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Chapter Text

The next full moon was going to be the night of January 31st. 

Kimi was preparing to meet Kiroyuki. Kori Mountain wasn’t close to Kimi’s mansion, but it wasn’t incredibly far either. At top speed, Kimi could make it there in under a day. He was planning to leave the night of January 30th. 

However, the morning of January 30th, something unexpected happened. 

… 

Yuichiro woke up to the sound of someone coughing. It was Muichiro, who was in the bed next to him in the room they were sharing. 

“Muichiro? What happened? What’s wrong?” Yuichiro asked, worried. 

Yuichiro rushed to Muichiro’s side. Muichiro was sick, and he was struggling to breathe. He placed his palm on Muichiro’s forehead. His younger brother had a fever. 

Right then, there was a knock on the door. Yuichiro answered it. It was Rui. 

“What’s going on?” Rui asked. “Is everything okay?” 

“No, definitely not,” Yuichiro replied. “Muichiro’s sick. Go get Kazuyuki-san and Kimiko as fast as you can.” 

Rui left and went through the mansion searching for Kimi and Kimiko. 

Meanwhile, Yuichiro stayed with Muichiro. 

“Yuichiro…?” Muichiro wheezed. 

It was the first time this morning that Muichiro had spoken. His voice was very quiet. 

“Yes,” Yuichiro squeezed Muichiro’s hand tightly. “It’s me. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. Can you tell me how you feel?” 

“I feel really cold… but also really hot at the same time…” 

“Well, that’s to be expected from a fever,” Yuichiro thought, gritting his teeth. “I hate seeing him like this…” 

… 

“Kazuyuki-san! Kimiko-kun!” Rui called. 

Rui found Kimi and Kimiko in the downstairs area of the mansion, eating breakfast. 

“Rui? What’s wrong?” Kimi asked. 

“Kazuyuki-san… Kimiko-kun…” Rui took deep breaths. “Muichiro is sick!” 

The look on Kimi and Kimiko’s faces changed from confusion to genuine worry. 

“He’s sick!?” Kimiko gasped. 

Kimi and Kimiko followed Rui back to Muichiro and Yuichiro’s room. 

Muichiro was in bed, barely conscious. Yuichiro was sitting on his bed next to him, holding his hand tightly. 

Kimi checked Muichiro’s temperature. 

“Yes… he has a high fever,” Kimi said. “We must try to lower it immediately.” 

“What illness does he have?” Yuichiro asked, a tone of concern in his voice. 

“I’m not certain,” Kimi said, surprised. “I’ll have to look into it. Not many illnesses can survive in the Kazuyuki Mountains, so I’ll probably be able to find out quite quickly.” 

Kimi left and went to his office. Yuichiro, Kimiko, and Rui stayed by Muichiro’s side. 

Muichiro had fallen asleep now, descending into a feverish slumber that would hopefully lead to recovery for him. 

“It doesn’t matter what the illness is,” Yuichiro thought. “I’ll do whatever it takes to cure it.” 

… 

Kimi did some research to figure out what illness Muichiro had, and then he eventually concluded that Muichiro had caught a rare illness called Mountain Invasion. 

Mountain Invasion was an illness that attacked the lungs of its victims. It was a very rare illness. Most illnesses were not able to proliferate in the Kazuyuki Mountains, but it was one of the few exceptions. It was not contagious, but it was deadly to anyone who caught it. Those who caught it only had three days left to live. 

“Only three days…” Kimi thought. 

The only known cure was a special tea required to be brewed in a specific way, and to be composed of both tealberries and silverberries. The tea was potent enough that only a small amount of it was enough to completely cure a case of Mountain Invasion, but the ingredients, tealberries and silverberries, were very rare. They could only be found in the Kazuyuki Mountains, and even in the Kazuyuki Mountains they were still very well hidden and scarce. 

Kimi slammed his notebook closed in frustration. 

“I was planning to leave tonight so that I could meet Kiroyuki tomorrow night,” Kimi thought. “The fact that both of these things are happening at the same time… the timing couldn’t be worse.” 

Kimi hadn’t told anyone, not even Kimiko, Muichiro, Yuichiro, or Rui about the fact that he was going to meet Kiroyuki. He planned to tell them before he left, but he never intended to give them many details. 

However, Kimi had no choice but to entrust this information to Kimiko, Yuichiro, and Rui as well. Kimi couldn’t miss his meeting with Kiroyuki, but he also couldn’t let Muichiro die. He needed to find a way to do both, and so they needed to make a plan. 

… 

Kimi walked to Muichiro’s room. 

Rui was standing by the door. Muichiro was still in bed. Yuichiro and Kimiko were sitting beside him. 

“Kimiko. Yuichiro. Rui.” 

Kimiko, Yuichiro, and Rui turned to look at Kimi. 

“I would like to speak with you in my office.” 

Kimiko and Rui left the room. Yuichiro hesitated, but then got up and approached the door. He glanced at Muichiro again before leaving and going with the others to Kimi’s office. 

“What is it that you wanted to talk about?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Muichiro has Mountain Invasion,” Kimi said. 

Kimiko’s heart skipped a beat. 

“No…” Kimiko fell to his knees. “Not again…” 

“Kimiko, I know that this is especially hard for you to take in,” Kimi said. “We have to act quickly. Once someone gets Mountain Invasion, they only have three days left to live.” 

“HOLD UP,” Yuichiro said. “DID YOU JUST SAY THREE DAYS?” 

Silence. No one responded, but the solemn silence spoke volumes. 

“THREE FUCKING DAYS!?” Yuichiro yelled as loud as he could. 

“Mountain Invasion is not contagious, but very deadly,” Kimi said. “It’s a rare illness, one of the few illnesses that can proliferate in the Kazuyuki Mountains.” 

“This can’t be true,” Yuichiro seethed with preemptive grief. “It CAN’T. After everything we’ve been through, everything we endured, I’m going to lose him AGAIN? To an ILLNESS!? No. I already lost him once, and I made a solemn vow never to let anything like that happen again. He’s not going to die so soon, least of all to a FUCKING ILLNESS!” 

“There is a cure,” Kimi said. 

Silence. 

“Why didn’t you open with that?” Yuichiro asked, preemptive grief and rage dissipating. 

“The two key ingredients are impossibly rare,” Kimi said. “They can only be found in the Kazuyuki Mountains and are incredibly scarce even here.” 

“I don’t care,” Yuichiro said. “If there’s any way to save him I’m taking it. If there isn’t a way to save him I’m FINDING ONE.” 

“I feel the same way,” Kimiko said. 

“What are the two key ingredients in question?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Tealberries and silverberries,” Kimi replied. “The cure is a special type of tea composed of those two ingredients. The tea is potent enough that just a small amount will completely heal a case of Mountain Invasion.” 

“Okay, so we have to find tealberries and silverberries in under three days from now,” Yuichiro said. “Am I right?” 

“Yes… but… there is also something else,” Kimi said. “Kimiko, do you remember Kiroyuki?” 

Kimiko’s eyes widened. 

“There isn’t a single day I don’t remember him,” Kimiko said. “I was wondering what had happened to him after all this time.” 

“Who are you talking about?” Yuichiro asked. 

Kimi and Kimiko filled Yuichiro in on who Kiroyuki was. 

Kimi also then filled both Kimiko and Yuichiro in on the letter that he had received from Kiroyuki. 

… 

“I see,” Yuichiro said. “So, Kiroyuki came from the Kazuyuki Clan. He held the highest rank in Muzan’s hierarchy, upper rank 0. However, he’s on our side for whatever reason. You haven’t heard from him at all after the defeat of Muzan, as if he had completely disappeared from existence, until you received this letter telling you to meet him. Now you need to leave tonight in order to meet him tomorrow night. Am I correct?” 

“More or less, yes,” Kimi said. 

“Yeah, that complicates things,” Yuichiro sighed, thinking hard about what they could do. “But even then, what’s most important is Muichiro’s safety.” 

“I have to leave tonight, so we must come up with a plan to help Muichiro before then,” Kimi said. 

“Got it,” Yuichiro said. “I’ll search for the tealberries and silverberries.” 

“It’s… probably better if I do that,” Kimiko said. “As a member of the Kazuyuki Clan by blood, I have much higher cold tolerance than you do, not to mention I’ve learned many things about tealberries and silverberries so I will be more efficient in finding them. And… I know you want to stay by Muichiro-kun’s side.” 

“Yeah, you’re right… I really do,” Yuichiro admitted. 

“I don’t know how to make the tea, though,” Kimiko said. 

“There are instructions in here,” Kimi said, handing Kimiko his notebook. “I might be back by the third day, but I also might not. Do not wait for me, as Mountain Invasion will not wait for me either before taking Muichiro’s life. I do not know how long I will be gone for, as I do not know what is going to happen at this meeting, or what I am going to learn. However, if I am going to be gone for a long time, I will send you a message through Ko notifying you of that.” 

“I understand,” Kimiko said. “We have a plan?” 

“We do,” Yuichiro said firmly. 

… 

… 

… 

Kimiko wasted no time before leaving to search for the tealberries and silverberries. Yuichiro stayed by Muichiro’s side during that time. Rui did as well. 

… 

In Muichiro and Yuichiro’s room, Muichiro was still asleep. Yuichiro was sitting beside him on his bed, gently stroking his hair as he slept. 

Soon enough, he noticed Muichiro waking up. His eyes fluttered open, and he coughed a few times. 

“Yuichiro… what happened?” Muichiro croaked quietly. “Where are Kazuyuki-san, Kimiko-kun, and Rui-kun?” 

“Rui is here,” Yuichiro said. “As for Kazuyuki-san and Kimiko…” 

Yuichiro filled Muichiro in on the details of what he had talked about with Kimi and Kimiko. 

“I see… so I have Mountain Invasion,” Muichiro said. “Kazuyuki-san left on a journey to Kori Mountain… and Kimiko-kun is out in the mountains by himself searching for the ingredients for the cure.” 

“It’ll be fine,” Yuichiro pulled Muichiro into a hug. “Kimiko will return with the ingredients, and we’ll cure your illness.” 

Muichiro slowly nodded. 

“Until then, you should rest,” Yuichiro said. “Go back to sleep and save your energy for getting better.” 

… 

That evening, after dinner, Yuichiro heard a knock on the door of the room he was sharing with Muichiro. 

“Come in,” Yuichiro said. 

It was Kimi. 

“I’m here to let you know that I’m leaving now,” Kimi said. “It is nightfall. I need to leave now if I want to make it to Kori Mountain by tomorrow night.” 

“Okay,” Yuichiro said. 

After informing Yuichiro, Kimi left the mansion and departed for Kori Mountain. 

… 

Kimiko was searching for the tealberries and silverberries in the depths of the Kazuyuki Mountains. 

He knew it wouldn’t be an easy task, but he was determined to help Muichiro and wouldn’t return home until he found what he had set out to look for. 

It was nighttime, so Kimiko decided to set up camp for the night in a cave that he had found. 

… 

… 

… 

The next day, Kimiko continued searching for the tealberries and silverberries. 

Later that day, he was finally able to procure some of both. Kimiko was relieved that he was able to find what he needed, and wasted no time before heading back to Kimi’s mansion. 

… 

That night, Kimiko arrived at Kimi’s mansion and went straight to the room that Muichiro and Yuichiro were sharing. 

“Yuichiro! I found it!” Kimiko said. 

“You did? You found both the tealberries and silverberries?” Yuichiro asked, turning around. 

“Yeah,” Kimiko replied. 

“That’s amazing, Kimiko,” Yuichiro said. “We should make the tea right away.” 

“Yes,” Kimiko said. “I have my master’s instructions, so I’ll make the tea. You stay here with Muichiro-kun in the meantime.” 

“Yes, okay,” Yuichiro said. 

Kimiko left, while Yuichiro stayed with Muichiro. 

“Did you hear that? Kimiko found the ingredients, and he’s making the tea,” Yuichiro said, gently stroking Muichiro’s hair. “Like I said, everything is going to be okay.” 

Muichiro coughed. “That’s… good news. Kimiko-kun is amazing.” 

… 

Kimiko was down in the kitchen with the instructions. He boiled water, and dried the tealberries and silverberries. He mixed the dried berries together. He pulled a cup out of the cupboard, and poured the berries into it, along with a few pieces of mint, following the instructions. 

Then, Kimiko took the boiled water, and slowly poured it into the same cup. He then thoroughly mixed the boiling water in with the berries and mint. It wasn’t long before the water turned dark blue, indicating that the tea was done. 

“It’s done,” Kimiko thought. “Now I just need to bring this to Muichiro-kun.” 

Kimiko carried the cup with both hands, and slowly walked to the upstairs area of the mansion, and then to Muichiro and Yuichiro’s room. 

“Yuichiro? Could you open this door?” Kimiko asked. 

Yuichiro quickly opened the door, and Kimiko walked inside carrying the tea with both hands. 

“Muichiro-kun? I brought the tea,” Kimiko said. “You’ll need to sit up to drink it though.” 

Muichiro slowly sat up, facing Kimiko and Yuichiro. 

“Here’s the tea,” Kimiko said, handing the cup to Muichiro. “Drink the whole thing.” 

Muichiro slowly drank everything that was in the cup, and Kimiko took the cup back from him afterward. 

Yuichiro smiled. Muichiro was finally being cured and everything was going to be okay. 

“Take tonight to rest, and according to the notebook that my master entrusted to me, you should be completely back to normal tomorrow,” Kimiko said. “Yuichiro, are you able to keep an eye on him tonight again?” 

“Of course I am,” Yuichiro said. “I was already planning to do so.” 

“Yuichiro, Kimiko-kun, thank you for everything,” Muichiro said. “I do appreciate everything that you have done to help me.” 

“I’m happy I was able to help,” Kimiko said with a smile. 

“You don’t need to thank me, Muichiro,” Yuichiro said. “I’m your older twin brother. Taking care of you is my job.” 

Kimiko stayed with them a while longer, and then went to his room to go to sleep. 

… 

… 

… 

The next morning, Kimiko woke up to a strange sound coming from his window. He got out of bed and went to the window. It was Ko, Kimi’s lynx, trying to get in. 

Kimiko opened the window and let the lynx in. Ko had brought a letter from Kimi. 

Kimiko took the letter and opened it. It read: 

Hello, Kimiko Kazuyuki. 

I am writing to you because I am going to be gone for an indefinite amount of time. I know for sure, however, that it is going to be a long time. 

I have learned many things from Kiroyuki… from Kirokomi Kazuyuki… and I have embarked on a dangerous mission with him to ensure the events of the war between humankind and demonkind will never repeat itself. 

I will do my best to complete this dangerous mission AND return home safely, but I cannot guarantee that I will accomplish either. I wish for you, Muichiro, and Yuichiro to remain safe. I would tell you to take care of Muichiro, Yuichiro, Rui, and yourself, but I already know you will, because that is the kind of person you are. 

Sincerely, your master, Kimi Kazuyuki. 

… 

With the letter in his hand, Kimiko left his room and walked to Muichiro and Yuichiro’s room. 

He gently knocked on the door, trying to be as quiet as possible for Muichiro’s sake while also being loud enough for Yuichiro to know he was there. 

Yuichiro slowly opened the door. 

“Hi Kimiko,” Yuichiro said. “What’s going on?” 

“I received a letter from my master,” Kimiko replied. 

“You received a letter… from Kazuyuki-san?” Yuichiro asked, his eyes widening. 

“Yes,” Kimiko replied. 

Kimiko noticed Rui was in the room as well. 

“Good, so Rui’s here too,” Kimiko thought. “I can tell them both right now.” 

Kimiko filled Yuichiro and Rui in on what Kimi had told him in the letter. 

“I see,” Yuichiro said. “So he’s gone.” 

“For now,” Kimiko said, certain that Kimi would return. “How is Muichiro doing?” 

“He’s still sound asleep,” Rui said. 

“We shouldn’t wake him up,” Yuichiro said. “He’s still recovering.” 

“I agree,” Kimiko said. 

Kimiko, Yuichiro, and Rui walked to the downstairs area of the mansion and cooked rice for breakfast. They were eating when someone else entered the room. It was Muichiro. 

“Muichiro… you’re okay…” Yuichiro’s eyes widened. 

“Yeah, I’m feeling better today,” Muichiro replied. “I feel almost completely back to normal.” 

Yuichiro smiled and pulled Muichiro into a tight hug. “I’m so glad. You could’ve died.” 

“It was thanks to you,” Muichiro said. “Thank you so much.” 

“I… I don’t know what I would have done if I lost another person to Mountain Invasion,” Kimiko said. 

Yuichiro remembered the conversation that he’d had with Kimi and Kimiko. 

It had appeared that this situation was familiar to Kimiko. 

“Kimiko… what happened?” Yuichiro asked. 

Silence. 

“It’s… a long story,” Kimiko said. “We should sit down.” 

… 

The three of them sat down where Kimiko, Yuichiro, and Rui had been eating breakfast. 

Yuichiro and Rui continued eating his breakfast, and Muichiro got himself some breakfast to eat as well. 

They were all silent, until Kimiko spoke up. 

“I lost my parents to Mountain Invasion,” Kimiko said. 

“Really?” Rui asked. 

“Yeah,” Kimiko said. “You see… the cure for Mountain Invasion… it was only discovered a year ago. When I was 10 years old… my parents caught Mountain Invasion. I… witnessed their unfortunate deaths as they died only three days later. After that, I didn’t have anyone to turn to…” 

“Was that when Kazuyuki-san took you in?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Yes,” Kimiko replied. “I joined the demon slayer corps and became his tsuguko. I lived with him and trained under him since then, preparing to succeed him as Ice Hashira when and if he eventually died or retired.” 

“Kimiko-kun… I’m really sorry you had to go through that,” Muichiro said. 

“You don’t need to apologize,” Kimiko turned away. “It’s not your fault.” 

Silence. 

“There is something you should know about, though,” Kimiko said. 

“What is it?” Muichiro asked. 

“I received another letter from my master,” Kimiko said. 

“You did?” Muichiro asked. 

“Yes, this morning,” Kimiko said. “I already told Yuichiro and Rui-kun what it said, and I should tell you as well. It’s very important.” 

Kimiko filled Muichiro in on what Kimi had told him in the letter. 

“I see,” Muichiro said. “So… what are we going to do now? While we wait for him to come back?” 

“If he comes back at all,” Yuichiro said. 

“I don’t really know,” Kimiko said. “He only said to take care of ourselves and remain safe.” 

“Muichiro, you should take AT LEAST a few more days to rest since you were just sick,” Yuichiro said. “We’ll make a plan after that.” 

Kimiko, Muichiro, and Rui agreed. 

… 

The Kazuyuki Mountains were in the northwest corner of the known world. At the bottom of the Kazuyuki Mountains were fierce waters stretching as far as the eye could see. 

A while later, in this corner of the known world… 

…something, or rather, someone, was arriving to the known world just as Kimi and Kiroyuki were leaving it. 

Chapter Text

It was morning in the Kazuyuki Mountains. Yuichiro, and Kimiko were training outside in the snow, and Muichiro and Rui were watching them. 

“Ice Breathing, seventh form,” Kimiko breathed deeply. “Enshrouding winter snow!” 

“Mist Breathing, seventh form,” Yuichiro breathed deeply. “Obscuring clouds!” 

Snow and mist descended in the area simultaneously. Combined, the techniques were much more powerful, much more potent, and much more confusing. 

Muichiro and Rui clapped. 

“Huh?” Kimiko looked over at them. “Why are you clapping?” 

Muichiro and Rui continued clapping. 

“Hey!” Yuichiro said. “This isn’t a show!” 

“But it’s beautiful,” Muichiro pointed out. 

“Those two forms work so well together,” Rui said. “They look like they were made to go together or something.” 

“Well, I did base Mist Breathing’s seventh form off Ice Breathing’s seventh form,” Yuichiro said, sheathing his sword. “I think it’s safe to say that the two forms were very literally made to go together.” 

Kimiko smiled. “Yeah.” 

“We made him smile,” Yuichiro smirked. “Well, THAT’S a first.” 

“What do you mean?” Kimiko asked. “You’ve made me smile before.” 

“Not since Kazuyuki-san left,” Muichiro said. 

Silence. 

All four of them thought about what Muichiro had said. 

“I really hope he comes back safe,” Kimiko said quietly. 

“Yes,” Muichiro said. 

“Me too,” Rui said. 

… 

Later that night, Muichiro and Yuichiro were in their room, each of them lying in their respective beds. It had been a long while since the sun had set, and the moon was out. 

The room was silent, until Muichiro spoke up. 

“Yuichiro? Are you awake?” 

“Yeah. What is it?” 

“I’ve been thinking… how did demons come into existence in the first place?” 

Silence. 

“Muichiro… where’s this coming from?” 

“Well- I- I’ve just been thinking about this a lot. Humans turn into demons through getting blood from a progenitor demon. The progenitor demon we knew was… well… Muzan. But… how did Muzan become a demon? If he was the first demon, then he didn’t become a demon through the blood of another demon. He was created in a completely different way, but how?” 

“Good questions,” Yuichiro said. “It’s true that there’s too much that doesn’t make sense.” 

“I also have an unusual feeling.” 

“An unusual feeling?” 

“Yeah,” Muichiro said. “It’s hard to describe. It’s definitely not a good feeling, though. I think something bad is going to happen. Something really bad.” 

“Something really bad?” 

“Yeah.” 

Silence. 

“What could it be?” Yuichiro thought. “What’s left? All demons in the world are gone… aren’t they?” 

… 

“I made it to the known world,” Akuma thought. “Yes… this is it. Time to get to work.” 

There were no humans nearby at this time, and so Akuma looked for animals instead, but could not find any either. This part of the known world appeared to be entirely devoid of life. 

“There isn’t anything to eat here,” Akuma thought. “No humans is one thing, but I can’t even have animal blood. I’ll just have to move to a different location.” 

Akuma began traveling, his goal being to find the closest place in the known world with humans. 

… 

… 

… 

Everyone is gone. 

Everyone is dying. 

Loss is eternal. 

No one is safe. 

Everything you’ve known can and will change in an instant. 

Humanity is forced to run and hide forever. 

No one can escape. 

YOU CANNOT ESCAPE… 

… 

Muichiro woke up and immediately looked around. He was in his room. The moonlight shone through the window, making it bright enough to see everything that was in the room, but it was still very dark in the room. Anyone would be able to tell that it was clearly late at night. 

“Muichiro?” Yuichiro asked, half asleep. “Are you okay?” 

Muichiro didn’t respond. He was still processing what he’d seen. What he’d heard. 

Yuichiro was now fully awake. He sat up and looked at Muichiro. “You had a nightmare, didn’t you?” 

Silence. 

“Yes,” Muichiro finally replied. “How did you know?” 

“You look like you’ve been crying,” Yuichiro pointed out. 

Muichiro only then realized he had indeed been crying in his sleep. His face was wet with tears. 

Yuichiro sighed and opened his arms. “Come on.” 

Muichiro lay down with Yuichiro in his bed. Yuichiro held him in a gentle but firm embrace. 

“Muichiro… you don’t have to answer… but what do you remember from this nightmare?” Yuichiro asked. 

“I remember a voice.” 

“Again, you don’t have to answer, but what did the voice say?” 

Muichiro’s voice was shaking as he talked. “Everyone is gone. Everyone is dying. Loss is eternal. No one is safe. Everything you’ve known can and will change in an instant. Humanity is forced to run and hide forever. No one can escape. YOU CANNOT ESCAPE…” 

“How real did it feel?” Yuichiro asked, though from the way Muichiro was speaking, he already knew the answer. 

“Very real,” Muichiro replied. “Like reality itself.” 

Silence. 

“I’m going to count spiders,” Muichiro said. “Hopefully it will help me avoid nightmares again this time, just like last time…” 

“Okay, you do that,” Yuichiro said. “Good night, Muichiro.” 

“Good night, Yuichiro.” 

Muichiro soon fell asleep. Yuichiro was still thinking about the nightmare Muichiro had told him about. 

“It could just be a nightmare,” Yuichiro thought. “But… it could also be something more. I feel like it is, and it’s certainly possible…” 

… 

… 

… 

The next morning, Sanemi and Genya had finished packing their bags. 

All of the settlements everywhere outside of the Kazuyuki Mountains were suffering greatly from a mysterious illness. Theirs was no exception. In fact, it was one of the first to be taken over. 

“Come on,” Sanemi said. “It’s time to leave.” 

“I know, I just…” Genya sighed. “I wanted to say goodbye to the old place.” 

“There’s no time for sentimentality,” Sanemi said. “Everyone here is sick now and we’ll get sick too if we stay.” 

Genya slowly nodded. 

“Let’s go,” Sanemi said. 

“Where are we going?” Genya asked. 

“There’s a train station a ways north of here,” Sanemi said. “There we can take a train to get to Yamikura Village.” 

“Yamikura Village?” Genya asked. “That’s the name of the place we’re moving to?” 

“Yes,” Sanemi replied. “There’s no guarantee we won’t get sick there, but it’s more unlikely as the illness has not reached that village yet.” 

“Okay,” Genya said. 

Sanemi and Genya traveled to the train station. From there, they took a train to Yamikura Village. 

“It’s going to take a few days,” Sanemi said. 

“We’ll be here for a few days?” Genya asked. “In the train?” 

“Yeah,” Sanemi said. “Yamikura Village is pretty far, and it’s already expensive just to go there.” 

“How expensive?” 

“Expensive.” 

Silence. 

“We have to be willing to expend as much time and money as we need to be safe from the mysterious illness,” Sanemi said. “Otherwise… it’ll reach us too… and it’ll kill us.” 

Genya slowly nodded. He looked around at their surroundings, taking in the appearance of the inside of the train, where they were going to be for the next few days. 

“I wonder how they’re doing,” Genya said. 

“They?” Sanemi asked. “Are you talking about Yuichiro-kun, Muichiro-kun, and them?” 

“Yeah.” 

“Well, it sure has been a while. If the cat ever comes around, we can send them a letter through him.” 

“The cat? You mean Ko?” 

“Yeah, who else?” 

“He’s not a cat. He’s a lynx.” 

“Same thing.” 

“No, they’re different. I think…” 

“I don’t give a shit.” 

Genya looked out the window. He had taken the window seat while Sanemi had taken the aisle seat. 

“Do you think the lynx will still be able to find us even though we live somewhere completely different?” Genya asked. 

“Fuck if I know. He probably will, considering he can find pretty much anything.” 

“I remember Kimiko-kun saying something about it, but I can’t remember exactly what it was,” Genya said. “Do you remember?” 

“No, I sure don’t.” 

“It was something along the lines of Ko not relying on location to find people… and no matter where someone is, he’ll be able to find them if he’s met them before? Something like that…” 

Sanemi shrugged. “Maybe. Like I said, I don’t remember a thing.” 

“I wonder how he does it…” 

Genya watched the perpetually moving landscape outside of the train window. The train was moving quite fast, but the landscape looked like it wasn’t moving at all. It was the same vast green fields stretching as far as he could see. The midday sun was burning brightly overhead without a single cloud in the sky. There were some trees littered across the landscape, but most of them were small, scattered, and far away. The colors of everything were so vivid, it looked like something from a painting.

Chapter Text

A few days later, Sanemi and Genya made it to Yamikura Village. 

They had expected it to be very busy, but surprisingly, the village had a rather small population. 

“ It’s strange how little people are here, with how the illness hasn’t reached it yet, ” Sanemi thought. “ Well… not that I’m complaining. The less people the better. ” 

… 

Kimiko, Muichiro, Yuichiro, and Rui were at home. Rui was upstairs, while the other three were in the downstairs area. 

Muichiro was sitting in Yuichiro’s lap as Yuichiro brushed his hair, and Kimiko was writing in his journal. 

Yuichiro soon finished brushing Muichiro’s hair and pulled it into a ponytail for him. 

“I love it,” Muichiro smiled. “Thanks, Yuichiro!” 

“No problem,” Yuichiro said. 

“What should we have for dinner?” Kimiko asked himself. 

“You don’t have any ideas?” Yuichiro asked. 

“We could have rice again,” Kimiko said. 

“Furofuki daikon!” Muichiro said. 

“Yeah, okay,” Kimiko said. “I have no objections. We have no ingredients, though.” 

“I’ll go get them,” Yuichiro said. 

“Can I come?” Muichiro asked. 

“I guess, if you want to,” Yuichiro said. 

“Okay!” Muichiro said. 

“I’ll stay here,” Kimiko said. 

While Kimiko stayed inside, Muichiro and Yuichiro left Kimi’s mansion and set off to find the ingredients for their dinner, furofuki daikon. 

Kimiko was alone when he heard noises coming from the front door. 

When he went to see who it was, he saw that it was Ko. 

He opened the door and let the lynx in. 

Ko walked over to Kimiko and stared him in the eye. 

“Ko?” Kimiko asked. “What’s going on?” 

… 

“What!?” Kimiko yelled. “Are you serious!?” 

“ A mysterious illness, ” Kimiko thought. “ It’s been spreading through the populations of many settlements in many places, both big and small. The amount of people it’s been killing is doubling rapidly. It’s contagious and incredibly dangerous, killing anyone who gets it in a very short time. It looks like it can survive anywhere but the Kazuyuki Mountains. The worst part is that the illness can’t be identified by anyone. It’s completely unknown. ” 

“Ko, are you sure?” Kimiko asked. 

Ko stared at him. 

“Yeah, okay, I get it,” Kimiko said. “I’ll have to tell Muichiro-kun and Yuichiro as soon as they get back.” 

… 

“Okay, that’s everything,” Yuichiro said. “We can go back now.” 

On the way back, they passed by the origami store. Muichiro immediately went over to it and looked through the window. 

“Wow!” Muichiro said. 

“Muichiro,” Yuichiro said. “We just got origami paper.” 

“Not THIS origami paper!” 

Muichiro pointed at a new package of paper. They had never seen it before, despite going to the store multiple times. It was clear that they had just added it. 

“Could we please get it?” Muichiro asked. “Please?” 

Yuichiro wanted to refuse but he made the mistake of looking Muichiro in the eyes and wasn’t able to say no. He couldn’t say no to Muichiro’s pleading blue eyes… 

“Okay, fine,” Yuichiro said. 

They went inside and bought the origami. The origami store was very colorful inside. They primarily sold blue, black, and white origami paper with ice motifs, but occasionally had other kinds of origami from other places as well. The origami that had caught Muichiro’s eye was a package with different mist patterned origami paper. 

After paying for it, they went back outside. Muichiro was holding the package of origami paper in his hands. 

Since it was a brand new type of origami paper, it had been rather expensive, but Yuichiro didn’t care so long as Muichiro was happy, which he was. 

Soon enough, Muichiro and Yuichiro returned to Kimi’s mansion. 

“We’re back,” Yuichiro said. 

Kimiko looked over at them. He wore an expression of concern on his face. In the downstairs area with him was Ko. 

“What happened?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Ko left the Kazuyuki Mountains, and while he was out, he found out something really alarming,” Kimiko replied. 

“What did he find out? Tell us already!” Yuichiro barked. 

Kimiko explained to them what Ko had informed him of. 

“Holy shit,” Yuichiro said. “That IS serious.” 

“You were able to understand all of that?” Muichiro asked. 

“Yes,” Kimiko replied. “I learned from my master how to communicate with Ko through experience.” 

“Cool,” Muichiro said. 

“We need to focus on what we’ve learned, though,” Kimiko said. “What should we do? What could this mysterious illness be?” 

“I don’t know, but it’ll wipe out all of humanity at this rate,” Muichiro said. “Outside of the Kazuyuki mountains, anyway.” 

“Yeah,” Kimiko said. 

“It doesn’t sound like there’s anything we can do, though,” Yuichiro said. “Furthermore, leaving the Kazuyuki Mountains would mean we could end up with the illness.” 

“Yeah, you’re right,” Kimiko said. “What about you guys? Did you get the ingredients?” 

“We did,” Yuichiro replied. 

“We also got some cool origami paper,” Muichiro said, holding up the package he was carrying. “They have a new kind now, and it’s mist patterned!” 

“Cool!” Kimiko said. 

Muichiro proceeded to take some of the paper out of its package and started happily folding it. Yuichiro smiled seeing him happy. 

Soon enough, it was time for dinner. They made furofuki daikon together and ate it together. Rui came down for dinner and Kimiko told him what he’d told Muichiro and Yuichiro. 

“Kimiko-kun, I have a question,” Muichiro said. 

“What is it?” Kimiko asked. 

“You said the mysterious illness can survive anywhere except the Kazuyuki Mountains, and that it’s very contagious and deadly, right?” 

“Yes,” Kimiko replied. 

“Well, we’re safe here, since we’re in the Kazuyuki Mountains, but what about Genya and Sanemi nii-san?” 

Silence. 

“Yeah, they’re out of the Kazuyuki Mountains,” Kimiko said. “And the mysterious illness has most likely taken over the population of their settlement by now.” 

“I think we should send them a letter to try and make sure they’re doing okay,” Muichiro said. 

“Good idea,” Rui said. 

“We’ll do that after dinner,” Yuichiro said. 

After eating dinner, Muichiro and Yuichiro wrote a letter to Genya and Sanemi. 

It read: 

Hi Genya and Sanemi-san. 

We heard about the mysterious illness, though we don’t know much from inside the Kazuyuki Mountains. 

Is it as bad as he says? Is it not as bad? Is it even worse? 

Has the mysterious illness taken over your settlement now? Are you both okay? 

Sorry if we’re asking too many questions, but we’re worried. 

Sincerely, Muichiro and Yuichiro. 

“There,” Yuichiro said. “Look good?” 

Muichiro nodded. 

Muichiro and Yuichiro gave the letter to Ko, who left with it, and then soon went to bed. 

… 

Akuma was in the Kazuyuki Mountains. Soon enough, he reached the top of a mountain where he could see the Kazuyuki Clan’s city. 

“ It seems all that travel time paid off, ” Akuma thought. “ However… I can sense these humans are powerful. Very powerful. I would certainly not be able to defeat them if I wandered into their city. ” 

Akuma looked around. 

“ Perhaps I should go somewhere else… ” Akuma thought. “ These mountains are too cold for me anyway… I should leave if I want to stay alive. ” 

Akuma decided to find a way out of the Kazuyuki Mountains. 

“ I’ll find humans to devour elsewhere, ” Akuma thought. “ I’ll come back here afterward, but first, I have to get stronger. And that will start with a good feast. ” 

… 

… 

… 

The next morning, Sanemi and Genya were eating breakfast when Ko entered their home through the window and gave them the letter. Sanemi took the letter and read it. 

“What does it say?” Genya asked. “Who’s it from?” 

“It’s from Muichiro-kun and Yuichiro-kun,” Sanemi replied. “Here, you can read it.” 

Sanemi passed the letter to Genya. He read it. 

It read: 

Hi Sanemi-san and Genya. 

We heard about the mysterious illness, though we don’t know much from inside the Kazuyuki Mountains. 

Is it as bad as he says? Is it not as bad? Is it even worse? 

Has the mysterious illness taken over your settlement now? Are you both okay? 

Sorry if we’re asking too many questions, but we’re worried. 

Sincerely, Muichiro and Yuichiro. 

“Wow,” Genya said. “They sound really worried.” 

“Little do they know we had to move from our old settlement to avoid getting the illness,” Sanemi grumbled. 

“We should send them a letter telling them that,” Genya said. “Telling them we’re fine.” 

“Yes,” Sanemi said. 

Sanemi and Genya wrote a letter back. 

It read: 

Hi Muichiro-kun and Yuichiro-kun, we got your letter. 

It’s probably as bad as he said if not even worse. We had to leave our settlement just to escape the mysterious illness. Our settlement was one of the first to be taken over, actually. We live in Yamikura Village now. The village beside the Kurayami Forest. I guess the upside is that we live closer to the Kazuyuki Mountains now. 

How do you even know what Ko says though…? He’s a Lynx…? 

Never mind that. I guess the important thing is that yes, we are okay. I presume you’re okay too, since the illness… you know… can’t exist in the Kazuyuki Mountains. 

Sincerely, Sanemi and Genya. 

“There,” Sanemi said. “Look good?” 

“Yeah,” Genya nodded. “We should send it now.” 

Sanemi gave the letter to Ko, who then left and went to deliver it to Muichiro and Yuichiro. 

… 

Akuma had made it out of the Kazuyuki Mountains and through the surrounding tundra. He had made it into a warmer region with many human villages and settlements. 

One that caught his eye from far away with its bright lights and activity was Ushinatta Village. 

“ It looks like there’ll be a lot of humans there, ” Akuma thought. “ I should go there. ” 

… 

Blood, flesh, and organs flew everywhere as Akuma slaughtered all the villagers in Ushinatta Village. He didn’t care to plan for the attack, be subtle, or leave any humans alive. 

“ None of the humans in this village are worthy of being turned into a demon, ” Akuma thought. “ However, they will certainly serve as good fodder for me to feast on. With this many, I’ll certainly be able to fill my stomach. ” 

Akuma devoured all of them. The village was huge, but he ate all of the humans and didn’t leave anything behind. Not even bones. The only evidence of the many villagers he’d slaughtered and eaten was the unnerving amount of leftover blood staining the ground red, as well as their screams that could be heard even outside of the village. 

“ How long has it been since I’ve had such a magnificent feast? ” Akuma thought, licking the human blood off his fingers. “ I don’t think I’ve ever gotten to eat this well in my entire life. ” 

Suddenly, Akuma felt… weird. He felt like he was getting dizzy. 

“ What’s… that smell? ” Akuma thought. 

Akuma smelled something that smelled like human blood, but… different. 

“ What is this? ” Akuma thought, his vision blurring. 

Most human blood simply smelled appetizing, but this smelled intoxicating. Addicting, even. It smelled like the kind of thing that, if he tried it once, he wouldn’t be able to live the rest of his life without having it every day. 

“ I have to find where this is coming from, ” Akuma thought. 

Akuma concentrated to find out where the smell was coming from. 

“ It’s pretty far from here, ” Akuma thought. “ It’ll take a few days to get to… whatever this is. ” 

Akuma headed out of Ushinatta in the direction of the smell. 

“ I have to taste this human blood, ” Akuma thought. “ I’ll travel as far as I have to. ” 

Chapter Text

The next evening, Kimiko, Muichiro, Yuichiro, and Rui were eating dinner. They were eating furofuki daikon, as they still had some. 

They heard noises from the front door. 

“It’s probably Ko,” Kimiko said. 

Kimiko stood up and went to get the door. Indeed, it was Ko, with a message from Genya and Sanemi for Muichiro and Yuichiro. 

Kimiko took it and brought it back to Muichiro and Yuichiro, who then read it together. 

It read: 

Hi Muichiro-kun and Yuichiro-kun, we got your letter. 

It’s probably as bad as he said if not even worse. We had to leave our settlement just to escape the magic illness. Our settlement was one of the first to be taken over, actually. We live in Yamikura Village now. The village beside the Kurayami Forest. I guess the upside is that we live closer to the Kazuyuki Mountains now. 

How do you even know what Ko says though…? He’s a Lynx…? 

Never mind that. I guess the important thing is that yes, we are okay. I presume you’re okay too, since the illness… you know… can’t exist in the Kazuyuki Mountains. 

Sincerely, Sanemi and Genya. 

“Are they okay?” Rui asked. 

“Yeah,” Yuichiro replied. 

“Though they had to move to Yamikura Village to get away from the illness that took over their settlement,” Muichiro said. 

“Yamikura Village?” Rui asked. “Isn’t that the village near the Kurayami Forest?” 

“It is,” Kimiko said. 

… 

Later that night, Muichiro and Yuichiro were in bed. 

“Muichiro… remember that weird feeling you had a while ago?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Yeah,” Muichiro replied. 

“Do you also remember the nightmare?” 

“What about them?” 

“Do you think they might have something to do with the mysterious illness?” 

Silence. 

“Maybe. But… it still feels like it’s foreshadowing something that hasn’t happened yet.” 

“Something that hasn’t happened yet?” 

“Mhm.” 

“Well shit,” Yuichiro said. “What could possibly be worse than the mysterious illness spreading everywhere but the Kazuyuki Mountains and killing off so much of the human population?” 

“I don’t know.” 

“Humanity definitely doesn’t need any more problems right now,” Yuichiro said. 

“Yeah,” Muichiro agreed. “I hope it’s nothing.” 

… 

The closer Akuma got to Yamikura Village, the stronger the smell became. Akuma could already feel it intoxicating him. 

“I need it,” Akuma thought. “I need it right now.” 

Soon enough, Akuma arrived at Yamikura Village. Within seconds, he had traced the smell to a small house at the edge of the village. 

… 

Sanemi woke up in the middle of the night. 

“What was that?” Sanemi thought. 

He looked around, sensing something strange. 

“It’s like… that’s… no, it can’t be!” Sanemi thought. 

He grabbed his nichirin sword, conveniently by his bedside, and shook Genya awake. 

“Sanemi…?” Genya mumbled, still half asleep. “What’s going on…?” 

“There’s a demon!” Sanemi whisper shouted. “Get up!” 

“Demon!?” Genya yelled. “But how!?” 

“I don’t know either, but it’s here and it’s getting closer! We have to kill it! Where’s your gun!?” 

Genya frantically looked around. “I think it’s still packed!” 

“SERIOUSLY!?” 

“I THOUGHT WE KILLED MUZAN AND THERE WEREN’T GOING TO BE ANY MORE DEMONS OKAY!? I EVEN CONSIDERED GETTING RID OF IT COMPLETELY AFTER-” 

“OKAY I GET IT!” Sanemi cut Genya off. “Just stay here! I’ll handle it!” 

Sanemi left the house while Genya stayed inside. 

“It’s good that you came outside, that’ll make this a lot easier,” said a voice. “My name is Akuma, by the way.” 

Sanemi looked around. He saw a demon approaching him. This demon had white hair and glowing red eyes, and wore white and red clothing. 

“So it’s YOUR blood,” the demon said. “The addicting, strong, intoxicating blood I could smell from far away.” 

“The marechi blood, you mean?” Sanemi asked. 

“I know not what it’s called, only that I must have it for myself.” 

“You do realize you have to kill me first, right?” 

“I do.” 

“How do you even exist?” Sanemi asked, tightening the grip on his sword. “Muzan is gone. We killed him. All demons in the world should be gone. Why are you still alive?” 

“Muzan?” Akuma asked. “Is he another progenitor demon?” 

“No,” Sanemi thought. “This… is this… ANOTHER progenitor demon? Is this demon completely unrelated to Muzan?” 

Sanemi didn’t want to believe any of it, but his instincts told him that the demon standing in front of him was, indeed, another progenitor demon. 

That, and Sanemi wasn’t strong enough to defeat him. 

… 

“Wind Breathing, first form. Dust whirlwind cutter!” 

Genya was still inside the house. He heard Sanemi and Akuma fighting outside. 

“Wind Breathing, second form. Claws purifying wind!” 

“I have to do something to help,” Genya thought. 

Genya frantically searched through his bags, looking for his gun. 

“Found it!” Genya thought. 

… 

“You’re good,” Akuma said. “Here I was thinking all humans could do was scream and helplessly run away in fear.” 

“If that’s true, you must not have come across many humans,” Sanemi said. “And you certainly never came across the demon slayer corps, while they existed!” 

“Demon slayer corps?” Akuma asked. “That sounds interesting. But even if you’re stronger than the other humans I’ve come across, you’re definitely not strong enough to defeat me. However, you HAVE forced me to use my blood demon art.” 

Akuma clenched his fists tight enough that his sharp nails pierced the skin of his palm, drawing blood. 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said. “Blades of blood!” 

Akuma attacked Sanemi, hardening and weaponizing his blood to attempt several striking attacks. 

“Wind Breathing, third form,” Sanemi breathed deeply. “Clear storm wind tree!” 

Sanemi managed to block almost all of the blood attacks coming at him, but he was cut by some of them. Blood dripped out of his wounds onto the ground. 

Akuma lunged at Sanemi, attempting to slice him with his claws. He was moving much faster this time, and Sanemi was not able to block the attack. 

“I avoided what would’ve been a fatal attack, but he still managed to strike me,” Sanemi thought. “He’s gotten faster. But… shouldn’t he be getting slower? The smell of my marechi blood is supposed to slow demons down, not make them faster. What in the hell is going on here!?” 

“Wind Breathing, fourth form,” Sanemi breathed deeply. “Rising dust storm!” 

Sanemi tried to put some distance between himself and Akuma, but failed to do so. 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said. “Death!” 

“Death…?” Sanemi thought. 

Sanemi tried to take a step back but tripped. 

“Shit,” Sanemi thought. 

Akuma brandished a dark red weapon made from solid blood. He nearly stabbed Sanemi through the chest when he was interrupted by a gunshot, as well as a bullet hitting his neck. 

He looked to see where the bullet had come from. Genya was standing in front of the house, holding a gun. He shot Akuma’s neck a few more times with the gun. 

Genya’s shots all hit, but none of them managed to take Akuma’s head. 

“What?” Genya thought. “None of them worked? His neck must be really tough…” 

“What is that?” Akuma asked. “I’ve never been hit by one of those things before. What is it?” 

Genya’s distraction gave Sanemi the chance to escape. He picked himself up and held his sword in front of him, prepared to continue fighting. 

“It’s a gun,” Genya replied. “You’ve never seen a gun?” 

“I have not,” Akuma said. “Many swords, but no guns. I have to say, it looks like an interesting weapon.” 

Akuma turned away and prepared to engage in battle with Sanemi again. 

“Still, I’m not interested in fighting you.” 

“Why!? Is it because you think I’m weak!?” 

“You don’t have the blood I want.” 

“Wind Breathing, fifth form,” Sanemi breathed deeply. “Cold mountain wind!” 

Sanemi slashed Akuma several times. Akuma avoided the attacks and attacked back using his blade. They both suffered injuries, though Akuma regenerated immediately, and Sanemi did not suffer any serious ones. 

Genya continued shooting Akuma with his gun. This time, he hit his arm, and managed to sever it. However, unlike a sword, the gun didn’t make a clean cut, and so it took Akuma a moment longer to regenerate. 

“You’re so annoying,” Akuma said. “Fine! If you want to fight me that badly, fine!” 

Akuma turned his attention to Genya. 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said. “Blades of blood!” 

Akuma released several cutting attacks toward Genya using blades created from his flesh. 

SLASH. 

THUD. 

Genya’s right arm was sliced off. It hit the wall of the house behind him, then slid and hit the ground, leaving a trail of blood. 

“Wind Breathing, seventh form,” Sanemi breathed deeply. “Gale sudden gusts!” 

Sanemi jumped into the air and rained several forceful attacks down on Akuma from above. Akuma’s right hand was cut off, but he regenerated it immediately. 

Sanemi continued to fight Akuma. Genya looked over at his arm behind him, and Akuma’s former right hand on the ground in front of him. 

“Wait,” Genya thought. “What if…” 

“NO!” Sanemi noticed Genya staring at the severed hand. “Genya, don’t you even think about it!” 

“But-” 

“No buts! Not again! Just go back inside and stitch up your wound!” 

“But I could reattach my arm completely AND keep fighting!” 

“I SAID NO!” 

“Please! I want to fight, but he’s way stronger than us! This is the only way! Not to mention… I could do it even without your permission! I’m my own person! I’m my own person and I want to help you! I don’t want to sit around waiting for-” 

“FINE!” 

Genya picked up Akuma’s hand and shoved it into his mouth. He tried to eat it as fast as possible without thinking about the fact that it was… well… someone’s hand. 

When he was done, he grabbed his right arm and slowly reattached it to his body where it belonged. He then prepared to continue fighting Akuma. 

… 

Sanemi and Genya were losing the battle against Akuma. Genya had gotten his limbs sliced off multiple times and was only able to reattach them through consuming Akuma’s flesh. It was the only reason he was even still alive. 

Sanemi had gotten his left arm sliced off, and unlike Genya, he could not consume demon flesh and therefore could not reattach it. 

“You can only get so far with one arm,” Akuma said. 

“I’ll kill you with no arms if I have to!” Sanemi yelled. 

“We’ll see about that.” 

“Shut up!” 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said. “Death!” 

“I’ve got to block it,” Sanemi thought. “I have to-” 

SLASH. 

Genya was sliced into a million pieces of flesh that flew everywhere. They then crumbled to dust, like the flesh of a demon, as Genya had consumed demon flesh, leaving nothing behind. 

“What…?” Sanemi thought. “What… just…” 

“You were both so sure I was going to attack you,” Akuma said. “You worried about how to block the attack you thought was coming at you, while your brother only tried to divert my attention to him.” 

“No,” Sanemi thought. “Genya’s… dead? After everything? Muzan died already… we weren’t supposed to lose more people! But since then, Kokushibo died from the curse of the demon slayer mark, so many people have died from the mysterious illness as it continues spreading and killing more people, and now Genya’s dead too!” 

“Okay, now we can finish without having to worry about him,” Akuma said. “I can’t wait to drink your marechi blood!” 

“IN YOUR FUCKING DREAMS!” 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said. “Blades of blood!” 

“Wind Breathing,” Sanemi breathed deeply. “Black wind mountain mist!” 

Sanemi blocked Akuma’s blood blades and attacked with a fast uppercut slash. 

Akuma dodged and then attempted to land a counterattack with his claws. 

“Wind Breathing, eighth form,” Sanemi breathed deeply. “Primary gale slash!” 

Akuma was hit by several attacks, though he regenerated immediately. 

“I’m getting real tired of this,” Akuma said. “I’m having fun dragging this out, as it’s more enjoyable this way, but at the same time I really just want to drink your blood already!” 

“That damn bastard… he’s been dragging the fight out!?” Sanemi thought. “Damn him! Damn him to hell! I’ll force him to use his full power if I have to!” 

“Wind Breathing, ninth form,” Sanemi breathed deeply. “Idaten typhoon!” 

“This better work,” Sanemi thought. “It’s the only form I have left!” 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said. “KILL!” 

“A third blood demon art!?” Sanemi thought. “This is-” 

Sanemi’s thoughts were cut off by a long red blade made from blood piercing through his chest. Large amounts of blood poured out of his wound as he died. 

“Finally,” Akuma thought. “I can finally feast… on this seemingly magical human blood.” 

… 

Akuma devoured all of Sanemi’s flesh, making sure none of the blood went to waste. 

“It’s so good,” Akuma thought. “I want so much more.” 

He looked in the direction of the Kazuyuki Mountains. 

“I feel many times stronger now,” Akuma thought. “I’m almost ready to go back to those mountains. I think I’ll kill and eat the other villagers here first though. I might as well eat them all. It’s not like there are very many humans in this village, anyway.” 

… 

After eating the other villagers, Akuma felt as strong as ever. He headed back in the direction of the Kazuyuki Mountains. 

“Okay,” Akuma thought. “Now for those humans from the city in those mountains… I’m going to turn them into demons… or kill them trying!”

Chapter Text

The next morning, Yuichiro woke up early. He looked over at Muichiro, who was still sleeping peacefully. 

Careful not to wake his little brother, Yuichiro got up silently, left their room, and shut the door quietly. 

“WHAT!?” someone yelled from the downstairs area, making Yuichiro jump. 

Yuichiro rushed downstairs, ready to beat the shit out of whoever it was for yelling so early in the morning. 

It was Kimiko, standing by the front door. He was with Ko, who appeared to have just entered the mansion through the front door. 

And Kimiko was… crying? 

“What happened?” Rui asked, descending the stairs into the downstairs area. “What’s wrong?” 

Kimiko didn’t respond. 

“Kimiko, what’s going on?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Sanemi-san and Genya are dead.” 

Yuichiro felt like someone had punched him in the stomach. 

Dead? 

DEAD!? 

“They’re what…?” Yuichiro asked, shocked. 

“Dead,” Kimiko repeated. 

“Yeah, I heard you,” Yuichiro said. “But… how?” 

“They were killed by a demon,” Kimiko replied. “Ko told me.” 

Silence. 

“That’s not possible,” Rui said. “Muzan is-” 

“I KNOW THAT!” Kimiko yelled. 

Silence. 

“I told Ko the same thing,” Kimiko said. “Muzan is dead. All demons should be gone. But he insists that Sanemi-san and Genya were killed by a demon. And not just that, but… a progenitor demon.” 

Silence again. 

“A progenitor demon?” Yuichiro asked. “Then… some other human on earth became a progenitor demon?” 

“Most likely,” Kimiko said. 

“Sanemi nii-san and Genya are dead,” Yuichiro thought. “They’re… gone forever.” 

“I’m going upstairs,” Yuichiro said. 

… 

“None of this is fair,” Yuichiro was sitting on his bed, thinking. “NONE OF IT!” 

Suddenly, Yuichiro heard someone talking. The voice was quiet, but he could hear it. 

“No…” 

It was Muichiro, talking in his sleep. He appeared to be having a nightmare. 

“Sanemi nii-san… Genya… please don’t die…” 

Yuichiro jolted. No one had told Muichiro about their deaths. He hadn’t woken up yet, and Ko had just arrived with the news. However, it sounded like he was watching them die in his dream. 

Muichiro was crying now. “Please… I don’t want to lose anyone else I care about…” 

Yuichiro felt like someone shattered his heart into a million pieces. He hated seeing Muichiro cry. 

“Muichiro… I’m sorry,” Yuichiro thought. “I would wake you up and tell you it’s just in your dream, but… it’s not just in your dream. Sanemi nii-san and Genya are really dead. I don’t know how you’re dreaming about this when we haven’t even told you yet, but… no, I can’t think about that right now.” 

Yuichiro clenched his fists. 

“Killing Muzan was supposed to end all of this awful pain, death, and suffering. Why are people still dying? Where did the mysterious illness come from? Where did the new progenitor demon come from? Why do they have to exist? I wish it would all just go away.” 

Yuichiro looked over at Muichiro, who was still crying in his sleep. 

“Why must good, kind, innocent people always be suffering?” 

… 

Kimiko and Rui were downstairs. Rui was eating breakfast. Kimiko hadn’t eaten breakfast, but he wasn’t hungry. He was only thinking about what he’d heard from Ko. 

The downstairs area was silent, until Yuichiro came downstairs. 

“Kimiko. Rui.” 

“Yeah?” Rui asked. 

“What is it?” Kimiko asked. 

“Did Ko tell you anything else about the progenitor demon?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Um… I didn’t question him about it further,” Kimiko replied. “Why?” 

“We have to kill it.” 

“What?” Kimiko asked. 

“I said we have to kill it.” 

“I heard you, but… please elaborate.” 

“WE. HAVE. TO. KILL. THE. DEMON. NOW. IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH.” 

“The progenitor demon?” Kimiko asked. “We have no clue where he is or what-” 

Yuichiro looked Kimiko in the eye. His fists were clenched, and he wore a solemn look on his face. Kimiko could sense his malice, hatred, and murderous intent toward the new progenitor demon. 

“Understood,” Kimiko said. “Ko?” 

Ko walked over to them. 

“Could you tell me anything else about the progenitor demon?” Kimiko asked. 

… 

“I see,” Kimiko said. 

“What did he say?” Rui asked. 

“The demon has white hair and glowing red eyes, and wears white and red clothing,” Kimiko said. “He has three blood demon arts. The first is called “blades of blood”, which is where he hardens and weaponizes his blood for several striking attacks. The second is called “death”, where he brandishes a dark red weapon made from solid blood. The third is called “kill”, where he uses a long red blade made from his blood. His name is Akuma.” 

“I didn’t need to know its name, or if it even had a name, but thanks for the rest of the info,” Yuichiro said. “Now let’s go beat its ass and send it to hell.” 

“Wait,” Kimiko said. “I think Ko has one more thing to say.” 

… 

“Huh,” Kimiko said. 

“What is it?” Yuichiro asked. “WHAT IS IT?” 

“We might not have to go find him after all,” Kimiko replied. “It sounds like he’s coming here.” 

“Well, that’s good news,” Yuichiro said. 

“To think he’s coming to the Kazuyuki Mountains… and that he’s planning on specifically targeting the Kazuyuki clan…” Kimiko sat in thought. “Either he’s overconfident, or he’s just that strong. He might be that strong, considering he’s a progenitor demon. But then again, I’m sure we can handle him. We’re going to have to be able to.” 

“Even if we’re not able to, we’re still going to,” Yuichiro said. 

“That doesn’t even make sense,” Rui said. 

“Shut,” Yuichiro put a finger to his lips. “It doesn’t need to.” 

Kimiko, Yuichiro, and Rui all stopped talking when they heard someone else coming downstairs. 

It was Muichiro. 

… 

“What are you guys talking about…?” Muichiro mumbled, still half asleep. “What’s going on?” 

Kimiko, Rui, and Yuichiro exchanged glances. 

“Muichiro…” Yuichiro started. “Ko came back with some pretty bad news this morning.” 

Muichiro froze. He’d had a nightmare about Sanemi and Genya dying, but… 

“No,” Muichiro thought. “It was just a nightmare. It didn’t happen in real life. It… it couldn’t have happened in real life.” 

“What… happened?” Muichiro asked, dreading the answer. 

“Muichiro-kun,” Kimiko took a deep breath. “Sanemi-san and Genya are dead.” 

No. 

NO. 

NO! 

Muichiro was left speechless. 

“They… they were killed by a demon,” Kimiko said, looking down at the floor. “Ko told me.” 

“How…?” Muichiro asked. “Muzan…” 

“I know,” Kimiko said. “Muzan is dead. All demons should be gone. But he insists that Sanemi-san and Genya were killed by a demon. And not just that, but a progenitor demon.” 

Kimiko explained to Muichiro what they knew about Akuma, but Muichiro could not retain the information. He hadn’t been able to pay much attention at all since he learned Sanemi and Genya had died, which was the beginning of their conversation. It was all he could think about. 

“The demon has white hair and glowing red eyes, and wears white and red clothing,” Kimiko said. “He has three blood demon arts. The first is called “blades of blood”, which is where he hardens and weaponizes his blood for several striking attacks. The second is called “death”, where he brandishes a dark red weapon made from solid blood. The third is called “kill”, where he uses a long red blade made from his blood. His name is Akuma.” 

“You know… I had a nightmare about this last night,” Muichiro said quietly. “Them getting killed by a demon. The demon looked the exact same as you just described, and used the same blood demon arts.” 

Silence. 

“Muichiro… to tell you the truth… I remember hearing you talk in your sleep,” Yuichiro said. “I wondered how you were dreaming about it when you didn’t even know yet.” 

“It felt real… but when I woke up… I knew in my brain it couldn’t be, since Muzan was killed and all demons were eradicated from this world,” Muichiro looked down. “There was a part of me that thought it might be real, but that was the irrational part of me. At least, it was supposed to be. I thought it was… I didn’t think this was going to be real… but… I guess it’s true. They’re… gone forever.” 

Yuichiro approached Muichiro and pulled him into a tight hug. 

“Muichiro… I’m really sorry this happened,” Yuichiro said softly. “But we’re going to destroy the demon. The demon is coming here soon, as it plans on targeting the Kazuyuki Clan. We’ll take revenge for Sanemi nii-san, Genya, and everyone else the demon killed. I promise.” 

Muichiro slowly nodded. 

“I’m going upstairs to go back to sleep,” Muichiro said. 

… 

“Sanemi nii-san… Genya… they’re gone forever,” Muichiro thought. “It wasn’t just a nightmare. They’re really dead and they’re never coming back. They’re gone forever. Just like Mom and Dad. Just like Grandpa. Just like everyone we lost. Gone forever.”

Chapter Text

A few days later, when Akuma made it through the tundra and began ascension into the Kazuyuki Mountains, the mysterious illness vanished completely, as if it was never there. 

Kimiko, Muichiro, Yuichiro, and Rui soon heard about the disappearance of the illness through Ko. 

“Just what in the hell is going on here!?” Yuichiro yelled. “This mysterious illness no one’s ever seen or even heard of suddenly shows up, spreads and infects more than half the human population, kills a whole lot of people, and then up and disappears one day like it never even existed!?” 

“That pretty much sums it up, yeah,” Kimiko said. 

“Is it possible the illness was some kind of… well… magic?” Muichiro asked. 

“Elaborate,” Yuichiro said. 

“I don’t know, it just felt really… magical,” Muichiro shrugged. “The illness, I mean.” 

“You might be onto something,” Kimiko said. “It certainly didn’t behave the way any normal illness would.” 

“Huh,” Yuichiro said. 

“Either way, I feel like this is the calm before the storm,” Kimiko said. 

“The calm before the storm?” Muichiro asked. 

“Yeah,” Kimiko replied. “As in, the illness disappeared but something much worse is going to happen soon enough.” 

“Something much WORSE?” Yuichiro asked. “Something worse than an incurable illness spreading everywhere but the Kazuyuki Mountains and killing off a ridiculously large percentage of the population?” 

“Yes,” Kimiko replied. 

“Holy shit,” Yuichiro said. “This is serious.” 

“We’ll need to stay on our guard,” Kimiko said. 

“I agree,” Yuichiro said. 

“Me too,” Muichiro said. 

“Yes,” Rui said. 

… 

Akuma was in the Kazuyuki Mountains, heading to the city where the Kazuyuki Clan lived. 

By nighttime, he had gotten very close. 

“Okay,” Akuma thought. “I’ll definitely need a plan.” 

… 

Everyone is gone. 

Everyone is dying. 

Loss is eternal. 

No one is safe. 

Everything you’ve known can and will change in an instant. 

Humanity is forced to run and hide forever. 

No one can escape. 

YOU CANNOT ESCAPE… 

… 

Muichiro woke up, opened his eyes, and sat up. 

“It’s that nightmare again,” Muichiro thought. 

Kimiko looked around. He was in the room he was sharing with Yuichiro, just like before he went to bed. Yuichiro was there too, in his bed. 

“Just a nightmare,” Muichiro thought, breathing a sigh of relief. “At least… that’s what I want to believe…” 

“Muichiro?” Yuichiro asked, sitting up. “What’s wrong?” 

“It’s that nightmare again,” Muichiro replied. 

“The one about Sanemi nii-san and Genya dying?” 

“No,” Muichiro shook his head. “The other one.” 

“The one with the voice? From before?” 

“Yes.” 

“Did you try counting spiders?” Yuichiro asked. 

“I did,” Muichiro replied. “I don’t know why, but… it didn’t have any effect. The nightmare is still somehow making it into my mind.” 

“Well, just try to go back to sleep,” Yuichiro said. “And… do tell me if there’s any way I can help.” 

“Okay,” Muichiro lay back down. “Good night.”

“Good night, Muichiro.” 

… 

Yuichiro didn’t get to sleep for long before something woke him up. 

It was the unmistakable presence of a demon. 

“It’s here,” Yuichiro thought. 

Yuichiro got out of bed, grabbed his sword, and headed for the door. 

“I’ll be back soon, Muichiro,” Yuichiro glanced at Muichiro before leaving. “I promise.” 

Yuichiro shut the door, hurried downstairs, and left the house, looking for the demon. 

The night was still, and dark. 

He didn’t have to look for long before he found Akuma, the demon he was looking for. 

“You sensed my presence?” Akuma said. “Good. We can skip the introductions, then.” 

“Did you kill Sanemi Shinazugawa and Genya Shinazugawa?” Yuichiro asked, though he already knew the answer. 

“Who are they?” Akuma asked. 

Yuichiro’s blood boiled with rage. “YOU DON’T KNOW WHO THEY ARE!?” 

“Am I supposed to?” 

“YOU KILLED THEM!” 

“Do you have any idea how little that narrows it do-” 

In an instant, Yuichiro’s sword was at Akuma’s neck. Akuma only barely managed to dodge. 

“That was a good attack,” Akuma said. “If I hadn’t dodged, you most certainly would’ve taken my neck.” 

“Shut up,” Yuichiro said. “I don’t need validation from someone like you.” 

“Someone like me?” Akuma asked. “Who would that be?” 

“A worthless demon who’s killed hundreds of humans,” Yuichiro spat. 

“Sanemi nii-san and Genya’s killer,” Yuichiro thought. “Someone who made Muichiro cry…” 

“Mist Breathing, first form,” Yuichiro breathed deeply. “Low clouds, distant haze!” 

Yuichiro thrust his sword forward, attempting to impale Akuma. Akuma jumped into the air, avoiding the attack. 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said. “Blades of blood!” 

Akuma attacked Yuichiro with his weaponized blood strikes from above. 

“Mist Breathing, sixth form,” Yuichiro breathed deeply. “Lunar dispersing mist!” 

Yuichiro managed to slice up all of the blades coming at him. 

“Mist Breathing, fourth form,” Yuichiro breathed deeply. “Shifting flow slash!” 

With incredible speed, Yuichiro rushed toward Akuma with his sword in an attempt to land a counterattack. Akuma dodged the attack by moving backward, putting some distance between him and Yuichiro. 

“Would you like to become a demon?” Akuma asked. “You’re quite strong. I’d say you’re very much worthy of becoming one.” 

“Hell no, fuck you.” 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said. “Death!” 

“Using your second blood demon art already?” Yuichiro thought. “That might be a mistake…” 

Akuma attacked Yuichiro with the weapon from his blood demon art. 

“Mist Breathing, third form,” Yuichiro breathed deeply. “Scattering mist splash!” 

Yuichiro deflected the weapon. 

“Mist Breathing, fifth form,” Yuichiro breathed deeply. “Sea of clouds and haze!” 

Yuichiro rushed toward Akuma and attempted to decapitate him with his sword. His sword reached Akuma’s neck, but Akuma disappeared and then appeared farther away from them. 

“You reached my neck,” Akuma said. “It seems I really will have to take this seriously.” 

“You better take it seriously,” Yuichiro glared at Akuma. 

“I will,” Akuma thought. “In fact, instead of saving it for later, I’ll use my third blood demon art now.” 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said. “Kill!” 

… 

Kimiko was sleeping, when something woke him up. 

However, it was not a nightmare, or anything internal. 

Something woke him up externally. 

“A demonic presence!” Kimiko thought. “And it’s really close by!” 

Kimiko got out of bed, grabbed his sword, and headed to the room Muichiro and Yuichiro were sharing. However, when he opened the door, he noticed Yuichiro had already left. 

“He went to face the demon alone,” Kimiko thought. “There’s no doubt about it. I have to help him!” 

Kimiko went downstairs and left the house through the front door, heading out to search for Yuichiro and Akuma. 

… 

Mist against blood. 

Blue against red. 

Demon slayer against demon. 

Yuichiro’s blue demon slaying nichirin katana met Akuma’s demonic red blade of blood in their one on one battle. 

That was, until someone else arrived. 

“Ice Breathing, sixth form. Permafrost!” 

Kimiko slammed his sword into the ground, creating ice that trapped Akuma. 

“Kimiko?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Yuichiro… why didn’t you wake me up?” Kimiko asked. “Why didn’t you wake me up when you sensed the demonic presence?” 

“I didn’t think to,” Yuichiro replied. “All I could think about was destroying the demon as soon as possible. I guess I also wanted to take him on my own.” 

“You should’ve come to get me,” Kimiko said. “I can understand if you don’t want to put Muichiro in danger, but you should at least tell me.” 

“Muichiro?” Akuma asked. “Who’s that?” 

Yuichiro glared at Akuma. “Not your business. Shut up and fight me.” 

“US,” Kimiko said. “Fight US.” 

“Mist Breathing, second form,” Yuichiro breathed deeply. “Eight layered mist!” 

Yuichiro pursued Akuma and attacked him with eight fast movements, landing some attacks on him but missing his neck. 

“So, who is Muichiro?” Akuma asked. 

“Like hell I’m telling you,” Yuichiro said. 

“Ice Breathing, first form,” Kimiko breathed deeply. “Crescent moon frost!” 

Kimiko performed a beautiful crescent shaped attack. Akuma deflected the attack with his blood blade while also dodging to avoid getting hit. 

“Mist Breathing, seventh form,” Yuichiro breathed deeply. “Obscuring clouds!” 

“Good idea,” Kimiko thought. 

“Ice Breathing, seventh form,” Kimiko breathed deeply. “Enshrouding winter snow!” 

A heavy snowfall combined with a heavy mist descended in the area. 

Akuma could no longer see Yuichiro and Kimiko or where their attacks were coming from. 

Akuma attempted to disperse the mist with his blade but failed to do so. 

“They’re good,” Akuma thought. “REALLY good. I have to use my new technique. Judging by how they seem to think of this Muichiro person, it will undoubtedly work on them. The ice kid even said something about the mist kid not wanting to put this person in danger. I’ve never used this blood demon art before, but there’s a first time for everything.” 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said. “Shifter!” 

“A fourth blood demon art!?” Yuichiro thought. “Ko didn’t mention anything about a fourth one… what is he doing!?” 

“Human beings are weak,” Akuma thought. “A big flaw in their species is the care they hold for one another. This blood demon art will exploit that.” 

Akuma stared intensely at Yuichiro. 

“So Muichiro is his twin,” Akuma thought. “His identical twin brother, I see… well, in that case, it shouldn’t be too hard to replicate him.” 

Akuma shifted his appearance to look like Muichiro. 

Yuichiro froze. 

“What… the hell… did you just do?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Judging by how much he cares about Muichiro, it’ll be significantly harder for him to kill me, even though he knows I’m not actually his brother,” Akuma thought. “In that case-” 

At what appeared to be the speed of light, Yuichiro unhesitantly drove his sword through Akuma’s chest. Akuma’s concentration broke, and he reverted to his normal appearance. 

“WHAT!?” Akuma thought. “Impossible! It was supposed to make him hesitate more, not less!” 

“Don’t EVER insult him by trying to mimic him like that,” Yuichiro said, his words laced with malice. “Did you really think I would hesitate just because you looked like him? You’re fucking unbelievable. Don’t try to hide behind his appearance. I will NEVER let ANYONE impersonate him. Now… let’s get to the part where I kill you already.”

Chapter Text

Muichiro opened his eyes and woke up. 

“Yuichiro?” Muichiro asked, sitting up. 

When Muichiro looked over at the other bed in the room, he noticed Yuichiro wasn’t there. 

Then, Muichiro sensed the presence of a demon. 

“A demon…” Muichiro thought. “He went to fight it, didn’t he? That must be it.” 

Muichiro got out of bed and grabbed his sword. 

“I have to help him,” Muichiro thought. 

Muichiro headed downstairs and left the mansion. He didn’t have to look for long before he found Yuichiro, Kimiko, and Akuma. 

… 

“Muichiro?” Yuichiro asked, a look of concern on his face. “What are you doing here!? Go back to the mansion!” 

“I want to help!” Muichiro said. 

“Kimiko and I have got this!” 

Akuma looked over at Muichiro. “You must be his twin. Your name is Muichiro, is that correct?” 

“Hey! Pay attention to me!” Yuichiro yelled. “Leave him out of this!” 

Kimiko and Yuichiro were getting tired. They both attacked Akuma at the same time, but he was able to avoid the attacks. 

“Hmm? What’s this?” Akuma asked. “Could it be… you used to be a demon? And a powerful one too…” 

“Mist Breathing, first form,” Muichiro breathed deeply. “Low clouds, distant haze!” 

Muichiro thrust his sword forward, attempting to impale Akuma. 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said, jumping into the air. “Blades of blood!” 

“Mist Breathing, third form,” Yuichiro breathed deeply. “Scattering mist splash!” 

Yuichiro stepped in front of Muichiro and deflected the attack, sending it back at Akuma. 

“Ice Breathing, fifth form,” Kimiko breathed deeply. “Freezing blade!” 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma said. “Death!” 

Kimiko’s sword was extended with ice, making it longer and heavier to enhance the quality and power of his attacks. He then swung his sword at Akuma as fast as he could. 

Akuma evaded the attack while also deflecting it with the weapon from his blood demon art. 

“Muichiro, tell me, why did you turn back into a human?” Akuma asked. “And would you like to become a demon again?” 

“None of your concern, and no,” Muichiro said firmly. 

“But… I don’t see why you would’ve wanted to go back to being a human,” Akuma said. “Humans are inferior in every way possible.” 

“You’re wrong!” Yuichiro yelled. 

“Muichiro-kun! Yuichiro!” Kimiko called. “Move back!” 

Muichiro and Yuichiro did what Kimiko told them, not quite sure what he was planning to do. 

“Ice Breathing, eighth form,” Kimiko breathed deeply. “Ice imbuing thrust!” 

Kimiko focused all energy on the tip of his sword. It extended with ice and was strengthened greatly. Then, he used it to attack Akuma and managed to land a hit on him. Akuma regenerated, but Kimiko managed to weaken him. 

“Okay,” Kimiko thought. “I’ve got to put everything I have in this attack… even if just to weaken him so Muichiro-kun and Yuichiro can take his head!” 

“Ice Breathing, ninth form,” Kimiko breathed deeply. “Ice imbuing cut!” 

Kimiko focused all energy on the blade of his sword. It extended with ice and was strengthened greatly. Then, he used it to attack Akuma and managed to land a hit on him again, weakening him further. 

Kimiko felt the exhaustion hitting him. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious. 

“Kimiko-kun… thank you!” Muichiro thought. 

“Mist Breathing, seventh form,” Yuichiro breathed deeply. “Obscuring clouds!” 

Muichiro followed suit. 

“Mist Breathing, seventh form,” Muichiro breathed deeply. “Obscuring clouds!” 

A heavy mist descended in the area. Yuichiro and Muichiro had combined their techniques to make the mist even heavier and more disorienting. They both attacked Akuma, and Akuma had no idea where their attacks were coming from. 

“It’s this again,” Akuma thought. “Except… it’s even worse.” 

Akuma thought about what to do. Then, he finally had an idea. 

“Blood demon art,” Akuma whispered. “Kill.” 

… 

Suddenly, Akuma performed several attacks that caught Muichiro off guard. Yuichiro was able to see and avoid them thanks to his transparent world, but Muichiro was not able to. He was cut across the chest and collapsed onto the ground, blood spilling from his wound and dyeing the snow red. 

“Muichiro, I can assure you that you will be grateful to me later,” Akuma thought. “You will have absolute power. A demon is superior to a human in every way possible, and… your potential is infinite. You’ll go far…” 

… 

“MUICHIRO!!!!!!!!!!” 

… 

All Yuichiro could see was red. 

Seeing Muichiro being attacked and harmed triggered intense anger and hatred to surface from deep inside of him. 

It was just like the night Muichiro died. 

No… if anything, it was even worse. 

Way worse.

Chapter Text

Muichiro was in an endless void, surrounded by nothingness. He could not see, hear, or touch anything. 

“Muichiro.” 

Muichiro didn’t know where the voice was coming from, or who was speaking. The voice seemed to come from all around him, and it echoed, even though there was no clear surface for it to echo off. He did not recognize this voice at all. It wasn’t Yuichiro’s voice. It wasn’t Kimiko’s voice. It wasn’t Kokushibo’s voice. It wasn’t Rui’s voice. It wasn’t Kimi’s voice. It wasn’t Muzan’s voice. It wasn’t his mother’s voice, or his father’s voice. The voice did not belong to anyone he knew. 

“Muichiro.” 

Muichiro wondered where the voice was coming from, as well as who it belonged to. 

“Do not be afraid. I do not wish to cause you any harm.” 

The voice was deep, yet soothing. They spoke with a gentle tone, almost like they didn’t want to scare Muichiro away. It was almost… hypnotizing. 

“What do you want?” Muichiro finally spoke. 

His words echoed throughout the void, just like that of the voice. 

“I simply wish to speak with you.” 

Suddenly, the environment surrounding Muichiro changed. The void disappeared, and was replaced with a field. It was midday, and the field was sunny without a cloud in the sky. Muichiro could feel the sunlight, but it wasn’t scorching. It was just… warm. He found it surprisingly pleasant. However, that wasn’t the most surprising thing about the new environment. 

The field was littered with many strange blue flowers. They were all in full bloom, their blue petals thriving under the light of the midday sun. 

There was someone standing in front of Muichiro, and this person was beautiful. He had bright blue hair and eyes matching the color of the fully bloomed flowers, and wore an elegant white yukata that shone like snow in the sunlight. It was the source of the voice. 

“How do you like the new environment?” he asked. 

“It’s nice,” Muichiro replied, looking around. 

“That is good to hear,” the man said. 

Muichiro avoided looking the man directly in the eye. When he had first done so, he found it hard to look away again. This man’s eyes were mesmerizingly beautiful, but in a way that made Muichiro feel… unsettled. He looked at the ground instead. Or the flowers. Or the field. Or the sky. Anywhere else, really. 

“Who are you?” Muichiro asked, looking at the ground. 

“A friend.” 

From the way he responded, it was clear he wasn’t going to reveal his name or anything else, at least not at that moment. 

“How did you know my name?” Muichiro asked. 

“We are in your subconscious right now,” the man gestured to the surrounding area. “It’s quite simple, really. I know everything you know.” 

Muichiro was taken aback by this statement. Everything he knew? 

“Does that mean this environment is built from my subconscious as well?” 

“No… not quite,” the man replied. “This environment is an exception… it was created from my subconscious. From my memories, to be exact.” 

“From your memories?” 

“Yes. You see… this place exists in the real world, though not in the world you know. I chose to grace your subconscious with its presence.” 

Muichiro slowly nodded. He didn’t understand half of what the man was saying, but he felt that he wouldn’t understand even if he asked for a further explanation. 

“You said you wanted to speak with me. What did you want to speak about?” 

“Cutting to the chase, I see. Well, if you wish to begin, then we can begin.” 

The man waved his hand and a gazebo made from polished white wood appeared beside them in the field. 

“Allow us to take shelter from the sunlight first. Then, I will tell you what you wish to know.” 

… 

“Yuichiro.” 

“Yuichiro!” 

“YUICHIRO!” 

… 

Kimiko’s voice grounded Yuichiro, helping calm him, even if just a small amount. 

“Yuichiro! He’s dead! You killed him!” 

Yuichiro looked down at himself. He was covered in blood. 

Though… it wasn’t his blood… 

All the snow in the surrounding area was covered in blood as well, though none of it was human blood. 

“Good, you’re back,” Kimiko said, squeezing Yuichiro’s hand. 

Yuichiro didn’t respond. He tried to remember what happened. 

Everything went red. Before that, though… 

“Muichiro,” Yuichiro said. “Where… where is he?” 

“Over there,” Kimiko pointed at Muichiro, who was lying down on the snow, unconscious. “His wound wasn’t that bad. It only LOOKED bad. Thankfully, I was able to patch up his wound before he lost TOO much blood, but he might be unconscious for a while.” 

“Thank you… for helping him,” Yuichiro said. 

Yuichiro tried to walk over to Muichiro, but he nearly tripped and fell over. Kimiko caught him. 

“Don’t overdo it,” Kimiko said. “I’ll help you walk.” 

“If I wasn’t so fucking exhausted, I’d pummel you for telling me something like that,” Yuichiro said. 

“What, for telling you not to overdo it?” Kimiko asked. 

“Yeah,” Yuichiro said. “I’d beat you if you weren’t right.” 

Kimiko laughed. 

With Kimiko’s help, Yuichiro soon made it to where Muichiro was, and sat down beside him. 

“Muichiro, we did it,” Yuichiro thought. “We killed him. I’m really sorry you got hurt. Please heal and wake up soon.” 

They noticed the sun was coming up. 

“Sunrise already,” Kimiko said. “We need to get home.” 

“I agree,” Kimiko said. “I’ll carry Muichiro back.” 

“No, I’ll do it,” Yuichiro said. 

“You sure?” 

“Yes. My head feels clearer now. I can do this.” 

“But, like I said just now, you shouldn’t over-” 

Yuichiro cut Kimiko off with a glare. 

“Okay, fine, you’re clear,” Kimiko said. “I can see you’re back to your normal self.” 

Yuichiro gently picked up Muichiro and carried him back to the mansion. Kimiko followed them. 

“Where are they?” Rui thought. “Where’d they go?” 

Rui was searching Kimi’s mansion for Muichiro, Yuichiro, and Kimiko, who were nowhere to be found. 

Then, he heard people coming in the door downstairs. He rushed down to meet them. 

“Guys!” Rui said. “Where did you go!? What-” 

Rui forgot what he was saying when he saw the condition Muichiro, Yuichiro, and Kimiko were in. 

Yuichiro was covered in demon blood. He was carrying Muichiro, who was unconscious and had a bandaged wound in his chest. Kimiko looked completely exhausted, like he could collapse any moment. 

“Guys…?” Rui was in shock. 

Chapter Text

Muichiro was in bed, resting. Kimiko had also gone upstairs to rest. Yuichiro changed out of his blood soaked clothes into different clothes, and then went to talk to Rui. He and Rui were sitting in the downstairs area together. 

“So… what happened?” Rui asked. 

“The new progenitor demon,” Yuichiro replied. 

Silence. 

“Its presence woke me up, and I went to go fight it,” Yuichiro explained. “I fought it by myself until Kimiko later arrived, and then when he did, we fought it together. I didn’t want to put Muichiro in danger, but he later sensed the demon all the same and came because he wanted to help.” 

Yuichiro took a deep breath before continuing. 

“Muichiro got hurt, and… I don’t remember much after that,” Yuichiro said. “I killed the demon myself. Kimiko had to talk to me in order to get through to me. Then, we came back.” 

“Wow,” Rui said. “So you did all that… without me? Why didn’t you bring me too?” 

“I wanted to do this completely by myself,” Yuichiro said. “Muichiro and Kimiko only came because they later sensed the demon.” 

“I see,” Rui said. 

… 

Muichiro and the man were sitting in the gazebo. The man had conveniently prepared tea for them in beautifully crafted and polished blue and white ceramic cups. 

A large, ostentatious, bright blue butterfly the same color as the flowers came to rest on Muichiro’s hand. When he moved his hand, it flew away. 

“Earlier, you asked who I was,” the man said, breaking the silence. “I told you I was a friend. And while that was not technically a lie, I suppose I should introduce myself. My name is Akui.” 

“Akui? As in malice?” Muichiro asked. 

“Indeed,” Akui replied. “I chose the name for myself.” 

“Why choose a name with such an ominous meaning?” 

“You’re more likely to be feared. I would like my name to strike fear into those who hear it.” 

Silence. 

“Why is that?” 

“I like it when people are afraid of me.” 

“You… LIKE it when people are afraid of you?” 

“Yes, very much so,” Akui replied and took a sip of his tea. 

From the way that he was talking, Muichiro thought if anything he didn’t want people to be afraid of him, so he was surprised to hear this. Maybe he just didn’t want MUICHIRO to be afraid of him… 

“You haven’t drank any of your tea yet,” Akui said. “Why not?” 

Muichiro eyed his cup of tea. The tea inside was hot, with steam wafting upwards in subtle but visible curls. 

“I don’t know,” Muichiro finally said. “I guess I just don’t feel like drinking anything.” 

“You should try it,” Akui said, his voice encouraging but not insisting. 

Muichiro reluctantly raised the ceramic cup to his mouth and took a sip of the tea. It was hot, but not too hot. The water was clean, and the tea leaves gave it a simple but elegant herbal taste. The tea was just hot enough that the full taste of the leaves had entered the water, but not too hot that the leaves were burned. It was… perfect. 

“How is it?” 

“It’s good,” Muichiro replied. “It’s really good.” 

“Well I’m glad you like it.” 

“What’s it made from?” 

“Technically memories.” 

It took Muichiro a moment to realize what Akui was talking about. He’d nearly forgotten that they were in his subconscious. The tea had tasted so genuine, he couldn’t believe it wasn’t real. However, the fact that the unmistakably painful chest injury he sustained in battle was completely absent in this subconscious space was proof that it was not reality. 

“The real version of this tea is an herbal blend,” Akui explained. “One I created myself, actually.” 

“I see.” 

“And feel free to take your time drinking it. In this space, time is suspended. The tea will not lose its heat.” 

“Time is suspended?” Muichiro asked. 

“Yes,” Akui replied. “Days, months, or even years could pass in real life, but the environment would look the exact same. The reverse is true, of course. Time could also move much faster here depending on what you choose to do with your control over the passage of time. You could make days, months, or even years pass in this environment while no time passes in real life. In short, real time has no effect on this time, and this time has no effect on real time.” 

“Wow,” Muichiro said, looking around. 

“Right now, time is frozen in this field. Without intervention from us, it will remain the same for as long as we like. The tea will remain hot, the sun will remain in the sky, the grass will remain green, the blue spider lilies will remain here in full bloom, and it will remain midday.” 

“Blue spider lilies?” Muichiro asked. 

“Yes,” Akui replied and gestured to the flowers all over the field that were indeed blue spider lilies. 

“I feel like I’ve heard that before,” Muichiro said. 

Then it hit him. 

It was the plant Muzan seeked. The one that he’d consumed as a human to turn him into a progenitor demon, and the one that would make him immune to the sun upon consuming it as a demon. 

“I remember now,” Muichiro said. “So these plants are blue spider lilies?” 

“Indeed they are,” Akui replied. 

“I have a question,” Muichiro said. “When I’m here… in my subconscious… am I asleep?” 

Silence. 

“You are unconscious, and this space is a dream of sorts, so I suppose you technically are asleep, yes.” 

“How much time has passed in real life since I first came here?” 

“Not long at all,” Akui replied. “It has only been a few hours.” 

“IT’S BEEN WHOLE HOURS!?” Muichiro practically yelled, standing up. “When I fell unconscious… I was in the middle of a battle! Am I… am I DEAD right now?” 

“Relax. You are not dead. Once again, you are merely unconscious. One could say you are sleeping, but I can assure you that you are certainly not dead.” 

“Then… what happened?” 

“The enemy you were fighting was finished off by your older twin brother.” 

“He took the demon down… all on his own?” 

“Indeed he did. His rage drove him to completely destroy the demon, and quite brutally too. This rage stemmed from seeing you in danger, as you had been injured in the fight. However, you are okay now. You are lying down in your bed back at your home, healing from your injuries.” 

Muichiro sat back down. He said nothing, but things made more sense to him. 

Mostly. 

“Well, now that you’re finished drinking your tea, I would like to ask you something.” 

“What is it?” Muichiro asked. 

“Not here,” Akui said, standing up. “Let us go somewhere else.” 

… 

That evening, Yuichiro and Rui were eating dinner. Kimiko came downstairs, having slept for a lot of the day. 

“Did you regain your energy?” Rui asked. 

“I guess,” Kimiko replied. “As much as I can at the moment. I certainly feel a lot better, that’s for sure.” 

Kimiko turned his attention to Yuichiro. 

“Yuichiro? How are you doing?” Kimiko asked. 

“I’m fine,” Yuichiro replied flatly. 

“Muichiro’s the only one who hasn’t woken up yet,” Yuichiro thought. 

“I’m going to go check on Muichiro,” Yuichiro said. 

Rui nodded. 

“Okay,” Kimiko said. 

… 

Yuichiro headed upstairs, to the room he was sharing with Muichiro. 

Muichiro was sleeping. His breathing was slow and steady. 

“Good, his wound is healing fine,” Yuichiro thought. “It looks like he’s going to be okay, but I can’t be too sure. I do hope he wakes up soon.” 

Yuichiro sat down on Muichiro’s bed beside his younger twin brother. 

“But… what if he doesn’t?” Yuichiro thought, the doubt creeping into his mind. “What if there was an injury we missed? I promised I would protect him, and I failed. What if…” 

“Yuichiro.” 

Yuichiro’s head whipped around to see where the voice came from. It was Kimiko, standing in the doorway of their room. 

“What?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Don’t beat yourself up over what happened to Muichiro-kun,” Kimiko said, entering their room and shutting the door behind him. 

“Bold of you to assume that’s what I’m thinking about,” Yuichiro scoffed and turned away. 

“I’m right though, aren’t I?” 

Yuichiro didn’t respond. Kimiko sat down beside Muichiro. Yuichiro still refused to look him in the eye. 

“Okay, fine,” Yuichiro finally said. “But why are you telling me not to beat myself up over it? I’m his older brother. I’m supposed to protect him.” 

“What’s your age difference, exactly?” Kimiko asked, genuinely curious. 

“A few minutes,” Yuichiro replied. 

“Just curious… does it feel like he’s a few years younger due to the fact that he was a demon for a few years and didn’t age?” 

“It certainly LOOKS that way,” Yuichiro said. “He’s physically twelve years old. Maybe even still eleven, I don’t know. But… that’s not it.” 

“Do you remember what Muichiro-kun said when he came to help us with the fight?” Kimiko asked. 

“Yeah,” Yuichiro replied. 

“He said he wanted to help,” Kimiko said. 

“I don’t need to hear that from you,” Yuichiro said, a slight tone of anger in his voice. “I’m well aware of what he said, and I want to respect his wishes. I just… HATE seeing him hurt. He doesn’t deserve to suffer. He’s already suffered so much. I wish I could just take it all away… that’s what I want more than anything.” 

“You know… I partly feel the same way myself,” Kimiko said, squeezing Yuichiro’s hand. “I don’t want him… or any of us, really… to suffer any more. Not to mention, my master told me in that letter to take care of myself and both of you.” 

“Speaking of Kazuyuki-san’s letter, there’s a certain part I’ve been thinking about a lot,” Yuichiro said. 

“What is it?” Kimiko asked. 

“He said he was embarking on a dangerous mission to ensure the events of the war between humankind and demonkind will never repeat itself. I don’t know what he means, but that sounds great.”

“For sure.” 

“I hope he accomplishes it,” Yuichiro said. 

“And returns home safely,” Kimiko added.

Chapter Text

Akui led Muichiro to a different environment. This environment was away from the field of blue spider lilies. It didn’t have any blue spider lilies, or sunlight either. It was an area in a strange forest with many strange plants of multiple dark colors. 

“Is it nighttime now?” Muichiro asked. 

“No,” Akui replied. “The sunlight just does not reach this area.” 

… 

After making it through the forest, their environment seemed to shift. It went back to being the same void Muichiro had seen when he first fell unconscious, and then it shifted to a new forest. 

This forest was a forest of gingko trees. The leaves had turned gold and were falling from the trees. It was a beautiful sight. Muichiro… remembered this from Mount Kagenobu. The small house he shared with Yuichiro and his parents, and eventually just Yuichiro, was in a forest like this one. A forest of gingko leaves. 

No… it wasn’t a forest LIKE this one. 

It WAS this forest. 

“Recognize the area?” Akui asked. 

Muichiro didn’t respond. 

Akui led Muichiro through the forest. The leaves crunched under their feet as they followed a trail Muichiro recognized. The trail eventually led to- 

“This was your house, wasn’t it?” 

No. 

“I… can’t,” Muichiro said, stopping. 

“Why not?” Akui asked. 

“Too many memories. Painful memories. It hurts.” 

Akui nodded with understanding and concern, taking Muichiro’s feelings into consideration. 

“Understood,” Akui said. “Well, the house itself wasn’t really the purpose of this visit. It was the environment.” 

“What do you mean by that?” 

“You see… I have never been to your house, or anywhere in the forest of gingko leaves on Mount Kagenobu. The previous environments were created from my memories, but this one was created from yours. In short, we can go anywhere so long as one of us has been there.” 

Muichiro decided to test Akui’s claim. “Can we go to the Kurayami Forest?” 

“Indeed, we can.” 

… 

The environment shifted, first becoming a void again, and then the Kurayami Forest. It looked just like Muichiro remembered. The dark foliage, mist, and fog of the Kurayami Forest, combined with the darkness of the nighttime, made the inside of the forest pitch black. 

“Since you have only ever been to the Kurayami Forest at night, we had to come at nighttime,” Akui explained. 

“So the time I’ve been to a certain location matters as well?” 

“Yes. We can only go to a location you have been to at a time you have been there, or a location I have been to at a time I have been there. Again, these environments are created from our memories and only our memories.” 

Muichiro nodded. “Can we go to the Infinity Castle now?” 

“Of course.” 

… 

The environment shifted back to the void, and then it shifted to the Infinity Castle. Muichiro looked around at the imitation of Nakime’s blood demon art. Up and down and left and right were all messed up, like Muichiro remembered, but he still felt used to it like before. It felt like the real thing. He was hit with a wave of nostalgia as he recalled his time living as a demon with Kokushibo in the Infinity Castle. 

Kokushibo… 

Muichiro missed his ancestor very much. 

“What’s wrong?” Akui asked, though he already knew the answer. 

“I miss Grandpa,” Muichiro replied. “This place reminds me of him. It reminds me of Rui-kun as well, and Nakime nee-san.” 

“I see,” Akui said. “Is there anywhere else you would like to go before we head back?” 

“No,” Muichiro replied. “We can head back now.” 

“Understood.” 

… 

… 

… 

The next day, Muichiro was still not awake. 

Yuichiro, Kimiko, and Rui were eating breakfast while talking about what to do. 

“Um… Yuichiro… there’s something you should probably know,” Kimiko said. 

“What?” Yuichiro asked. 

“When I patched up the wound in Muichiro-kun’s chest, there was something that made me think it might be really bad at first,” Kimiko said. 

“SERIOUSLY!?” Yuichiro yelled. “Why didn’t you say that sooner!?” 

“I don’t know anything for sure,” Kimiko said. “And like I said, I only thought it might be really bad at first. I realized it wasn’t as bad as I thought later. Still… I felt that maybe I should tell you.” 

“Just say it already,” Yuichiro said. 

“Well, the blood coming from his chest wound was really dark,” Kimiko said. “It was red, but it was significantly darker than normal. Darker blood typically means a deeper wound. When I took a closer look at it, I concluded I must have been worrying for nothing because the wound really wasn’t that bad, but… yeah. Just a thought.” 

“Well, thanks for telling me,” Yuichiro said. “It might have just looked darker, but it also might be a concern. We should definitely keep that in mind.” 

“Yeah, I agree,” Rui said. 

“Yes,” Kimiko said. 

… 

Muichiro and Akui were back in the gazebo in the field of blue spider lilies. It looked the same as ever. They were drinking the same tea as before, as they had an infinite supply of it. 

“Can I wake up?” Muichiro asked. 

Akui placed his ceramic cup back on the table and looked Muichiro in the eye. Muichiro avoided his gaze. 

“What do you mean, Muichiro?” 

“Well, I want to know if I can wake up. I’m unconscious right now, but could I be awake?” 

Silence. 

“No, not yet,” Akui finally replied. “Your body is prioritizing healing your wounds over its consciousness, so you will remain unconscious for now, until you have healed.” 

“I see.” 

“Muichiro, might I ask you something?” 

“I guess.” 

“Why don’t you want to look me in the eye?” 

Muichiro jolted. As subtle as he had tried to make it, Akui could tell he didn’t want to look him in the eye and avoided his gaze. 

Akui patiently waited for an answer. “Well?” 

“I… well… I guess looking you in the eye just feels weird.” 

“Weird how?” 

“I don’t really know,” Muichiro said. “To tell you the truth, looking directly at your eyes makes me feel unsettled.” 

Akui took another sip of his tea. “I’m sorry to hear that.” 

Muichiro tried to look Akui in the eye, but… no. He couldn’t do it. He just couldn’t. Looking at Akui at all was already very hard. He was achingly beautiful, but in a sort of ominous way. 

“Would you like to go home?” Akui asked. 

“What?” 

“Well, you cannot wake up right now, but we could visit your home as it last was in your subconscious. Is that something you would like to do?” 

Silence. 

“No, I wouldn’t.” 

Akui raised an eyebrow. “Really? Why not?” 

“I just… I feel like it’s better if I don’t.” 

Akui took a sip of his tea. “I see.” 

“You said I wasn’t going to be able to wake up until I was fully healed, right?” 

“Correct,” Akui replied. 

Muichiro drank the remainder of his tea. It was as hot as ever, and still tasted as good as it did when he had first drank it. 

After finishing, he looked down at the leaves left behind in his cup. “So, how long do you think it will take me to heal?” 

Akui appeared to think hard about the answer to Muichiro’s question. 

“I do not know.” 

“Huh.” 

Akui soon finished drinking his tea as well. “You know…” 

Muichiro looked up and waited to hear what Akui had to say. “Yeah?” 

“You can tell someone’s fortune from the leaves left behind in their tea cup.” 

“I see.” 

“Would you like me to tell yours?” 

“Okay, I guess,” Muichiro handed Akui his ceramic cup with the leftover tea leaves. 

Akui examined the tea leaves. Slowly, a smile formed on his face. 

Muichiro wanted to know now. “So, what does it say?” 

“A clear shape has formed in the leaves,” Akui said. “It’s a cross.” 

“Okay…?” Muichiro had no idea what the cross meant. “What does that mean…?” 

Akui handed Muichiro’s cup back to him. Muichiro looked down at the leaves in his cup, which had indeed made the shape of a cross. 

“Not to worry, a cross is a good sign,” Akui reassured Muichiro. “It’s a sign of peace and prosperity.” 

Muichiro slowly nodded. He had never believed in the telling of fortunes, or any kind of superstitions for that matter, but at least it was good news. 

Still, he chose to keep it in mind with a grain of salt. 

… 

… 

… 

A few days later, Muichiro was still unconscious. 

“I’m getting really worried,” Kimiko said. “I think something’s seriously wrong.” 

“Yeah, no fucking shit,” Yuichiro said. 

“What should we do?” Rui asked. 

“I’m going to go check on him,” Yuichiro said. 

… 

Yuichiro went upstairs to the room he was sharing with Muichiro, entered the room, and closed the door behind him. Indeed, Muichiro was still in a deep sleep. If anything, his sleep had gotten even deeper, and he had been buried even deeper in his own consciousness than before. This worried Yuichiro greatly. His breathing also seemed to have slowed further, as the rate his chest was rising and falling had slowed down greatly. 

“Wait,” Yuichiro thought. “What if…” 

Yuichiro lifted the covers and took Muichiro’s hand out from under them. His hand was so cold. So very cold. 

“He should be emanating more heat,” Yuichiro thought. “One’s body naturally lowers its temperature when unconscious, but this is too cold even for someone who’s been asleep for multiple days…” 

Yuichiro tried not to think about Muichiro’s temperature, and focused only on figuring out his heart rate. 

His heart rate… it was… 

Way too slow. 

… 

Kimiko and Rui were still downstairs when Yuichiro came running down the stairs. 

“Yuichiro?” Kimiko asked. “What happened?” 

“Something is SERIOUSLY wrong with Muichiro,” Yuichiro said. “We have to do something. NOW.” 

“Wait, what?” Kimiko asked, an expression of worry on his face. 

“He’s been sleeping for too fucking long, his sleep is only getting deeper, his breathing is only getting slower, he’s way too cold even for someone who’s been asleep multiple days, and his heart rate is WAY TOO FUCKING FAINT. Something is definitely wrong here and we need to figure out what it is and fix it RIGHT FUCKING NOW.” 

“I know a good doctor we could take him to,” Kimiko said, standing up. 

“Who?” Rui asked, curious. 

“Kiyo Kazuyuki,” Kimiko replied. “She’s one of the best doctors.” 

“Where’s her office?” Rui asked. “Or does she work at a hospital?” 

“No, you misunderstand,” Kimiko said. “We contact her and ask her to come here. No one actually knows where she lives.” 

“How do we contact her, then?” Rui asked. 

“Through Ko,” Kimiko said. 

… 

Kimiko wrote a message to Kiyo and gave it to Ko. 

“Send this to Kiyo Kazuyuki,” Kimiko said. “I’m sure you remember, but it’s been a long time. Please… I know you’re already going to… but travel as fast as you can.” 

With the message, Ko left their home through the front door, leaving Yuichiro, Kimiko, and Rui waiting at home. 

“Kimiko. Rui.” 

Kimiko and Rui both looked at Yuichiro, waiting to hear what he had to say. 

“Can I borrow the blankets from both of your beds?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Sure,” Rui replied. 

“Yes,” Kimiko said. “I know what you’re planning on doing, and it’s all we can do for now.” 

… 

Yuichiro went upstairs to Kimiko’s room, and took the blankets from his bed. He then went to Rui’s room, and took the blankets from his bed. 

With the extra blankets, he headed back to his and Muichiro’s room and piled the extra blankets on top of Muichiro. He had already given Muichiro his own blankets a few days before, so Muichiro had four beds worth of blankets to cover him and keep him warm. 

“This won’t be as effective as it might seem considering he’s emanating less body heat than he should, but he has to be emanating SOME amount of heat,” Yuichiro thought. “If he wasn’t, he’d be dead, and I know he’s not dead. He’s not GOING to die either. We’ll figure out what’s wrong and fix it. We HAVE to.” 

… 

“Ow,” Muichiro said, clutching his chest. 

“What’s wrong?” Akui asked. 

“It… hurts…” 

“What hurts?” 

“My chest,” Muichiro replied. “The same place I was wounded in that battle, actually. But… the wound doesn’t exist in this dream, does it?” 

“No,” Akui replied. “It does not.” 

Just a moment later, the pain subsided. 

“Huh,” Muichiro said. “It’s gone now.” 

“Is that so…” 

“I hope it was nothing.” 

Muichiro picked a blue spider lily from the field, and held it by its stem. The stem felt real. He touched the petals. The petals felt real. Everything about it felt real. Muichiro had accepted how everything in the dream felt unrealistically real, but it still surprised him sometimes. He hadn’t quite gotten used to it, and he wasn’t sure if he ever would. 

“Akui, I have a question,” Muichiro said. 

“What is it?” Akui asked, picking the petals from the blue spider lilies growing around them. 

“If I ate one of these, would I become a demon?” Muichiro asked. 

Akui just stared at him. 

“I know I wouldn’t in real life, but would I become one in the dream?” Muichiro asked. “And would it feel as real as everything else? Would I be able to revert within the dream just by imagining myself as a human like I was before? Or would I also have to find a cure within the dream?” 

“Yes, yes, yes, and yes.” 

“I’m confused,” Muichiro said. “How can both of the last two be yes?” 

“Well, to tell you the truth, you can become a demon in this dream without even consuming the plant,” Akui said. “Can you guess why…?” 

“Because I’ve been a demon before?” 

“Bingo,” Akui said. “And about your question, you could become a human again by going back to your human self through altering the reality of this dream, or finding a cure within the dream.” 

“I see,” Muichiro said. 

Muichiro dropped the blue spider lily plant he was holding back onto the ground and looked up at the sky. He wondered how much time had passed in real life since he fell unconscious. He decided to ask. 

“Akui, how long has it been now? How long have I been asleep for?” 

“A few days,” Akui replied calmly. 

“What!?” Muichiro asked in shock, standing up. “I have to wake up right now! I have to-” 

“No. Stop.” 

Akui grabbed Muichiro’s hand. 

“You’re not done healing, remember?” 

“But-” 

“No buts,” Akui shook his head. “Your body will not allow you to wake up before you’re done healing. That’s always been the case.” 

Muichiro sat down in defeat. “I don’t believe this.” 

“You don’t have to, but it’s the way things are.” 

“Why am I even here?” Muichiro asked. “Why can’t I just have a normal dream?” 

“What does a normal dream mean to you?” Akui asked. 

“Just… a dream that I don’t know is a dream, one that I’ll completely forget I even had when I woke up. Not one with a strange real-but-not-real subconscious space created from memories, and not one with another completely separate being in my mind with me.” 

“So you wish for me to leave?” 

Silence. 

“I just want to wake up,” Muichiro closed his eyes and buried his face in his hands. 

Chapter Text

“I see,” Kiyo thought. “Well then, I suppose I’d better hurry.” 

Kiyo put the message away and immediately headed to Kimi’s mansion. 

Upon arriving, the door was already open. There was someone standing in the doorway. A fifteen year old boy with light blue eyes and dark blue hair fading to light blue at the ends. It was Kimiko. 

“I’m Kiyo Kazuyuki,” Kiyo introduced herself. “You are Kimiko Kazuyuki, correct?” 

“Yes,” Kimiko replied. “I remember you.” 

“Where’s the patient?” Kiyo asked. 

“Upstairs,” Kimiko replied. “I’ll take you there.” 

… 

“Yuichiro?” Kimiko knocked on the door to Muichiro and Yuichiro’s room. “I’m here with the doctor.” 

Someone answered the door. It was the person Kiyo concluded was Yuichiro, a fairly tall fifteen year old boy with blue eyes and black hair that was blue at the ends. 

“Alright, come in,” Yuichiro said. 

Kiyo entered the room and went over to Muichiro. 

“Is this your brother?” Kiyo asked. 

“Yes,” Yuichiro replied. “He’s my younger twin brother.” 

“Twin?” Kiyo asked in disbelief. “He looks much younger than that.” 

“It’s none of your business,” Yuichiro said, looking away. “Just fix him already. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?” 

“Of course,” Kiyo said. 

Yuichiro didn’t want to tell Kiyo that Muichiro had been a demon for three years. He didn’t want to tell her anything he didn’t need to. 

“If you’re really one of the best doctors, then I’m sure you can figure it out yourself,” Yuichiro thought. 

“Could you please tell me exactly what happened to him?” Kiyo asked. 

“Fine,” Yuichiro said. “So we were fighting a demon-” 

“A demon?” Kiyo’s eyes widened. “But… weren’t they eradicated already?” 

“Yeah, a lot of people have said that,” Yuichiro scoffed. “You know, I’m getting real tired of explaining it to people over and over. We don’t know how it was possible, but somehow it was, and it happened.” 

Kiyo slowly nodded. “I am sorry for interrupting. Please continue.” 

“Right, so, we were fighting a demon. A progenitor demon, to be exact.” 

Yuichiro ignored the dubious expression that formed on Kiyo’s face and continued talking. 

“Muichiro was struck in the chest by this demon. According to Kimiko, the blood was dark, so he thought it might have been a deep wound, but as it turned out, it wasn’t that bad. At least, it didn’t seem to be that bad. But something’s clearly wrong because it’s been multiple days since he fell unconscious, his sleep is only getting deeper, his breathing is only getting slower, his body temperature is only dropping, his heart rate is only getting fainter, you get what I mean.” 

“I see,” Kiyo said. “I’ll do a physical examination on him to see if I can get a better idea of what’s wrong.” 

Kiyo checked Muichiro’s pulse, as well as his breathing, and then placed her hand on his forehead. She closed her eyes and stayed like that for a while. Then, her eyes flew open. She wore an expression of extreme concern and worry on her face. 

“No…” Kiyo thought. 

“What is it?” Yuichiro asked, noticing Kiyo’s expression. “What’s going on?” 

Kiyo turned to look at Yuichiro and Kimiko. “Could I ask you both to please leave and close the door behind you?” 

“I understand,” Kimiko said. 

“Hell no,” Yuichiro snapped. 

“Yuichiro…” 

“Kimiko, I said no. You can’t expect me to leave my younger twin brother vulnerable and defenseless with someone I just met for the first time a few minutes ago.” 

“Well, when you put it like that, you make my request sound unreasonable,” Kiyo said. 

“Yuichiro, she’s the doctor here,” Kimiko said. 

“I’m the older twin brother here,” Yuichiro said. “I’m not leaving him.” 

“I understand,” Kiyo said. “If you feel that strongly, you can remain here, but you must be silent.” 

“Sure,” Yuichiro said, sitting down on his bed. 

“I’ll just… leave for a bit,” Kimiko said. “Let me know when I can come back.” 

Kimiko left the room and shut the door behind him. 

“Are you sure you want to stay here?” Kiyo asked, though she already knew the answer. 

Yuichiro stared at Kiyo. “Yes. Definitely. For sure. I’m not leaving.” 

“Very well,” Kiyo said. “I will begin.” 

… 

Yuichiro watched as Kiyo lifted the blankets off Muichiro’s chest to reveal the wound that was still bandaged. Slowly, she removed the bandages, and… 

“Yuichiro-san,” Kiyo said, her voice shaking. “I’m very sorry, but… if you stay here, your life may be in danger.” 

Yuichiro’s eyes widened. “WHAT!?” 

He jumped off his bed and went over to Muichiro and Kiyo. He took one look at Muichiro’s chest wound and almost collapsed. 

It looked… 

…VERY alarming. 

The wound was filled with a shiny jet black liquid that didn’t look human, or like anything natural at all, and the veins surrounding the wound had turned black, as if the strange liquid was running through them mixed with the blood. The pool of liquid also appeared to be growing as it spread throughout Muichiro’s bloodstream. 

“What… the actual… hell…” Yuichiro was barely able to get the words out. “What the hell is happening to him!?” 

“I… I don’t know,” Kiyo closed her eyes in defeat. 

“Figure it out!” Yuichiro snapped. “You’re the doctor, aren’t you? You have to figure out what’s going on!” 

“I’ll do my best,” Kiyo said. “However, I’ll need to take a small sample of his blood as well as the strange black liquid in his wound.” 

“Do what you have to do,” Yuichiro sighed. 

Kiyo took out a needle. She extracted a small amount of Muichiro’s blood, as well as the strange black liquid in his wound. 

“Could you get me some new bandages?” Kiyo asked. 

Yuichiro went to get more bandages, and then brought them back. He gave them to Kiyo, and she covered the wound back up. 

“I’ll take the old bandages back with me,” Kiyo said. “They have the liquid on them, after all.” 

“Okay,” Yuichiro said. 

“I’ll go study this at once,” Kiyo said. “Once I figure out what it is, I’ll try and find a way to treat it. Yuichiro-san… I promise I’ll find a cure and treatment for Muichiro-san.” 

Yuichiro nodded. 

Kiyo got up, left their room, and left the mansion. 

… 

A few minutes after Kiyo left, Kimiko was standing in the doorway of Muichiro and Yuichiro’s room. He saw Yuichiro sitting on the floor beside Muichiro, holding his hand tightly. 

“Can I come back in?” Kimiko asked. 

“Yeah,” Yuichiro said. 

Kimiko entered the room and shut the door behind him. He sat down beside Yuichiro on the floor. 

“So…?” 

“It’s really bad,” Yuichiro said. 

Kimiko’s face fell. 

“How bad?” 

“Remember when you said that his blood had looked darker?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Yeah?” 

“Well, as it turned out, that wasn’t actually his blood.” 

Kimiko’s eyes widened. “What…?” 

“It was his blood mixed with… something else. This shiny jet black liquid. The quantity of this liquid has been growing, and it’s been spreading through his body via his bloodstream.” 

“I can’t believe this,” Kimiko said. “Maybe I don’t want to know, but what was it mixed with?” 

“We don’t know,” Yuichiro replied. “The doctor doesn’t know what’s going on.” 

“Kiyo Kazuyuki… one of the best doctors… doesn’t know what’s going on? What did she do?” 

“Well, she took a sample of Muichiro’s blood, as well as the black liquid,” Yuichiro said. “She promised she’ll find a cure and treatment for Muichiro, and I’m going to hold her to that.” 

“Then, I guess she went to study it?” 

“Yeah,” Yuichiro replied. “She’s going to figure out what it is.” 

“I see.” 

Silence. 

“Yuichiro… do you think the strange black liquid is connected to Akuma?” Kimiko asked. 

Yuichiro stared at Kimiko. “You say that like it could’ve been something else. Don’t you think that’s a given at this point?” 

“Yeah, okay, good point.” 

Yuichiro sighed. “I want to kill him again.” 

“Akuma? The demon?” 

“Yeah.” 

“But you already killed him.” 

“No fun. I don’t remember it. I want to do it again.” 

Kimiko laughed. 

“I’m serious,” Yuichiro deadpanned. 

“Well, I guess that’s understandable.” 

Yuichiro and Kimiko continued watching Muichiro as he slept. 

… 

“Muichiro. Muichiro, are you okay, can you hear me?” 

“Huh?” Muichiro looked around. 

He was in the same gazebo in the same field as usual. Akui was with him. 

“You spaced out for a moment,” Akui said. 

“I see,” Muichiro looked down. 

“Are you alright?” 

“I guess.” 

“You’ve been spacing out a lot lately.” 

“It used to always happen to me. It didn’t happen for a while, though. It only started happening again as of lately.” 

“I see.” 

A large, ostentatious, bright blue butterfly the same color as the spider lilies rested on Muichiro’s shoulder. 

“It’s that same butterfly again,” Muichiro said. 

He reached out to gently touch the butterfly’s wings with his hand. The butterfly didn’t fly away. 

Not too long later, two more butterflies arrived. They looked the same. 

“I guess these butterflies are from your memories too?” 

“Yes,” Akui replied. “They only live in areas with the blue spider lily.” 

“Yeah… about that… where is this field in reality, anyway?” Muichiro asked. “Clearly not somewhere accessible to Muzan.” 

Akui laughed. “Yes, you have a point. It’s in the world beyond.” 

“The world… beyond?” 

“Yes. The world you know is really just a small part of the real world.” 

Muichiro was very interested in this, though he also wasn’t sure if he could even believe it. 

Akui noticed Muichiro’s skepticism. “I can understand how you feel, but I can tell you with certainty that what I’m saying is true.” 

“Does that mean you’ve been outside of this world?” Muichiro asked. 

“Yes… you could say that,” Akui looked off into the distance. “Let’s call it the Dark Continent. As for the world you know, let’s call it the known world. The known world rests within a giant lake at the center of the Dark Continent.” 

“Then… the Dark Continent is across the vast waters that surround the known world?” 

“Yes.” 

“What’s the Dark Continent like?” 

“It’s…” 

Silence. 

“Interesting, to say the least.” 

Muichiro pouted. “Akui, that’s way too vague!” 

Akui chuckled. “I’m really not sure how to describe it.” 

“You seriously can’t do better than that?” 

“I suppose not.” 

Muichiro lay down on the grass. “Man.” 

He stayed like that for a while, before sitting back up. 

“Wait a minute,” Muichiro said. “If this blue spider lily field is from the Dark Continent, does that mean the blue spider lily is there too?” 

Akui smiled. “I suppose you could say that.” 

“Are there humans there?” 

“Not that I know of. It is very dangerous for humans.” 

“This field doesn’t look dangerous for humans,” Muichiro said. “It looks like somewhere that could be found in our world.” 

“Not all of it is dangerous,” Akui said. “There are parts that aren’t, but most of it is dangerous for humans.” 

“You know a lot about the Dark Continent, Akui.” 

Akui tensed. “Right.” 

Muichiro lay back down on the grass. “I’m tired.” 

“You are?” 

“Yeah. Somehow I am. Even though I’m already asleep…” 

“This space is supposed to mimic reality to an extent, and so it’s only natural.” 

“Is it possible to fall asleep in a dream?” 

“…I suppose you could try it.” 

“Okay,” Muichiro closed his eyes. “Good night Akui.” 

… 

It was nighttime. In Muichiro’s bed, under the many blankets, Yuichiro was lying down beside Muichiro, holding him tightly in an attempt to keep him warm however he could. 

Muichiro was having a very painful experience in his subconscious… 

… 

Muichiro was in a void. It was the same void he had been in when he first fell unconscious. 

“Yuichiro?” Muichiro called out. “Kimiko-kun? Rui-kun? Akui?” 

Muichiro looked around. 

“Anyone?” 

This void was different. Unlike in the previous one, voices did not echo. It was as if the void really was complete nothingness, rather than merely giving the appearance of nothingness. 

Suddenly, Muichiro felt immense pain in his chest. He looked down. 

The wound was filled with a black liquid. The liquid began to fill his bloodstreams, coloring his veins black, and proceeded to spread throughout his whole body until it consumed him completely. 

… 

For the first time in all the time Muichiro had been unconscious, something disrupted his rhythm. His rhythmic breathing slowed to a stop, and his heart rate kept getting fainter until it was completely gone. 

“Muichiro?” Yuichiro asked. 

Nothing. 

“Muichiro!” Yuichiro shook his little brother. “What’s going on!?” 

Yuichiro checked Muichiro’s pulse and breathing, and then he nearly fell unconscious himself. 

“He’s not breathing,” Yuichiro thought. “His heart stopped too. He’s… dead.” 

“MUICHIRO!!!!!!!!!!”

Chapter Text

Muichiro was in pain. He was in a lot of pain. His skin was black, and he had been completely consumed and deformed by this strange black liquid. His body was completely maimed and mangled, with his veins popping, bones puncturing his skin, blood pouring from many places in his body, displaced organs, and irreversible internal bleeding, his injuries on a cellular level. 

Everything hurt so much he wasn’t even capable of crying or yelling, but someone else did it for him. Someone was yelling his name. 

It was faint, just barely loud enough for Muichiro to hear, but he recognized the voice immediately. It was Yuichiro’s voice. 

Yes. He was in a dream. It was JUST A DREAM! 

But he NEEDED to wake up. 

… 

Muichiro’s eyes flew open and he gasped for air. There was sunlight shining down on him. Above him was a blue sky. Under him was grass. Around him were blue spider lily plants. He was back in the field. 

He sat up slowly. The pain in his chest was gone. All of the pain was gone. His skin was back to its normal color, and as were his veins. All of his limbs, as well as the rest of his body, was intact and healthy. His bloodstream was clean. The wound in his chest was not there. It was all GONE. 

Everything was fine. 

At least, it seemed that way… 

“Muichiro?” 

Muichiro jolted. He had completely forgotten about Akui’s presence and had not noticed he was there until he spoke. 

Akui looked very worried. “You appeared to be having a nightmare, are you alright?” 

Muichiro buried his face in his hands. “No.” 

Without a second thought, Akui pulled Muichiro into a tight hug. 

That was when Muichiro broke down into tears and sobbed uncontrollably. 

“Oh, you poor thing. That must have been really painful.” 

“Y- YES! IT WAS- I- IT- EVERYTHING-” 

“Shh, it’ll be okay,” Akui whispered. “It’s not real. It may have felt like that, but it’s not. You’re safe.” 

Muichiro continued crying. Akui continued comforting him. 

Muichiro didn’t think he would ever be able to sleep soundly again. 

… 

“CLEAR!” 

Yuichiro watched as Kimiko tried to bring Muichiro back to life with their emergency defibrillator. 

Suddenly, Muichiro came back to life. His heart began pumping blood throughout his body once again, and his breathing picked up in the same rhythm as before. 

Kimiko fell to his knees, sobbing. “Thank goodness.” 

Yuichiro rushed toward Muichiro and squeezed him in a tight embrace. 

“Muichiro… don’t scare me like that again,” Yuichiro said. “Please… never again.” 

Muichiro hadn’t woken up, but his breathing was steady, and as was his heart rate. 

Yuichiro looked over at Kimiko. “Could you stay here for the rest of the night? With the defibrillator? You can sleep in my bed.” 

“Of course,” Kimiko said. “And I don’t need any covers.” 

“I thought so,” Yuichiro said. “You’re a Kazuyuki, after all.” 

Kimiko lay down in Yuichiro’s bed. Yuichiro stayed with Muichiro in his bed. 

“Kimiko… thank you.” 

“You’re thanking me?” 

“Yeah. Why do you sound so surprised? You may have just saved Muichiro’s life.” 

“The words ‘thank you’ just seem really uncharacteristic coming from you.” 

“Oh, SHUT UP.” 

“That’s more like you,” Kimiko chuckled, closing his eyes. “Well, I’m going to try and get some sleep. Just yell if you need me. I’ll wake up.” 

“Got it,” Yuichiro said. 

Kimiko soon fell asleep. 

However, Yuichiro could not sleep. 

“Muichiro… what’s happening to you?” Yuichiro thought. 

… 

“WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL WAS THAT!?” 

Muichiro picked at the grass in the field, still thinking about what had befallen him. 

“You had a nightmare inside a dream,” Akui said. 

“But… I thought we could control this space,” Muichiro said. “My subconscious, I mean.” 

“THIS space, yes,” Akui said. “Not what lies below.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“My reach does not extend there. We can control this layer of your dream, but the dream within your dream is out of our control. In other words, when you fall asleep in this dream, you’re left with your wild, unrestrained, raw subconscious. As a result of that, your mind can roam free and any imperfections, doubts, or anomalies lying within you will consume you entirely.” 

Muichiro visibly shivered and the unnerving and horrifying thought. 

“If… if that’s the case… then… I just won’t go to sleep in this dream!” 

Akui shook his head. “I’m afraid that’s not possible.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“This dream mimics real life. You will not get tired as often as you would in real life, but you will still get tired and need to sleep eventually.” 

“But…” 

“I will be here to help you through it. And if you succeed in taming your wild, unrestrained, inner subconscious as well, you will be able to do anything.” 

“You mean it’s possible for me to gain control over it as well?” 

“Yes,” Akui replied. “It will involve a lot of mental and physical pain and suffering, but if you are able to endure it, you will become much stronger. Of course, that is only IF you are able to endure it. If you are not able to, it will have the opposite effect.” 

“I see.” 

Silence. 

“I just want to wake up,” Muichiro said quietly. “I want to wake up from all of this. I want things to go back to the way they were before. I just… wish all of this was a dream. Everything that’s happened. Mom and Dad’s deaths, getting separated from Yuichiro, my death, my revival as a demon, being a demon for three years, Grandpa’s death, Sanemi-san and Genya’s deaths, Kazuyuki-san’s disappearance, the mysterious illness, the new progenitor demon after Muzan’s death, all of it.” 

Muichiro buried his face in his hands. 

“I wish it turned out this was all just a nightmare and I could wake up from it back in my old house, with Yuichiro and my parents, all of us alive and well.”

… 

Muichiro was not the only one having nightmares. 

The few times Yuichiro could get to sleep, he would have horrible nightmares about losing Muichiro. Muichiro’s brief death and revival continued to haunt him. He didn’t want to be away from Muichiro at any point in the day, and so he and Muichiro both remained in their room, with Muichiro sleeping and Yuichiro waiting for him to wake up. 

Kimiko was in the main downstairs area of the mansion one day, with Rui, when he heard noises from the front door. 

He got up, approached the door, and opened it. It was Ko, and he was carrying a letter. 

Kimiko shut the door and brought Ko inside. Then, he took the letter. He immediately noticed the letter was from Kiyo. 

“Is it from the doctor?” Rui asked. 

“Yes,” Kimiko replied. 

Kimiko unfolded the letter and read it. 

It read: 

Hello, Kimiko Kazuyuki-san and Yuichiro Tokito-san. 

I have studied Muichiro’s blood as well as the strange black liquid, and I have discovered what happened to him. What happened does not make sense to me, but it is the unmistakable truth. 

I will be coming to your mansion right after sending this letter. The letter will most likely arrive first, but expect me to come not long after. We can then discuss treatment for Muichiro Tokito-san. 

Sincerely, Kiyo Kazuyuki. 

Kimiko told Rui what the letter said. 

“So we can expect her anytime now?” Rui asked. 

“Yeah,” Kimiko said. “We’ll need to make sure we’re down here to let her in when she arrives.” 

“Okay,” Rui said. 

“I’m going to go upstairs and tell Yuichiro,” Kimiko said. “You stay down here.” 

Rui nodded in response. 

… 

Kimiko knocked on the door of Muichiro and Yuichiro’s room. 

“Yuichiro?” Kimiko asked. “It’s me, Kimiko.” 

“Come in.” 

Kimiko entered the room. Muichiro was still asleep, and Yuichiro was with him. 

“What is it?” Yuichiro asked, sitting up to face Kimiko. 

“We got a letter from the doctor-” 

“Finally,” Yuichiro said. “Gimme that.” 

Yuichiro snatched the letter from Kimiko and read it. 

“Good. She’s coming soon.” 

“Yeah,” Kimiko said. 

Yuichiro handed the letter back to Kimiko, who then folded it and put it away. 

“I’ll be waiting with Rui-kun downstairs,” Kimiko said. 

Kimiko left to go back downstairs, closing the door behind him. 

Yuichiro lay back down. 

“Muichiro… I know you probably can’t hear me right now… but the doctor is coming soon,” Yuichiro said. “We’ll find out what’s wrong and how to fix it. Just hold on a little longer, okay?”

Chapter Text

Muichiro woke up from another nightmare within the dream. He was lying down with his head on Akui’s lap. Slowly, he sat up and looked around. It was the same field… again. 

“Are they getting better?” Akui asked. 

“Just barely,” Muichiro replied, shivering. “But… at least I know what to expect.” 

“Yes.” 

Silence. 

“Akui… can I ask you something?” 

“By all means.” 

“What’s the significance of this field in your memory?” 

Silence again. 

“Why do you ask?” Akui asked. 

“Well, we always come back here, no matter what,” Muichiro looked off into the distance. “This is the place we’ve spent the most time in, and it’s certainly the most vivid and detailed memory out of the places we’ve been to from your memory. It must be really important to you. So… what is it, exactly? What is this field to you?” 

Muichiro waited patiently for an answer. Akui was silent for a while before answering. 

“Home.”

… 

Kimiko and Rui heard a knock on the door. When they went to answer it, it was Kiyo. She entered the mansion and closed the door behind her. 

“I assume Yuichiro-san is upstairs with Muichiro-san?” 

“Yes,” Kimiko replied. 

“I see,” Kiyo said. “Well, I’ll tell you both my findings first, and then I’ll go upstairs to see them.” 

“Understood,” Rui said. 

“It will be a lot to take in, so we should make ourselves comfortable.” 

… 

“Let’s start with the strange black liquid,” Kiyo said. “The strange black liquid… is the blood of that progenitor demon.” 

Kimiko and Rui’s eyes widened. 

“Then… is it going to turn Muichiro-kun into a demon?” Kimiko asked. 

“Yes, it might,” Kiyo said. “But that was not even the most surprising thing I found.” 

“What was it, then?” Rui asked. 

“There were traces of a strange substance in the liquid as well,” Kiyo said. “I have come to believe that it is the lifeblood of a plant known as the blue spider lily.” 

Kimiko and Rui were shocked to hear this. 

“The blue spider lily…” Rui trailed off. 

“Wait,” Kimiko said. “I think Muichiro told us about that plant. It’s the plant Muzan sought to become immune to the sun!” 

“If it wins control, the blue spider lily lifeblood, mixed with the blood of that progenitor demon, will turn Muichiro-san into a progenitor demon immune to the sun,” Kiyo said. “Muichiro-san’s body appears to be resisting it at the moment… somehow… but the conflict taking place in his body on a cellular level could very well kill him.” 

“There was actually a moment recently where he died,” Kimiko said quietly. “His breathing and heart rate stopped completely. We had to use a defibrillator to bring him back to life.” 

Silence. 

“We must act immediately,” Kiyo said and stood up. “I’m going upstairs to tell Yuichiro-san what I told you, and then we will talk about a cure and treatment for Muichiro-san.” 

… 

Kiyo knocked on the door of Muichiro and Yuichiro’s room. 

“Yeah, come in,” Yuichiro said. 

Kiyo opened the door, entered the room, and closed the door behind her. 

Yuichiro sat up to face her. “So what did you find?” 

“The strange black liquid is the blood of that progenitor demon,” Kiyo said. 

“Is it now.” 

A brief moment passed and Yuichiro realized the gravity of what Kiyo had said. 

“Wait… WHAT!?” Yuichiro’s eyes widened. 

“Yes, you heard me right. But that was not even the most shocking thing I found.” 

“Tell me.” 

“There were traces of a strange substance in the liquid as well, that I have come to believe is the lifeblood of the blue spider lily.” 

Silence. 

“The fucking blue spider lily?” Yuichiro asked. “Are you fucking serious?” 

“I am,” Kiyo replied. 

“The plant Muzan sought to become immune to the sun…” Yuichiro thought. 

“This is what I understand,” Yuichiro said. “If a human consumes the blue spider lily, then they become a progenitor demon. If a demon consumes the blue spider lily, then they become a progenitor demon immune to the sun. If a progenitor demon consumes the blue spider lily, then they become immune to the sun.” 

Kiyo slowly nodded. 

“What about the blood of that progenitor demon combined with the lifeblood of the blue spider lily?” Yuichiro asked. “What’s happening to Muichiro? What’s GOING to happen to him? Will he become a demon?” 

“Well, if his body assimilates the blue spider lily lifeblood mixed with the blood of that progenitor demon, it will turn Muichiro-san into a progenitor demon immune to the sun,” Kiyo explained. “However, rather than trying to assimilate it, Muichiro’s body appears to be resisting it at the moment.” 

“Really?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Yes. Somehow.” 

Yuichiro gently stroked Muichiro’s hair, smiling at his younger twin brother. “Muichiro… even asleep, you’re fighting and doing your best.” 

He looked back at Kiyo. 

“I have to fight too,” Yuichiro said, his resolve clear. “Tell me what I can do to help him fight against this.” 

“I will develop a cure for him,” Kiyo said. “If I do need help, I will let you know.” 

Yuichiro nodded. 

“But… there is some bad news,” Kiyo said. “The conflict taking place in Muichiro’s body is on a cellular level, and it could very well kill him.” 

Silence. 

“It could kill…?” Yuichiro’s eyes were wide in shock. “IT COULD KILL HIM!?” 

“Yes,” Kiyo said solemnly. “I will do my best to develop the cure as soon as possible.” 

“Is there anything… ANYTHING AT ALL… that we can do before then?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Well, I did bring one thing for him,” Kiyo said. “It’s a medicine to help him fight against the liquid. It won’t cure him… I don’t know what will yet… but it’ll help to keep the liquid in check and stall his potential transformation.” 

“What is it made of?” Yuichiro asked. 

… 

“I see,” Yuichiro said. “Well, he isn’t allergic to any of that, so fine, you can give it to him.” 

Kiyo took the medicine out of her pocket. It was a paste, meant to be spread over Muichiro’s wound. She put on clean gloves and removed the bandages to reveal his wound. Then, she gently, slowly, applied the medicinal paste to his wound. 

“Could I have a new set of bandages?” Kiyo asked. 

Yuichiro nodded. He left the room and soon came back with more bandages, which he gave to Kiyo. She then covered Muichiro’s wound back up with the new bandages. 

“There,” Kiyo said, removing her gloves. “I’ll go get to work on the actual cure now, but I do have a question.” 

“What?” 

“Has Muichiro-san ever been a demon before?” 

Silence. 

“Why?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Yuichiro-san… I promise it’s important for me to know,” Kiyo said. “Please tell me.” 

Yuichiro huffed. 

“Yeah, he was a demon once.” 

“For how long?” 

“Three years.” 

“Is that why he’s so small?” 

“Yeah,” Yuichiro replied reluctantly. “He’s chronologically fifteen like me, as we’re twins, but he’s physically twelve. Possibly even still physically eleven. It doesn’t help that he’s always been small for his age anyway.” 

“I see. Well, thank you for letting me know.” 

Kiyo stood up. 

“I’ll go get to work on the cure. If anything comes up, I’ll send you a message.” 

“Okay,” Yuichiro said. “And one more thing…” 

“Yes?” 

“Curing Muichiro comes before anything else, but there is one last thing I would like to ask you to do AFTER Muichiro is back and this is all over.”

Chapter Text

Muichiro felt immense pain in his chest. The pain spread throughout his whole body until it consumed him completely. His skin was black, and he had been completely consumed and deformed. His body was completely maimed and mangled, with his veins popping, bones puncturing his skin, blood pouring from many places in his body, displaced organs, and irreversible internal bleeding and injuries on a cellular level. 

Then, suddenly, something eased the pain in his chest. The strange black liquid was being fought and stalled out by something. His chest still hurt very much, but the pain was a bit less, even if not by much at all. 

… 

Just the next day, Ko carried another letter from Kiyo to Kimi’s mansion. 

“She developed the cure already?” Kimiko asked, taking the letter. 

He was in disbelief at first, but he soon learned that was not the case. As he and Rui read the letter, the expression on his face went from shock to concern. 

“I have to take this to Yuichiro right now,” Kimiko said. 

He rushed upstairs to Muichiro and Yuichiro’s room and quickly knocked on the door. 

“Yuichiro? It’s important,” Kimiko said. 

“Come in, then,” Yuichiro said. 

Kimiko entered the room and closed the door behind him. 

“We got another letter from the doctor,” Kimiko said. 

“That was fast,” Yuichiro said. 

Kimiko gave the letter to Yuichiro. Yuichiro read it. 

It read: 

Hello, Kimiko Kazuyuki-san and Yuichiro Tokito-san. 

Something has come to my attention that requires an immediate change concerning Muichiro-san’s treatment. 

I initially believed it would be better for him to remain asleep during this time, as his body would expend less energy, but I now believe it would be better if he were awake as soon as humanly possible. 

I believe this because I have discovered that the lifeblood of the blue spider lily and the demon blood could be interfering with his subconscious. The demon blood could cause him to see what is left of that progenitor demon in his dreams, and the blue spider lily could cause something far worse that I cannot even comprehend… 

Enclosed is a medication that will force him to consciousness. It is in the form of a pill that you must give to him by putting it in his mouth and letting it dissolve. I have made sure it does not contain anything that will harm him in any way, so there is no need to worry about that. It may not take effect immediately, but it should not take very long. 

After he wakes up, he must rest, but do not force him to sleep. He may sleep if he feels comfortable with it, but if he chooses to do so, you must stay by his side and make sure to wake him up if he appears to have a nightmare of any kind. Rest assured that I am working as fast as I can to develop a cure for him. 

Sincerely, Kiyo Kazuyuki. 

Yuichiro gave the letter back to Kimiko after reading it. 

“This is the medicine she sent,” Kimiko said, handing Yuichiro a small container with a pill inside. 

“Got it,” Yuichiro said and took the pill out of the container. 

Yuichiro placed Muichiro in a seated position against the wall to minimize the risk of him choking on the pill. Then, he gently opened Muichiro’s mouth and slipped the pill inside. 

“Now we wait, I guess,” Kimiko said, sitting down on Yuichiro’s bed. 

“Can I wait with you?” a voice asked. 

It was Rui, in the doorway. 

“Rui,” Yuichiro said. 

“I’m worried about Muichiro-kun,” Rui said. “Could I wait with you as well?” 

“Yeah, okay,” Yuichiro replied. 

Rui entered the room and closed the door. He then sat down on Yuichiro’s bed beside Kimiko. Yuichiro was still sitting on Muichiro’s bed beside his younger twin brother. 

“Hopefully it doesn’t take too long for the medicine to work,” Rui said. 

“It’s not supposed to,” Yuichiro said. “According to the doctor’s letter, at least.” 

Muichiro continued sleeping soundly, until something disturbed him. 

The pill was taking effect. 

… 

Muichiro and Akui were in the gazebo in the blue spider lily field, sipping tea, when Muichiro was disturbed by something. 

His vision was getting blurry… 

“Muichiro, what’s wrong?” Akui asked. 

“My vision is blurry,” Muichiro replied. “I don’t know why…” 

“I have a guess,” Akui said. “I think it’s because the dream is fading.” 

“What? It is?” 

“Yes. I can sense outside forces attempting to force you to consciousness despite the fact that you have not yet healed. You must resist it.” 

“Resist it? But… isn’t waking up a good thing?” 

“Not if it happens before you’re ready.” 

“I don’t think I can control it.” 

Muichiro’s vision continued to blur. He felt his senses leaving him as well. His senses of touch and hearing were getting fainter. 

“I guess this is farewell,” Akui said. “For now, that is.” 

Muichiro’s vision continued to blur as the world around him faded. 

He could no longer see Akui, the field, the blue spider lilies, the butterflies, or the gazebo they were in. 

He could no longer feel the ceramic cup in his hands, or the light breeze on his face. 

He could no longer hear Akui’s voice. 

He could no longer smell or taste the pleasant herbal tea he had been drinking. 

Everything was gone. He couldn’t feel, hear, smell, or taste anything, and all he could see was darkness. 

That was, until the void faded away as well, and he felt a comfortable bed underneath him, many layers of covers on top of him, and his older twin brother’s hand intertwined with his.

Chapter Text

Muichiro’s eyes flew open. He could see the ceiling of his room above him. He was sitting in his bed, leaning against the wall. Yuichiro was beside him, and Kimiko and Rui were across from him, sitting on Yuichiro’s bed. 

“Muichiro?” Yuichiro asked. “Are you… is that you? Are you awake?” 

“I…” Muichiro blinked. He had nearly forgotten how to talk. “I’m… here. I’m awake…” 

“I’m back here,” Muichiro thought. “It’s real. It’s not just another dream. I actually woke up. Everything will be fine now.” 

Muichiro instinctively looked down at his chest. 

His chest was bandaged. It was undoubtedly the same wound that destroyed him in his inner subconscious. 

Muichiro’s breathing quickened. “No. Please no.” 

“Muichiro, breathe,” Yuichiro said and squeezed Muichiro’s hand. “It’ll be okay. One of the best doctors in existence is working on a cure for you as we speak and it won’t be long before you’re completely back to normal.” 

“One of the best doctors…?” 

“Her name is Kiyo Kazuyuki,” Kimiko spoke up. “She also gave us the medication we used to wake you up, as well as one to slow the effects of the black liquid in your chest.” 

“The black liquid…” Muichiro looked down. “Right… do we know anything else about it?” 

Yuichiro, Kimiko, and Rui exchanged glances. 

“We should tell you everything we learned,” Yuichiro said. “There was a lot.” 

Muichiro slowly nodded. 

“Let’s start with the reason we even contacted a doctor in the first place,” Yuichiro said. “You were in a deep sleep for a while, and it just kept getting deeper. Your breathing had also slowed further, as the rate your chest was rising and falling had slowed down greatly. Your body temperature was too low, even for someone who had been asleep for multiple days. And… your heart rate was way too slow.” 

“Yeah,” Kimiko said. “He told me about it and that was when I told them about the doctor, Kiyo Kazuyuki, and we contacted her through Ko.” 

“It didn’t take her long to arrive,” Rui added. 

“She did a physical examination on you to see if she could figure out what was wrong, but she said she didn’t know,” Yuichiro said. “It looked really bad though. She took a sample of your blood and the shiny jet black liquid to study. She promised she’d find a cure and treatment for Muichiro, and I held her to that. Still am. But anyway, while she was out studying…” 

Yuichiro swallowed hard. 

“What happened?” Muichiro asked. 

Yuichiro didn’t respond. He only pulled his younger twin brother into a hug. 

“Yuichiro… please tell me,” Muichiro said. 

Yuichiro took a deep breath. 

“You died.” 

Silence. 

“What…?” Muichiro’s eyes widened. “But… am I not alive right now?” 

“I brought you back to life with our defibrillator,” Kimiko said. “You weren’t dead for very long.” 

“So I was dead… but I was brought back to life?” 

“Yes,” Yuichiro replied. “You weren’t breathing, and your heart stopped too. You… died. After Kimiko used the defibrillator, you came back to life and stabilized. It was… very scary.” 

Yuichiro hated admitting to being afraid of something, and there were very few things he was afraid of, but losing Muichiro was one thing he wouldn’t be able to bear. 

“What about afterward?” Muichiro asked. 

“Well, eventually, we finally heard back from the doctor,” Yuichiro explained. “She said she was coming soon, and she did. Then she had some… stuff to tell us.” 

“You know the strange black liquid?” Kimiko asked. 

“Yeah?” Muichiro asked. 

“It’s Akuma’s blood,” Kimiko said. “The doctor also said there were traces of another substance in the liquid as well, which she thinks is the lifeblood of the blue spider lily.” 

Muichiro tilted his head to the side. “If a human consumes the blue spider lily, they become a progenitor demon. If a demon consumes the blue spider lily, they become a progenitor demon immune to the sun. If a progenitor demon consumes the blue spider lily, they become immune to the sun.” 

“Yeah,” Yuichiro said. “I asked about what would happen to you with the blood of that progenitor demon combined with the lifeblood of the blue spider lily. She said that if your body assimilates the blue spider lily lifeblood mixed with the blood of that progenitor demon, you’ll become a progenitor demon immune to the sun. But this is where it gets weird. The thing is, rather than trying to assimilate it, at the moment, your body is resisting it.” 

“It’s… resisting it?” Muichiro asked. 

“Yes,” Yuichiro said. “And about that… there is good news and bad news. Which one do you want first?” 

Muichiro tensed. “Bad news.” 

“The doctor said, and I quote, the conflict taking place in your body is on a cellular level, and it could very well kill you.” 

Silence. 

“It could kill me?” 

“There’s good news too, remember? We recently gave you a medication to help keep it in check, and it appears to be working,” Yuichiro explained. “It’s helping your body fight it off during this time, and prevailing together. The cure will be ready soon. Just wait until then, okay?” 

Muichiro slowly nodded. 

“There’s also one more thing we should tell you,” Kimiko said. “We just received another letter from the doctor. Today, actually. It was very quick, considering she just left yesterday. It’s the reason you woke up.” 

“She said that she initially believed it would be better for you to remain asleep during this time as your body would expend less energy,” Yuichiro said. “But that wasn’t the case anymore. She said, and I quote, that the lifeblood of the blue spider lily and the demon blood could be interfering with your subconscious. The demon blood could cause you to see what’s left of that progenitor demon in your dreams, and the blue spider lily could cause something far worse that she said she could not even comprehend.” 

“So… she sent us a medication to force you to consciousness,” Kimiko said. “Evidently, it worked. Now you need to rest, but no one’s going to make you sleep. You run the risk of something horrifying happening to you in your subconscious until we cure you. It won’t be very long though.” 

“This brings us to a question I wanted to ask you,” Yuichiro said. “While you were in that deep sleep… was there anything strange about your dreams? Anything at all? Did you see that progenitor demon? Or… maybe something else entirely? Something that might be relating to the blue spider lily?” 

“Yes,” Muichiro thought. “Yes, I certainly-” 

“No. Nothing at all.”

Chapter Text

“What was that?” Muichiro thought. “Akui… did you just… force me to say that?” 

“I apologize for the sudden use of force,” Akui said telepathically. “I did indeed take control of your body for a brief moment. The reason for this is that I am afraid I cannot allow you to tell them about your subconscious experiences during this time.” 

“What? Screw that! It sounds important and you just made me lie to them!” 

“I am sorry, but like I said, I cannot allow it.” 

“Are you something created by the lifeblood of the blue spider lily? Are you something created from Akuma’s blood? Are you a demon? Are you what’s left of Akuma? Because you fit the exact description of what they just asked for, and the fact that you’re trying to prevent me from telling them anything is-” 

“I am none of those things. I am Akui, and like I already told you, I am your friend. I would have told you in advance if I could, but I could not. Do not tell them. Not now. I will not force you to tell them anything again, but only so long as you listen to me. It is in your best interest to do so.” 

Silence. 

“How did you even force me to say that?” Muichiro thought. 

Before Akui could answer, he was interrupted by something external. 

“Muichiro, are you sure?” Yuichiro asked. “Nothing?” 

“Please… do not tell them yet.” 

Muichiro wanted to refuse, but somehow, what Akui was telling him felt like it was the right thing to do. 

Muichiro swallowed hard. “Nothing.” 

“Well, let me know if you do remember anything,” Yuichiro said. 

“I expect you to explain this later,” Muichiro thought. “And you better have a good reason.” 

“Of course,” Akui said telepathically. 

With that, Akui’s voice seemed to disappear. 

At least for the time being… 

… 

Muichiro leaned back against the wall and sighed. Despite having just been asleep for many days, he was EXHAUSTED. 

“Would you like something to eat?” Kimiko asked. “I made rice.” 

“Um…” Muichiro wasn’t hungry, but he knew that he should eat, as he had been asleep for a while without water or food. “I’m not hungry but I probably should eat, I guess…” 

“Yeah, you should,” Yuichiro agreed. 

Muichiro tried to get up off the bed but felt dizzy and had to sit back down. 

“You’ve been asleep for a while,” Yuichiro said. “You should really take it easy for now. I’ll help you get downstairs.” 

Yuichiro took Muichiro’s hand and helped him get off the bed. Then, he led him out of their room and into the downstairs area of the mansion while Kimiko and Rui followed them. 

… 

“Is it good?” Kimiko asked. 

“Mhm,” Muichiro nodded. “You make the best rice, Kimiko-kun.” 

“Not as good as my master,” Kimiko said. 

Silence. 

They all thought about Kimi. 

“Wow,” Rui said. “With everything that’s been going on with Muichiro-kun, I almost forgot about his disappearance.” 

“He’s STILL gone,” Yuichiro said. “Is he… ever going to come back?” 

“I strongly believe he will,” Kimiko said. “At the very least, he himself will be okay. Wherever he is.” 

… 

Later that night, Muichiro was in his and Yuichiro’s room with Yuichiro and Rui. They were doing origami together and planned to do so throughout the whole night. 

“Yuichiro… are you sure you don’t want to sleep?” Muichiro asked. 

“I’m sure,” Yuichiro replied. “Staying with you is way more important, and besides, if you go to sleep I need to make sure I’m there to watch you closely.” 

“What about you, Rui-kun?” Muichiro asked. 

“It’s not time for me to go to sleep yet,” Rui replied. “I’m not tired at all.” 

“Well, okay then,” Muichiro said. 

… 

After doing origami for a while, Muichiro lay down on his bed with his head on his pillow. 

“I’m so tired,” Muichiro complained. “But, if I go to sleep…” 

Yuichiro could see how tired Muichiro was. He was yawning, and his eyelids were heavy, like they were struggling to stay open. His blood boiled with anger. It wasn’t fair Muichiro had to go through this. It wasn’t fair for him to be tormented this way, for his subconscious to be compromised and for him to be so tired yet traumatized by the idea of going to sleep. 

“I promise… it’ll be fixed soon,” Yuichiro said. “It will…” 

Muichiro smiled. “Thanks, Yuichiro.” 

“Go ahead and rest,” Yuichiro said. “If you fall asleep and have a nightmare, I’ll wake you up.” 

“Okay,” Muichiro said. 

They were silent for a while, until the silence was broken. 

At least, it was broken for Muichiro. 

… 

“Greetings.” 

“Akui,” Muichiro thought. “You’re back.” 

“Yes.” 

“I assume you have an explanation for me now?” 

“I do.” 

“Why did you make me lie to them? Why did you possess me? HOW did you possess me?” 

“I was able to possess you because I share a very strong bond with your subconscious mind now. In a way, I myself am a part of it.” 

“I don’t like the sound of that.” 

“I understand the sentiment. However, like I have told you before, I mean no harm.” 

“I’ve gone insane, haven’t I? First the dreams, now this.” 

“You have not gone insane. You are perfectly sane.” 

“I’ve got a literal voice in my head that feels like a completely different entity telling me it’s a part of my subconscious mind. How is that normal!?” 

“It’s not normal, and I didn’t say it was,” Akui said telepathically. “I only said you are sane, which you are. But you are certainly not normal.” 

“Yeah, that much was clear,” Muichiro thought caustically. 

“Muichiro… why are you speaking to me like this? Do you not remember how I helped you get closer to taming your inner subconscious?” 

“You possessed me!” Muichiro thought angrily. “You violated my free will by taking control of me without consent! What makes you think that’s okay!?” 

“You have every right to be upset with me. It was necessary, but it was not okay.” 

“You still haven’t told me why it was necessary.” 

“Of course,” Akui said telepathically. “The truth is that I do not want anyone else knowing of my existence.” 

“Why not?” 

“The more people know about me, the looser my grip on your subconscious becomes.” 

“What…?” 

“I could vanish from your mind completely.” 

“Is that not a good thing?” 

“Ow.” 

Silence. 

“Furthermore, I would run the risk of interfering with their subconscious, even if completely unintentionally,” Akui said telepathically. “And you don’t want that to happen, right?” 

“No,” Muichiro thought. 

“Very well then. In that case, do not tell anyone. You have been warned.” 

Akui’s voice seemed to disappear again, leaving Muichiro with only his thoughts. 

Before he knew it, Muichiro had, though unknowingly, drifted off… to sleep…

Chapter Text

Muichiro was back in the void. Except this time, he wasn’t alone. Someone else was there with him. 

It was Akui. He looked the exact same as before. 

“Hello, Muichiro.” 

“Why are you here?” Muichiro asked. 

“I do not have much of a choice,” Akui said. “I am a part of your subconscious, remember?” 

“Wait… if I’m here, then I must be asleep.” 

“Yes.” 

“I FELL ASLEEP!?” 

“Do not worry,” Akui said. “I have ensured that the lifeblood of the blue spider lily as well as the progenitor demon’s blood will not interfere with your subconscious.” 

“How can you be so sure?” Muichiro asked. 

“Have I ever allowed it to happen before?” 

“I don’t know.” 

“Muichiro… I haven’t. You have no reason to believe that I will now.” 

Muichiro looked away. 

“In any case, would you like to work on taming your inner subconscious now?” Akui asked. 

Silence. 

“I…” 

“Remember I will be here to help you through it.” 

Muichiro sighed. “I guess so.” 

… 

“He fell asleep,” Yuichiro said. “Well, there shouldn’t be any trouble so long as he doesn’t have any nightmares.” 

“Yeah,” Rui said. “We just need to watch out for that.” 

“He deserves sleep,” Yuichiro thought. “He should be able to sleep soundly without having to worry about his mind being fucking corrupted.” 

“I’m going to turn off the lights,” Yuichiro said. 

“Fine by me,” Rui said. “I don’t need much light anyway.” 

Yuichiro went and turned off the lights. Then, he sat down beside Muichiro on his bed, watching over his younger twin brother to make sure nothing bad happened to him while he slept. 

“I wish there was more that we could do…” Yuichiro thought. “I… feel so powerless…” 

… 

“I can do this,” Muichiro told himself. “I can do this, I can do this…” 

Muichiro felt immense pain in his chest. The pain spread throughout his whole body until it consumed him completely. His skin was black, and he had been completely consumed and deformed. His body was completely maimed and mangled, with his veins popping, bones puncturing his skin, blood pouring from many places in his body, displaced organs, and irreversible internal bleeding and injuries on a cellular level. 

“I can’t do this… not yet…” 

… 

“Muichiro, wake up!” Yuichiro was shaking his younger twin brother. 

“Huh…?” Muichiro opened his eyes. 

His eyes… they were watery. He had been crying. He wiped the tears away with his sleeve. 

“Muichiro… what happened to you?” Yuichiro asked. “What happened in your nightmare?” 

“Don’t tell him,” Akui said telepathically. “Don’t tell him what we were doing.” 

“What?” Muichiro thought. “But-” 

“No buts, Muichiro. You remember what we talked about.” 

“Muichiro?” Yuichiro asked. “Are you okay?” 

“I… I don’t remember,” Muichiro finally replied, which wasn’t entirely a lie. He didn’t remember very well exactly what happened, only the goal he had, which was to work on taming his inner subconscious. 

“Are you sure?” 

“Y- yes.” 

Yuichiro sighed. “So you don’t want to talk about it.” 

“What…?” 

“Muichiro… I can tell that you do remember, and that it was very painful,” Yuichiro said. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me. But… could you at least tell me if you think it has to do with the blood?” 

“No, I don’t think it does.” 

“I’m not lying,” Muichiro thought. “It doesn’t. My experience didn’t have to do with the blood… it was just my inner subconscious using the injury against me… right?” 

“Indeed it was,” Akui said telepathically. “You made the right choice.” 

Akui’s voice disappeared. 

“I don’t think I’ll be able to go to sleep again tonight,” Muichiro said. 

“That’s fine,” Rui said. “We can stay up together.” 

“Rui-kun?” Muichiro asked. “You’re still here?” 

“I am.” 

“I’m not going anywhere either,” Yuichiro said. “We’re here for you.” 

“That makes three of us,” a voice said. 

It was Kimiko standing in the doorway. 

“Kimiko?” Yuichiro asked. 

“I heard commotion and came to help,” Kimiko said, entering the room and closing the door behind him. “I’ll stay here too for the rest of the night, if that’s fine.” 

“Thank you for inviting yourself into Muichiro and my room for the rest of the night,” Yuichiro said sarcastically. 

Kimiko laughed. 

“In all seriousness though, you can stay,” Yuichiro said. “I’ll get the origami paper for us.” 

Muichiro smiled. “You guys…” 

The four of them began folding origami paper together. Muichiro’s mind was at peace, until Akui spoke to him again. 

… 

“I have a question,” Akui said telepathically. 

“Go away,” Muichiro thought. “I’m trying to spend time with them.” 

“What did I do to deserve this treatment?” 

“Appearing in my dreams is one thing, but I don’t appreciate having a voice in my head when I’m awake.” 

“Why is that?” 

“It’s just… weird.” 

“What’s wrong with being weird?” 

“I didn’t mean it that way,” Muichiro thought. “It’s weird in a bad way.” 

“Could I at least ask my question? I will be quiet afterward.” 

“Fine. Shoot.” 

“About Rui… why does he stay with you three?” Akui asked telepathically. “You, your brother, and the Kazuyuki boy have immense potential, but he just seems like a normal human kid to me.” 

“Potential, fighting ability, battle IQ, strength, and the like isn’t everything,” Muichiro thought. 

“Ironic words coming from the former upper rank 4,” Akui said telepathically. “Don’t you think your ancestor would disagree with you?” 

“Don’t bring Grandpa into this.” 

“But I’m right, am I not? He believed that only the strong were worth anything. He held disdain for the weak. For Rui, before Rui became an upper rank as well.” 

“You’re wrong,” Muichiro thought. “He took care of me by choice even when I was just a weak child with memory loss. He cared about me for who I was, not just what I could offer in terms of power.” 

“Are you sure? Or was it just because of your infinite potential?” 

Silence. 

“And you know, your brother feels the same way,” Akui said telepathically. “He himself said-” 

“Get out,” Muichiro thought. 

“Muichiro-” 

“I SAID GET OUT!” 

“…very well.” 

Akui’s voice disappeared. 

But still… his words lingered in Muichiro’s mind. 

“Your brother feels the same way,” Akui had said. “He himself said-” 

Muichiro clenched his fists and looked over at Yuichiro. 

“Yuichiro, could I talk to you?” Muichiro asked. “Alone?”

Chapter Text

Muichiro and Yuichiro were in the downstairs area of the mansion together, alone. They had made tea and were drinking it together. 

“What is it you wanted to talk about, Muichiro?” Yuichiro asked. 

Muichiro gripped his cup of tea with both hands tightly. “Yuichiro… how do you think the value of a human life is determined?” 

Yuichiro was taken aback by this statement. “What? Where’s this coming from all of a sudden?” 

“Just answer the question.” 

“Well, I think it’s a very vague question,” Yuichiro said. “I don’t really know how to answer.” 

Muichiro sighed. “Okay, just- do you believe strength determines the value of a human life?” 

“I think it depends,” Yuichiro said. “If someone cannot offer anything else, they should be able to offer some form of strength. But there are other ways for a life to be valuable. It just depends on the context.” 

“I see.” 

“So, why are you asking this, Muichiro?” 

“I was just curious. What about all life? Do you believe all life is valuable?” 

“No,” Yuichiro replied flatly. “I don’t even believe all human life is valuable, let alone all life. There are some humans society would be better off without. Their absence would have more value than their presence. As for all life forms… there are many life forms which I wish would cease to exist. The world is truly an awful place with them. I can name so many things and people that humans and the world would be better off without…” 

“Yes, that’s right,” Yuichiro thought. “That’s what I want to protect you from, Muichiro. People like you… are the few that make this world a better place. You deserve everything good in the world… and nothing bad in it.” 

“Thanks for listening to me and answering my questions,” Muichiro said. 

“Not a problem. Do you want to go back upstairs now?” 

“Actually… can we go outside?” Muichiro asked. 

Yuichiro’s eyes widened. “You want to go outside?” 

“Mhm,” Muichiro nodded. “Is that okay?” 

“Well, the doctor didn’t say you couldn’t… so yeah, I guess we can.” 

… 

Muichiro and Yuichiro were outside. It was a beautiful night. The moon was visible and its light gave the snow a silvery glow. 

The moon… 

“I kind of want to practice Moon Breathing,” Muichiro thought. 

“No,” Yuichiro said. 

“Huh? Was I thinking out loud just now?” Muichiro asked. 

“No, I just happen to know what it is you’re thinking about,” Yuichiro explained. “And the answer is no. Not yet.” 

“I know. I probably couldn’t use breathing techniques right now if I tried.” 

“Probably.” 

“Yuichiro, have you used Moon Breathing recently?” 

“Well, the last time I had to use breathing techniques was when we defeated that progenitor demon, and I didn’t use Moon Breathing at all against him. Only Mist Breathing. So no, I haven’t used it recently.” 

“Moon Breathing… is one of the only things we have left of Grandpa.” 

“I’m aware of that.” 

Muichiro stared at the moon. “I miss Grandpa. Sanemi nii-san and Genya too.” 

“Yeah.” 

“Most of all, I miss our parents.” 

Silence. 

“Muichiro, I have a question.” 

“Yeah?” 

“Were there any other demons you got to know during those three years you were a demon? Aside from Kokushibo, Muzan, Rui, and the other kizuki, I mean? Like any demons that weren’t Muzan or kizuki?” 

“Well, there was one,” Muichiro said. “He was strong enough to be a top upper rank but didn’t want anything to do with the hierarchy. His name was Yasha, and he lived in the Kurayami Forest.” 

“Hmm.” 

“He would’ve died when Muzan was killed though, so he’s long gone now,” Muichiro said. “He was fun to hang out with.” 

“I just realized I never asked you about your experiences with the other upper ranks,” Yuichiro said. “What were they like?” 

“Well, you know Grandpa and Rui, and I think I told you about Nakime too.” 

“No, you didn’t.” 

“I didn’t?” 

“No.” 

“Well, Nakime was a nice demon. She was the one in control of the Infinity Castle. She later became the replacement for upper rank 6 around the time you guys were doing hashira training. She was also good at taking care of hair and would brush my hair. The upper rank 6 that she was replacing was someone named Gyutaro. I never met the former upper rank 6 since the first kizuki meeting I went to took place after he had been killed.” 

Muichiro paused before continuing. 

“Upper rank 2 was someone named Doma. He was… overly friendly. It gave me the creeps.” 

“Upper rank 2… that would’ve been the person who killed Shinobu and Kanao,” Yuichiro said.

“Shinobu and Kanao?” Muichiro asked. “Who are they?” 

“They were in the demon slayer corps,” Yuichiro replied. “Shinobu was the Insect Hashira, and Kanao was her tsuguko. But that is not important. Go ahead and continue.” 

“Upper rank 3 was someone named Akaza. He kept telling Grandpa he was going to kill him. Do you think maybe he wasn’t capable of feeling fear or comprehending massive strength difference?” 

Yuichiro dubiously raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think it’s that deep. Most likely, he was just stupid.” 

Muichiro laughed. “Maybe. Upper rank 4 was someone named Hantengu, and he was afraid of everything. At least, he acted like it. He was the upper rank Kazuyuki-san killed in the Swordsmith Village. Upper rank 5 was someone named Gyokko. That was the demon YOU killed in the Swordsmith Village.” 

“Huh,” Yuichiro said. “What about the lower ranks? Did you get to know any of them?” 

“No,” Muichiro replied. “Not aside from Rui-kun, when he was one. If he counts.” 

“He doesn’t count, he became an upper rank later.” 

“Well then that’s it.” 

“You told me you spent the vast majority of your time in the Infinity Castle when you were a demon, right?” 

“Yeah.” 

“That must have been so confusing.” 

“Not really. I got used to it.” 

Silence. 

“You WHAT!?” 

“Rui-kun was surprised too. He said he couldn’t get used to it. I told him that if he lived there, he might, but he said he doubted it and would rather stay on Mount Natagumo.” 

“I’m with Rui on this, Muichiro. I don’t see how anyone could get used to that place.” 

“Grandpa was used to it.” 

“He doesn’t count.” 

“Muzan was used to it.” 

“HE DOESN’T COUNT EITHER.” 

“Nakime-” 

“SHE CREATED IT DAMNIT!” 

“What about you, Yuichiro?” Muichiro asked. 

“Huh?” 

“Could you tell me more about the demon slayer corps?” Muichiro asked. “You’ve told me about the other hashira aside from you, Kazuyuki-san, and Sanemi nii-san, and I know about the Ubuyashiki family, but was there anything else concerning the corps worth knowing about?” 

Yuichiro immediately remembered Tanjiro and… Nezuko. He also thought of their friends Inosuke and Zenitsu. It was the first time in a while that he had thought about them… he had been trying to forget about their existence completely. 

“Yuichiro?” Muichiro was able to sense Yuichiro’s anguish. 

Yuichiro calmed himself and placed his hands on Muichiro’s shoulders. 

“There isn’t anything else you need to worry about,” Yuichiro said, looking Muichiro in the eye. 

“Okay then.” 

Yuichiro gestured at the sky. “Look up.” 

“Yeah?” Muichiro asked. 

“It’s sunrise, which means it’s morning,” Yuichiro replied. “Would you like to go inside and eat some breakfast?” 

Muichiro nodded. “Yeah. That sounds good.” 

Chapter Text

After breakfast, Muichiro was in his and Yuichiro’s room. He was lying down on his bed, thinking. 

Then, his thoughts were interrupted. 

“Muichiro.” 

“What…?” Muichiro thought. 

“It’s me, Akui.” 

“What do you want? Can’t I have my thoughts to myself?” Muichiro thought. “Also, I could’ve sworn I told you to get out earlier. You’re not wanted here.” 

“I understand, and I am sorry,” Akui said telepathically. “I simply wanted to apologize for earlier.” 

“You did?” 

“Yes. I crossed a line when I mentioned your brother and ancestor. A line I should not have crossed. I am very sorry for that.” 

“Huh.” 

“I would also like to explain why I said what I said about Rui.” 

“Go on. I was wondering about that.” 

“I merely find it strange because I think he would hold you back, if anything. I don’t see why you accept him staying with you when you would be better off without him.” 

“Like I said, potential, fighting ability, battle IQ, strength, and the like isn’t everything,” Muichiro thought. “It doesn’t determine the value of someone’s life. Not anymore, anyway…” 

“And I remember. But I still believe-” 

“This isn’t about what you believe, though. We want him to stay, just like he wants to stay. Even if he supposedly holds us back.” 

“I see. Well then… I will not question you about it further.” 

“Yeah, thanks,” Muichiro thought. “Is there anything else you wanted to say, or…?” 

“No, nothing else,” Akui replied telepathically. “Goodbye for now.” 

“Bye.” 

… 

Muichiro, Yuichiro, Kimiko, and Rui were eating lunch when they got a letter from Kiyo through Ko. 

It read: 

Hello, Kimiko Kazuyuki-san, Yuichiro Tokito-san, Muichiro Tokito-san, and Rui-san. 

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I finished developing the cure. The bad news is that it only has a 50% chance of success in completely curing Muichiro-san. I have tried to improve our chances but this appears to be the best I can get you, at least for now, and the good news is that it has a 90% chance of success in curing him by at least 50% so it will help him greatly regardless. If it doesn’t cure him completely, I will continue to search for something that will. 

I’ll most likely arrive with the cure the same day this letter arrives, as I left right after giving it to Ko. I’ll see you then! 

Sincerely, Kiyo Kazuyuki. 

… 

“I see,” Yuichiro said. “50% chance, huh?” 

“It’s a 90% chance of curing him at least halfway, so it will probably do SOMETHING even if it doesn’t COMPLETELY cure him,” Kimiko said. “I think that’s pretty good for something developed this quickly.” 

“I agree,” Rui said. 

“Me too,” Muichiro said. 

“I guess you’re right,” Yuichiro said. “We’ll just wait for her.” 

“I hate that all we can do is wait…” Yuichiro thought, his hands balling into fists out of frustration. “I wish I could help somehow…” 

… 

Later in the day, Kiyo arrived at the mansion with the cure. 

Yuichiro brought her to his and Muichiro’s room, where Muichiro was resting. Kimiko and Rui were there too. 

“Kiyo-san is here with the cure,” Muichiro thought. “This is where we part ways, Akui.” 

“Muichiro… I already told you, my presence in your subconscious has nothing to do with your injury,” Akui said telepathically. 

“Can’t you see why I find that hard to believe!?” 

“I do, but… you haven’t given me much of a chance to prove you wrong.” 

“Well, you’ll have a chance now. If the cure works… ACTUALLY works, meaning it completely cures me… and you’re still here… then I’ll consider believing you.” 

“You’re too kind.” 

“Really? You know, I could be less kind, if-” 

“I was joking.” 

“Muichiro-san, I’m going to remove the bandages now,” Kiyo said. 

Muichiro nodded. 

With her gloves on, Kiyo lifted the bandages off Muichiro’s chest. 

Then, she took out a needle. 

“This is the cure,” Kiyo said. “I’ll give it to you now.” 

She placed the needle on Muichiro’s skin. Not in the wound, but near the wound. It punctured his skin, inserting the cure into his body. Then, she removed the needle and put it away. 

Kiyo covered Muichiro’s wound back up with new bandages. Afterward, she removed her gloves. “It’ll take a few hours to cure him even if it’s a complete success. He should be fine tomorrow. If it works the way it’s supposed to, that is. Until then, monitor his condition. I’ll be back tomorrow to check if it worked.” 

Kiyo turned to leave but Kimiko stopped her. 

“Actually… would you like to stay here?” Kimiko asked. “With everything you’ve done for us, it’s the least we could do. I don’t imagine you would want to leave only to travel back again tomorrow.” 

“Hey! Kimiko!” Yuichiro barked. “Muichiro, Rui, and I never agreed to that!” 

“Would you three be okay with it?” Kimiko asked. 

“I don’t see a problem with it,” Rui said. 

“I appreciate all that Kiyo-san has done for me,” Muichiro said. “I think we should definitely offer to let her stay here.” 

Yuichiro looked away. “Well, if Muichiro’s okay with it, I suppose there isn’t a problem…” 

Kimiko smiled. “So, Kiyo-san, would you like to stay here?” 

“I… I don’t want to cause any trouble.” 

“You won’t,” Yuichiro said. “You heard Muichiro. We appreciate all that you’ve done for him.” 

Muichiro smiled. “Yuichiro…” 

“I understand, and I accept your offer,” Kiyo said. “Thank you, and I hope it isn’t too much trouble for me to stay here.” 

“Great,” Kimiko said. “You can sleep in one of the guest rooms. I’ll show you the options and you choose which one.” 

Kiyo nodded. 

Kimiko and Kiyo left the room together, with Kimiko leading Kiyo to the area of the mansion with the guest rooms. 

“I’ll go finish getting dinner ready,” Rui said. “And I’ll make sure we have some extra for Kiyo-san since she’s staying here.” 

Rui left the room, leaving only Muichiro and Yuichiro. 

“How are you feeling?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Good,” Muichiro replied. “I feel better already. I might get a good sleep tonight.” 

Yuichiro smiled fondly. “That’s good.” 

A bit later, Rui came to let them know that dinner was ready. They went downstairs with Rui, Kimiko, and Kiyo. The five of them ate dinner together and then went to their respective rooms. 

… 

Muichiro and Yuichiro were getting ready for bed. 

“Muichiro, it’s been a few hours now,” Yuichiro said. “We should check your wound.” 

Muichiro removed the bandages on his chest. The wound had indeed healed a lot. It pushed the liquid out of Muichiro’s bloodstream and out of his wound for it to be absorbed by the bandages as the cut closed up. 

“Your body is pushing it out, just like it’s supposed to, and the bandages are absorbing it, just like they’re supposed to,” Yuichiro said, helping Muichiro cover up his wound once again. “That’s good.” 

“Yeah, and it looks like it’s almost completely done,” Muichiro said. “I think it’ll be a complete success.” 

“We still need to keep an eye on you for a while to make sure it was a success,” Yuichiro said. “So it’ll be a while before we know for sure.” 

“I understand.” 

“Are you tired?” 

“Yeah.” 

“Do you think you’ll be able to sleep well tonight?” 

“I do.” 

“Then go ahead. I’ll stay here to wake you up if something bad happens.” 

Muichiro nodded. He lay down in his bed and closed his eyes. “Good night, Yuichiro.” 

“Good night.” 

… 

“Muichiro.” 

“Akui…?” Muichiro asked. 

Akui appeared in front of Muichiro. “Indeed.” 

“Why are you here?” Muichiro asked. “Why can’t I just have a normal dream?” 

“I could leave, if you wanted me to,” Akui said. “Or… I could stay… and we could work on taming your inner subconscious.” 

Silence. 

“Muichiro… would you say your mind is in a better place now that you are being cured?” 

“I guess.” 

“Well then, now would be a good time for us to do so together. As you know, your inner subconscious uses any imperfections, doubts, or anomalies you may have lying within you against you. And tell me, Muichiro… what exactly was the thing that your mind used against you the most?” 

“It was…” Muichiro paused. “It was my injury.” 

“Precisely,” Akui said. “But that’s almost entirely healed and only continues to get closer to being completely healed. Do you not think it would be easier?” 

“Yeah, okay, I get what you mean. I’ll do it. But… I want to ask you for a favor concerning that.” 

“What might that be?” 

“If it looks like it’s getting bad, could you wake me up in this dream? I don’t want to worry Yuichiro. I don’t want him to have to wake me up in real life. Just bring me back into this dream. Can you do that?” 

“Yes, I can.” 

“Okay, good.” 

“Let us begin.”

Chapter Text

The next morning, Muichiro woke up and opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was his older brother sitting in his bed across from Muichiro, staring at him. 

“Good morning, Muichiro,” Yuichiro said. “How are you feeling?” 

“I’m… hungry?” Muichiro slowly sat up and rubbed his head. “That’s weird… I haven’t felt hungry in a long while…” 

“Everyone else is already eating lunch downstairs. Let’s join them and get you some food.” 

“Lunch?” 

Yuichiro laughed. “Muichiro, do you have any idea how long you’ve been sleeping for?” 

Muichiro tilted his head to the side. “No…?” 

“Well, you slept for a while,” Yuichiro said. “Yes, it’s lunchtime now.” 

“Huh.” 

“Come on, let’s go.” 

“Okay.” 

Yuichiro led Muichiro downstairs where Kimiko, Rui, and Kiyo were eating breakfast. 

“Good morning, Muichiro-kun!” Kimiko said. 

“You slept for a while,” Rui said. “I assume you slept very well.” 

“I did,” Muichiro said, sitting down with his food to eat with them. “I feel great.” 

“I’ll check your injury after breakfast,” Kiyo said. “Then I’ll be able to tell you if the cure was a success or not.” 

Muichiro nodded. “Okay.” 

… 

After lunch, Muichiro and Yuichiro were in their room. Kiyo was with them, checking Muichiro’s injury. 

“It appears to have completely healed,” Kiyo said. “This is very good news.” 

“Do we know for sure?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Almost entirely sure,” Kiyo said. “We must wait twenty-four hours to draw an absolute conclusion but I believe it is safe to say the cure is successful in completely curing him.” 

“I see.” 

“Would you like me to stay until then? Or would you like me to leave?” 

“Just… stay,” Yuichiro replied. “You’re the doctor.” 

“Understood.” 

Kiyo soon left and went back to the guest room she was staying in. 

After she had left, Muichiro lay down on his bed and looked up at the ceiling. 

“Akui, are you still here?” Muichiro thought. 

“I am.” 

Akui responded instantly, and his voice was as clear as ever. 

“Huh,” Muichiro thought. 

“Do you believe me yet?” Akui asked telepathically. 

“Almost. Just wait until it’s been twenty-four hours and I have confirmation from the doctor.” 

“Understood. I’ll be waiting.” 

“Muichiro, what are you thinking about?” Yuichiro asked. 

Muichiro sighed. “Nothing, really. I just want it to be twenty-four hours so we’ll know for sure.” 

“I see,” Yuichiro said. 

“I’m not lying,” Muichiro thought to himself. “I really do want to know for sure, and that’s what I was conversing with Akui about.” 

“Don’t worry, you don’t need to lie to yourself as well,” Akui said telepathically. “You’re lying for a very good reason, after all.” 

“What would you know!? Not telling him feels awful! How long do I need to keep this up!?” 

“Indefinitely.” 

“Well shit.” 

… 

That evening, after dinner, Kiyo did a physical examination of Muichiro and his injury. 

“Well?” Yuichiro asked impatiently. 

A smile formed on Kiyo’s face. “He’s cured.” 

“Completely?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Yes.” 

“Are you sure? Completely sure?” 

“Yuichiro-san… I’m sure,” Kiyo said. 

Yuichiro looked over at Muichiro, then back at Kiyo, then at Muichiro, and back at Kiyo again. 

Muichiro’s wound was completely healed with none of the liquid remaining in his body. 

“I… thank you,” Yuichiro said. “Thank you very much.  Do we pay you with money, or…?” 

“No, don’t worry about money, or any costs for that matter,” Kiyo said. “Anything for his allies.” 

Muichiro tilted his head to the side. “His…?” 

“She must mean Kazuyuki-san,” Yuichiro said. 

“Oh,” Kiyo said. “Well I suppose he is technically a Kazuyuki-san as well.” 

“What?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Nothing, never mind,” Kiyo said. “Just… don’t worry about any costs or anything.” 

Yuichiro raised an eyebrow. “Not even… for the other thing?” 

“Other thing?” Muichiro asked. “What other thing?” 

“No, not that either,” Kiyo said to Yuichiro. 

Yuichiro’s eyes widened. “Wow.” 

Muichiro hung his head. “Can someone please explain to me what’s going on…? What are you guys talking about…?” 

“Of course,” Yuichiro said. “You were still in that deep sleep when this happened.” 

“There was something else Yuichiro-san requested of me,” Kiyo explained. “It was something he wanted me to do after curing you.” 

“Yeah,” Yuichiro said. “Curing you came before anything else, but there was one last thing I wanted to ask her to do after you were back and this was all over.” 

“Well, what was it?” Muichiro asked. 

Yuichiro took a deep breath. “It was… breaking the curse.” 

“The curse?” 

“The curse of the demon slayer mark.” 

Muichiro’s eyes widened. “What…?” 

“You know the story… those who manifest the demon slayer mark, without exception, will all die before they reach the age of 25.” 

Yuichiro reached up and touched the darkened mist shaped marks on his face with his hand. 

“At least… that’s what the curse dictates. But I don’t give a shit.” 

Muichiro blinked. “I’m confused.” 

“I refuse to die at age 25,” Yuichiro said flatly. “What’s confusing about that?” 

“A permanent cure for the demon slayer mark,” Kiyo said. “That is what he asked of me.” 

Muichiro’s eyes widened. “That… EXISTS!?” 

“We don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. Even if it doesn’t exist, I’ll still find it and break the curse.” 

Yuichiro placed his hands on Muichiro’s shoulders. 

“Muichiro, do you remember the promise I made you when we got back together?” 

“It was… that we were going to be together forever.” 

“Yes. Exactly. I’m not going to die at age 25 and leave you behind. We WILL be together forever, and that means living long and dying old together.” 

Muichiro slowly nodded. He had almost forgotten Yuichiro had the demon slayer mark with everything that had been happening. 

“How could I almost forget?” Muichiro thought. “How could I almost forget that Yuichiro has the demon slayer mark and is set to die from the curse in ten years?” 

“I understand,” Muichiro said. “Kiyo-san, do you think it can be done?” 

“I will have to look into it,” Kiyo replied. “I can neither confirm nor deny that a cure exists.” 

“It has to,” Yuichiro said. “Even if it doesn’t, we’ll still find it. I refuse to accept this.” 

“I’ll leave now,” Kiyo said. “I’ll try and see if it’s possible to find a permanent cure for the demon slayer mark, and if so, what it would be. I will contact you with further information afterward.” 

… 

After Kiyo left, Muichiro and Yuichiro both went to bed. Kimiko and Rui had gone back to their rooms as well. 

Muichiro was lying in bed, thinking. 

“Kiyo-san is finding Yuichiro a permanent cure for his demon slayer mark,” Muichiro thought. “He won’t die in ten years. This is great news! Combined with the fact that I’ve been fully cured too, it’s THE BEST news any of us could get right now! But… why is there also a small part of me that feels bittersweet more than sweet? It doesn’t make any sense…” 

“It’s because you want to believe the curse of the demon slayer mark is absolute and it’s futile to try and break it.” 

Silence. 

“Akui…?” 

“Yes, I’m here,” Akui said telepathically. 

“I thought you left.” 

“Why did you think that? I told you I’d still be here.” 

“I guess so. Since I’m fully cured… that means you really didn’t have to do with what happened.” 

“Indeed. Do you believe me yet?” 

“Yes.” 

“Good.” 

“But… if you didn’t have to do with this… where did you come from? Why are you here?” Muichiro thought. “Are you… are you going to be a part of my subconscious forever?” 

“If you must know, I am a spirit,” Akui said telepathically. “I was drawn to your subconscious while you were asleep. I am here to help you.” 

“How long will you be here?” Muichiro thought. 

“It could be any amount of time, from a few days to many years. It may never happen.” 

“Never? There’s a possibility you could be trapped in my subconscious forever?” 

“Is that really so bad?” 

“Akui… I have nothing against you,” Muichiro thought. “But… I don’t want anyone with me in my mind. I want my thoughts and subconscious to be completely private, only accessible to me. I don’t want anyone in my mind with me. I wouldn’t even want Yuichiro in my mind with me so believe me when I say it’s nothing personal.” 

“I see. Well, I understand. I’ll try to be the least bothersome possible. Like I said, I am here to help you.” 

“Help me?” 

“Yes. I was drawn to your infinite potential. I am here to help you utilize it to the fullest.” 

“I don’t know how I feel about that.” 

“Just… if there’s anything I can do to help you, please let me know.” 

“Okay,” Muichiro thought. “You can start by explaining what you said earlier.” 

“What?” 

“The first thing you said. I was asking myself why there’s a small part of me that feels bittersweet more than sweet. You said it was because I want to believe the curse of the demon slayer mark is absolute and it’s futile to try and break it.” 

“Ah, yes, that. Well, that is the truth.” 

“But… why would it be? How could it be? I want to stay together with Yuichiro forever! Always have and always will! How could I possibly want his death at age 25 to be unavoidable? It doesn’t make any sense!” 

“I suppose I didn’t phrase it properly,” Akui said telepathically. “You do indeed want to stay with Yuichiro forever, and there is no part of you that doesn’t want to break his curse and avoid him dying at age 25.” 

“Then what are you trying to say?” 

“You only want to believe the curse of KOKUSHIBO’S demon slayer mark was absolute and it would’ve been futile to try and break it, because if not then you could’ve saved your grandfather.” 

Silence. 

“Huh,” Muichiro thought. “Well, that… that actually might be true.” 

“It IS true.” 

“Why do you appear to know more about my thoughts and feelings than I do?” 

“I do not. It is simply easier for me to understand them. Imagine that your subconscious is a library. While all the books are undoubtedly yours, and you have read them all many times, I speak the language they are written in more fluently than you do, and so it is easier for me to understand exactly what is written in each of them.” 

“So it’s not that you know more about my subconscious than I do, but you’re just better at understanding it?” 

“Simply put, yes.” 

“Interesting, I guess.” 

Muichiro closed his eyes. 

“I’m going to go to sleep now.” 

“Would you like to work on taming your inner subconscious?” 

“Yes… we can do that.” 

“Understood,” Akui said telepathically. “Let us begin.”

Chapter Text

“You did it,” Akui said telepathically. 

“I don’t remember much of what happened,” Muichiro thought. “What did I do again?” 

“You finally managed to gain control over your inner subconscious.” 

“I… did?” 

“Yes.” 

Muichiro opened his eyes and sat up. He was in his bed, and it was late in the morning. Yuichiro was nowhere to be seen. He could hear people talking downstairs. He slowly got up, out of bed, and headed downstairs. 

… 

Yuichiro, Kimiko, and Rui were eating lunch together when Muichiro joined them. 

“Good morning, Muichiro,” Yuichiro said. 

“Morning,” Muichiro said, sitting down with them to eat his food. 

“How did you sleep?” Kimiko asked. 

“I… I slept pretty great, actually.” 

“That’s great,” Kimiko said. 

“Do you remember any of your dreams?” Yuichiro asked. “Anything at all?” 

“Akui, can I tell him yet?” Muichiro thought. 

“No,” Akui said telepathically. 

“Nothing,” Muichiro said. “I don’t think I had any memorable dreams.” 

“Well, that’s good, considering the alternative,” Yuichiro said. 

“I’ll say,” Rui said. 

“Yeah,” Kimiko said. 

“What about the morning? How has it been for you guys?” Muichiro asked. 

“There hasn’t been anything worth noting,” Yuichiro said. 

Muichiro took a bite of the meat on his plate. It was well done. They had always cooked it well done for him. But he found himself wanting… rare steak. 

“Hey, Yuichiro… is there any rare steak?” Muichiro asked. 

Yuichiro stared at his brother as though he’d grown a pair of horns. “W– what…?” 

“You know, the red one.” 

“I know what that means, but you’ve never eaten it before,” Yuichiro said. “You’ve always hated it and wanted your steak cooked well.” 

“We didn’t make any rare steak anyway,” Kimiko said. “Why do you ask?” 

“I don’t know… I felt like it, I guess,” Muichiro shrugged. “It’s fine though, I still like well done steak.” 

Muichiro was hungry, so he finished eating his food very soon. When he was finished, he left his bowl in the kitchen. 

“I kind of want to go for a walk,” Muichiro said. 

“A walk?” Yuichiro asked. “Why?” 

“Well, I obviously didn’t go outside at all when I was asleep, and even when I woke up, I was still resting in my room for most of the time. I want to go outside and enjoy the snow.” 

“The snow’s not going anywhere, you know,” Kimiko said. “It’s always snowy in the Kazuyuki Mountains.” 

“I know. I still want to go see it though.” 

“I’ll go with you,” Yuichiro said. 

“Kimiko-kun, Rui-kun, would you like to come?” Muichiro asked. 

“No thanks,” Kimiko said. “Thanks for the offer though.” 

“I will be staying inside as well,” Rui said. 

“Come on, Muichiro, let’s go,” Yuichiro said. 

… 

The sun was high in the sky. It was hidden behind layers of clouds, but its light still reached the snow on the ground, making it shine. 

The air was cold and crisp, and it was snowing. Not a blizzard, but not a particularly light snowfall either. The snow was fluffy and powdery, and descended slowly from the clouds above. It was very beautiful. 

“I love the Kazuyuki Mountains,” Muichiro looked around. “It’s cold and snowy here all year long. It never gets hot out, even in the summer.” 

“Even in the summer,” Yuichiro thought. “Yeah… you always did hate the summer heat even more than I did…” 

Images of the summer night Muichiro was killed flashed through Yuichiro’s mind. He pushed those thoughts away and they continued walking through the snow. 

… 

“Muichiro,” Akui said telepathically. “I apologize if this message comes at an inconvenient time, but might I make a small request?” 

“A request?” Muichiro thought. “What do you mean?” 

“You don’t have to give it to me, but… I want to ask your permission for something.” 

“What?” 

“Would you give me permission to take control? Just for a moment?” 

“Take control?” Muichiro thought. “Wait, are you asking to-” 

“Yes.” 

“No.” 

“Why no?” 

“Why YES!? Akui, why would you-” 

“I want to touch the snow.” 

“You… what?” 

“I want to touch the snow.” 

“Yeah, I heard you, but… WHY?” 

“Remember the blue spider lily field? The one from my memory?” 

“Yes…?” 

“Do you remember how I told you it was my home?” 

“I do… where are you going with this?” 

“It’s like that all year long. It’s always warm, so it can never snow. And I can’t exactly leave-” 

“AKUI,” Muichiro thought, bringing a moment of silence. “You’ve never touched snow before?” 

“Correct.” 

“And you’ve never experienced the cold before either?”

“Correct again.” 

“So you’re saying you’ve just been stuck in a sunny, warm, field for all of eternity?” 

“That is correct, Muichiro.” 

Silence. 

“Okay.” 

“Okay?” 

“You can take control for a moment,” Muichiro thought. “But JUST a moment.” 

“Understood,” Akui said telepathically. “Muichiro… thank you very much.” 

“Just… get it over with.” 

Muichiro and Akui switched places. Now Akui had control over Muichiro’s body, and Muichiro was a voice in his head. 

… 

“Muichiro, you spaced out for a moment,” Yuichiro said. “Are you okay?” 

“I’m okay, yeah.” 

He bent down and picked up some snow from the ground. Then, he packed it into a snowball. 

“Wow,” Akui thought. “This is awesome.” 

“Yeah, it is,” Muichiro thought. “Can I have my body back now?” 

“Not quite yet. Give me some time.” 

“Akui…” 

“I’ll be quick.” 

He looked around, taking in the feeling of the cold and the sight of the snow in the Kazuyuki Mountains. The air was cold and crisp, the mountains looked like they themselves were made from ice, and there was snow all around them. Snow below them, snow above them, snow everywhere. It was perfect. 

“Muichiro,” Yuichiro said. “We should head back to the mansion right about now.” 

“Yeah, okay.” 

“Muichiro, you can take control again,” Akui thought. 

“Got it,” Muichiro thought. 

Muichiro and Akui switched places once again, and then Muichiro and Yuichiro headed back to Kimi’s mansion. 

“Thank you,” Akui said telepathically. “Really, you have no idea how much it means to me.” 

“Getting to experience the snow and cold?” Muichiro thought. 

“Yes. But… not just that. It’s been a long while since I’ve been able to explore somewhere that isn’t someone’s subconscious. Somewhere that isn’t created by someone’s memories.” 

“Really?” 

“Yes. I can’t remember the last time I’d the chance to interact with the real outside world. And… you gave me the chance to do that. In an environment like this, no less. I can’t thank you enough.” 

“It’s really not that big a deal…” 

“It is. Even if it isn’t to you, it certainly is to me.” 

“I see.” 

“I’m going to leave for a bit now,” Akui said telepathically. “Is it alright if I talk with you later, though?” 

“Um… even if I say no, you’re still going to bother me later, aren’t you?” 

“I will not.” 

“Really?” 

“Yes. But is it okay if we talk again later?” 

Silence. 

“I guess,” Muichiro thought. 

“Good to hear. Well, I will take my leave now.” 

Akui’s voice disappeared.

Chapter Text

Over the next while, Akui switched places with Muichiro a lot. It had originally been something Muichiro was very reluctant to do, and because of that, Akui barely requested it. However, over time, it became a regular occurrence. The first time it happened, Muichiro never thought it could ever feel normal, but later on he gradually, unintentionally, and unknowingly became accustomed to it. 

Yuichiro, Kimiko, and Rui were still not aware of Akui’s existence, as Muichiro and Akui had done a very good job at making sure they never found out. 

However, Yuichiro had noticed slight changes in Muichiro’s personality. Not the kind of changes that would make him suspect someone was impersonating Muichiro, but the kind of changes that would make him worry about his younger twin brother. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was seriously off with Muichiro– but couldn’t place it– especially when Muichiro insisted he was fine. 

Though Muichiro didn’t know it himself, things about him WERE changing. His personality was shifting, ever so slightly, due to the influence Akui had on him. This influence was not visible on the surface, but was very clearly of existence in Muichiro’s subconscious mind. He had also begun to have bad head and full body aches, but brushed it off as a side effect of the healing process. 

… 

It was mid afternoon. Muichiro was sitting on his bed, folding a piece of origami paper from the package Yuichiro had bought him. Beside his bed he had a shelf where he kept some of his origami creations. He had created a lot. The whole mansion had origami in different places now, serving as decorations. 

“Muichiro, can I talk to you about something important?” Yuichiro asked. 

Muichiro looked up from the paper he had been so concentrated on folding. “Huh?” 

“I asked if I could talk to you about something important.” 

“Um… I guess so,” Muichiro said. “What is it? Is something wrong?” 

“That’s what I was going to ask you.” 

“What…?” 

“You haven’t been yourself lately. What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing’s wrong.” 

“Are you sure?” 

“Yeah, I am.” 

Muichiro placed his newly finished origami creation on the shelf beside him. It was a crane. 

“I know I’ve said it before, but… you know… can talk to me about anything,” Yuichiro said. “I’m here for you, always. That’ll never change. If you don’t want to talk, that’s fine, but don’t be afraid to.” 

Muichiro nodded. “I… I know.” 

“Good.” 

“Thanks, Yuichiro.” 

Right then, they heard the sound of a door opening and then promptly slamming shut downstairs. 

“Looks like Kimiko got back,” Yuichiro said and stood up. “I’ll be right back.” 

“Okay,” Muichiro said. 

Yuichiro left the room and went downstairs, closing the door behind him. 

Muichiro took another piece of origami paper out of the package. He was just about to start folding it when Akui spoke to him. 

“Could I try?” 

“Try what? Making origami creations?” 

“Yes.” 

“Sure.” 

Akui switched places with Muichiro. Then, he quickly folded the piece of paper into a crane. 

“Wow, that was quick, for someone who’s never done it before,” Muichiro thought. 

“I may not have done it myself before, but I am perpetually observing you folding origami paper,” Akui thought. “Even without firsthand experience, I’m able to pick up a thing or two.” 

“Cool.” 

“We can switch back now, Muichiro.” 

Muichiro and Akui switched places once again. 

… 

Yuichiro went downstairs and found Kimiko in the kitchen. 

“So you were able to get more rice,” Yuichiro said, eyeing the large bags Kimiko was putting away. 

“Yeah,” Kimiko said. “We were running low, so we had to get more.” 

“I don’t know if I’d call three large bags left ‘running low’,” Rui muttered. 

Kimiko stared at Rui, a dubious look on his face. “It was absolutely running low.” 

Rui shrugged. “It just seems like a lot to me.” 

“Almost everything we’ve been eating has been rice or at least had a base of rice,” Kimiko said. “If anything, we shouldn’t have let it get down to only three bags.” 

Kimiko finished putting away the rice and exited the kitchen. 

“Is Ko here?” Kimiko asked. 

“Actually… no,” Rui said. “He left while you were gone. Most likely to get a letter from Kiyo-san.” 

“I sure hope that’s what it is,” Yuichiro said. “It’s been a long time since the doctor last contacted us.” 

“If he left without telling me, it’s because he’s getting a letter from Kiyo-san,” Kimiko said. “We can conclude that much. Which means… he should be back later with the letter.” 

“Maybe we’ll finally hear back about the cure,” Yuichiro said. 

“The cure…” Yuichiro thought. “I’m fifteen years old. If I wasn’t going to be cured, I would die in ten years. Less, even. It’s been a while since Muichiro and my fifteenth birthday. I would die in less than ten years…” 

“Let me know when Ko gets back,” Yuichiro said. “I’m going upstairs.” 

“Yeah, okay,” Kimiko said. 

… 

Muichiro was making another origami creation when Yuichiro entered their room. He closed the door behind him and then sat down on his bed across from Muichiro. 

“Kimiko-kun’s back?” 

“Yeah,” Yuichiro replied. “He just finished putting the rice away. But that’s not what’s important. What’s important is that Ko left while he was gone. According to Rui, at least.” 

“Huh,” Muichiro said, pausing his origami. “Could this mean…?” 

“Yes. He went to get a letter from the doctor.” 

“The doctor… then, she finally has an update on your cure?” 

“Yeah,” Yuchiro said. “I don’t see why else she’d be contacting us.” 

“I guess,” Muichiro said. 

“She could be contacting you to tell you that there ISN’T a cure,” Akui said telepathically. 

“There is,” Muichiro thought. “Like Yuichiro said, even if there isn’t one, we’ll still find it. We won’t let him die at age 25.” 

“Are you sure? Do you really believe that? It’s very possible that there isn’t one. You could be giving yourself false hope for nothing.” 

“You say that like it’s entirely out of our control.” 

“Well it’s certainly not entirely IN your control.” 

Silence. 

“Akui… we’ll figure it out,” Muichiro thought. “I know we will.” 

“Very well then,” Akui said telepathically. “But if it turns out that is not the case…” 

“Yeah…?” 

“Nothing, nevermind me. The only way for him to live forever under the curse would be as a demon…” 

Akui’s voice disappeared. 

… 

“Rice, more rice, and even more rice,” Kimiko said. “Now THIS is a good meal.” 

Kimiko had prepared four bowls of rice- one for Muichiro, one for Yuichiro, one for Rui, and one for himself. 

“Rice again?” Rui asked. 

“Of course,” Kimiko said. “Rice is the best. Rice supremacy. RICE.” 

Rui sometimes thought they should have more variety, but he knew better than to question the decision to eat rice again lest he incur Kimiko’s wrath. He himself liked rice as well, so he figured it could be a lot worse. At least rice was healthy. Overall he wanted variety, but if he had to pick only one thing to eat for the rest of his life, it would be rice. 

Kimiko placed the rice bowls at the table along with chopsticks for them to eat with. “Rui-kun, could you go let Muichiro-kun and Yuichiro know that dinner is ready?” 

“Sure,” Rui said. 

Rui went upstairs to get Muichiro and Yuichiro, and soon came back down with them. Then, they all ate dinner together. 

However, their dinner was interrupted by noises coming from the front door. 

It was Ko.

Chapter Text

Hello, Kimiko Kazuyuki-san, Yuichiro Tokito-san, Muichiro Tokito-san, and Rui-san. 

The last time we talked, right before I left, I said I was going to find a permanent cure for the demon slayer mark and contact you with further information afterward. Since then, I have been working toward doing just that. I have been studying everything recorded about the demon slayer mark as well as anything that could possibly cure it. 

My efforts paid off. I have finally discovered something that could possibly break the curse of the demon slayer mark. It has been a long and complicated process, but I have prepared it. There is only one that you must find. I’ll come to deliver it this evening. 

Sincerely, Kiyo Kazuyuki. 

“This evening… and this was sent earlier today… she’ll arrive soon,” Kimiko said. 

“Then, that’s it?” Yuichiro asked. “The cure for the demon slayer mark… we’ll get it today?” 

“It seems like it,” Kimiko said. “Kiyo-san will probably arrive any minute now.” 

Muichiro leaned over and read the letter, his eyes widening. “Whoa…” 

Rui stood up and went to the kitchen. “I’m getting some more milk…” 

Muichiro continued to eat his dinner, watching Rui closely. The boy grabbed a bag of milk, cut the edge off, and set it in the milk container, which he then used to pour the drink into his glass. 

Muichiro caught a glimpse of a jug filled with vivid red liquid in the fridge door. 

“Rui, do we have any bl– uh– er– juice?” Muichiro asked. 

Rui blinked and raised an eyebrow. “Juice?” 

Muichiro nodded. “Yeah…” 

Rui thought for a moment. “There’s some berry juice left… would you like some? Is that why you’re asking?” 

Muichiro nodded again. “Yes, please!” 

“Okay then… I’ll get you some.” 

Rui grabbed the jug of red liquid and another glass. He filled the glass with the juice. The juice looked like blood, though not as thick. 

He soon returned, and handed Muichiro the glass of juice. 

“Thanks, Rui,” Muichiro said. 

“No problem,” Rui said, sitting down again. 

Muichiro drank it slowly, savoring it. 

“You usually just drink water, why juice this time?” Yuichiro asked. 

Muichiro shrugged. “I guess I felt like it.” 

Just then, there was a knock on the door. 

“It must be Kiyo,” Kimiko said. “I’ll get the door.” 

… 

… 

… 

Kiyo stayed with them that night, to be sure Yuichiro had been cured. 

That night, Yuichiro had a strange dream… 

… 

Yuichiro stood in a vast field of perfectly green grass, a bright sun shining above. He was alone, barring the presence of one other person. 

A human, dressed head to toe in wilderness explorer gear, complete with a map and GPS. The man was slightly transparent, as if a ghost. Yuichiro didn’t recognize him at all. 

“Who are you…?” Yuichiro muttered. “Is this a dream?” 

“It is a dream,” the man’s voice was bright and youthful, but sounded concerned. “I’m real, though.” 

“What is your name?” 

“Hmm… I’m fairly certain it’s Akihiko Suzuki.” 

“You’re ‘fairly certain’? How could you be unsure about your name?” 

“Hey, cut me some slack… it’s not like anyone’s used it for me in a while.” 

Yuichiro narrowed his eyes. “Why…?” 

Akihiko hesitated. “Well, that’s not really important. I’d prefer to cut to the chase. I came to visit you because I wanted to thank you.” 

Yuichiro stared at him, a dubious expression on his face. “Thank me? For what? I don’t even know you.” 

“I don’t know you either, but I wish I’d gotten to know you better,” Akihiko chuckled. “You seem like a good kid, who cares a lot for his brother.” 

Yuichiro sighed. “Just tell me who you are already.” 

Yuichiro glared at him, frustrated. “You told me already.” 

“Oh… right,” Akihiko rubbed the back of his head, realizing his mistake. 

“What I want to know is why you claim to know me,” Yuichiro said. “I have never met you before.” 

“Well… you know Akuma?” 

Yuichiro tensed, fists clenching at the mere thought of the demon. “…what about him?” 

“I wanted to thank you for finally killing him… and setting my spirit free,” Akihiko said and put his hand over his heart, truly grateful to Yuichiro. “You see… I’m the person he was as a human.” 

Yuichiro’s eyes widened, a long moment of silence passing between them. 

“…WHAT.” 

“Yes, it’s true, and… now that I’m finally free and Akuma’s dead… there’s something you need to know… about the truth behind m– HIS transformation.”

Chapter Text

“I used to be a normal human, but I ended up in a shipwreck once while out on the ocean,” Akihiko said. “I somehow survived, but I found myself in a place… beyond our world. There was this… this field… green grass… littered with what appeared to be strange blue flowers…” 

“The blue spider lily,” Yuichiro said. “That’s what it was, wasn’t it?” 

Akihiko nodded. “And then… I did something stupid.” 

“What’s that?” Yuichiro asked. 

“I… ate it. The blue spider lily. I was so hungry… I hadn’t eaten anything since the shipwreck… and they looked so delicious… I ate a bunch.” 

“That’s how you became a demon, then,” Yuichiro said. 

“Yes, but wait, there’s more. I started feeling strange, but continued through the field. And as I wandered… I found one really… big one. The mother spider lily. The progenitor of all spider lilies. I’d heard about it before, but I thought it was simply a rumor. I never would’ve expected to come face to face with it. But there it was. And… I swear on my life… it SMILED at me. Even though plants can’t smile. I felt I was going insane. And then… I did. I lost myself completely. But not just through my body changing to that of a progenitor demon. My mind was altered. There were these voices in my head– this voice– that slowly changed me. Eventually, IT took over. It broke me, molded me into its own personal killing machine. I became trapped inside the back of my mind, forced to watch helplessly as what used to be MY body was used by IT for mass carnage and bloodshed. I don’t remember that much after that. But then… you killed m– Akuma. My spirit was released from that body. And the voice finally left me alone. I thank you for that.” 

“The voice…” Yuichiro trailed off. “What was this voice?” 

“I suspect… the voice of the mother spider lily itself, somehow,” Akihiko replied. “But it presented itself as a humanoid person. A man with beautiful blue hair and eyes, the color of the spider lilies exactly. He was wonderful and kind for a while… while he planted all kinds of cognitive distortions and psychological traps in my mind… priming me, preparing the person I once was to become someone he could break, take over, transform, and use as his own personal killing machine. He never told me much during the time before he took over, but the first thing he ever mentioned about himself was his supposed name. He said his name was… Akui.” 

… 

The next morning, after breakfast, Kiyo confirmed Yuichiro was completely cured. 

“It won’t impact my lifespan at all?” Yuichiro asked. 

Kiyo shook her head. “No, not at all.” 

“That’s really it? Really? It’s finally over?” Yuichiro blinked, still registering the reality of his cure. 

Kiyo nodded. “Yes.” 

“Kiyo-san, thank you so much for everything,” Yuichiro said. “You saved Muichiro and me… it’s almost like you’re a magician.” 

Kiyo laughed. “I assure you that I’m not… I’m just a very skilled doctor.” 

“Well, that’s an understatement,” Kimiko said. 

Kiyo laughed again. “In any case… though… Yuichiro-san, you’ll live just as long as if you’d never manifested the mark. If anything, you’ll live longer, as it’s greatly boosted your physical abilities.” 

Yuichiro breathed a sigh of contentment, and turned to Muichiro, an expression of fondness on his face. “We’re going to live long lives together, Muichiro. We’re going to do it.” 

Muichiro nodded. “Y– yes.” 

Yuichiro frowned. “You seem… upset. Why is that?” 

“I don’t know… I just…” Muichiro shook his head. “It’s nothing…” 

“It’s not,” Yuichiro said firmly. “You don’t have to talk to me about it, but never, ever downplay your feelings. Understand” 

Muichiro slowly nodded. “Understood.” 

Yuichiro nodded. “Good.” 

“I’m so glad you’ve been cured now, I swear,” Muichiro said. 

“I never doubted that,” Yuichiro said, smiling. 

“I just… I wish we could’ve saved Grandpa too…” Muichiro said quietly. “I miss him so much…” 

“Oh… Mui…” Yuichiro’s face fell. “That’s perfectly understandable, though we didn’t know there was a cure back then.” 

“I wish we could’ve known… and saved him then,” Muichiro said, on the verge of tears. 

“Um… if I may…” Kiyo interjected. “Could I mention something else?” 

“What’s that?” Yuichiro asked. 

“Well, remember when I took samples of Muichiro-san’s blood and the progenitor demon’s blood?” Kiyo asked. 

“Yes… where are you going with this?” Yuichiro pressed Kiyo for answers. 

“Well… I didn’t only take it to find a cure. There was something else I did. A discovery that I made, amidst the other discoveries. It’s not related to Muichiro-san at all, but rather, Akuma’s origins.” 

Yuichiro narrowed his eyes. “Explain.” 

“After lots of digging, I discovered the human that Akuma was before he became a demon,” Kiyo explained. 

Yuichiro’s eyes widened. 

“Wait, what?” Rui asked. 

“But how?” Kimiko asked. 

“He was from a famous family, and the sample of blood matched their unique blood type. This human once traveled the ocean, but ended up in a shipwreck. I presume that’s when he wound up in the world beyond, and consumed the blue spider lily…” 

Yuichiro was silent, still. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. 

“It matches the dream last night exactly…” Yuichiro thought. 

“He must’ve been a pretty evil human,” Rui sighed. 

“Actually… no, and that’s the strangest part,” Kiyo sighed. “He was known as a very brilliant, kind young man who wouldn’t hurt a fly.” 

“But that’s– what– how!?” Kimiko’s eyes widened. “I already know becoming a demon greatly changes someone, but not quite THAT much!” 

“It doesn’t,” Kiyo said. “It’s not supposed to. While memories can be erased, their core personality, their very soul, always remains.” 

“Perhaps he was driven mad somehow,” Rui suggested. 

“It’s possible, but also… I feel like there’s more,” Kimiko said. “There’s something we’re missing.” 

“As for his name…” Kiyo took a deep breath. “It was–” 

“Akihiko Suzuki,” Yuichiro cut in, to everyone’s surprise. “That was his name, wasn’t it?” 

Silence. 

Kiyo’s eyes widened. “You know about him…?” 

“Well, no,” Yuichiro said. “But… actually… maybe…” 

He sighed. 

“Well, the thing is, I’d never heard his name before, uh, last night, when I had a vision where he… er… visited me…” 

“It sounds insane when I say it out loud…” Yuichiro thought and sighed. 

“What happened?” Kiyo asked. “What did he tell you? Tell me everything!” 

“He introduced himself, and he said he was there… to thank me… for freeing his spirit… through finally killing Akuma,” Yuichiro said. “And then he said… there’s something we need to know… about the truth of his transformation.” 

Muichiro was listening closely when Akui cut through his thoughts. 

“Muichiro, could I take over for a moment? It’s important.” 

“What? Why?” Muichiro thought. “We’re in the middle of a very important conversation.” 

“I have to do something.” 

“…what do you have to do?” 

“Muichiro, please. It’s urgent.” 

For the first time ever, Akui’s voice was wavering. Pleading. Begging, almost. He sounded… almost scared. 

“I’m not letting you unless you tell me why.” 

Kiyo, Kimiko, and Rui listened intently as Yuichiro explained everything. 

“He talked about how he used to be just a normal human, but ended up in a shipwreck once that led him to the place beyond our world. He talked about a field full of blue spider lilies.” 

“A field full of blue spider lilies…” Muichiro thought, eyes narrowing. 

“I guess he ate one?” Rui guessed. 

“Yes, but, there’s far more to it,” Yuichiro said. “He ate a bunch, felt strange, and kept wandering through the field. He found a huge one. The mother spider lily. The progenitor of all spider lilies.” 

“The plant my master went to destroy…” Kimiko trailed off. 

Yuichiro nodded. “He said it smiled at him. And then, he went insane. He lost himself completely, he said. But not just through his body changing to that of a progenitor demon. His mind was altered. He said there was a voice in his head that slowly changed him.” 

A shiver went down Muichiro’s spine. 

“He said it took over. It broke him, molded him into its own personal killing machine. It trapped him inside the back of his mind, forcing him to watch helplessly as what used to be his body was used by it for, and I quote, ‘mass carnage and bloodshed’. He said he didn’t remember that much after that, but that Akuma was eventually killed, his spirit was freed, and the voice left him alone at long last.” 

Muichiro narrowed his eyes. “What was this voice?” 

“Muichiro Tokito,” Akui said telepathically. “Please let me take over.” 

“Shut UP,” Muichiro thought. “Turns out I might be wrong about everything… including you.” 

“You’re not,” Akui said telepathically. “I have something to add to the conversation, however…” 

“I asked the same,” Yuichiro said. “He said he suspected it was somehow the voice of the mother spider lily itself.” 

Kiyo’s eyes widened. “What…” 

“But it apparently presented itself as a humanoid person,” Yuichiro said. “A man with beautiful blue hair and eyes, the color of the spider lilies exactly.” 

Muichiro felt the room spinning around him. 

“Muichiro!” Akui yelled telepathically. “MUICHIRO!” 

“Apparently he was wonderful and kind for a while, while secretly planting all kinds of cognitive distortions and psychological traps in Akihiko’s mind, priming him, preparing him to become someone he could break, take over, transform, and use as his own personal killing machine. He said the name the voice went by, during all that time was… Akui.” 

And just like that, it happened. 

With the truth brought to the forefront, all the manipulation Akui had done, forcing Muichiro to keep things secret, forcing Muichiro to merge with him… it all crashed down in a violent flurry of the harsh truth. 

“Akui, you…” Mucihiro thought, breaths shallow and labored. 

“You were cured, remember?” Akui said telepathically, frantically trying to convince Muichiro of his innocence. “I’m not a problem!” 

“I’ve heard absolutely enough,” Muichiro thought. “How on Earth did I trust you… how could anyone possibly be that stupid!? I never told anyone about you… even Yuichiro… I treated them like enemies without them being aware… I have to confess everything.” 

“No, don’t!” Akui pleaded telepathically. “You don’t know what could happen! My enemies– they probably planted that dream in your brother’s subconscious! All to get you to distrust me and tell them about me! You can’t fall into their trap!” 

Muichiro shook his head. “I don’t believe you. Whatever happens, I have to tell them the truth. My ally is Yuichiro. And Kimiko, and Rui, and Kiyo. But most importantly, always Yuichiro. I’m never going to keep anything from him again…” 

“Muichiro, are you alright?” Yuichiro asked, visibly concerned for his younger brother. 

It took Muichiro a while to find the words, but then, he did. 

Muichiro buried his face in his hands, crying. “…no…” 

Yuichiro’s heart broke, seeing his younger twin in such anguish. “Please tell me… what’s wrong?” 

Muichiro finally broke down and began telling them everything between sobs. 

“Yui– I’m so sorry– I’ve been lying this whole time– Akui’s been in my mind– he– he–” 

“WHAT!?” Yuichiro yelled, though his voice wasn’t filled with anger, but concern, an incredible amount of concern… 

“That’s enough,” Akui said firmly. 

Painful shockwaves rippled through Muichiro’s body, through his nervous system, and then, he felt like his soul was being torn in half. Everything zoomed out, as though he was watching himself from outside of his body. 

“Muichiro-san…” Kiyo trailed off. 

“I’m taking control now,” Akui thought. 

Muichiro, horrified, tried to move his body. Tried to continue speaking. Tried to do something, anything, but failed. Akui had taken control of his body now, completely by force. 

Everyone in the room was surprised when Muichiro’s body suddenly stopped trembling from tears. His expression shifted, and Yuichiro knew, in his gut, the person in control wasn’t his twin. He watched as this… THING… using Muichiro’s body, drew Muichiro’s sword… 

“Everyone, get back, NOW!” Yuichiro shouted. 

Muichiro’s sword cut through the air, right where Yuichiro’s head would’ve been had he not thrown himself back at the last second. 

“Kimiko, get Rui and the doctor OUT OF HERE!” Yuichiro shouted at the top of his lungs. 

Kimiko nodded. “Understood!” 

“Wait, I–” Kiyo began to draw her sword. “I can fight–” 

“NO!” Yuichiro yelled, silencing her. “I’M DOING THIS ALONE! GO! NOW!” 

“U– understood,” Kiyo nodded. 

Kimiko led Rui and Kiyo out of the mansion. Yuichiro dodged more attacks launched by his brother’s possessor, but not his brother. 

“The attacks are sloppy,” Yuichiro thought. “Much sloppier than Muichiro’s attacks. Akui does NOT have full control of Muichiro. He can be saved.” 

He continued to dodge the attacks, refusing to draw his sword. 

“There has to be a way to help him,” Yuichiro thought. “And even if there isn’t, then I’ll FIND one. I WILL.” 

Meanwhile, in Muichiro’s body… 

“Akui, STOP!” Muichiro screamed telepathically. “Why can’t I TAKE MY BODY BACK!? WHAT DID YOU DO!?” 

“I wanted you to feel in control, because that strategy had previously shown itself to be working for you, specifically,” Akui thought. “But now, as your brother screwed it up and managed to make you stop listening to me, instead I’ll show you how powerless you truly are here. I’ll use your body to kill your brother.” 

“If you kill him, I’LL NEVER LISTEN TO YOU AGAIN, Akui!” Muichiro shouted telepathically. 

“You already weren’t going to, and even if you ever did, you would only be pretending,” Akui thought. “I’ll break you NOW if that is what’s necessary.” 

“Muichiro, I KNOW you’re in there! YOU HAVE TO RESIST IT!” Yuichiro shouted. 

“It’s useless, just save your breath,” Akui said, through Muichiro’s voice. “And after I kill you, I will gain even further control over him.” 

“You GODDAMN BASTARD! GET OUT of MY BROTHER!” 

“Get out!” Muichiro yelled telepathically. “JUST GET OUT OF MY HEAD!” 

He hated how powerless he was, how helpless he felt. 

The attacks became faster, more precise. Even with transparent world, Yuichiro found himself with a gash on his cheek. Vivid red blood spilled down his face. 

“NO!!!!!!!!!!” 

Overwhelming anger among other powerful emotions bubbled up from inside the back of Muichiro’s mind. His body froze, the attacks stopping abruptly. 

He had regained control of his body, even if just barely. With Akui wrestling to take back control, it felt like his brain might split in half. 

Yuichiro’s eyes widened, and he slowly began to approach his twin brother. “Muichiro… you…” 

“Get back! I’m dangerous!” Muichiro shouted, terror in his eyes. “I– I could hurt you…!” 

He couldn’t take his eyes off the blood dripping down his older brother’s face, onto the floor. It… looked delicious. He felt his mouth salivating at the sight, to his horror. 

“No, no, no, no, NO, NO, NO!!!!!” Muichiro screamed internally. 

Before Yuichiro could get within a few meters of his twin, Muichiro took off faster than Yuichiro had ever seen him run. He burst out of the mansion, nearly tripping over his bare feet in the snow. 

“I have to get away from him… from all of them!” Muichiro thought. “I need to get someone where there’s no one around for me to hurt… or do worse things to!” 

“Muichiro!” Yuichiro yelled, running after him. “Please, come back!” 

His twin was nowhere to be seen. He didn’t know how to follow him, because he wasn’t sure where to go. Even his footprints were seemingly gone. 

“Muichiro! MUICHIRO! Come ba–” Yuichiro cut himself off with a bout of coughing, his voice hoarse from yelling. 

He fell to his knees, dizzy and exhausted. His heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline pumping through his body, blood still spilling from the cut on his cheek. His hands were shaking so much he thought they might fall off. 

Yuichiro felt powerless, helpless, for not being able to save his twin. Heartbroken, for Muichiro and what he’d been going through without him knowing. Regretful, for not noticing or doing anything to stop it sooner. And absolutely livid, at himself, at Akui, at Akuma, at demonkind, at the very universe for allowing this to happen. 

All these powerful feelings erupted from him in a visceral screech he was sure everyone in the city could hear.