It is night.
A rustling drizzle slips from the sky, striking the bamboo grove above and producing a crisp, rhythmic pattering.
The rain is not heavy, but it is steady and enduring.
On the muddy ground, two figures—one tall, one short—walk side by side. Their footsteps are exceptionally soft, making them appear completely unremarkable in the rain.
A purple-checked haori; deep red long hair tied back, swaying gently with every movement. The man's tall, robust figure radiates a calm, steady aura, and the swords at his waist clink together rhythmically with iron echoes as he walks.
It is Kokushibo.
"This rain has lasted quite a long time... Spring must be here."
A magnetic voice tinged with a hint of gentleness sounds beside Kokushibo. Muzan is still dressed in a loose black kimono, a head of slightly wavy black mid-length hair draped over his shoulders, which softens the dangerous aura about his face.
More than half a year has passed since their encounter with that member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Winter has quietly slipped away, and in its wake comes spring, the season of all things reviving.
The spring rain brought by the season has been falling for a full week, now intermittent yet rhythmic as it nourishes the earth.
Raindrops beat against the paper umbrella, tapping out a melody all their own.
Kokushibo is a head taller than Muzan. His right hand, with its prominent veins, is currently holding a paper umbrella to shelter his lord from the rain. The two walk very close together, and Kokushibo can feel the friction of Muzan's clothing from time to time, along with the sound of the other's breathing.
He lowers his gaze slightly to look at his lord, then follows the other's eyes to the crescent moon hanging in the sky.
"Tonight's moonlight is quite lovely. What do you think?"
Muzan turns his head to look at his subordinate, seeming quite expectant of the other's reply.
Hearing this, Kokushibo nods slightly, his gaze still lingering on that crescent moon as his deep, steady voice rises in the rainy night:
"Indeed very beautiful. Serene and peaceful."
Muzan lets out a soft chuckle, apparently quite satisfied with Kokushibo's answer:
"Yes. On a night like this, it is most fitting to do some unseen, secret deeds."
At these words, Kokushibo feels a slight jolt in his heart, but his expression remains unruffled: "What does my lord mean?"
Muzan's gaze suddenly deepens as he slowly speaks:
"Regarding the Calamity Demon... these past few days, we have never observed their movements again. This is not a good thing. Their unknown behavior always makes me uneasy."
Kokushibo frowns slightly: "Is my lord planning to...?"
Muzan is silent for a moment, then lets out a dismissive laugh:
"I am wondering if it is our actions that have caused them to not dare show their faces... If that is truly the case, then keeping a low profile and waiting for them to reveal themselves might be a better choice."
"Kokushibo, you have performed very well these past few days. Not only have you obeyed my orders and caused no trouble, but you have also added many new and useful companions for me."
"You are my most capable assistant, and my most trusted companion."
Hearing this, a surge of respect and excitement wells up in Kokushibo's heart. Respectfully lowering his head, he replies in a deep voice:
"It is my honor to serve you. After all, it was you who granted me eternal life and the choice to pursue swordsmanship without end."
Kokushibo's tone is filled with reverence, and his words bring a wave of delight to Muzan's heart.
His favorability rating toward this "partner" goes up, up, up!
To be honest, before transmigrating, he hadn't understood why Muzan was willing to list Kokushibo in the "partner" category and held such a high degree of trust in him. It wasn't until he experienced it firsthand that he finally understood:
When all the other demons broke free from Muzan's control, Kokushibo was the only one willing to continue serving him. Over the past two years, the attitude of letting Kokushibo go east and never going west was simply not something an ordinary subordinate could command.
Ah, as expected of Big Brother, he's simply a fine role model among demons!
Muzan thinks to himself, and his favorability toward Kokushibo rises another notch.
The two demons quickly pass through the bamboo grove and, guided by the moonlight, arrive at a grassy clearing.
It is boundless here, with only some lights and buildings visible far in the distance. Gazing at the human architecture afar, Muzan suddenly stops. Kokushibo stands motionless beside him, waiting for Muzan to speak.
However, Muzan's next words cause Kokushibo to be stunned for a moment once more:
"Kokushibo, from now on, you and I will pose as a human couple and live in the town. Once we obtain useful information, we'll drop the act... Do you understand?"
"..."
When Muzan delivers these words without a blush or a skipped heartbeat, Kokushibo tightens his grip slightly on the umbrella handle. He gazes at the Demon King standing beside him, looking at his profile... and those rose-red eyes.
"Yes, Lord Muzan."
Kokushibo does not ask too many questions, knowing well enough what Lord Muzan intends to do.
Is it not just pretending to be a couple? This matter is not all that difficult.
Muzan nods in satisfaction and resumes walking forward. Kokushibo follows closely behind, their figures gradually fading into the distance of the rainy night.
Oh man, oh man, pretending to be a couple... sigh, is this really okay?
Oh well, whatever, it's all for the sake of information!
...Wait, then between me and Kokushibo, who plays the husband and who plays the wife?...
...