[Revising] The Broken Pillar (Kimetsu no Yaiba x F!Reader | Slow Updates)

Chapter 3: Kagaya Ubuyashiki

Third P.O.V

The journey to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters was quiet. Not a single word had been spoken between the three travelers. The silence stretched on, thick and heavy—until Kanae finally broke it.

"(Y/N)-chan, are you feeling okay?" she asked gently, glancing down at the little girl beside her.

"...Yes," (Y/N) answered softly, her voice void of emotion.

Kanae looked at her with quiet sorrow. The girl had experienced unimaginable pain—watching her parents devoured by a demon right before her eyes.

"We're almost there, (Y/N)-chan," Kanae said with a reassuring smile.

"Okay."

—Time Skip—

When they arrived at the headquarters, (Y/N)'s eyes widened. She had never seen such a large and grand house before. She clutched her teddy bear tightly and inched closer to Kanae, trembling. Her small hand reached out to hold Kanae's haori.

Kanae noticed right away.
"(Y/N)-chan, what's wrong?" she asked softly.

"I... I'm scared. W-Who will I meet? A-Are they nice?" she asked, her voice shaking as she hugged her teddy bear even tighter.

"Of course, (Y/N)-chan. He's the kindest person I've ever met," Kanae said warmly. "He treats everyone here like family—like his own children."

"...A-Are you really sure, Kanae-chan?"

"I'm sure. Come now, let's go meet him," Kanae said, taking her hand as they entered the estate.

They stopped in front of a sliding door. Giyu stepped forward and spoke firmly:

"Oyakata-sama, we have arrived."

(Y/N) blinked.
Oyakata-sama? she thought. Why did Giyu call him that?

Then, a soft and gentle voice responded from within—so soothing it could calm a storm.

"Come in."

The three entered the room. Giyu and Kanae immediately knelt in a formal seiza position. (Y/N), however, hid behind Kanae, too nervous to even look up.

"Do you have anything to report from your mission, my children?" the man asked gently.

"Yes," Giyu replied, "The mission... wasn't a success."

"Why is that, my child?" the man asked.

"The demon had already taken two lives. There was only one survivor," Giyu answered.

"And who might that be?"

"She's behind me, Oyakata-sama," Kanae said as she gently stood and nudged (Y/N) forward.

(Y/N) hesitated. She kept her eyes on the floor and held her teddy bear tightly to her chest.

"Lift your head, my child. There's nothing to be afraid of. You're safe here," the man said, his voice warm and calming.

Slowly, (Y/N) looked up—and saw him.

A man sat before her, his face marked by a deep purple scar stretching across one eye. Despite the scar, his presence was gentle... peaceful.

"What's with the scar...? Is he hurt... or sick?" she wondered.

The man smiled as if he had read her thoughts.

"I see you're curious about my face. This isn't a scar, my child—it's a curse mark. My family has been cursed for generations. This mark slowly weakens me, steals my sight, and will eventually take my life."

(Y/N) stared in surprise. How did he know what I was thinking?

"Now, little one... what is your name?" the man asked gently.

"U-Um... (Y-Y/N) (L-L/N), sir," she said shyly.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, (Y/N). My name is Kagaya Ubuyashiki, though many call me Oyakata-sama. I am the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps," he said with a calm smile.

(Y/N) felt her cheeks flush. His voice... his smile... it was so kind. She hadn't expected someone so warm to lead a group of warriors.

Kagaya chuckled softly at her reaction.

"Is she the one you found, Giyu? Kanae?" he asked.

"Yes, Oyakata-sama," Kanae replied. "She was the only survivor. Her parents... were devoured by a demon. We found her hiding inside a barrel filled with wisteria flowers."

"I see..." Kagaya turned his gaze back to (Y/N). "Do you have any remaining family?"

"...No, sir. I'm an only child. My parents' families... were also killed by demons," she said quietly, her voice on the verge of tears.

"I'm deeply sorry for your loss, (Y/N)," Kagaya said gently.

"It's... it's not your fault, sir."

Kanae suddenly spoke up.
"Um... Oyakata-sama? May I speak to you in private?"

"Of course, Kanae."

Kagaya turned to Giyu.
"Giyu, take (Y/N) with you and show her around the headquarters for a little while."

"As you wish, Oyakata-sama." Giyu stood. "Come, (Y/N). I'll show you around."

Without hesitation, (Y/N) went to his side and held his hand. Giyu blinked in surprise, but didn't pull away.

"We'll be going now, Oyakata-sama," he said and left with (Y/N) in tow.

Back in the room

Kagaya turned to Kanae.

"Now, Kanae—what is it you wished to tell me?"

"Ah, yes," she began. "Did you notice (Y/N)-chan's eyes earlier?"

"Yes... they were gray. Why do you ask? Was that not her original eye color?"

Kanae shook her head.
"No. Her original eye color was (F/C). Her eyes changed after she cried while we buried her parents. It shocked me—I've never seen something like that."

Kagaya's eyes widened slightly.

"...I see. That is unusual indeed."

"I don't know how or why it happened... but it might be connected to her trauma," Kanae said with concern.

Kagaya looked thoughtful.
"We may not know how to return her eyes to their original color... but we will do everything we can to help her heal."

"I'm happy to hear that, Oyakata-sama!" Kanae beamed, clapping her hands together. Kagaya gave her a gentle smile.