39. All of Us Have Stories
Kotaro felt bad about refusing twice, but he had to do it. It was something preplanned, so he went on to say it without hesitation.
"I'm sorry, but I refuse."
At this point, even though Kotaro appeared sincere, it only felt as if he was trying to piss them off, as if he was testing their patience over and over.
"You bastard!!!"
Sanemi, as wild as ever, shouted out. But with a gesture from Kagaya, he closed his mouth and continued to glare angrily at Kotaro with sharp eyes.
"Why?"
Kagaya was surprised too. He wasn't arrogant, but he kind of thought that Kotaro wouldn't refuse the offer to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
Why do people join the Demon Slayer Corps? Is it because of the noble reason to save humanity from demons and create a better future?
Nah!
All of them are avengers! All of them have encountered a demon and lost someone important to them. There are a few people who become Demon Slayers not because of personal reasons but to help others, like Kyojuro. That's why Kotaro respected him a lot.
But people like Kyojuro are rare. No one in their sane mind would actively fight demons for a noble cause.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, is an avenger too. He wants to eradicate demons to lift the curse that has tormented his family for generations.
It's just a coincidence that their revenge also aligns with the greater goal of saving the world.
That's why Kagaya thought that Kotaro wouldn't deny him. Kotaro was someone who lost someone important to him, and on top of that, he gained a technique perfect for dealing with demons. Who would refuse such a temptation?
But to his surprise, Kotaro did. So, Kagaya wanted to know his reasons. Why, even after losing your mother, do you not wish to fight demons?
"Why? It's actually very simple. I wish to live in the present. But all of you here seek the future."
"Wish to live in the present?"
"That's right. I'm sure all of you have your own stories."
Kotaro's eyes drifted toward each of them, and his words made them remember their stories, the past that led them down this path.
A blind monk who was wrongly blamed by a child he was saving from a demon.
A ninja who abandoned his family and chose a different path to live.
A child whose blood was too sweet for demons, attracting them and causing the massacre of his entire family, leaving only his brother.
A girl whose parents were killed by a demon, and later, her older sister was also killed by a demon.
A younger brother whose big sister was killed by a demon while trying to protect him just before her wedding.
And the man whose life was nothing but tragedies, all stemming from the single curse that ran through his family because of birthing the original demon.
All of them had stories that led them to walk down this path of becoming Demon Slayers.
"I too have a story. My mother died at the hands of a demon."
The atmosphere became solemn as Kotaro narrated his story. Compared to others, his story might lack depth. After all, they went through many difficulties, unlike him. But…
"I went to the demon to take revenge."
But the pain—those here could understand it. The difficulties might differ, but the pain of losing a loved one is the same.
"I was almost dead, but Mitsuri came in and saved me. But she couldn't fight and was in danger too. And it was a miracle that I got Hamon and destroyed the demon. Do you know what I felt, holding my mother as she slowly died in my arms?"
Kotaro's face showed a self-loathing smirk as he continued.
"I was enraged at myself. If I had been a bit faster… If I had gotten Hamon faster… If I had exercised daily… If I had known fighting techniques… I blamed myself. But soon my anger, which was directed at myself, slowly turned toward the demons. I realized that it wasn't my fault but the demons'. I was trying to live a normal life, so why did the demon destroy it?"
Unknowingly, Kotaro's words caused anger to rise in the others. No matter how strong they become, the past never leaves. They too could understand the anger.
"I was filled with an overwhelming desire to avenge and kill the demons. I wanted to eradicate the demons, even more so when I got this convenient power, Hamon. But then I heard a voice calling me. It was Mitsuri."
"M-Me?"
Mitsuri became a bit tense when Kotaro mentioned her out of nowhere. Kotaro just laughed softly at her reaction and continued.
"She called out to me in a very worried tone. And then my eyes drifted toward her. She was injured too. And then I realized that my selfish wish to avenge my mother had gotten her involved in this fight. And then a question crossed my mind…"
After a brief silence, Kotaro said in a serious voice.
"What if… What if I lost her too? The thought scared me. I may have lost my mother, but I still have someone with me. I am not alone. I have someone I care about more than my life, my whims, and my revenge."
And then Kotaro spoke aloud the reason for his refusal to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
"That's why I gave up. I don't need revenge. I am enraged and wish that demons would disappear from this world, but if it comes at the cost of endangering the life of my loved one, then I don't need that rage and that wish."
Kotaro looked at Kagaya with serious, adamant eyes.
"That's why I refused Kagaya-san's invitation. You all are the ones who want to achieve that future where demons don't exist, even at the cost of your lives. But me… I am a coward. I only wish to live in the present, an ordinary life without endangering my loved ones. That's why I'm sorry, but I don't want to become a Demon---"
"Kotaro-sama!"
Before Kotaro could finish, Mitsuri stood up with tears streaming down her face. The words she heard from Kotaro had just made her cry.
"What's wrong, Mitsuri? Why are you crying?"
Mitsuri struggled for a moment but then, with tearful yet determined eyes, said to Kotaro,
"Kotaro-sama, I… I wish to join the Demon Slayer Corps!!!"
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A/N:
Well, it was destined for Kotaro to join the demon slayers. However, I wanted him to join not because of his own wish, but because of Mitsuri.
How is the chapter?