Reincarnated as Rikuo's Twin Brother | Nurarihyon no Mago

Becoming of the Third Heir

As the group made their way to Rikuo's home, the third heir was busy suffering in his futon. 

If you still remember the original, Rikuo would have been laying down with a bright red face, trying to ease his cold due to over-exerting himself. Currently, however, the boy sat in the corner of his room, wrapping himself in his blanket.

Unbeknownst to Reiji, Rikuo did remember him before the Yuki-onna. 

After spending the entire night wandering around the town and tiring himself the next day, Rikuo's exhaustion triggered a memory from his past. A memory where he would sit on his porch watching his only brother train, all his hard work would motivate the eldest to practice beside him till they dropped.

Their innocent smiles, his brother's adoration for the snow woman, and the peaceful life with their mother and grandfather. All of those important memories with Reiji seemed so. . far away. It was like Rikuo watched his memories before a tv screen, memories that should have been cherished were more like a dream.

Realizing that fact, Rikuo couldn't feel any more remorseful. 

He hated the fact how he could just forget his own brother!

So, clutching his fists tightly, the eldest Nura was silent. Silently thinking about himself in the corner.

Disappointing as this fact may be, Rikuo shouldn't be blaming himself. It was all part of Reiji's plan. 

In fact, during the first year Reiji disappeared from the clan, Nurarihyon and Rikuo searched endlessly for the young boy. They were extremely worried for the weak Reiji, it was well known amongst the family how frail the boy would be despite training so hard, so naturally, they would be very frantic.

But even with all of their efforts, Reiji was not found.

Instead, Reiji found them.

Settling down on his futon, Rikuo finally left the corner. He heard footsteps coming his way and decided to go back to bed as to not worry them. 

With a slide of the door, Rikuo's eyes met with his grandfather.

"Rikuo, how are you doing?" The old man asked with a childish tone.

"Jii-chan, I'm fine." Rikuo smiled weakly with a burning face, "It does feel kind of stuffy being sick."

"Hmm~" Nurarihyon nodded as he closed the door and sat down.

Seeing that somewhat serious response, Rikuo sat up from his bed with a confused look.

 "Is something wrong, Jii-chan?"

"Rikuo. . ."

"Yes?"

"What do you think about the clan?"

Weirded out, Rikuo gave a half-hearted but sincere reply.

 "The clan is my family of course!" He grinned.

When Nurarihyon heard that answer, the old man couldn't be more glad. He had raised his grandson correctly, a lovable and caring child, he was happy. But,

'Reiji was right. . .' Nurarihyon thought

Rikuo was naive.

During Reiji's visit, the two had struck a deal. A deal a supreme commander couldn't ignore.

The offer was to allow Reiji and his group to enter the clan borders, they would have the right to set up a headquarter without triggering territorial fights, which was common for yokais who invade other yokai's lands. In return, the boy would train his sibling to become the next supreme commander, physically and emotionally.

Normally, this would be denied. 

Territorial fights may be common among clanless groups as no one technically owned the land, but the Nura clan has long since established Ukioe town as their headquarters ' base for hundreds of years ago. Having an allegedly clanless group set up in their land would bring no benefits whatsoever, and they may be hostile.

"Do you understand what your asking me Reiji?"

"Of course, but I assure you, we bring no harm to the clan," Reiji responded with a half-assed smile, making the old man frown. "The Nura clan is in decline old man, and unless we straighten that nonsense brother of mine, you might as well destroy it already, I'm doing you a favor here," Reiji explained.

"Reiji, Rikuo does not wish to lead the clan. He has no memo--" Reiji quickly cut him off

"You still believe that? Even if that excuse was true, who do you think will lead the clan? Mom? That gloomy Gyuuki? It's time to move Jii-san, you aren't immortal and Rikuo isn't all human, he's also a part demon. And unless he becomes what he's supposed to be, the name Nurarihyon may as well be dust in the wind. ."

Remembering their exchange, Nurarihyon sighed, gaining a worried look from Rikuo.

Would it be selfish of him to wish Reiji was the eldest instead?

Shaking his thoughts out, Nurarihyon looked at Rikuo dead in the eyes.

"Rikuo, I will ask you again, do you wish to become the next supreme commander?"

Thinking this was the usual routine of his grandfather, Rikuo wanted to dismiss him. "Jii-chan, you know I--" but Nurarihyon quickly raised a palm,

"Rikuo, this will be the final time I will ask, and I want you to think about your answer not just for you but also for the entire clan," Nurarihyon sat straight with a serious look, shutting Rikuo up. 

With a heavy voice, Nurarihyon excluded a bit of pressure and asked wholeheartedly,

"Rikuo Nura, do you wish to become the next Supreme commander?"

This was a hard question to answer. Up till now, Rikuo never really thought about being the Third heir for the clan, only for himself. All he has seen until this moment was his father or grandfather leisurely strolling with their demons in tow. 

No one really told him how important it was to have the lives of hundreds of yokais on his shoulder. So naturally, he thought of it as no big deal and wanted no part of it. 

Clenching his teeth, Rikuo closed his fists. 

Reiji, he wanted Reiji back. His clan, his family, they were important to him. Maybe it was time to stop pretending and tell them he remembers, so with his newfound determination Rikuo Nura said with a confident look,

"Jii-san!" He called out,

"Hm,"

"I will do it! I will become the supreme commander!"

Hearing his grandson's words, Nurarihyon was pleased.

"You have done well, Rikuo." Nurarihyon nodded with a smile.

"Yes!"