Chapter 44: You are everything
Did everyone think that Isao would join?
Just kidding.
How could Isao join this illegal organization just like that?
Isao was a good boy, and there was no way he would commit a crime by joining an organization that let people carry weapons on the street illegally.
While he knew that this organization was supported by many, and he even believed that the government also supported it secretly, it felt strange to join it just like that.
Yes, the purpose of this organization was good, and entering this organization would enable him to help others.
Yet, something that was easily gotten definitely wouldn't be appreciated.
Still, the real reason why he didn't want to join was because Isao didn't want to become a worker.
By joining this organization, Isao would be expected to fight a demon, running toward those in need and having to be ready every single day. Others wouldn't complain about doing such work since it was a social norm to work every day, but it was impossible for him to do so. Moreover, unlike the others who had hatred and vengeance toward the demons, he didn't have such a sad history or a willingness to become a hero. Lastly, he hated being ordered.
However, Isao's answer dumbfounded everyone, and they were in a daze. They also couldn't react for a while since his answer was just out of expectations!
Shouldn't he be excitedly joining the Demon Slayer Corps?
Shouldn't he join this great cause to fight the demon?
Shouldn't he feel an intense heat to help others?
Shouldn't he be moved by Kagaya's sincere invitation?
Why the hell did he reject Kagaya's invitation?
Kagaya was surprised, but he quickly recovered and asked softly, "Can I ask the reason?"
How troublesome...
Isao thought that Kagaya would give up, but unexpectedly, this guy was persistent.
If Kagaya was a beautiful woman, Isao would have willingly answered, but unfortunately, Kagaya wasn't. Moreover, he also felt uncomfortable being manipulated like this.
Yes, Kagaya invited him because he wished to erase the demon and bring peace to the world, but Isao didn't like this method where Kagaya tried to trap him in moral kidnapping as if rejecting this invitation meant that he had caused a lot of misfortunes to humanity.
Isao might be a good guy, and he didn't mind helping others, but he didn't wish to be manipulated.
Sighing, he thought that this was the price of being a good guy.
"I am afraid to die."
Isao didn't bother to give a reasonable rejection and gave them a simple answer since he didn't care about their opinions.
Yet, there was no doubt his answer was powerful, and it made all of them unable to say anything.
Unwilling to die.
It was a simple reason, yet wasn't it normal?
Frankly, the weird one was them, the members of the Demon Slayer Corps, who were willingly ready to sacrifice their lives to fight against the demon.
Moreover, it was also weird of them to expect him to join them since joining the Demon Slayer Corps meant sacrificing one's life fighting against a demon.
How could one invite someone into such a job when they only knew each other for a moment?
However, in this place, Isao was the minority.
"What a coward! Oyakata-sama, we don't need such a person here in our group!"
"What an unflamboyant answer... it seems that Oyataka-sama has mistaken to invite you into our group."
"He is just wasting our time. It's better for us to leave such a person alone."
A few quickly disdained Isao when they heard Isao's answer. Afraid of death? There was no way such a person could be a member of the Demon Slayer Corps who could fight bravely against the demon!
The other members of Hashira didn't say anything, but some agreed with the few who expressed their disdain, and some just felt that there was nothing wrong with Isao's answer.
Isao was a normal person, after all, and he seemed to live well.
Why should he sacrifice his life for others?
Yet, it was impossible for them to have a good attitude toward him, especially when Isao had rejected Kagaya's invitation and had such a selfish attitude toward the others.
However—
"Be quiet!" Instead of supporting them, Kagaya was furious at their attitude. "I have brought you here with me so as not to cause trouble. Don't bring shame to the Demon Slayer Corps! If you have such an attitude, then there is no way for you to be fit to be a Hashira!"
Kagaya's voice was hoarse, clearly panting, and she even lost her voice due to how frail his body was.
"Oyakata-sama!"
Yet, the impact that was brought by Kagaya's words shook their hearts heavily. The image of Kagaya had always been gentle and never got angry. Even if others were angry at him and even insulted him, he always answered them with kindness and moved them with his gentleness.
The sudden change surprised all of them and frightened them. They didn't dare say anything anymore, yet inwardly, they had some resentment toward Isao since if it wasn't because of Isao, then would the situation become like this?
On the other hand, Kagaya knew that he had messed up. He was too hasty and too excited when he realized that someone was capable of defeating the third strongest demon without even a prior practice of the Breathing Style. Moreover, according to Kanae, Isao should be able to learn "Flower Breathing" instantly.
According to Kanae's story, Kagaya knew that Isao was a resourceful and witty individual. When Kanae was in danger, Isao didn't save her immediately but observed their fights for a while, even though she was wounded and full of injuries, and only moved when he saw a chance.
If someone who wasn't even part of the Demon Slayer Corps and never practiced a Breathing Style previously dared to save someone in front of such a danger, if Isao was a coward, then what were they?
Moreover, Kagaya also knew nothing about Isao except for his name and the story that Kanae told him. Whether it was Isao's background, history, experience, or everything, he knew nothing at all. He even doubted whether Isao even gave him a real name.
Even worse, when Kagaya lamented his mistake, thinking that he made a rash judgment, the others didn't help him at all and even caused the problem to worsen. Nevertheless, he tried to gauge Isao's expression with his blurry eyes and saw that Isao was relatively calm as if Hashira's noises weren't much different from those of a barking dog.
Kagaya sighed helplessly, wondering how to invite Isao. He really didn't have an idea since, unlike the others who came from poor backgrounds or became orphans due to the death of their family killed by demons, he could see that Isao lived well.
If Isao was the descendant of a samurai, then there might be some possibilities, but if Isao was the descendant of an industrialist or a capitalist?
Instead of a duty and honor, such a person thought of benefit and loss.
Instead of a sobbing story, there was no doubt Kagaya should give Isao something practical. Frankly, for him, who was still influenced by Confucianism, there was no doubt Isao was quite disgusting, but he needed him.
"I am sorry for their rudeness."
Kagaya apologized to Isao sincerely, but Isao didn't say anything, and his expression was still as calm as ever, creating a strange disturbance in the room since Isao's action was simply different from the social norm.
It was like they were facing a different creature, an unknown, which made them feel slightly uneasy, yet at the same time, they were also attracted to him, which made them feel even weird and complicated.
"Sanemi, Tengen, Tomioka, go and apologize to him."
Kagaya quickly said, causing the three to show an uncomfortable expression, but they couldn't fight Kagaya back. However, when they were about to apologize, Isao said softly, "It's fine."
"Huh?" 3x
They were stunned by Isao's words, and at the same time, they thought that Isao was kind, but—
"I don't need their insincere apology. I will leave now. I don't plan to become a Demon Slayer. We can live on our own without bothering each other. Goodbye."
"...." 3x
Isao ignored their dumbfounded expression, and frankly, being in the group was troublesome for him, especially with what he planned to do.
Yes, the Demon Slayer Corps might have a lot of experience and resources to find a demon, but for Isao, who had replicated Kagaya's DNA and the ability to control a human, their existence was simply a liability.
It would be better if he was alone.
"No, please stay. You have just recovered, after all. You should stay at least a few days."
Kagaya quickly insisted, hoping for Isao to stay for a little longer, and even held Isao with his feeble hands.
Isao didn't like Kagaya's scent much, especially with his sharp nose, but he couldn't push Kagaya away, especially when he had decided to become a good and polite guy. Nevertheless, he wished for Kagaya to let him go as soon as possible.
"Since you insist on me staying, I will stay until tomorrow."
"I see..." Kagaya was helpless, but there was nothing he could do since Demon Slayer Corps wasn't a government organization. It was a private organization, so it was impossible for him to keep Isao unless he wished for their relationship to be broken without any chances to recover. "But, can you tell me what your next plan is, Iinuma-kun?"
"I will go to Tokyo." Isao didn't hide his purpose since it was better than being stalked later.
"Is that so? I will prepare some preparations for you. Thank you for speaking with us. We won't disrupt you now."
Leaving those words without letting Isao reject him, Kagaya quickly left with his wife and all the members of the Demon Slayer Corps that came following them. Even Shinobu also left with him after she looked at Isao with a snort before she looked away.
Isao didn't care about their thoughts since they were practically strangers, but he looked at Kanae strangely. "You are not going with them?"
"You still need someone to accompany you. I won't leave," Kanae said with a gentle smile.
Isao raised his brows and said, "I thought that you would hate me like them."
"I won't!" Kanae answered loudly. Even if the others misunderstood or hated you, I definitely won't." The arm that hugged her tightly and never let him go was still vivid on her body. The others didn't help her when she needed someone the most, yet he came, holding her tightly and never letting him go, no matter what the danger was.
Even if others hated him, she definitely wouldn't!
Isao looked at Kanae, who got so close to him that if he wished to, he could kiss her lips right away.
Kanae also noticed this, and her face quickly turned the color of a ripened apple. She was embarrassed and wanted to run away, but when she thought that Isao would leave tomorrow, she resisted this feeling, staring at him once again, and clearly expressed her feelings through her eyes.
Isao was silent, then took Kanae's lips.
Her heart skipped, and the warmth from her lips spread onto her entire body.
Their meeting might have been short, but Kanae knew that she had fallen in love.
Clinging onto him tightly, she decided to follow him even if she had to elope and leave everything behind.
---
Love is about speed.
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