Yoriichi had just been banished from the Demon Slayer corps for the sole crime of his twin brother, Michikatsu, having fallen for Muzan’s offer and willingly turning into a demon. Devastated by the choices of his brother he loved so dearly, Yoriichi decided to visit an old friend of his in hopes of consolation—Sumiyoshi.

The last time Yorichii had spoken to him, Sumiyoshi insisted that he come by again soon. Yorichii never thought he’d come back with this grim news, though. Sumiyoshi lived in a mountain far from any bustling village, a humble and secluded home with his wife. It would take a few days to arrive, but Yorichii didn’t exactly have any other place to be.

Traveling through the night normally wasn’t a problem for a man like Yoriichi. Demon Slayers were trained to work at these hours, for it was when those wretched creatures came about to feast on the innocent. He was wide awake. However, this time just seemed so much different.

Yoriichi’s legs felt inexplicably heavy, and he could feel his heart thud a little harder deep within his chest. The harsh rain didn’t help either, the cold droplets drenching his form completely as he continued to try and walk along the muddy trail. The darkness, the loud thunder, and the increasing guilt, regret, and grief only carved this unbearable pain in his heart deeper.

Were the gods punishing Yoriichi for his brother’s crime? Identical twins were commonly considered to be one and the same, so was he no better than the man who ingested Muzan Kibutsuji’s blood in search of power? Was he, perhaps, the sin all along?

When Yoriichi turned a small corner of trees, nearly slipping on the mud as he went, he caught the sight of a small home in a clearing up ahead. It wasn’t Sumiyoshi’s home, Yoriichi noticed immediately. It’s been quite a while since Yoriichi last visited Sumiyoshi, but he’d never forget what his house looked like. Perhaps, Yoriichi had truly lost his way through this relentless storm…

Nonetheless, Yoriichi slowly approached the front door, careful to watch his step as to not slip again. He supposed he could kindly ask for directions, though he wondered if that would even help through this heavy thunderstorm growing worse by the hour.

Hesitantly, Yoriichi knocked.