"Kawanishi… let's be good friends."
Hearing this, Kawanishi instinctively replied, "Aren't we already friends?"
I risked my life to save you—if I didn't see you as a friend, who else would I do that for?
Shinobu raised her head slightly and let out a loud, high-pitched whistle, leaving Kawanishi puzzled.
Then he froze—because once again, he caught that scent emanating from Shinobu. He hadn't understood it before, but after the sensory comparisons he'd made during the four demon battles, he realized it now:
What came off her was overwhelming grief… and rage.
Shinobu's eyes grew unfocused after the whistle. Her dual-colored irises were still as stunning and captivating as ever, but for some reason, Kawanishi sensed danger in them. Quietly, he raised his guard.
Shinobu, what are you planning? Please, don't disappoint me too much…
With those dazed eyes, Shinobu softly spoke: "Kawanishi, tell me—how many people have you killed? How many have you eaten?"
Kawanishi clenched his fists. "None. I've never killed a human. I've never eaten one either."
"I've only killed demons—and eaten demons."
"Do you believe me?"
His eyes lit up as he looked at her, hoping to hear a firm, unwavering yes.
But Shinobu only sighed. "Kawanishi… please tell the truth. If you haven't eaten anyone, where does your strength come from?"
"Your power… even a typical Demon Slayer without mastery of breathing wouldn't stand a chance against you. For a demon to reach that level without consuming humans—it seems impossible."
"Come now. Just admit it. It won't stop me from being your friend. As long as you're willing to face punishment and atone to those you've harmed."
"I'll ask you again—how many people have you eaten?"
Shinobu didn't believe him.
The light in Kawanishi's eyes dimmed. The Demon Slayer Corps' view of demons… it couldn't be changed so easily.
He kept trying to explain. "I'm not lying. I can eat demons. That's how I maintain my strength without feeding on humans. My power grew from that alone. Please… believe me."
"The four demons that attacked Ishibashi Town? I consumed them all. I protected that place."
"And I swear—I have never eaten a human being."
Hearing this, Shinobu's brows furrowed slightly.
Protected the town?
Could he really eat demons?
Could he really have never consumed a human?
A demon that didn't eat humans… in the thousand-year history of the Demon Slayer Corps, there was no such precedent. No record of such a thing.
Still, with everything she'd come to understand about Kawanishi, he seemed remarkably rational—not at all like the violent, chaotic demons she knew.
But there were others like that too—Akaza, for instance. He had rules, logic, a strong sense of self.
And yet… Akaza ate people.
Because humans were demons' only source of sustenance. Just as humans needed food, demons needed human flesh. Whatever their principles, survival meant feeding on humans.
And yet, something about Kawanishi made her feel… maybe, just maybe… he was telling the truth.
I want to believe you, Kawanishi. I really do. But even if I do… that doesn't mean others will.
Shinobu wobbled to her feet, pushing herself upright despite her injuries.
"Kawanishi, I really do want to be your friend."
"But only after you've accepted punishment. After you've apologized to those you've wronged."
Kawanishi's face fell from hope to quiet resignation. "So… you still don't believe me."
Shinobu smiled and shook her head. "I believe you. I truly do want to be your friend."
Kawanishi sighed. "Don't pretend anymore. I can tell—you're exhausted, in pain, angry."
"Be friends with me? You're not being honest."
Shinobu's body tensed for a moment, then she chuckled softly. "No, Kawanishi. I really do mean it."
Her smile remained as gentle and beautiful as always—but Kawanishi could now see something beneath it.
Behind that warmth… was a void. Loneliness. A forced facade. And just like her name implied—endless endurance.
Shinobu… who are you, really? I can't see through you at all.
Kawanishi pointed to her forehead. "If what you say is true… then why is there so much sorrow and anger in here?"
"I can smell it, clearly. That grief and rage—it's consumed you. It's become your guiding principle."
"No matter how lovely and soft your smile is, deep down… you hate me, don't you? You hate demons."
"So please, don't talk about friendship anymore."
"If you really mean it—then stop smiling. Show me the real you."
That grief probably came from something in her past. But the anger—at least part of it—was for him. She hated him.
Even though he'd risked his life to save her, she still distrusted him—still carried that fury toward all demons.
She was a Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps. Of course she didn't want to befriend a demon.
She hadn't said it outright, but through the memories he'd taken from Black Fang and Meiko, Kawanishi had already guessed her identity.
Only a Pillar could survive against someone like Akaza that long.
Shinobu's eyes grew distant at his words, full of sad memories—but in the next instant, she masked it all with her usual radiant smile.
The pain, the sorrow—gone without a trace.
She brushed her brow and said with a sigh, "It's been so long… this is the real me now."
Then, suddenly changing tone, she asked seriously: "Kawanishi, would you come back with me to the Demon Slayer Corps?"
"It's not that I don't believe you. In fact, I want to believe you."
"It's just… what you've said is so far beyond reason. If you'd told me you stole blood from hospital banks, I'd have accepted it without question."
"But saying you eat demons… it's something I can't comprehend. Even if it's true, it's outside everything I understand."
"So please—come back with me. Let us test you. Study you. If what you say is real, we'll find out."
"I swear this on my honor as a Pillar: if you're telling the truth, you'll be safe with us."
A demon that feeds on demons… if he's not lying, Lord Ubuyashiki would be incredibly interested. And if it's true—then maybe I really could be his friend, without doubt…
As Shinobu spoke, Kawanishi's heart grew colder, calmer.
Go back to the Demon Slayer Corps?
Let demon slayers decide whether I live or die?
Lay myself bare on the butcher's block?
If I were that kind of person—I'd have given in to Akaza already.
Going back with Shinobu… that would be a death sentence.
The Demon Slayer Corps was filled—eight or nine out of ten—with people who hated demons to the core.
Shinobu, you… you're the perfect example.
Your hatred is so strong, I can smell it. It's practically tangible.
Going with you means death… almost certainly.
And you've already let me down once.
How could I ever trust you again?
(End of Chapter)