Outside, delicate, diamond-shaped, crystalline snowflakes drifted down from the sky.
Kawasaki Nagare reached out his palm to catch a feeble, tiny snowflake. It melted instantly in the warmth of his hand, leaving only a cold sensation.
"Memories of a past life are slowly awakening. Thinking carefully now, it's been sixteen years since I arrived in this world."
"I vaguely remember my home planet, where iron birds soared into the sky and aircraft carriers ventured into the sea. With the power of technology, people could accomplish almost anything."
"But this world resembles something like early-modern Japan, with very uneven technological development. Most areas still feel like they are stumbling infants, and life is hard for everyone."
"Still, what world have I ended up in?"
Kawasaki Nagare sighed. Over the past sixteen years, he'd asked people around him for information, but none of it was helpful. There was no trace of the Eastern nation where he once lived.
What he observed in this world—its customs and traditions—resembled Japan as he remembered it, yet there were many differences in the details.
For instance, people had a variety of natural hair and eye colors. Kawasaki Nagare, for example, had red hair and red eyes.
At first, he thought he had traveled through time, but it now seemed he had crossed dimensions; his previous world no longer existed.
"Kawasaki Nagare-oniisan, what are you thinking about?"
A gentle voice, as warm as a winter bonfire, spoke near Kawasaki Nagare's ear.
He turned and saw a boy with deep red hair, scarlet eyes, a scar on his forehead, and an earring on his left ear.
This was his younger brother, Kamado Tanjiro. Kawasaki Nagare wore an identical earring on his right ear, a family heirloom passed down from their father, Kamado Tanjuro.
Kawasaki Nagare bore a strong resemblance to Tanjiro—about eighty percent similar—but Tanjiro's face and eyes were round and endearing.
Kawasaki Nagare, however, was a head taller, with a more slender face and sharper eyes, which looked like knives when he was angry.
In this world, he was named Kamado Kawasaki Nagare, though memories of his past life would occasionally resurface.
In his previous life, he had been named Lin Chi, though that name had become increasingly blurred.
The past was like the wind. Now, he was Kamado Kawasaki Nagare.
"It's Tanjiro, huh? I was just thinking that with such a cold winter, we might sell more charcoal this year. That way, I can buy new clothes for you and our younger siblings."
Kawasaki Nagare's family lived on a mountain. Their father, Kamado Tanjuro, had passed away early due to poor health. Now, their family consisted of his mother, Kie; three younger brothers, Takeo, Shigeru, and Rokuta; and two sisters, Nezuko and Hanako.
As the eldest son, and with their mother Kie also unwell, Kawasaki Nagare had taken on the responsibility of the family, following in his father's footsteps to sell charcoal.
Tanjiro, being quite considerate, had started joining him to sell charcoal a few years earlier.
Tanjiro smiled happily. "Oniisan, you're so thoughtful. But maybe you should rest today—I can go down the mountain by myself."
"Oniisan, you've been very tired lately. Don't push yourself too hard. Let me handle it."
This little brother of his truly was special.
Recently, Kawasaki Nagare had been having a recurring nightmare. Though he couldn't clearly remember the events, he was left with an overwhelming sadness, pain, and an endless sense of despair and anger.
And even when awake, he felt a sense of foreboding, though he couldn't pinpoint its source.
This left him in poor spirits, though he hid it from everyone.
He didn't want his family to worry and always tried to share only positive news.
But unexpectedly, Tanjiro had seen through his facade—though this was typical of him, as Tanjiro was always surprising him.
"Tanjiro, how did you know?"
Tanjiro scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. "I smelled it. I could smell the scent of worry coming from you, so I guessed you might be tired."
Smelled my worry? Tanjiro's sense of smell had always been exceptionally sharp, better than even the best hunting dog's.
He could even detect people's emotions through scent. According to Tanjiro, people emitted different scents when their emotions changed, and he could easily distinguish them.
Easily? That seemed difficult for anyone, even bordering on supernatural.
Kawasaki Nagare patted Tanjiro's head.
"Yes, oniisan's just a bit tired. Tanjiro, I'll leave it to you this time."
He had no intention of mentioning the nightmare, and though Tanjiro appeared naive and gentle, he was serious and stubborn at heart.
To keep him from worrying—and because he truly felt unwell lately—he decided to let Tanjiro go alone this time.
Tanjiro had gone alone before when Kawasaki Nagare was sick. He was smart and agile, rarely getting hurt.
Kawasaki Nagare trusted Tanjiro completely.
With a pack full of charcoal, Tanjiro, small in frame but carrying tens of pounds, prepared to descend the mountain.
People in this world might live in poor conditions, but their physical endurance was impressive.
"Tanjiro-oniisan, be careful! We'll wait for you here."
"Tanjiro, stay safe."
A few young siblings waved their hands, and Kawasaki Nagare's mother, Kie, bid farewell to Tanjiro as he prepared to go down the mountain.
Kawasaki Nagare stepped forward, patting each of their heads.
"Nezuko, Hanako, Takeo, Shigeru, and Rokuta, you don't need to worry. Tanjiro is strong."
Hearing this, Tanjiro's cheeks flushed shyly.
"Kawasaki Nagare-oniisan, you're the strongest one. Don't worry, I'll be back soon. You all go inside now—it's cold, and you don't want to catch a chill."
With that, Tanjiro began his descent, leaving footprints in the snow that were gradually covered.
By this time, Nezuko and the younger siblings had returned to the house, as they were young and frail and couldn't stay outside in the winter cold for long.
Kie, however, continued to look out in Tanjiro's direction, coughing and unwilling to go inside.
Kawasaki Nagare urged Kie back indoors. "Mother, let's go inside. Tanjiro has gone down the mountain alone many times; there's no need to worry."
Kie gave a gentle smile. "Yes, both you and Tanjiro are so responsible and mature, not like children your age. I shouldn't worry."
"But as a mother, it's impossible not to worry. I've made life hard for you, unable to provide a better life."
In his previous life, Kawasaki Nagare had lived a lonely, bitter life. After entering society, he witnessed human coldness, which turned his personality harsh.
Fate seemed to have shut him in, closing every door and window, even unleashing a vicious dog.
So, he'd learned to fend off that dog with bloodied hands and push open those doors and windows.
He could never forget those painful memories, fearing that someday he'd return to them.
But in this life, with his mother, Kie; his late father, Tanjuro; and his adorable siblings, Kawasaki Nagare felt warmth and wanted to hold on to this life, unwilling to let it change.
He cherished this warmth, wanting to stay with them forever.
Fearing for her health, he helped Kie back inside.
"Being your son has brought me the greatest happiness."
"Yes, you do know how to speak well."
"Haha, only for you, Mother."
In a few words, Kawasaki Nagare helped Kie inside their small cabin, standing strong in the wind and snow.
He took one last step inside and looked back in the direction Tanjiro had left.
"Tanjiro, please return safely."
Yet, as Tanjiro disappeared from sight, Kawasaki Nagare's sense of foreboding grew stronger.