The cherry blossoms at Rikkai University were in bloom. Shuangye Xun stood at the school gate, watching petals drift onto his shoulders, flecks of light reflected in his silver eyes. The March wind still carried a chill. He instinctively gripped the strap of his tennis bag until his fingertips turned faintly white.
“Xun!” A figure dashed out of the crowd and nearly knocked him over. “Why are you spacing out again? I’ve called you three times!”
Akaya Kirihara grabbed his wrist and ran, muttering, “We’re going to be late, we’re going to be late.” Shuangye Xun stumbled after him for a few steps. He looked down at the boy’s distinct knuckles wrapped tightly around his wrist, warmth seeping through his skin. Suddenly, he remembered when he was three years old. Those same hands had shaken him awake from a nightmare beneath the cherry trees.
“Why are you crying?” Little Akaya Kirihara crouched in front of him and tilted his head. “Did you have a bad dream? My mom says bad dreams mean the opposite will happen.”
Shuangye Xun had only just arrived in this world. The memories of his previous life were still as sharp as a blade: the darkness of Infinity Castle, the demons’ shrieks, and the icy sensation in his chest when it was pierced. He huddled beneath the roots of the cherry tree, trembling, his silver eyes wide, unable to say a word.
Then Akaya Kirihara stuffed his own candy into his hand. “Here, eat this,” the little boy said with a broad grin, his missing front tooth making him look a little silly. “Sweet things make you feel less scared.”
From then on, that little sun never left his world.
This is the first time I have seen the synthesis of Netou and Demon Slayer. The plot of the novel is smooth and interesting.
Big cheers for the author!