Once More, With Feeling

Chapter Four

"I wasn't born a demon," Douma said the next night when he visited Gyutaro. "I was chosen by his Lordship."

In actuality, Muzan had been angry and pumped him full of blood hoping to kill him as he mocked Douma's status. He had stopped when Douma was shown to have the ability to take more blood than an average person. He had zero hopes for Douma's strength, then Douma had become the third strongest demon in the world just because he had nothing better to do.

Honestly, that probably made Muzan even angrier.

"Who?"

"We are forbidden to say his name," Douma said. "It's quite silly. Maybe he's shy?" Or scared. Oops, did he think that out loud? "Strong demons such as myself have the ability to give our blood to humans to turn them into demons. Ultimately, it's his Lordship who decides whether the transformation will occur."

"How does he decide?"

"I have my theories," Douma said. "...It'd be best not to share. I haven't transformed anyone yet, but I have a good feeling about you and Ume."

"What happens if he doesn't choose us?"

"Ah. Um, you'll probably die?"

Gyutaro frowned. "No. No way, I'm not taking that chance."

Douma pouted. "Aw! Hold on, I really think you'll be chosen! He doesn't let just anyone turn other people into demons you know! My decision has weight in this!"

"Being hunted by demon slayers sounds awful."

"It's really not that bad, Gyutaro! All your ailments are healed, you'll never get sick again and you live forever! His Lordship must be over a thousand years by now and I know others who are over thr- two hundred! Won't you consider it?"

"Things are really looking up for me and Ume," Gyutaro said. "I'd rather keep things going on this path. Ume has a future here, I know she does. I just need to give her a good start."

"Beginnings don't matter when you're a demon! You can start over and over again! How many times do you think I've restarted my cult?" It had to have been at least six times in the original timeline by this point. Only once in this timeline so far since he had better control.

Gyutaro gave him an odd look, then shook his head with a sigh. "Are you going back to your temple?"

"Why do you ask?"

"Turning us into demons is the reason you stayed, isn't it?"

Perhaps Gyutaro was smarter than he thought.

"It is the main reason, yes."

"We're staying human."

That was it then. Douma would have to change the siblings against their will. He sighed and tapped his fan against his temple. How unfortunate.

"Gyutaro!"

Both turned their heads to the doorway where Ume burst in, arms holding a wrapped bundle. She looked excited and unwrapped it, picking out a handful of something small and round and shoving it in Gyutaro's mouth, then turning around quickly and shoving more into Douma's hand that had gone up to protect his neck instinctively. He had to drop his fan to cup his hands together and prevent her gift from falling to the floor and scattering.

As Gyutaro choked, Douma stared down at his palms full of colorful sugar.

"Kompeito!" Ume said. She looked like she wanted to toss them in the air like confetti. "When I was looking around the rich district I saw some glass jars of them. All I had to do was bat my eyelashes and some boys just handed them to me!"