The coin flipped into the air and fell back down. Takeo caught it and stared up at the gradually darkening sky in boredom.
The sun was just about to set—nightfall was approaching. The lanterns along the streets had already been lit, but Tōjirō still hadn't shown up.
"…Don't tell me that kid ditched me."
Takeo couldn't help but start doubting whether that seemingly honest child had lied to him. Maybe he'd never intended to come in the first place.
But just as that thought formed, he heard footsteps approaching from the distance.
Turning his head, he saw that it was indeed Tōjirō.
The boy jogged over to Takeo, looking completely exhausted. Clearly, he was worn out from the day's work. As soon as he arrived, he apologized:
"Sorry! Someone placed a big order for pottery a couple of days ago, so we've been really busy."
"It's fine. Are you done for the day now?"
"Yeah, mostly. It's time to rest anyway. Electricity's expensive."
By this point in time, electricity had already been introduced to Japan, and towns near the bigger cities had access to it too.
However, electricity was still considered a luxury—most common households tried to conserve as much as possible. That's why people typically wound down quickly after nightfall instead of working late into the night.
Takeo nodded slightly to show he understood, then asked:
"Earlier, you said you'd tell me about your brother?"
"Yeah, I'll tell you—so long as you can find him, I'll tell you everything!"
Tōjirō replied seriously, without a hint of hesitation, and began explaining what had happened to his older brother, Tōichirō.
…
There were three people in the Akita household. The father, Akita Saku, was a potter by trade.
Akita Tōichirō was Saku's eldest son, twenty-two years old this year. By all accounts, he should have inherited the family's pottery skills.
But perhaps due to the recent wave of industrial reform, he became increasingly determined to leave for the big city to find work. He claimed that working in a factory would earn far more than making pottery in this little backwater town.
Saku didn't understand factories or machines—he simply believed that Tōichirō refusing to inherit the family craft was a form of rebellion, an act of filial betrayal. As a result, the two often quarreled.
Three days ago was their worst fight yet.
That day, in a fit of rage, Tōichirō smashed a batch of freshly fired pottery that his father had just finished. Saku, furious, grabbed a stick and drove him out of the house.
Tōjirō remembered that it had been right around sunset. After Tōichirō stormed off, he never came back.
Most people assumed he had gone missing, but their father, Akita Saku, was convinced the rebellious son had simply taken the opportunity to run off to that city he always dreamed about. That's why he refused to speak much about it.
Whenever others came asking, he usually didn't have the patience to deal with them and would chase them off.
The only reason he hadn't kicked Takeo out today was probably because Takeo looked young—otherwise, he too would've been shown the door by Akita Saku.
"So, according to that, your brother just went to the city and didn't actually go missing?" Takeo asked, puzzled.
Tōjirō pressed his lips together and said, "No. That's just what my father thinks. My brother… he definitely went missing!"
"Um.. Why are you so sure?" Takeo asked.
"Because my brother really cared about us! If he really was going to leave… he would've at least left me a letter! But he didn't! So I know something's wrong—he must've gone missing!"
Tōjirō raised his voice slightly, speaking with conviction.
To him, his brother Tōichirō had his flaws—he didn't always show respect to their father—but he genuinely cared for both Tōjirō and Akita Saku.
The proof?
Despite constantly saying he wanted to run off to the city, he never truly left, not unless their father gave permission.
He kept learning their father's craft and helped with the pottery.
If he truly hated his family, he would've been gone long ago. He wouldn't have stayed this long.
"So… if you're really here to investigate the disappearance, please—help me find my brother!"
As he spoke, Tōjirō bowed deeply to Takeo.
Takeo crossed his arms, thinking. If this were just a normal missing person case, there was a good chance Tōichirō might still be alive.
But if a demon was involved, then after three whole days… Tōichirō's chances of survival were slim. Takeo couldn't promise something he might not be able to deliver.
As Takeo remained silent, Tōjirō also stayed bowed and unmoving.
Seeing this, Takeo finally said, "I'll do my best to help you find him. But… I can't guarantee that I'll succeed."
Tōjirō was quiet for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Is it… because of a demon?"
"!?"
Takeo's eyes widened in shock. "How do you know about demons?"
"Yesterday… someone dressed like you came here asking questions. He said he was from the Demon Slayer Corps and that he was investigating a demon-related case. He even said my brother might've been taken by a demon…
"But my father doesn't believe in any of that, so he drove him away."
Tōjirō explained.
Another Demon Slayer came here before me?
If there had already been a Demon Slayer sent, then why was Takeo called in as well?
Takeo couldn't help but feel puzzled, but he still turned to ask Tōjirō:
"Do you know where that Demon Slayer went after your father drove him off?"
Tōjirō shook his head. "He left not long after. I only saw him heading in that direction... I don't know anything beyond that."
As Tōjirō spoke, he pointed in a specific direction. Takeo looked toward it thoughtfully, when Tōjirō added:
"Oh, right. I remember Hanako-neesan lives over that way."
"Hanako-neesan?"
"Her older brother was the first one to go missing. So I think... maybe that Demon Slayer went to see her."
"Hanako…"
Takeo blinked, momentarily dazed at hearing that name.
After all, among the Kamado siblings, there had once been a girl named Kamado Hanako—Takeo's little sister. But now... her age had been frozen at ten years old, never to grow up.
Still, the name Hanako was quite common in Japan—especially in the countryside. In a village full of young girls, if you shouted "Hanako," there'd probably be at least two or three who answered.
So it wasn't all that surprising.
After confirming Hanako's address with Tōjirō, Takeo politely took his leave.
Before leaving, he told Tōjirō:
"I'll do my best to find your brother. If I learn anything, I'll come back and let you know."
"Please, I'm counting on you!"
Tōjirō bowed deeply once again.
Takeo waved behind him without turning back and headed toward Hanako's home.
Her full name was Taniguchi Hanako, fifteen years old. She had lived with her older brother, Taniguchi Eita, relying on each other for survival. Their family ran a small silk shop—Eita was responsible for purchasing silk threads, while Hanako wove the fabric.
Life had been decent… until it all changed four months ago.
Taniguchi Eita had suddenly gone missing, leaving only Hanako to keep things running. At first, she managed, but over the past month, people had started causing trouble for her.
After all, she was a frail young girl with no family to protect her—an easy target for bullies.
Some kind-hearted neighbors had advised Hanako to consider marrying into a good household for stability and safety. That way, she wouldn't have to struggle alone.
But whether it was because she still believed her brother would return, or simply didn't trust anyone else, Hanako had refused all matchmaking attempts. She remained at home, waiting for her brother's return.
By the time Takeo arrived at Taniguchi Hanako's home, it was already nightfall.
The silk shop had closed for the day. A faint light shone dimly through the paper windows, casting soft shadows on the ground.
Sniff sniff
Takeo stood at the entrance, nostrils flaring slightly.
Then, he narrowed his eyes.
He seemed to smell something familiar… That scent—could it be Asato?
With that thought, Takeo didn't hesitate. He stepped forward and knocked on the door.
Knock knock knock.
A voice called out from inside the house:
"Who is it?"
It wasn't Hanako's voice—it was a man's voice, one that Takeo recognized instantly.
Hearing it, Takeo immediately figured out which Demon Slayer Corps member was already investigating this area. He sighed lightly and answered directly:
"Yo! It's me. Kamado Takeo."
"Huh?"
A surprised voice responded, followed by the door creaking open. Standing in the doorway was Fangzuru Asato, his short black hair slightly tousled.
"What the—? T-Takeo! You passed the Final Selection? That fast?!"
"Heh~ only natural."
"But what are you doing here?"
That's what I wanted to ask you! What are you doing here, you unit of measurement!
Staring at Asato, Takeo found himself wondering the exact same thing.
________
12 Advance chapters—P@treon/HornyFBI