But... none of them had imagined that the outcome would not be Nakime dying by their blades, but Nakime choosing not to go on existing as a demon.
She had gone in search of the happiness she had once known. Perhaps she could still see the person she had longed for all this time.
Tetsu no Sosuke suddenly missed Kanae terribly... though he had missed his wife every moment since leaving Hammer Hut.
Now, however, that longing felt especially fierce.
Unfortunately, there were still things he had to do.
"Let's get out of here first. There's no cleanup to worry about, but be careful of a possible counterattack as you leave."
Tetsu no Sosuke added, "The tickets are already bought. Let's go our separate ways."
The others exchanged glances and nodded. Before leaving, the Wind Pillar took the young man with him.
Slaying demons was a Demon Hunter's duty, but they had killed the young man's mother. They could not simply brush that aside.
Some things had to be taken responsibility for.
Tetsu no Sosuke did not stop him. He left with Shinobu Kocho instead.
They had split up because they feared Kibutsuji Muzan might launch a frenzied counterattack once he learned of Nakime's death.
But nothing happened before they regrouped at the train station, and Tetsu no Sosuke breathed a little easier.
Then they boarded their trains.
The scenery slipped past the window. Tetsu no Sosuke rested his chin on his hand and watched it recede without saying a word.
Across from him, Shinobu Kocho was eating a boxed lunch.
Then another. And another.
Tetsu no Sosuke finally looked over, fascinated. "Since when could you eat this much?"
"Hmph."
Shinobu Kocho said nothing else, starting with a snort instead.
That seemed to have become their usual way