The Butterfly Mansion was bathed in the early morning light rain after a light drizzle.
The air was filled with the scent of earth and the intoxicating fragrance of Wisteria.
It was a beautiful morning that made me want to burst into song.
Tanjiro Kamado stood spiritedly on the bluestone slab in the courtyard, carrying a wooden box on his back.
Today marks the day he completely bids farewell to his identity as a mutated demon and returns as a human, a prospective swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps, to begin his hellish training at Mount Sagiri with Giyu Tomioka.
In front of him, in the spacious courtyard of the Butterfly Mansion,
A long, solemn procession was standing there to see them off!
Shinobu Kocho, her Tsuguko Kanao Tsuyuri, and the three adorable little nurses from the Butterfly Mansion — Kiyo, Sumi, Naho.
They stood in a neat row, each carrying large and small bags, their eyes gazing eagerly in this direction.
Tanjiro stood there, his wine-red eyes instantly filling with hot tears.
"Oh my god... everyone..."
"Everyone got up so early just to see me off!!"
"Yesterday I turned into a terrifying, perfect demon, and even blew up the Ubuyashiki yard because I lost control~"
But instead of disliking or fearing me, everyone came to see me off!
"This is the bond between humans! This is the warmth of the Butterfly Mansion family!"
"... What have I, Tanjiro Kamado, done to deserve such deep love from everyone!"
Tanjiro was so moved that snot bubbles almost came out of his nose.
He took a deep breath, took two steps forward, opened his arms, and put on a smile that was brighter than the sun at eight or nine o'clock in the morning!
Bring it on!
Give me a loving farewell hug!
I'm ready to accept everyone's tearful farewells and gentle words of farewell!
"Make way! Make way, Tanjiro!"
Just as Tanjiro opened his arms, closed his eyes, and joyfully prepared to receive that touching embrace.
A pleasant, chattering sound brushed past his ears.
"Why?"
Tanjiro suddenly opened his eyes, feeling a fragrant breeze whistle past his cheeks.
Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho, these three nurses who were always around him, showing him concern and care.
Without even glancing at him, she simply slipped right between his outstretched arms... perfectly weaving through him!
Like three little fangirls who had just seen their idol, they bypassed Tanjiro and swarmed around Giyu Tomioka, who was standing behind Tanjiro!
"Lord Giyu! This is a salmon and radish bento specially made for you by our kitchen staff, who got up at five o'clock this morning!"
Kiyo blushed and held a huge food box high above her head with both hands.
"Lord Giyu! This is freshly brewed tea, stored in a thermos. Please remember to drink it if you feel thirsty on your journey!"
Sumi handed over the water bottle with stars in her eyes.
"Lord Giyu! Are you really alright after all?"
Although you looked incredibly cool fighting yesterday, if you feel any pain anywhere, remember to take the special painkiller I packed for you!
Naho also looked up at this human combat power ceiling with admiration.
The three little girls chattered away, effectively turning the unapproachable current Water Hashira into an iron barrel.
And two meters in front of them.
Tanjiro Kamado remained in the same pose, arms outstretched, ready to embrace.
Only...
A gust of autumn wind blew by, swirling up two withered yellow leaves that drifted sadly past Tanjiro's eyes.
In that instant, Tanjiro's entire body, from head to toe, completely lost all color!
Above his head, a flock of crows flew by, flapping their wings and cawing mockingly, "Idiot--Idiot--Idiot--"
"N-Nani?!"
Tanjiro stood frozen in place, his mouth agape enough to fit a giant rice ball, his eyes practically popping out of his head.
"What the hell?!"
"So, no one came here for me after all?!"
"Those bento boxes! Those water bottles! Those reluctant parting words! Were they all for Mr. Giyu?!"
"What am I?! Am I just an extra accessory?!"
"What did my emotion just now even mean?!"
"Give me back my tears! You bunch of shameless, looks-obsessed fools!!"
Tanjiro gritted his teeth and withdrew his arms, crossing them over his chest, his cheeks puffing out like a pufferfish.
"I'm angry! I'm really angry! And I can't be appeased!"
Just as Tanjiro was still questioning his own existence, Shinobu Kocho walked over with light steps.
She was still wearing that signature purple short uniform today, her hands habitually clasped behind her back.
However, her delicate, petite doll-like face was less shrewd and sarcastic than usual, and instead had a rare blush.
"Mr. Giyu."
Shinobu walked up to Giyu, slightly turning her head.
A complex light flickered in her beautiful purple eyes; she seemed somewhat afraid to look directly into Yi Giyu's deep blue eyes.
Her cheeks flushed slightly, and her voice softened unconsciously.
"The journey to Mount Sagiri is long; please take good care of yourself along the way."
He paused here, then couldn't resist revealing a hint of his sharp tongue, tapping his chin lightly with his index finger and adding with a half-smile:
"And also... please watch your words when you're out in public."
"Stop putting on that sullen face that makes everyone want to punch you, and then shamelessly claim that I'm not disliked anymore~"
"If you get caught in a sack outside again, our Butterfly Mansion won't be sending anyone to rescue you~"
Faced with this highly personalized "sharp-tongued concern".
Giyu Tomioka nodded obediently.
"I understand, I'll be careful."
And standing next to Shinobu Kanao Tsuyuri.
Her unfocused, purplish-red eyes stared blankly at the sky, her hand habitually clutching the fateful copper coin, seemingly hesitating whether to toss it to decide whether she should say goodbye.
However, before she could even toss the coin...
With lightning speed, Kanao on the back of the head, forcing the clueless Tsuguko to bow deeply to Giyu at a ninety-degree angle!
Kanao said, "May Mr. Giyu have a safe journey and great success in his military endeavors!"
Ren insisted on completing the farewell ceremony for his younger sister.
"..."
Kanao maintained her bowed posture, a small question mark appearing above her head, but she did not resist.
After everyone saw him off, Giyu carefully took the lunch boxes and water bottles.
He was about to turn around and call Tanjiro was still sulking, to set off.
Just then, Shinobu Kocho seemed to suddenly remember something.
She glanced around the courtyard, her beautiful purple eyebrows furrowing slightly, her eyes filled with doubt.
"Strangeness..."
Ren Yong muttered under his breath, his tone clearly puzzled:
Where is my older sister?