Chapter 3 Yoriichi Tsugikuni
"Brother, may Yoriichi go in?"
The voice coming from behind the door was very familiar to Yan Sheng, so familiar that he subconsciously began to frown. He placed his hand on the door, slowly pulled it open, and stared directly at the man standing in front of him.
Brilliant and dazzling red
This was the thought that popped into Iwakatsu's mind the moment he saw Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Yan Sheng hadn't paid attention to the time before, and only now did he realize that it was already dusk. The afterglow of the setting sun fell perfectly upon this person favored by the gods.
His long, black, curly hair had red ends, just like Iwakatsu's. His face was identical to Iwakatsu's, the only difference being the flame-like markings on his forehead. The common samurai attire looked like bespoke luxury clothing on him, the most striking feature being the warm red haori that seemed to radiate sunlight.
Looking at the person in front of him who looked exactly like him but had no expression, Yan Sheng instinctively felt his stomach begin to cramp. The sudden nausea made him turn his head away.
"Come in."
Yan Sheng restrained himself from losing his composure, turned around and walked towards the low table, completely disregarding what the person behind him was thinking.
While reading the manga, Iwakatsu thought it might be a bit exaggerated. Now, experiencing it firsthand, I realize that Iwakatsu is quite a ruthless person. I almost couldn't hold back; just meeting him made me feel so uncomfortable, not to mention the scene in the original work that specifically mentions him feeling nauseous.
As expected of a noble scion from the feudal era. Both being from wealthy families who had been meticulously cultivated, Yan Sheng couldn't guarantee he wouldn't take action if he heard that someone he was jealous of had spoken of him at Versailles. Especially since the person had reached the point where he felt nauseous just seeing them.
"Brother, the lord said that you will accompany him on this mission."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni knelt opposite Iwakatsu, his red eyes staring straight at him without any emotion. Iwakatsu could even see his own reflection in those pupils.
"Yes, I already know."
Iwakatsu was a little embarrassed. He was an only child and didn't know how to get along with his younger brother, let alone someone he wasn't familiar with. Iwakatsu also couldn't recall any helpful scenes; it seemed every time the brothers interacted, it was incredibly awkward.
Yan Sheng lowered his eyes somewhat uneasily, feeling as if he could dig five rooms out of his toes, but he still couldn't think of what to say next.
"Brother, I've heard this mission is extremely dangerous. Please make sure you're well prepared."
When Jikuni Yoriichi spoke, it eased the awkward atmosphere and made Iwakatsu subconsciously look at him.
He still had that expressionless look, and his tone of voice was cold and devoid of any emotion.
"Okay, when do we set off?"
"We'll depart at 5 AM tomorrow."
Six o'clock? That's so early. Yan Sheng rarely woke up early after starting university; he mostly stayed up late. He rolled the paper while staying up all night, catching up on sleep during the day. He should be able to get up by now... Yan Sheng thought uncertainly.
"Brother?"
Yoriichi Tsugikuni looked at Iwakatsu, who was staring blankly again, and felt that his older brother was a little different today. Although he was still as noble and elegant as before, there was something different about him.
"Okay, I understand."
Iwakatsu snapped out of his daze, his hand unconsciously gripping the edge of his sleeve, feeling a little uncomfortable being stared at. Tsugikuni Yorimitsu's gaze was peculiar, perhaps related to the penetrating vision mentioned in the original work. This gaze always gave Iwakatsu the feeling of being seen through, in every sense of the word.
"..."
Ji Guoyuan stood up and pressed his forehead against Yan Sheng's. The burning heat made Yan Sheng shudder, and he instinctively stepped back, staring at the person in front of him in shock.
"What are you doing!!!"
Yoriichi Tsugikuni showed no change in expression, simply returning to his original seat and answering Iwakatsu with neither servility nor arrogance.
"Brother, you're acting strangely today. I'm wondering if you have a fever."
"Alright, I'm going to take a bath and rest now. You can go back now."
Iwakatsu stood up, his back to Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and began to tell him to leave. He had really been frightened just now; he had almost slapped him with a powerful punch.
"Alright, brother, then Yoriichi will take his leave now. Please get some rest."
Yoriichi Tsugikuni saw Iwakatsu's violently beating heart through the clear light and realized that his actions just now seemed to have been too reckless.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni knew that his older brother was a particular person who always cared about rules, so he usually accommodated his brother's words and actions.
After all, in Jikuni Yorimitsu's eyes, his brother had already suffered enough by following him to kill demons, and he wanted his brother to have a better life elsewhere.
"Um…"
Yan Sheng didn't turn around until he heard the door open and close, then he relaxed. He casually took off his samurai trousers and purple outer garment, then threw himself onto the prepared bedding.
"Ah, so comfortable, the blanket is so soft."
Yan Sheng had been traveling all day and was exhausted. The thought of having to get up early tomorrow made him feel depressed. "I'll take a shower later," Yan Sheng thought, staring at the ceiling.
"Honey, remember this mission!"
The sudden sound from 1008 startled Yan Sheng. He clutched his chest, feeling his heart pounding wildly, a mixture of frustration and irritation on his face. "Why do they all like to scare people? Are they trying to give me a heart attack?!"
"Okay, okay, I'll work hard when it's released."
Yan Sheng waved his hand and lay down like a salted fish. He was so tired; he didn't think he'd eaten anything all day. He'd take a bath later and then grab some snacks.
That night
After Yan Sheng finished everything and lay in bed, he couldn't sleep. His body was tired, but his mind kept wandering. Yan Sheng knew his old problem had flared up again. All he did all day was think about random things.
"Hey, Xiao Liu."
"What's wrong, honey?"
"Yeah, it's nothing."
"..." Honey, I hate people who only say half of what they mean.
Yan Sheng was still asleep; his original body's muscle memory-like biological clock still prevailed. The moon was round that night, and soft light shone in through the cracks in the window.
Meanwhile, in the west room.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni, dressed in a white undergarment, sat by the window, gazing at the only light source in the darkness. Unlike the other Demon Slayer Corps members, he preferred the night, even though demons could move freely under the cover of darkness.
But the moon is truly beautiful and gentle; it is precisely because it is too gentle that it is taken advantage of.
Yoriichi lowered his head, rubbing the smooth bamboo flute in his hands. The flute wasn't particularly fine; in fact, one could say it was quite rough, with small scratches on the surface, indicating the maker's less-than-stellar skill.
"Elder brother."
Since Kokushiro became the Moon Pillar, the two have never had the opportunity to go on missions together. Because both of them are very powerful, they usually go on missions separately with other weaker Demon Slayer Corps members, and most of the time they carry out missions alone.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni wanted to take this opportunity to get closer to his older brother. He even had a long talk with Rengoku, whose siblings all had a good relationship. Yoriichi was really looking forward to this mission.
I hope tomorrow comes soon.
Yoriichi thought to himself.
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