Demon Slayer: Muzan, will you dance too?

The eighth day,

As the first rays of morning sunlight pierced through the clouds, Qingchuanquan, dressed in tattered clothes and exuding an unpleasant odor, stumbled through a path overgrown with lush wisteria blossoms.

With a slight fever and a feeling of something stuck in her throat, Kiyokawa Izumi took heavy steps and walked slowly forward.

Looking around, I didn't see a single swordsman who was also participating in the selection.

Am I the first one to arrive here?

In the distance, a figure slowly appeared.

It appears to be a woman.

She wore a navy blue kimono, her figure was slender and tall, and she exuded an elegant temperament.

Who is this?

My sluggish brain was a little slow to react at this moment.

The person in front of me looked very familiar, but I couldn't remember who he was or what his name was.

Kiyokawa Izumi's gaze remained fixed on her as she gradually approached.

There was no other meaning behind it. Kiyokawa Izumi's eyes showed no desire whatsoever, not even a simple appreciation. He just stared blankly at her.

Even with such a poor physical condition, I wouldn't be able to think about anything else, even if a beautiful older woman appeared in front of me.

Who was it again?

Kiyokawa Izumi was breathing heavily, his whole body like an old machine, unable to handle even a little bit of work.

The woman in front of me had very fair skin, dignified and gentle features, and her purplish-black pupils were as dazzling as gemstones.

She had rare white hair, as smooth as a waterfall, with a few strands falling from her temples. Perhaps because she was traveling, a few beads of sweat could be faintly seen on her smooth forehead.

When Kiyokawa Izumi saw that signature low ponytail, she reacted almost instantly.

The woman before me is none other than the wife of the Demon Slayer Corps leader—Ubuyashiki Amane!

"I……"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qingchuanquan felt the world spinning around him.

Everything in front of me seemed to be spinning, and I felt dizzy.

He lost his balance and fell to the side.

I haven't finished saying what I wanted to say.

What he meant was, I don't want to join the Demon Slayer Corps!

There were no dramatic events, such as him falling on the master's wife. Ubuyashiki Amane was still some distance away from Kiyokawa Izumi. When she saw him fall, she quickened her pace, but ultimately failed to catch up.

Kiyokawa Izumi fell heavily to the ground and lost consciousness.

……

Butterfly House

Kiyokawa Izumi opened her heavy eyes, feeling that the whole world was blurry.

Where am I?

"A comfortable bed—this isn't my home!"

"It can't be another time travel story, can it?"

Kiyokawa Izumi instinctively tried to raise her hand, but found that her whole body was unable to move.

It wasn't that someone tied him to this bed.

Although he was conscious, his muscles were still paralyzed, which is why he was unable to move.

Simply put, it's what's commonly known as sleep paralysis.

Kiyokawa Izumi wasn't in a hurry. He just tried to lift his fingers, hoping that as long as he could move them a little, he could gradually awaken his whole body.

After a short while, he finally regained control of his body.

Kiyokawa Izumi slowly raised his arm, and perhaps it aggravated the wound on his shoulder, the sudden pain made him gasp.

"Would you like some water, Mr. Izumi?"

A gentle voice sounded in her ear, and Kiyokawa Izumi's gaze instinctively turned to look, only to be stunned.

The girl had medium-length hair that was as smooth as ribbons, and her hair was adorned with her signature purple butterfly hair accessory.

Her small, delicate face had well-proportioned features, and her pale purple eyes were like jewels.

Her skin was very fair and delicate, and the corners of her mouth were always slightly upturned, carrying a gentle smile. Upon closer inspection, one couldn't help but feel that something was a little strange.

Because it wasn't a genuine laugh; her eyes were clearly somewhat cold.

The girl was slender, much smaller than the average woman.

He was wearing the Demon Slayer Corps' standard uniform underneath, and a light haori draped over it, with black butterflies embroidered on the white background.

"She is... Shinobu Kocho?"

Why am I here?

"This must be the Butterfly Mansion?"

Kiyokawa Izumi felt a faint pain between his eyebrows.

The last breath I had been holding on to dissipated after the selection process. The slight fever in my body was not a sign that my markings were about to awaken; it was just that the mountain wind had made me a little feverish.

"Mr. Izumi?"

The girl tilted her head slightly, looking at Kiyokawa Izumi who had suddenly lost in thought with some confusion, a faint smile still on her delicate face.

"water……"

As Kiyokawa Izumi spoke, he struggled to his feet.

My muscles feel paralyzed; I can't muster any strength.

Not only that, it felt as if a huge rock was pressing down on my chest, making each breath slightly difficult.

I struggled to sit up, but a strange smell wafted towards me.

Shinobu Kocho smiled slightly, her fair hands holding a ceramic cup filled with medicinal soup, and spoke in a tone as if coaxing a child.

"Come on, open your mouth. When you're sick, you have to take your medicine obediently!"

"?"

Kiyokawa Izumi stared at her blankly, speechless.

Although the original owner was indeed young, he was not the original owner.

If I remember correctly, he was only eighteen years old when he died in battle.

In my past life, she was just a younger sister to me, right after graduating high school.

"obedient!"

Seeing Kiyokawa Izumi lost in thought again, Kocho Shinobu raised her eyebrows slightly and couldn't help but emphasize her tone a little.