Seeing Kyōjurō Rengoku appear at the door, the boy who looked 80% similar to him smiled.

The genes of the Purgatory family are very strong, and the three father and sons are almost carved from the same mold.

However, unlike them, the youngest Rengoku Senjuro did not inherit any genes for using breathing techniques and sword skills.

"Sister has prepared breakfast. It's in the living room."

"Is Kotori cooking today?"

"Well, my sister said that my brother finally came back and was ready to show off his skills."

"Really? Then I'm really looking forward to seeing Kotori progress, haha!"

Having said that, Kyōjurō Rengoku walked into the mansion.

Looking at his elder brother's departing back, Rengoku Senjuro muttered softly: "Brother has such a good physique, he should be fine, um, probably."

The Purgatory family never cooks on weekdays.

All three meals a day are purchased from outside.

In this era, although such expenses are huge for ordinary families, they are not a problem for the Purgatory family.

The Rengoku family has been the Flame Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps for generations. They are the only family that can be called [hereditary] and have a very high status in the Demon Slayer Corps.

Therefore, as long as you ask, the Demon Slayer Corps will not hesitate to help.

Walking into the mansion, Kyōjurō Rengoku nose twitched as he smelled the slightly fishy smell of the sea coming from the kitchen.

"Hmph~Hmph"

When he arrived at the living room, he saw Kotori Itsuka, who was wearing an apron and humming an unknown tune while washing dishes.

"Oh! Brother, you're back?"

Sensing a familiar aura, Kotori Itsuka turned around and saw Kyōjurō Rengoku leaning against the door: "Today I made your favorite salt-grilled sea bream~ Come and eat it while it's hot~"

"Salt-grilled... snapper?"

Looking at the large pot of almost untouched black and purple food on the table, Kyōjurō Rengoku eyes showed a hint of confusion.

"And the salt?"

"No more, so I took sugar instead.

"What about the snapper?"

"No, but squid is also a fish, right?"

Kyōjurō Rengoku was silent.

It turns out that for this dish of salt-grilled sea bream, the only word that hasn't been changed is "grilled?

"Father and Senjuro, have they eaten yet?"

"Yeah, but they only ate a little bit, saying that this was my brother favorite dish, so they left it for him."

After washing her hands and taking off her apron, Kotori Itsuka walked out of the kitchen, smiling happily and saying, "It's rare for my brother to come home, and everyone wants to leave the best things for him!"

Looking at the purple black food in the pot, the hesitation in Kyōjurō Rengoku eyes was replaced by determination.

This was made specially for him by Kotori, and left for him by his father and brother.

Even if it doesn't taste good, you have to eat it all.

Breathing method, full concentration? Power, full open!

He took a deep breath, picked up the chopsticks and rice bowl, and quickly finished the food in the pot as if he was facing a formidable enemy.

"Thank you for the treat!"

In less than a minute, he finished the whole pot of food.

"Is it delicious?" asked Kotori Itsuka expectantly.

"Delicious... probably."

The last two words were said in my heart.

After all, he had been holding his breath and had not chewed at all. He almost ate the whole pot of salt-baked sea bream as if it was poured into his stomach, without tasting any flavor at all.

You can't blame him for lying.

He still remembered the last time that Kotori Itsuka cooked dinner with great enthusiasm, and after he gave her an honest evaluation, he made her cry.

After that, his younger brother told him that from now on, no matter what dish Kotori Itsuka cooked, it would be enough for him to just say it was delicious.

Sure enough, after hearing the answer that it was delicious, she smiled happily.

Taking the empty plate, Kotori Itsuka skipped back to the kitchen and continued washing the dishes while humming a song.

As if he was infected by her happiness, although the bitterness still remained in his mouth, Kyōjurō Rengoku couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly.

Being able to allow his family to live a worry-free life is also one of the reasons why he joined the Demon Slayer Corps.

If he can protect his current life, his efforts will be worth it.

However, looking at Kotori Itsuka back, Tomioka Giyu's question just now once again came to mind.

"If my sister also turned into a Demons, what would I do?"

He did not give Giyu Tomioka an accurate answer.

Because he was not sure what choice he would make when the time came.

Will he kill Kotori Itsuka out of a sense of mission and responsibility?

Or maybe you are unable to do it yourself and hand it over to other colleagues?

Kyōjurō Rengoku sat at the dining table, his always straightforward expression mixed with a hint of confusion.

But if, as Tomioka Giyuu said, there really are Demons in this world that don't eat people, and his sister happens to become such a Demons...

I'm afraid he will also hide Kotori Itsuka so that no one will know about it.

"Perhaps, I can understand a little bit the decision made by the boy named Tanjiro Kamado."

A thought that a Pillar must never have flashed through his mind.

Kyōjurō Rengoku shook his head and put the messy thoughts behind him.

"Kotori, I won't eat lunch at home."

Standing up from the chair, Kyōjurō Rengoku put on his haori again, wielded his Nichirin sword, and said seriously, "The trial of the Pillars did not go smoothly, but this does not affect my subsequent work. I was originally going to leave for the next demon-slaying location after leaving the headquarters, but considering that I don't know when I will be back next time, I decided to go home first to say goodbye to you."

He still didn't know what decision he would make if his family members turned into Demons.

However, as the Flame Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, it is his duty to prevent further tragedies from happening.

He has no time to rest, because every minute he rests, the people facing the disaster from Demons will have a greater chance of being harmed.

Although I hope to spend more time with my family, the sooner I leave, the more likely I am to protect a family that will be torn apart by a Demons.

"Are you leaving now?"

Kotori Itsuka turned around and asked reluctantly, "Can't you stay until noon? I have prepared other dishes for my brother to try."

"Sorry, maybe next time."

"Where are you going this time, brother?"

"Asakusa," Kyōjurō Rengoku replied, "There's been a sudden increase in sightings of demons over there, and I need to go over and check out the situation."

"Asakusa..."

It seemed that she did not expect Kyōjurō Rengoku to go to this place, and a hint of surprise flashed in Kotori Itsuka eyes.

But she hid it well and no one noticed.

"Speaking of which, I have a pen pal who is also in Asakusa. I'm planning to go there to meet him recently. Can I go with you, brother?"

Although she didn't think that Kyōjurō Rengoku would meet Kamado Tanjiro in Asakusa by such a coincidence.

But to be on the safe side, she decided to stay with Kyōjurō Rengoku.

After hearing Kotori Itsuka request, he originally wanted to refuse.

But then she thought again, even if he didn't agree, her sister would definitely go alone later.

Instead of letting a weak woman travel alone, it would be better for her to stay by his side to ensure her safety.

"Since we have the same destination, let's go together."

Kyōjurō Rengoku said.

"When you are ready, we will set off immediately."