The Girl Who Never Smiled

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After training in the courtyard for hours, Ryuji gradually adjusted to the overwhelming surge of strength coursing through him.

He clenched his fist, feeling the newfound power flow effortlessly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

As he turned back toward the house, something unusual caught his eye. The window to his room had been opened.

Standing by the window was Kamado Kie. The morning sunlight framed her figure, her light clothing accentuating her graceful features. She appeared unaware of how captivating she looked.

Ryuji's heart skipped a beat. Without a second thought, he walked back inside, determined.

Kie, sensing his approach, quickly shut the window and leaned against it, her legs trembling slightly as though she anticipated his next move.

Ryuji stepped into the room, his gaze immediately finding hers.

"You should still be resting," he murmured, his voice low and tinged with concern.

Kie's fingers nervously brushed a strand of hair from her face. She avoided his eyes, her cheeks flushed.

Seeing her hesitation, Ryuji took a step closer, closing the distance between them. Despite her height, she only reached his shoulders, and he had to look down to meet her gaze.

The daylight revealed her delicate features more clearly than the night ever had. Her pale skin, framed by dark locks, stood out against the black short socks she wore, giving her an air of effortless elegance.

"I... I need to make breakfast," Kie whispered, breaking the silence.

Ryuji shook his head, his voice soft but firm. "Breakfast can wait."

---

Outside, under the warm morning sun, Nezuko, Hanako, and Kanao busied themselves with their morning routines.

Faint sounds from the house caused Nezuko to pause. A faint blush crept up her cheeks.

"Sister, what's Uncle doing?" Hanako asked innocently, tugging at Nezuko's sleeve.

Nezuko's face turned scarlet. "Don't worry about it, Hanako. Let's go somewhere else," she said hurriedly, lifting her younger sister into her arms.

She cast a glance at Kanao, who silently followed, her expression unreadable.

In the courtyard, Tanjirou was deep in training, sweat glistening on his brow as he practiced his swordsmanship. His brothers, Takeo, Shigeru, and Rokuta, watched in awe, their small faces filled with admiration.

"Is Mother still not up?" Tanjirou asked, pausing to wipe the sweat from his brow.

"I'm not sure," Nezuko replied, avoiding his questioning gaze.

Tanjirou frowned slightly but said nothing, returning to his training with renewed focus. Over the past few days, his connection to the Sun Breathing technique had deepened, and he could feel his strength growing.

---

Inside the house, Ryuji exhaled deeply, his mind at ease.

He glanced down at Kie, whose face was flushed, her lashes trembling as she lay back against the futon. Her breathing was soft and uneven, her body too weary to move.

Ryuji chuckled, a hint of satisfaction in his tone, and whispered something into her ear. Her face turned even redder.

Straightening up, he adjusted his clothing and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him with care.

As the door clicked shut, Kie opened her eyes slowly. A tired sigh escaped her lips as she glanced down at her legs, faint bruises marking her pale skin—a reminder of her exhaustion.

She tried to sit up but winced at the sharp ache coursing through her body, forcing her to rest again.

---

In the courtyard, breakfast was being prepared.

"Everyone, come eat!" Ryuji called out, setting the food on the table.

Tanjirou, stomach growling, dashed over, followed by Takeo, Shigeru, and Rokuta, their small feet padding eagerly across the courtyard.

Nezuko, holding Hanako's hand, lingered at the edge of the group, avoiding Ryuji's gaze.

"Nezuko, won't you join us?" Ryuji asked, his tone gentle.

"I'm not eating your food," Nezuko muttered, turning away sharply.

Ryuji frowned but didn't argue, instead focusing on Hanako and Kanao, who seemed more willing to eat.

Hanako's eyes lit up at the sight of the food, and she quickly ran over, leaving Nezuko behind. Kanao followed silently, her expression calm as always.

---

After the meal, Ryuji noticed Kanao's hair was messy. Normally, Kie would have helped her, but she was still resting.

"Kanao, come here," Ryuji said, gesturing for her to sit.

Taking a comb, he carefully divided her hair, creating two neat pigtails tied with bright red ribbons.

"You'll need to learn how to do this yourself someday," he said, smiling as he finished.

Kanao blinked up at him, her wide pink-purple eyes full of quiet curiosity.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Ryuji added, tapping his forehead. "I bought you new clothes yesterday while I was out with Kie."

He handed her a neatly folded outfit. Kanao accepted it with a slight bow, retreating to her room to change.

---

Chestnut flowers drifted gently in the breeze, their pale blossoms brushing against the windowsill. Kanao stood in front of a tall mirror, gazing at her reflection. Her pink-purple eyes shimmered, and a soft blush graced her cheeks. It was hard to believe that the dirty, hungry beggar she once was could seem like a distant memory.

Everything had changed.

And it was all thanks to one person.

Kanao clasped her hands together, a gentle warmth spreading through her palms as she remembered the man who had brought light into her life. Her lips curved slightly, almost imperceptibly, as if the thought alone could soothe her heart.

"Kanao, have you finished changing?" a familiar voice called from outside the room, gentle yet steady.

Chestnut blossoms floated past the open window, their faint scent mingling with the spring air. Kanao's eyes sparkled faintly as she turned toward the door. She hesitated, but then, unable to resist, she stepped forward and slid it open.

Standing there was Ryuji, his dark hair slightly ruffled by the breeze. His eyes widened as he took in her appearance, and a warm smile broke across his face.

"Kanao, you look beautiful," he said, his voice soft with admiration.

Kanao lowered her gaze, her cheeks tinged pink, and stepped toward him quietly. She didn't say a word, but her movements spoke volumes.

Seeing her silence, Ryuji chuckled softly. He gently placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair affectionately.

"Let's go," he said.

Kanao nodded slightly and followed him outside.

The courtyard was bustling with life. The sound of wooden practice swords clashing echoed in the distance as Tanjirou trained diligently under the warm sunlight. Nearby, Nezuko emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray of food for her mother. She paused mid-step when she saw Kanao.

"Kanao, you've become so beautiful!" Nezuko exclaimed, her crimson eyes wide with delight.

Startled, Kanao quickly hid behind Ryuji, clutching his sleeve as she tried to avoid the attention. Her shyness was almost endearing.

"Okay, okay, let's not overwhelm her," Ryuji said with a smile, raising a hand to calm the others.

At his words, Nezuko reluctantly turned her attention back to her task, while Tanjirou resumed his rigorous training. Ryuji turned to Kanao, his gaze softening as he noticed how tightly she held onto him.

"You're doing fine," he murmured reassuringly.

Kanao glanced up at him, her expression unreadable, but her eyes carried a flicker of gratitude. She released his sleeve and stepped back, her quiet presence speaking louder than any words.

---

Later, as Ryuji wandered toward the courtyard, he found Nezuko sitting cross-legged on the ground, drawing patterns in the dirt with a stick. Her brows were furrowed, and her lips were pressed into a pout.

"Nezuko," he called gently.

She didn't look up. Instead, she muttered to herself, "If it weren't for Mom, I'd have taken you down myself." Her stick stabbed the ground with exaggerated frustration.

Ryuji approached cautiously, stopping a few steps away. He gave her shoulder a light tap. Nezuko stiffened but didn't turn around. Instead, she stood abruptly, marched a few steps, and faced the wall, her back to him.

"Still mad?" he asked with a gentle smile.

Nezuko whipped around, her cheeks puffed up, and glared at him fiercely. "Of course, I'm mad! You're always teasing Mom like that," she snapped, her small fangs gleaming as she scowled.

Ryuji scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "It's… complicated," he said, his voice tinged with guilt.

"What's so complicated about being nice to her?" Nezuko huffed, crossing her arms.

Ryuji chuckled softly, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, next time, I'll be gentler. Promise."

Nezuko gave a dismissive "hmph" and turned her back to him again. But this time, the tension in her shoulders had eased slightly. After a bit more coaxing, she finally relented and stomped off, her frustration giving way to a begrudging calm.

Ryuji watched her go, a small smile playing on his lips. Despite her fiery temper, there was something undeniably endearing about her stubbornness.

---

In Flower Street…

At the entrance of a quiet house, Himejima Gyomei stood still, his hands clasped together in prayer. His white eyes stared blankly ahead, yet his senses extended far beyond the physical world.

After a long silence, he opened his eyes.

"A demon," he murmured. "It was slain here last night."

His gaze shifted toward the bustling heart of Flower Street. Though the area was quieter during the day, it was clear that something unusual lingered in the air. The absence of rumors about the demon's presence felt deliberate, as if someone had worked to conceal the truth.

"Could it be… someone is hiding the existence of demons?" Gyomei wondered aloud. "Or perhaps… a demon lurks among the shadows."

His thoughts lingered on the mysterious figure who had slain the demon. Whoever it was, their presence disrupted the careful balance of the night.

The gentle creak of a door brought him back to the present. He turned his head slightly, his expression calm yet resolute.

"I must uncover the truth," he said, his voice low but firm. Clutching his prayer beads, he took a step forward, ready to face whatever lay ahead.

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