In Demon Slayer With Heavenly Insight

Chapter 18: Ren is Worried

Ren opened the notebook, reading Kocho Shinobu's diary with growing interest.

Tuesday, Weather: Sunny

"I went on another mission today, but I still haven't found the demon with the metal folding fan who killed my sister."

"I've been on more missions than the other Hashira. I thought I could avenge my sister quickly, but he's hiding very well!"

"Today I encountered a man-eating demon again. Demons are always like this—they lie a lot and think about eating my flesh."

Friday, Weather: Cloudy

"Sister, I miss you so much."

"Did you know? Sometimes there are things more terrifying than human hearts or demons. Many times I've saved them, but they don't appreciate it. They even bluntly say they want to become one of the demons!"

"I'm so angry! I want to kill them, but as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, I can't do that."

Wednesday, Weather: Rainy

"Sister, today I found a demomwho can peacefully coexist with humans. I thought you were wrong, but now I believe it."

"Her name is nezuko and she is as cute as kanoe,I entrusted your dream to her brother."

"But I also met someone more interesting…"

Ren turned the page.

Wednesday, Weather: Cloudy to Sunny

"But I also met someone more interesting."

"His name is Ren. Sister, do you know him? He's three years younger than me, and about the same age as Muichiro, but his talent is the best I've ever seen!"

"I snatched him over at the Lords' meeting. Sister, you wouldn't believe how popular Ren is. Everyone wants him! Luckily, your sister is better!"

"But it seems like he had a big conflict with Sanemi and has been calling for a fight!"

Monday, Weather: Sunny

"Sister, Ren, you know him, right? He's now so powerful that he dares to tease me!"

"Also, Kanoe seems to like him very much. I thought this child wouldn't want to talk to anyone except for his sister, but I didn't expect Ren to open Kanoe's heart."

"Tonight, I went to see Ren. He's still training very hard and making great progress!"

"I wanted to tease him, but Ren was surprisingly straightforward and leaned right toward me!"

"I'm scared. Doesn't Ren know that he can't be so close to a girl unless he likes her?"

"Sister, I gave him my breathing technique. If possible, I would like to accept Ren as my student"

"Sister, do you think Ren will leave Butterfly House in the end? I think I like this child quite a bit."

Tuesday, Weather: Sunny to Cloudy

"Sister, I suddenly feel that Ren is a bit carefree. Although he is so young, he's like a brat."

"Sister, I see your shadow in him again. Even his sword is so similar to yours."

Wednesday, Weather: Cloudy to Sunny

"I went to see my lord today, and my lord praised Ren. I'm very happy."

"I've always regarded Ren as my younger brother, so it's really a happy thing to be praised by my lord."

"Tonight I went to see Ren again. Sister, do you know?! This kid, Ren, actually created his own breathing technique!"

"Bee Breathing! It's a very nice name. Brother Ren said it's a variant of Insect Breathing. Haha, I knew my Insect Breathing was very powerful!"

"Sister, I'm planning to have Kanoe send another raven to the lord to inform him of this news so that Ren can get better treatment!"

Ren smiled as he read these entries. He hadn't expected that Kocho Shinobu viewed him so highly. He had always seen himself as much older than her, but it was touching to see that she treated him as a younger brother.

As he flipped the pages, he found the following entry:

Wednesday, Weather: Cloudy

"There's another mission today. I heard that the corps discovered a demon,and it's very powerful."

"Mr. Tomioka isn't here this time. The master asked me and the other team members to check the situation. My sister wishes me good luck."

Ren snapped the diary shut with a solemn expression.

A demon?

Ren suddenly had a bad feeling.

It had been five days since Kocho Shinobu set off. If this mission was really just a routine check, Kocho Shinobu wouldn't have been delayed for so long.

Could it be… a demon?

Ren had developed feelings for Butterfly House during his stay. Seeing that Kocho Shinobu had been gone for so long made him worried.

Just then, a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Brother Ren, haven't you found it yet?" Aoi's voice came from above.

Footsteps echoed as she approached the basement.

"Brother Ren."

Aoi followed the same path Ren had taken earlier and came to the basement. When she reached Kocho Shinobu's laboratory, she was confused to find no trace of Ren.

"Strange, isn't Brother Ren here?"

At that moment, in Kanoe's room…

Ren appeared suddenly, surprising Kanoe as she cleaned the room.

"Ren?" she stammered.

Ren smiled warmly. "Kanoe, can you lend me your Nichirin Sword?"

He gently placed his hand on her fingertips.

"I want to practice with the sword tonight, and I'll return it to you tomorrow."

Kanoe froze, her delicate body trembling, her face turning bright red like a ripe apple.

"...I-It's okay," she said hesitantly, handing him the Nichirin Sword.

As Ren accepted the sword, he noticed Kanoe's hand linger on his for a moment.

Looking up, he saw the deep concern in her eyes. "Be careful… be careful."

Ren was taken aback. It seemed she had an idea of the danger he might be facing, yet still lent him the sword.

But since Kanoe wanted to stay and protect Butterfly House, Ren couldn't bring her along.

He gave her a hug, feeling the warmth of her body. He whispered in her ear, his voice soft. "Wait for me to return."

Kanoe's eyes widened. She waved her small hands nervously. "Okay… okay."

Unable to speak more, she recalled when Ren demonstrated Bee Breathing earlier.

It was as if she were a flower and he was a bee, collecting nectar, sweet and eager.

Her face flushed again, and she longed to reach out to him, but Ren had already released her.

***