Autumn has passed and winter has arrived; three months have passed in the blink of an eye.
The snowflakes fell gently from the sky, swirling and dancing in the air like countless fairies, covering the world with a silvery cloak.
Teiichi sat cross-legged in the large courtyard. The cast on his arm had been removed a few days ago, and his recovery was progressing smoothly.
At this moment, Teiichi's eyes were closed, and his breathing was steady and deep, as if he had become one with the surrounding air. With his breathing, a faint current began to quietly form around him, as if his soul was gently dancing. This current rose and fell with his breathing, gradually becoming clearer and stronger.
As the snowflakes approached Teiichi, they seemed to be drawn by an invisible force and blown aside. The breeze Teiichi seemed to come alive, gently blowing and scattering the snowflakes, making Teiichi as if he were in a snowless world.
A figure walked towards Teiichi, getting closer and closer, and finally squatted down in front of Teiichi.
Sensing the approaching figure, Teiichi slowly opened his eyes. Before him stood Kanae Kocho's gentle and refined face, adorned with a faint smile. Her eyes shone with a warm light, as if capable of dispelling all coldness and weariness.
When Teiichi was sent to the Butterfly Mansion for treatment, Kanae Kocho had just gone out on a mission and returned a few days later. Although she went out on two more missions in between, they were not for long. Because they had met at Mount Fujikasane, the two had already become familiar with each other during this time.
Kanae chuckled softly. She stood up and said in a low voice:
" Teiichi- kun, today is the end of the year, and tomorrow is the New Year, so we need to clean the Butterfly Mansion today. Don't think you can avoid it by cultivating!"
Hearing Kanae's words, Teiichi was somewhat taken aback. He looked up at Kanae and asked in confusion, "Huh? Aren't there members of the Hidden Team? Do we have to clean up ourselves?"
"The New Year is almost here! The Butterfly Mansion will only have a small number of staff left to maintain Butterfly Mansion basic operations. The rest will go home for the New Year unless they have a mission. So, we'll need to handle some minor matters ourselves these next few days."
At this point, Kanae paused, looked down at Teiichi, winked mischievously, and said, "What, Teiichi- kun, are you treating yourself like a guest and don't want to clean?"
"No, no, I just didn't realize the time. It's almost New Year's already..." Teiichi quickly stood up and retorted.
During this period, Japan was still celebrating the Lunar New Year, which was passed down from China. Although the official calendar had changed to the Gregorian calendar due to the Meiji Restoration, its implementation was not widespread, and old customs were hard to break. Many places still retained the tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year.
Kanae turned and walked towards the house, gesturing for Teiichi follow. As she walked, she asked:
"Yes, how did Teiichi celebrate the New Year in the past?"
"Is it Chinese New Year..."
Teiichi repeated the sentence and lowered his head to think.
I was 9 years old when I transmigrated, and now I'm almost 15. Thinking back on the past five years, it seems I haven't really celebrated a single New Year properly.
Initially, the teacher Kazeno Shoma wasn't interested in celebrating the New Year. After Shoma passed away, he became even less interested in living alone, at most having an extra meal. So he replied.
"I didn't do any special ceremonial activities during Chinese New Year in the past, at most I'd have an extra meal."
Upon hearing Teiichi's words, Kanae realized that the boy before her seemed to have a hidden past and experiences. Afraid of touching on a sensitive topic, she didn't press further. She turned to face Teiichi and smiled, saying:
"That's a perfect opportunity to experience it properly at our Butterfly Mansion this year!"
Looking at the girl's gentle smiling face, Teiichi's lips couldn't help but curl up as well.
" Teiichi, this basin of water is dirty, please help me carry it away and change it!"
"Good!"
" Teiichi, take these pine and bamboo leaves and place them at the entrance!"
"And remember to hang this connecting rope on the door!"
"They're here!"
"Brother Teiichi, I can't reach this spot, could you come and help me..."
" Teiichi!"
" Teiichi, I still need your help to organize this..."
" Teiichi..."
Teiichi seemed to have become a spinning top, constantly busy with various trivial preparations. Finally, there were no more new instructions in the courtyard for the time being. He dragged his slightly tired steps, found a clean stone under the eaves, sat down, and took a long breath.
He stretched out his palm and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead, the sweat seemingly carrying a hint of salty weariness. Although his body seemed to feel somewhat tired, a warm current seemed to be constantly overflowing from the depths of his heart, dispelling the winter chill.
My gaze involuntarily turned to the sky, where I saw pure white snowflakes gently falling, adding a touch of tranquility and purity to this busy afternoon.
I did some seemingly insignificant tasks today, things that didn't require strenuous physical exertion or complicated skills, so why do I feel so tired?
Could it be that I've become weak after being injured...?
Teiichi quickly shook his head, banishing the terrible thought from his mind.
Looks like I need to pick up strength training again...
The night was as dark as ink, but the Butterfly Mansion was brightly lit and warmly decorated.
Several exquisite washi paper paintings hung on the wall, depicting lifelike flowers, birds, fish, and insects, symbolizing good fortune. The table was laden with various delicacies: delicate sushi, fragrant grilled meat, steaming soups... each exuding an enticing aroma that made one's mouth water.
A dozen or so people were gathered in a spacious room, their laughter and chatter filling the air. In addition to the medical staff and wounded who regularly resided at the Butterfly Mansion, several members of the Hidden Society had also arrived, and everyone was celebrating the upcoming New Year together.
As the mistress of the Butterfly Mansion, Kanae's gentleness and thoughtfulness are widely known within the Demon Slayer Corps. Every New Year, she personally cooks a sumptuous dinner for everyone and invites those still remaining at the Butterfly Mansion to celebrate the New Year together. Her kindness makes everyone feel the warmth and love of home.
As a result, almost every Demon Slayer Corps member who left the Butterfly Mansion would unconsciously spread the story of Kanae, making her image as a beautiful, gentle, quiet, and considerate Kanae widely known within the Demon Slayer Corps. She could almost be considered the Yamato Nadeshiko of the Demon Slayer Corps.
At that moment, Kanae was busy making tea for everyone. She carried the teapot gently and poured tea for each person with a smile. She was afraid of making anyone feel neglected, so her eyes were always on everyone present.
Suddenly, a loud shout rang out from the crowd.
"Ah! Kanae, I'm your dog! Will you marry me someday?!"