Suzuki Makoto stood at the entrance of the Butterfly Mansion and stretched his body.
It had been three months from his wedding night until now. Having traversed to this world for so long, this was the first time he had truly begun to enjoy life in the proper sense.
The day the last wounded patient from the decisive battle was discharged was the very day he and Shinobu Kocho got married. The three little girls of the Butterfly Mansion and Tanjiro's trio scattered almost every flower they could find within a ten-mile radius; when people stepped on the ground, it felt soft and spongy beneath their feet.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Lady Amane sat in the seats reserved for the parents-in-law. At the moment of Muzan Kibutsuji's death, the curse on his body had healed instantly without medication. However, the deficit accumulated over so many years remained; although the curse was cured, he would likely still struggle to enjoy the lifespan of an ordinary person.
Yet, Kagaya did not mind. Being able to survive was already an unexpected joy, not to mention being able to watch the children grow up. Lady Amane felt the same, and both deeply thanked Suzuki Makoto.
Because Kagaya Ubuyashiki was in poor health, Gyomei Himejima stood in for the ceremony as the bride's elder brother. This eldest brother among the Hashira was also the savior of the Kocho sisters, making his role indisputable.
That night, Suzuki Makoto truly enjoyed the magnificence of a butterfly dancing specifically for her lord.
Following that was the second wedding. The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, held a formal supplementary wedding ceremony for his three wives. He also took off all attire related to being a ninja, casting all the shadows and pain into the past.
Perhaps it was a wedding like this that stirred the others into action. Under Shinobu Kocho's encouragement, Mitsuri Kanroji took the initiative to try talking to Obanai Iguro. The result was that the Serpent Hashira came up and unleashed his ultimate moves right away, asking Mitsuri Kanroji on their very first date if she would be willing to live with him in the future.
Thus, the third wedding also began. Kyojuro Rengoku invited his own father. As Obanai Iguro's savior, Shinjuro Rengoku acted as an elder, helping the socially inexperienced Serpent Hashira handle the preparatory work he was completely unskilled at.
After that, the Demon Slayer Corps announced its formal disbandment. Everyone took the gifts bestowed by Kagaya Ubuyashiki and either returned to their hometowns or continued their travels; their new lives had only just begun.
Sanemi Shinazugawa and Genya Shinazugawa could finally sit together and eat once more. However, the first thing the older brother did was to make his younger brother start growing his hair out, forbidding him from keeping such a bizarre hairstyle.
Gyomei Himejima returned to that small temple. He continued to take in and raise orphans there, but this time, no evil demons would come.
Kyojuro Rengoku opened a new dojo. His younger brother, Senjuro, became his assistant, while his father, Shinjuro, formally stepped down from the position of head of the family, continuing to research Sun Breathing in his leisure time.
Muichiro Tokito returned to the mountain hut where he once lived with his brother, though he would also return to the Ubuyashiki Estate to stay for periods of time. To him, Lady Amane and Kagaya Ubuyashiki were just like his parents.
Mitsuri Kanroji and Obanai Iguro returned to the city where the Kanroji family lived. They opened a tempura shop there, though making money was slightly difficult because Mitsuri ate a bit more than the customers did.
Tengen Uzui chose to go into seclusion with his three wives. This was something he had promised them long ago; being able to fulfill his promise to the girls was what he considered the most flamboyant thing of all.
Giyu Tomioka followed Sakonji Urokodaki back to the foot of the mountain. While taking care of his aged master, he cherished the memory of that boy who was like a brother to him.
Jigoro Kuwajima did not let Zenitsu Agatsuma go back with him. He sold off his entire peach orchard and estate, gave Zenitsu a large sum of money, and then embarked on a journey. He hoped to see more scenery before his legs became completely useless.
Finally, Zenitsu followed the Kamado siblings as they departed. Inosuke Hashibira also tagged along; before leaving, he even sought the Sound Hashira's help to move his mother's grave over.
Lady Tamayo had turned Nezuko back into a human before the battle ended. After confirming Muzan's death, she turned herself and Yushiro back into humans as well. She too wanted to find a place to live out the rest of her life in seclusion, and Yushiro, of course, could never say no to Lady Tamayo.
As for Suzuki Makoto, he remained at the Butterfly Mansion with Shinobu Kocho. The others at the Butterfly Mansion did not choose to leave either; everyone stayed to run a small medical clinic, treating illnesses for those who still lived near the Ubuyashiki Estate.
"Up so early today?"
"Kanao went to visit Nezuko. I got up to tend to the garden."
Suzuki Makoto turned around. Shinobu Kocho, who had already tied her hair up in the style of a married woman, walked over.
"I think Kanao seems a bit too shy. Shouldn't you, as the big sister, offer some more encouragement?"
"I spoke to Nezuko. She said she would have a way."
The man's expression turned peculiar. Nezuko's way... He always felt it wouldn't be a good idea.
However, for those two children, perhaps such a 'strong medicine' approach was the only good way.
"Shinobu, I have something I want to tell you."
Shinobu Kocho was stunned for a moment, then nodded, pulling Suzuki Makoto into the room to sit down.
"I am not a person of this world."
At the first sentence after sitting down, the woman's hand trembled slightly before she regained her composure.
"So it really is like that... After all, your appearance was too strange. Master had investigated you before, but it was as if you appeared suddenly, with no past to speak of."
Shinobu Kocho lowered her face.
"Also, I saw you trying to clean those ancient clothes stained with fresh blood. After discovering they couldn't be washed clean, you burned them—that day, Nezuko's state was very wrong. Even Tanjiro was looking around in confusion."
The room was completely silent for a time. Suzuki Makoto momentarily didn't know how to say the words he had originally prepared.
"So, are you going back?"
"Before I came here, I also participated in a battle. Only, I wasn't able to completely kill that ghost; I could only seal it. This is a problem I left behind, so I must go back and deal with it."
Suzuki Makoto spoke very seriously.
"Then—will you come back?"
"Of course! Although it sounds a bit like I'm coaxing you, I have already mastered the means to traverse worlds. The destruction in that other world previously was my doing."
To be honest, he didn't know how to make Shinobu Kocho believe these words. After all, such a fantastical story sounded very much like a scumbag who had cheated a girl out of her body making up lies before running away...
"Mhm, I believe you."
Shinobu Kocho tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and smiled at Suzuki Makoto.
"When you went to pursue Muzan Kibutsuji, I had a premonition that you would leave—but you came back. So I believe you. This time, you will definitely come back too, right?"
"Of course."
"I wish you, my Lord—may the fortunes of war be with you."
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