Seeing the other party accept the money, Roa also breathed a sigh of relief and showed Nezuko a brilliant smile.
Roa smiled and said, "Aren't you going to invite me inside to sit for a while?"
Nezuko hesitated slightly but eventually nodded to Roa, gesturing for him to follow her into the inner room.
This was a bamboo house, and it would not be an exaggeration to say it was narrow.
Nezuko brought a spoon of water from a distance, set the bowl down, and served a spoonful to Roa, smiling as she pointed to the bowl in her hand.
Roa smiled back at Nezuko and complimented, "Nezuko is really cute~"
Nezuko, who was already a bit shy, felt even more bashful as she was hosting a boy for the first time, especially such a handsome one.
Roa chuckled, finding the girl in front of him particularly amusing.
Nezuko said to Roa, "Mother will be back soon; she just went out to see my brother off."
Roa gently responded with an "mm" and curiously asked, "How many people are there in your family?"
Kamado Nezuko thought for a moment and said, "Six people: me, two younger brothers, a younger sister, an older brother, and my mother."
Roa felt a bit emotional; with six people in the family, if Kamado Tanjiro were still around, it would be seven.
With a total of seven people, there was only one breadwinner.
If this were in his previous life, Roa wouldn't know how to survive.
After hesitating for a moment, Roa took out a few gold coins from his waist again. However, the moment Nezuko saw the coins, she immediately stood up, her face cold as she looked at Roa.
Roa instantly understood what the other party meant and could only give a reluctant smile.
Nezuko then nodded in satisfaction, sitting down and looking at Roa with her clear eyes, saying, "Although our family is poor, we won't casually accept help from others."
However, as Nezuko spoke, her voice grew softer, especially since she had just accepted thirty silver coins from Roa.
Nezuko's words caught in her throat, and she continued with her beautiful eyes wide open, "Ahem, um, I can't take too much, um."
While the two were chatting, a woman with large purple eyes, a beauty mark at the corner of her mouth, and long hair tied in a low bun appeared. She wore a white headscarf and a purple checkered kimono, with a white long coat over it.
She was carrying a small child on her back, holding one slightly taller child in each hand, followed by a shorter girl, about seven or eight years old.
Seeing Roa sitting in the living room, everyone was taken aback. Kamado Kie turned her gaze to Roa and curiously asked, "Nezuko, who is this?"
Nezuko explained Roa's intentions to Kamado Kie, nodding at Roa while scratching her head, looking a bit puzzled, "I've never heard Tanjiro mention this."
Roa began to explain, "It might be because of some discord; after all, my father had conflicts with him a long time ago."
Kamado Kie nodded noncommittally. After all, they hadn't known each other for long, and she couldn't know what had happened in between. However, would Kamado Tanjuro really have conflicts with the other party?
This was something Kamado Kie hadn't expected. But now, how should she entertain the guest?
"By the way, mother, this big brother also gave me…"
Before Nezuko could finish, Roa reached out and grabbed her sleeve, saying, "No need for that."
If Nezuko told the other party, she might get scolded.
The gentle and virtuous woman in front of him had a strong heart; Roa didn't think she was the type to casually accept charity from others.
Even in Roa's words, she had a debt of gratitude to him.
Kamado Nezuko hesitated, looking at Roa with a somewhat complicated expression.
How could Kamado Nezuko not know the situation at home?
She understood her mother's character better than anyone, but it was precisely because of this that she knew what the family was really like.
Without anyone's help, Kamado Kie was raising five children alone. Even if the hardships were not expressed by Kamado Kie, as the eldest daughter, she deeply understood her mother's difficulties.
Kamado Kie looked at the interaction between the two, feeling a bit confused. She cast a questioning glance at Kamado Nezuko, while Roa stepped in front of her and smiled, "It's okay; I was just thinking about how to help you."
Kamado Kie smiled at this, as she was an extremely beautiful woman with a classical beauty, revealing a faint smile as she said to Roa, "There's no need for that. Thank you for your kindness, but although our lives are tough, we can still manage."
Roa was not surprised at her refusal; it was completely within reason. He smiled and pointed to himself, saying, "Actually, I came here this time partly to fulfill my father's wishes, so please let me do my part."
The children surrounding Kamado Kie exchanged glances, unsure of what to say.
Kamado Hanako peeked out, looking timidly at the handsome boy in front of her. After hesitating for a moment, she finally spoke, "If you really want to help, please help my older brother. He is struggling alone."
As soon as Kamado Hanako's words came out, she was shot a fierce glare by Kamado Kie. She wanted to say something, but seeing the tears in Kamado Kie's eyes, she sighed.
Releasing her grip on her younger brother, she gently patted Kamado Hanako's forehead and revealed a hint of helplessness to Roa, saying, "You must have seen that taking care of the children is quite troublesome. The only one working at home is my eldest son, Kamado Tanjiro. If you are willing to help, why not assist my eldest son?"
Roa raised an eyebrow, looking at Kamado Kie with curiosity, and bluntly said, "You must be in need of help right now, right? What do you think of me?"
After saying that, Roa flexed the muscles on his right arm, but unfortunately, they were too small to be impressive.
The other party wanted to say something, but Roa interrupted, "Madam, don't be quick to refuse. If I can't complete my task this time, I won't leave."
Kamado Kie: "???"
Roa looked at Kamado Kie with sincere eyes and said, "My father entrusted me with this task before he passed. If I don't do it well, not only will I be unable to face my father, but he won't be able to explain to Mr. Kamado Tanjuro either."
Seeing Roa's demeanor, Kamado Kie could only sigh and nod, saying, "Alright, but I can't just let you go chop wood with Tanjiro, right? I really don't know what to have you do."
Before she could finish, Roa's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said directly, "Do you need help chopping wood? That's no problem!"
Kamado Kie froze, sizing up the slender boy in front of her, dressed in the Demon Slayer Corps uniform. Although he was a bit thin and had fair skin, she felt he was not ordinary.
But she couldn't quite put her finger on why he was different.
The Demon Slayer Corps uniform wasn't particularly precious, but it fit well, and Roa had an excellent skill: no matter what he wore, he always looked good.
Blonde hair was often associated with handsomeness, and a good-looking blonde was just like that, not to mention Roa.
Roa looked into Kamado Kie's eyes and sincerely said, "Let me help you, please!"
Kamado Kie felt a bit helpless; she had no way to deal with this child.
He was here to help, and since that was the case, she couldn't say anything too harsh. Even if she refused him, looking at his attitude, he had already attached himself to their family.
Suddenly, Roa seemed to think of something and said to Kamado Kie, "Actually, due to work reasons, I'm currently living with som else. Madam, how is your cooking? If it's good…"
Before Roa could finish, Nezuko suddenly interjected, "Mother's cooking is very good~"
Roa nodded, showing a knowing expression, not giving Kamado Kie a chance to speak as he continued, "In that case, why don't you provide me with a place to eat? I can set up a house here, and it will be more convenient for me to be on duty at night."
Kamado Kie hesitated for a moment. To be honest, she wanted to refuse, as their family matters were extremely complicated, and although he was a boy, he was still an outsider.
But looking at his clear and bright eyes, Kamado Kie found herself unable to speak.
Should she refuse?
If she refused, he would probably keep pestering her, right?
If she didn't refuse, would she really let him chop wood?
After much contemplation and hesitation, all her reluctance turned into a sigh.
Kamado Kie nodded.
Roa smiled, Nezuko smiled, and upon learning that their mother had extra income, the other two little ones also smiled. The child on Kamado Kie's back saw the older siblings smiling and also giggled happily.
For a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat cheerful.
Roa stood up and said to Kamado Kie, "Then, please take care of me in the future. You can call me Roa." After saying this, he also winked at Nezuko beside him.
Kamado Kie nodded and said, "Roa, huh? That's a rare name. I'm Kamado Kie. So, please take care of me in the future, Roa."
The girl who had been hiding behind Kamado Kie suddenly stepped forward, pointing to herself and saying, "I'm Kamado Hanako. That pretty girl over there is my sister; her name is Kamado Nezuko. This is my younger brother…"
At this moment, Kamado Nezuko fell silent, simply smiling at everyone.
Roa said to Kamado Kie, "Usually, I have a big appetite. If you need any ingredients that are hard to get, just let me know, and I can help buy them in town. Well, with me around, Madam might have to work a bit more this time."
Kamado Kie smiled and said, "It's fine; I have Nezuko to help me. Everyone at home is very obedient~"
Roa nodded, looking around at the young, thin children. He thought for a moment and said to Kamado Kie, "In that case, I won't let Madam cook for free. Well, to put it simply, if I eat one meal, I'll cover the cost of your meal. If that's not enough, I'll give you a bit more money. What do you think, Madam?"
Kamado Kie nodded and finally revealed a smile, saying, "That's enough, enough. I must thank you this time."
After saying that, she bowed to Roa. Roa stepped forward to support her while nodding at her.
After Roa and Kamado Kie finished discussing everything, Nezuko approached, tugging at Roa's sleeve with a mysterious look. Roa knew what she wanted to say and said to Kamado Kie, "I have something to discuss with Nezuko; we'll step outside for a moment."
Kamado Kie glanced at Nezuko, who returned the look. After a moment of their gazes intertwining, Kamado Kie smiled at Nezuko and nodded, saying, "In that case, you two go ahead."
Kamado Nezuko pulled on Roa's sleeve and walked outside, whispering to him, "Should I return that money to you?"
She reached out to return the money she had received earlier, but Roa directly refused.
Roa shot Nezuko an annoyed glance and said helplessly, "You've already taken it, so why say that? Keep it to help your family; I'm really worried about your situation."
Hearing Roa's somewhat annoyed words, Nezuko revealed a beautiful smile. She nodded at Roa and said, "Then, thank you, Brother Roa."
"Um, it's nothing much," Roa scratched his head, feeling a bit flattered by such a pretty girl saying that.
After their conversation, Roa smiled at Nezuko and said, "Your brother is chopping wood over there. I want to go help him."
Kamado Nezuko thought for a moment and said to Roa, "How about I take you there directly?"
Roa nodded in agreement, "Alright, then I'll trouble you, Nezuko."
Kamado Nezuko ran into the house and said something to Kamado Kie, while Roa stood outside, looking at the trees all over the mountains.
The spring sunlight shone on the green trees, and the tender buds grew in the early morning light. The shadows of the trees were mottled; although it was on a mountain, it had a unique charm upon careful appreciation.
In the courtyard in front of the door, the sounds of children playing and laughing could be heard from inside, while outside was a world filled with the sounds of birds and fragrant flowers.
If it weren't for the demons, this family would be living very happily even without Roa.