I don't want to be an elf!

“Even if that demon has never eaten a human before, who can guarantee it won’t in the future?” Shinobu Kocho said. “Having compassion for demons is not a wise choice.”

“That’s right. The Demon Slayer Corps was founded to slay demons, and as a Pillar, you should lead by example,” Kyojuro Rengoku said. “If that demon goes berserk and harms others, can you bear the consequences?”

"If Nezuko commits murder, I can commit seppuku to atone for it."

"But your apology won't bring the dead back to life."

"..."

Seeing that Giyu Tomioka remained silent, Kyojuro Rengoku did not continue to question him.

Today's main character was abducted midway through the meeting, the Pillars meeting was canceled, and the others quickly lost interest as well.

Several pillars, some with disappointment and others with meaningful glances, gave Yoshiyuki Tomioka one last look before leaving.

"I remember you also have a younger sister, right?"

Just as Rengoku Kyojuro was about to leave, Tomioka Giyuu, who was standing still, suddenly spoke up.

Rengoku Kyojuro paused in his steps.

She turned to look at him, but he didn't answer.

"If, I mean if."

Giyu Tomioka remained calm, as if he were simply curious.

"If your sister also turned into a ghost, what would you do?"

Chapter Six: Qinli's Culinary Skills

After the Nine Pillars disbanded, Kyojuro Rengoku returned to his family mansion.

Upon opening the gate, he saw his younger brother, Rengoku Juro, sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard.

"Ah, good morning, brother."

Upon seeing Rengoku Kyojuro appear at the door, the boy, who bore an eight or nine-tenths resemblance to him, revealed a smile.

The genes of the Purgatory family are extremely strong; the three men, father and sons, are almost identical.

However, unlike them, the youngest, Juro Rengoku, did not inherit any of the genes for using breathing techniques or sword skills.

"My sister has already prepared breakfast, and it's in the living room."

"Is Kotori cooking today?"

"Yes, my sister said that since my brother has finally come back, he's going to show off his skills."

"Is that so? Then I'll have to look forward to Kotori's progress, haha!"

With that, Rengoku Kyojuro entered the mansion.

Watching his older brother's departing figure, Rengoku Juro muttered to himself, "My brother's constitution is so good, he should be fine, um, probably."

The Purgatory family never cooks on ordinary days.

All three meals a day are purchased from outside.

In this era, such expenses would be enormous for ordinary families, but not a problem for the Purgatory Family.

The Rengoku family has produced Flame Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps for generations, making them the only family that can be considered "hereditary" and holding an extremely high position within the Demon Slayer Corps.

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

As Rengoku Kyojuro entered the mansion, his nose twitched as he caught a whiff of the slightly burnt, fishy smell wafting from the kitchen.

"Hmph~ Hmph hmph"

Upon entering the room, he saw Kotori Itsuka, wearing an apron, humming an unknown tune while washing dishes.

"Oh! Brother, you're back?"

Sensing a familiar presence, Kotori Itsuka turned around and saw Kyojuro Rengoku leaning against the door: "I made my brother's favorite salt-grilled sea bream today~ Come and eat it while it's hot~"

Salt-grilled... sea bream?

Looking at the large pot of almost untouched dark purple food on the table, Rengoku Kyojuro's eyes revealed a hint of confusion.

"Where's the salt?"

"There wasn't any left, so I used sugar instead."

"Where's the sea bream?"

"There aren't any left, but squid is a fish too, right?"

Kyojuro Rengoku fell silent.

So, the only thing left that wasn't changed in this salt-grilled sea bream dish was the word "grilled"?

"Father and Shoulang, have they eaten?"

"Yes, but they only ate a little bit. They said it was my brother's favorite dish, so they left it for him."

After washing her hands and taking off her apron, Kotori Itsuka walked out of the kitchen and said with a happy smile, "It's rare for my brother to come home, so everyone wants to save the best things for him!"

Looking at the purplish-black food in the pot, the hesitation in Rengoku Kyojuro's eyes was replaced by determination.

This was made especially for him by Kotori, and his father and brother kept it for him.

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

Breathing technique: Full concentration? Normal concentration, full opening!

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

"thanks for treatment!"

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

"Is it delicious?" Kotori Itsuka asked expectantly.

"Delicious...probably."

The last two words were spoken in my heart.

After all, he had been holding his breath the whole time and hadn't chewed at all. He practically ate the whole pot of salt-baked sea bream as if it were poured into his stomach, without tasting a single bit of flavor.

You can't blame him for lying.

He remembered the last time Kotori Itsuka enthusiastically cooked dinner, and after he gave her honest feedback, he made her cry.

After that, his younger brother told him that from now on, no matter what dish Kotori Itsuka makes, it would be enough to just say it's 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 infected by her happiness, Rengoku Kyojuro's lips couldn't help but curl up slightly, even though the bitterness in his mouth still lingered.

One of the reasons he joined the Demon Slayer Corps was to enable his family to live a carefree life.

If he can protect his current life, then his sacrifice will have been worthwhile.

However, looking at Kotori Itsuka's retreating figure, the question that Giyuu Tomioka had asked earlier resurfaced in his mind.

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

He did not give Giyu Tomioka a definite answer.

Because he wasn't sure what choice he would make at that time.

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

Or perhaps you're unable to do it yourself and have to delegate it to other colleagues?

Kyojuro Rengoku sat at the dining table, a hint of confusion mixed in with his ever-straightforward expression.

But if, as Giyu Tomioka said, there really are demons in this world that don't eat people, and his sister just happened to become one of those demons...

He will probably hide Kotori Itsuka away so that no one knows about her.

"Perhaps, I can now understand a little better the decision that boy named Tanjiro Kamado made."

The thought that a pillar should never have crossed his mind flashed through his mind.

Kyojuro Rengoku shook his head, banishing the jumbled thoughts from his mind.

"Kotori, I won't be having lunch at home."

Standing up from his chair, Kyojuro Rengoku donned his haori again, put on his Nichirin Blade, and said earnestly, "The trial of the Pillars did not go smoothly, but that will not affect my work. Originally, I was planning to head to the next demon-slaying location after leaving headquarters, but considering that I don't know when I will be back, I decided to go home first to say goodbye to you all."

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

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

He has no time to rest, because every minute he rests increases the chances of those facing the evil spirits and their calamities being harmed.

Although I long to spend more time with my family, the sooner I set off, the more likely I am to protect a family that might be torn apart by a ghost.

"Are you leaving now?"

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

"Sorry, maybe next time."

Where is my brother going this time?

“Asakusa,” Kyojuro Rengoku replied, “There’s been a sudden increase in sightings of demons over there, and I need to go check it out.”

"Asakusa..."

Kotori Itsuka's eyes flashed with surprise, seemingly not expecting Kyojuro Rengoku to go to this place.

But she hid it well and no one noticed.

"Speaking of which, I have a pen pal in Asakusa. I've been thinking of going there to meet him recently. Could you come along with me on the way?"

Although she didn't think it was such a coincidence that Kyojuro Rengoku would meet Tanjiro Kamado in Asakusa.

But just to be on the safe side, she decided to stay by Rengoku Kyojuro's side.

He initially intended to refuse Kotori Itsuka's request.

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