Wearing uniforms emblazoned with the character "隠" (Hidden), black hats with white trim, and white veils with black patterns draped over the back of their heads, necks, and faces below the eyes.
This was the Demon Slayer Corps' cleanup crew—the Hidden.
Composed mostly of members without swordsmanship talent, they handled post-battle cleanup for Corps-demon conflicts.
This included, but wasn't limited to, treating the wounded, initial site restoration, and negotiating financial damages.
But when the Hidden arrived at the scene, they froze like ice sculptures.
The world lay in ruins, the ground ravaged into uneven craters, surrounding buildings shattered to pieces.
Unaware these were caused by future weapons, the Hidden cared about one thing—
How much would this cost to compensate!?
Reverie and Kochou Kanae wore awkward expressions. They'd used high-explosive grenades and an M249—what else could they do?
Light firepower had no suppressing effect against an Upper Rank demon with super-speed regeneration.
Luckily, there were almost no casualties. The few injured villagers had been curious onlookers caught in the aftermath.
This taught us that curiosity can sometimes really kill the cat!
The remaining ten farewell grenades and M249 ammo were depleted, but Shiraki had grabbed extra gas masks.
Kanae handed these items to the Hidden for transport back to the Butterfly Mansion.
The Kochou sisters, Shiraki, and Reverie headed to Corps headquarters first.
The Ubuyashiki clan's feud with Muzan Kibutsuji spanned a millennium.
Due to their blood ties to Muzan, after he became a demon, the clan seemed cursed.
Their children, especially males, died young in excruciating agony, never finding peace.
This scummy boss was like Honkai—gender-discriminatory, huh?
To destroy Muzan, the Ubuyashiki clan toiled for a thousand years, amassing vast family wealth, with each head pouring nearly all funds into the Corps.
Likewise, Muzan hunted the Ubuyashiki clan, aiming to eradicate the architects of the Corps.
Thus, the Corps headquarters, home to Oyakata-sama Ubuyashiki Kagaya, was top-secret to outsiders.
The Corps enforced strict confidentiality, especially for unvetted strangers.
To enter headquarters, one had to be blindfolded and led by the Hidden.
Routes and sequences changed frequently during the journey.
Honestly, this meant nothing to Shiraki and Reverie—they were Kanae and could walk in blindfolded.
But to avoid complications, they didn't bother explaining.
Revealing headquarters' location without permission was a grave offense in the Corps. They wouldn't trouble "themselves."
As Shiraki and Reverie turned, letting the Hidden blindfold their eyes and ears, Hidden Three exchanged words with a Kasugai Crow, then hurried to Kanae.
"Lady Kanae, may I ask… what is this gentleman's relationship to you?"
"Shiraki is my husband." Kanae smiled, her lips curving.
"!!!" Even with a mask, Hidden Three's shock was palpable.
When had the Flower Hashira gotten married!?
Beyond her Hashira status, Kanae was the Butterfly Mansion's chief physician, treating most Corps members.
Her gentleness, like a summer evening breeze brushing flower buds, carried a heart-soothing charm. She treated everyone with maternal tenderness.
Graceful, elegant, radiating warmth from her core, she captivated countless Corps members.
Admirers of Lady Kanae were as numerous as carp crossing a river—at least enough to circle headquarters thrice—but none dared confess.
She was one of the Corps' eight Hashira!
In this era, with lingering male chauvinism, confessing required strength equal to Kanae's Hashira level, or you weren't worthy!
Yet, Lady Kanae was married!
This news would likely shake the Corps as much as an Upper Rank's defeat!
Not just Hidden Three—all Hidden members froze, casting varied glances at Shiraki.
His modern industrial casual attire and distinct, serene aura marked a chasm between the 21st century and the Taisho era.
His clearly non-Japanese name left the Hidden exchanging looks, their minds echoing Shinobu's earlier conclusions.
After a stunned pause at Shiraki and Kanae, Hidden Three bowed slightly. "I-In that case, Oyakata-sama says you may bring him directly to headquarters."
Kanae blinked, then nodded with a smile. "Is that so? Understood."
Shiraki and Reverie's lips twitched. Ubuyashiki Kagaya, frail as he was, earned the Hashira's respect for a reason.
Leading the Corps against demons, his intellect and emotional intelligence were unmatched, his worldly wisdom sincere and profound.
Even collateral kin weren't exempt from secrecy protocols, but distrusting a spouse meant doubting Kanae herself!
Headquarters nestled deep in the mountains.
The clear night sky sparkled with stars, cool moonlight spilling over the path, the forest swaying with faint, fragmented shadows.
Shiraki, Kanae, and Reverie held hands, exuding an utterly harmonious vibe, impenetrable to outsiders.
Unless blind, anyone could see their bond, but the issue was…
Shinobu eyed her sister—left hand with Shiraki, right with Sister Reverie—her expression growing odd.
Something… felt off?
Why was her sister in the middle?
Shouldn't her brother-in-law be holding both her sister's and Sister Reverie's hands?
Honestly, even if her sister said it was "special," Shinobu still harbored unease about her sister being a concubine.
But this scene? She couldn't make sense of it!
The one enjoying a harem seemed less her brother-in-law and more her sister?
Impossible!
Yet, seeing her sister and Sister Reverie's tender, synced glances and smiles, Shinobu's eyes filled with bewilderment and confusion, her mind spiraling.
Wait!
Could it be…
A chilling thought struck, her rose-purple eyes glinting with shock.
Her sister said it was "special" but didn't elaborate, and Shinobu's assumptions about her sister and brother-in-law were just that—assumptions.
Analyzing the scene, another possibility emerged.
Shinobu had read absurd love stories between girls in obscure books, usually ending tragically. She'd treated them as curiosities.
Growing up inseparable, always together, Shinobu could say with confidence that no one knew her sister better!
When she'd urged her sister to consider marriage, Kanae offered grand, irrefutable reasons.
But Shinobu, knowing her sister, sensed the resistance beneath her smile—an instinctive aversion.
Now, thinking back, it wasn't marriage she resisted, but intimate bonds with men—an extreme aversion!
As if a fog in her mind parted, revealing truth hidden in the mist, Shinobu gasped.
Why was her sister willingly a concubine?
Why didn't Sister Reverie mind?
Why was Sister Reverie so warm to her, like a real sister!?
Why did her sister defend her brother-in-law, saying "your brother-in-law can only be Shiraki"?
Eliminate the impossible, and whatever remains, however outlandish, is the truth.
So…
A new chance to uncover something amazing!
Her sister truly loved Sister Reverie!
Or rather, the ones truly in love were her sister and Sister Reverie!
A taboo act, unthinkable in this era—a forbidden love defying norms!
Her sister and Sister Reverie used marrying the same man as a cover, hiding their illicit romance beneath a facade, deceiving the world.
More crucially, this explained why her sister never told her!
The more Shinobu thought, the more certain she was.
Her sister feared Shinobu's judgment, worried her little sister would see her as perverse, so she kept it secret.
Shinobu's steps slowed under the moonlight, growing heavy.
Gazing at Kanae, chatting and laughing with Sister Reverie, the girl fell silent.
Stupid sister!
No matter what she did, as her only sister, how could Shinobu not support her!?
For now, this setup was fine. To spare her sister's delicate feelings on this matter, Shinobu decided not to bring the truth to light.
But Shiraki… her brother-in-law, a shield for her sister and Sister Reverie's love, was too pitiable!
As a man, not only did he not condemn this taboo love, he sacrificed so much to aid them.
Brother-in-law, truly gentle inside and out!
Shinobu's view of Shiraki shifted rapidly from "the man who stole my sister" to "a uniquely gentle, rare good man."
Her gaze drifted to Shiraki, walking behind her sister and Sister Reverie with a contented smile, watching them hand-in-hand. Shinobu's eyes brimmed with pity and warmth.
Those who gather firewood for others must not freeze in the storm!
Those who pave the path to freedom must not be trapped by thorns!
Her brother-in-law sacrificed so much for her sister and Sister Reverie—he shouldn't suffer such grievance.
As Kanae's only sister, Shinobu felt it her duty and responsibility to help her sister repay him!
So, how to repay him?
[…]
[Kanae, what's with this kid all of a sudden?]
With dual-body perception, Shiraki keenly noticed Shinobu's shifting gaze. Reverie, holding Kanae's hand, was telepathically linked.
[I don't know…] Kanae's expression was baffled.
What's going on?
Why's Shinobu's fondness for "me" suddenly skyrocketing!?
What's with that tender, pitying look?
Shinobu… she couldn't have feelings for another version of herself, could she!?
Kanae's stray thought halted all three in their tracks.