Outside, rhomboid, crystal-clear snowflakes drifted down from the sky.
Akihiro extended his palm, catching a delicate, tiny snowflake. The warmth of his body instantly melted the snowflake, leaving behind only a chilling sensation.
"My memories from my previous life are slowly awakening. Thinking about it now, it's been sixteen years since I came to this world."
"I vaguely remember that on the planet I lived on, there were steel birds that could fly into the sky, and aircraft carriers that could dive into the sea. People, armed with a power called technology, could ascend to the sky and delve into the earth, capable of anything."
"But this world is like Sengoku period Japan. Technological development is still in its infancy, negligible. Everyone's life is also very difficult."
"Just where am I, in this world, at this moment?"
Akihiro sighed. In these sixteen years, he had inquired among the people around him, but he found no useful information. The eastern country he once lived in was also nowhere to be found.
The customs he saw, heard, and felt in this world were very similar to Japan in his impression, but many details were subtly different.
For example, people's hair and eye colors varied widely and were all natural. Akihiro, for instance, had red hair and crimson eyes.
At first, he thought he had traveled through time, but now it seemed he had traveled through space, and his old world no longer existed.
---
"Brother Akihiro, what are you thinking about?"
A soft, clear voice, sounding like a winter bonfire that could warm one's heart, rang in Akihiro's ears.
Akihiro turned his head and saw a boy with deep red hair and crimson eyes, a scar on his forehead, and earrings dangling from his left ear.
This was his younger brother, Tanjiro Kamado. Akihiro's right ear had an earring identical to Tanjiro's left ear.
These were family heirlooms passed down by their father, Tanjuro Kamado, to each of them, needing to be inherited.
Akihiro and Tanjiro looked eighty percent alike, but Tanjiro's face and eyes were round and very cute.
Akihiro was a head taller than Tanjiro, his face was more elongated, and his eyes were narrower. When angry, his eyes were as sharp as knives.
Akihiro's name in this world was Akihiro Kamado, same as his name from his previous life, Akihiro.
---
"Tanjiro. Brother was thinking that since this winter is so cold, we should be able to sell more charcoal, and we can also buy new clothes for you and our other siblings."
Akihiro's family lived on the mountain. Their father, Tanjuro Kamado, had been in poor health and passed away early. Their current family members were their mother, Kie, three younger brothers, Takeo, Shigeru, and Rokuta, and two younger sisters, Nezuko and Hanako.
Akihiro was the eldest brother, and their mother Kie was also in poor health, so he had taken on the heavy responsibility of the family early, inheriting his father's previous profession of selling charcoal.
Tanjiro was also very sensible; he had started accompanying him down the mountain to sell charcoal several years ago.
---
Tanjiro smiled happily:
"Brother is so good. But brother, don't go down the mountain today, I can go by myself."
"You've been very tired lately, brother, don't push yourself. Let me do it."
His younger brother truly was extraordinary.
Recently, Akihiro had been having a nightmare. He couldn't remember the specifics of the dream, only feeling very sad, very pained, and an endless sense of despair and anger.
Moreover, when awake, he consistently had an ominous premonition, but he didn't know its source.
This made his condition very poor, but he had been hiding it.
One should only share good news with family, not bad. He didn't want his family to worry.
But he didn't expect that Tanjiro, this little imp, could see through his disguise. However, this was normal, Tanjiro had always surprised him.
---
"Tanjiro, how did you know?"
Tanjiro scratched his head shyly:
"I smelled it. I can smell the scent of unease emanating from brother, and I guess brother must be tired."
"Smelled my unease? Tanjiro's sense of smell has been exceptionally good since he was a child, much stronger than the best hunting dogs."
He could even smell people's emotions. According to Tanjiro, people emit various distinct scents when their emotions change, making them very easy to distinguish.
"Very easy? It's clearly very difficult, alright? This is already a bit inhuman."
Akihiro patted Tanjiro's head.
---
"Yes, brother is just a bit tired. Tanjiro, I'll trouble you with this this time."
He didn't plan to talk about that dream. And while Tanjiro looked simple and gentle, he was incredibly serious and stubborn at heart.
To prevent him from worrying, and because he genuinely felt a bit unwell lately.
This time, he would have to trouble Tanjiro to go down the mountain alone.
Before, when Akihiro was sick, Tanjiro had also gone down the mountain alone several times. He was very smart and agile, and he rarely got hurt.
Akihiro had great faith in Tanjiro.
---
With a bamboo basket on his back, filled with dozens of pounds of charcoal, Tanjiro's small body, burdened with the charcoal, prepared to descend the mountain.
Although people in this world had difficult living conditions, their physical capabilities seemed to be quite good.
"Brother Tanjiro please be careful. We'll wait for you to come back here."
"Tanjiro, take care on your way."
Several adorable children waved, and Akihiro's mother, Kie, spoke to Tanjiro, who was about to descend the mountain.
Akihiro walked over and patted each of their heads.
---
"Nezuko, Hanako, Takeo, Shigeru, Rokuta, you don't need to worry too much. Tanjiro is very capable."
Hearing this, Tanjiro blushed shyly.
"Brother Akihiro, you're the strongest! Don't worry, I'll be back soon. You all go back inside, it's windy and cold outside, be careful not to get sick."
With that, Tanjiro descended the mountain step by step, leaving a trail of footprints imprinted on the snow, gradually being covered.
---
By now, Nezuko and the other younger siblings had already returned to the house. They were young and had weak constitutions, so they couldn't stay outside for too long in the winter snow.
Their mother, Kie, coughed as she continued to look in the direction Tanjiro had left, unwilling to go back inside.
Akihiro pulled Kie:
"Mother, let's go back. Tanjiro has gone down the mountain alone many times before, no need to worry."
Kie smiled gently:
"Yes, you and Tanjiro are both so sensible and mature, nothing like children your age. Logically, I shouldn't have to worry."
"But as a mother, how can I not worry about my children? It's just that it's been hard on you living with me; I haven't been able to give you a good life."
---
In his previous life, Akihiro was an orphan, constantly ostracized. After entering society, he witnessed the harsh realities of life and developed a difficult personality.
God had closed the door on his fate, shut the windows, and conveniently thrown in a vicious strike.
He had to use his bloody hands to subdue the strike and push open the doors and windows.
But in this life, his mother Kie, his deceased father Tanjuro, and his adorable younger siblings made Akihiro feel the warmth of humanity.
He craved this warmth and only wanted to be with them forever.
Worried that Kie might get sick, Akihiro helped her towards the house.
---
"Not at all. Being your son, Mother, is the happiest thing I've ever felt."
"Hmm, Akihiro, you're the best at sweet talk."
"Haha, and I only say it to you, Mother."
Within a few sentences, Akihiro had led Kie into their house, a sturdy small wooden house braving the wind and snow.
Stepping inside, Akihiro turned his head to look in the direction Tanjiro had left.
---
"Tanjiro, come back safely soon."
For some reason, as Tanjiro left, the ominous premonition in Akihiro's heart grew stronger and stronger.
---Hey hey~! 😊
Enjoyed the chapter? Then let's keep the good vibes going with a few little taps 💥
🎉 Show some love with a comment!
(Your thoughts make my day ❤️)
📚 Add this story to your collection
(If you haven't already—what are you waiting for?! 😁)
⭐ Leave a review
(Only if it's positive—we're all about good vibes here ✨)
💎 Power Stones? I see you~
Got extras lying around? Feed them to this story! Every 250 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter!
So let's make it rain!! 💫💫💫
No pressure, no offence—just having fun! 😌✌️
Thanks for reading and supporting—you're awesome!
---