What Takashi Natsume said was somewhat idealistic, and sounded like empty, as if anyone could say it.

——But it was not like that. Takashi Natsume had witnessed too many separations and reunions. The nature of the time gap between monsters and humans was huge. He could say such words because he had really experienced too much.

Every time, the cat teacher would complain that he was too easily fooled and didn't know how to be more vigilant, but when Takashi Natsume saw someone in need of help, he would still choose to help. Just like now. The words spoken by such a child brought a warmth to people that was completely different from those empty words.

Natsume Takashi sincerely believed this - even though he had never seen the other person (or not a human), this was the first time Natsume had seen such a warm power that represented protection, apart from the power he had seen in those gentle, god-like spirits.

Like the other half of a soul, it firmly protected the child in front of it, not wanting him to be hurt, not wanting him to be confused or sad - so now "he" was at a loss, not knowing what to do. Obviously,

the golden color did not have a form, but Natsume Takashi himself was also surprised that he could feel it so clearly. It was as if the connection between him and the child in front of him was deeper than he had imagined.

...Speaking of children, they should be about the same age, right? And the age of monsters can never be calculated using human years, so Natsume Takashi should not have called Tokimi like that. But intuitively, he always felt that this little monster who borrowed his face seemed not to have grown up yet.

Or, it was because he had experienced the separation of an important person, so he became like a child who had lost his protective shield and was no longer so stable.

Because the cat teacher had also transformed into his own appearance, he had encountered so many types of monsters, and as he watched, he no longer felt uncomfortable with faces that were exactly the same as his own.

Natsume Takashi sat next to the boy and didn't say anything - because people who have never experienced separation, people who have not truly experienced that kind of emotion, can't empathize with what they say.

Natsume Takashi also knew that at this time, the other person might not need comfort, and just letting him stay alone might be enough.

Although he knew it rationally, he still couldn't just leave it alone. So as time went by, the night grew darker, and the forest at night was always more dangerous.

But the cat teacher's behavior of lying not far from him gave Takashi Natsume enough sense of security.

Natsume Takashi could only be thankful that he had told Aunt Tagore in advance that he would not go back today, otherwise if he didn't go home at this time, Aunt Tagore and the others would be anxious.

I don't know if it's because they have been together for a while, but the monster next to him has felt less tense, but has relaxed a little, resting his chin on his knees, and his clear and quiet eyes slowly turned to him.

Shi Wu has already guessed that his vest is the boy in front of him, and he also knows his general personality and name.

But there was no mission, and his brother didn't say what he was going to do, so Shi Wu was a little confused. His brother said that staying in different worlds also consumes energy... But now that he stopped here, he didn't know what to do or say.

He couldn't waste energy, but he was worried that his self-willed actions would hurt his brother.

Shi Wu simply did nothing, and ended up dragging Natsume Takashi, who had always been with him, to the present time.

Try to talk about it? Shi Wu thought. Natsume Takashi has a unique temperament that makes people want to say all their problems, sorrows, and helplessness. It is a feeling that makes people friendly and trusting -

but where should they start?

Shi Wu thought for a long time before slowly saying the second sentence to Natsume Takashi.

"He..." How should he say it? Should he say that his brother did it to resurrect him? Should he say that those ghosts exist? Or should he say that it is the price he has to pay for not even thinking about it?

"He is just an ordinary person." Shi Wu made such an opening remark, and his eyes shifted again, not falling on Takashi Natsume.

"He is my family, a very important person..." Shi Wu did not know Takashi Natsume's identity and experience. He just wanted to say it suddenly, wanted to speak out, express his emotions, and wanted his brother who had been silent all the time to hear his thoughts.

"Someone told me, many people told me, that I am the descendant of someone very powerful, that I am different, and that I need my strength." That was the first time he met Madam Tianyin.

Madam Tianyin was the most beautiful person he had ever seen, like a fairy of a white birch tree.

But...

"He told me that I was just an ordinary person, the same as everyone else, an ordinary person with no use. He said that there was nothing special about me. I couldn't even protect myself, so how could I possibly protect others."

His brother always said these words to hit him.

"But this is not what he really thinks." He knew that his brother had always been very gentle.

"He just hoped... that I would not encounter danger. He would rather hide me, where no one would approach, where no danger would approach, and use everything he had to protect me."

Shi Wu blinked. After saying this, his mood was unexpectedly calm, as if he was telling another person's story. What happened

next? Next, they encountered a ghost, and the brother died. But at the moment of death, he asked the gods and Buddhas, who he did not believe in, to bless his younger brother, acknowledged his younger brother's gentleness and strength, and hoped that he would live a safe life.

Then, just as the lord and his friends judged, Tokito Muichiro did have a very strong fighting talent, and his joining gave the Demon Slayer Corps one more pillar.

He encountered many dangers, forgot his brother, and forgot his family, until he encountered a very scary demon, and when he was about to die, he remembered everything.

And then... he died too.

But the story did not end here. As if to fulfill his words before his death, his brother came back again, and protected him again in a way that Tokito had never understood.

In the past, protection was to hit with words to prevent him from going to dangerous places. Now protection is concealment, using everything he has, even small things like emotions, the brother also pays attention to all of them.

The only thing is that he did not admit his identity. He was unwilling to tell his brother all the truth.

Choosing and choosing, telling stories that don't involve the truth, Shiwu didn't expect any response, nor did he think that the other party would get the answer he wanted.

It's just... I suddenly want to tell someone. Obviously, he hasn't told these things to Tanjiro...

Maybe it's because Natsume Takashi is a stranger. To a stranger, these words can be said more naturally.

Natsume Takashi did not say those words of comfort that should be taken for granted, but revealed some real reactions from time to time as Shiwu spoke. After Shiwu finished speaking, he looked over gently, and under the moonlight, he said softly: "What do you want him to do?"

"Do you want an explanation?"

Shiwu thought about it seriously, and then shook his head, because his brother never needed his consent or explanation for anything he did.

Natsume Takashi's attitude was even softer: "Do you hope that he will stop protecting you and stop paying for you?"

This question is certain, and it is what Shiwu has always wanted to tell his brother before - but when Natsume Takashi said this, Shiwu was suddenly stunned.

...Don't you want your brother to protect you? He really shouldn't bother his brother, but why can't he answer this question affirmatively?

Natsume Takashi knew the answer. He never said anything offensive, but asked back: "Do you think that you are used to his protection and his dedication?"

Facing the confused face of the little monster who looked exactly like him, Natsume Takashi raised a faint smile at the corner of his mouth: "No."

"You just... hope that he can stay by your side."

Because they are twins who have been closely connected since birth, it is natural for them to protect each other. Because he is the older brother, the older brother has always protected himself. Because he is the younger brother, it is natural for him to hold his brother's hand.

If it weren't for an accident, they would never separate.

Tokito Muichiro would not refuse help from his brother, because Ichiro is his brother. But this contribution is never one-sided - because they are brothers, twins.

"You hope that you can face everything together. Whether it is good or bad."

Natsume Takashi's tone is like the moonlight now, lightly falling on Tokito.

"Go and speak your mind." Natsume Takashi watched the gold on the little monster in front of him suddenly become stronger, and after the stronger power than before surrounded the opponent, he knew that his goal had been achieved.

The boy who could see the monsters laughed: "He won't reject you."

"Just like you said. Because you are family."

Just like a dream, Natsume Takashi's encounters with many monsters are always like bubbles. After a brief encounter, it is a permanent separation.

The golden soul is as beautiful as the bubbles on the sea surface illuminated by the sun. Natsume Takashi watched the confused little monster disappear from his sight, stood up and stretched.

Then he glanced at the cat teacher who was about to fall asleep, and an obvious blue vein appeared on his head: "Hey! Fat cat! Wake up!"

"Who are you talking about being fat!" The cat teacher immediately jumped up and pressed on Natsume Takashi's fragile shoulders with his own gravity.

After letting Takashi Natsume feel the unbearable weight of life, Teacher Cat yawned, "Okay, let's go back, Natsume."

"Let's go back." Natsume Takashi smiled, and when he left that place, he asked with a little curiosity: "Come to think of it, I forgot to ask him why he wanted to transform into my appearance... I don't know if he has any relationship with Reiko's grandmother?"

Teacher Cat sneered again, mocking Natsume's ignorance. Natsume couldn't see it, could it be that Teacher Cat, who uses his sense of smell to distinguish humans, couldn't tell the difference?

- Stupid Natsume, the "monster" you mentioned is you.

Moreover, from the beginning, the other party seemed to be unable to hear his own voice. Teacher Cat thought thoughtfully.

"Ugh! Why did you hit me!" Teacher Cat suddenly wailed.

"Because your laughter really makes me angry, Mr. Cat?" Natsume Takashi responded as a matter of course.

"——Damn Natsume!! "

They quarreled all the way back home.