Those successive events finally came to an end—
events that had turned everything upside down.
Clover and Tokito were transferred from the Forest Dome Village to the Butterfly Mansion by Shinobu and her team.
Meanwhile, Giyu headed to the Swordsmith Village to check on their condition and offer whatever help he could.
Everyone now looked at Nezuko as the demon who had conquered the sun—
the very center of both danger and safety.
As for Sanemi, he had already heard news of their comrades through Obanai.
"With your brother's end, and Clover's actions as well… you did an excellent job, Sanemi."
Obanai added calmly, his usual steady tone sounding almost like praise for what Sanemi had accomplished.
Sanemi merely scoffed, rose to his feet, and rested his sword behind his neck as he always did—
trying, unsuccessfully, to hide his emotions.
And that would never slip past his friend unnoticed.
Will you go went to meet them with a light laugh beneath the bandages wrapped around his mouth.
"Maybe,"
the other replied indifferently.
A new day dawned,
and they were brought here.
Sanemi stared at Genya in deep silence, a fabricated hatred in his eyes,
while Tanjiro placed a hand on Genya's shoulder, offering quiet encouragement.
Shinobu's team arrived at the base at Clover's request—
she had refused to go to the mansion before seeing Sanemi.
"Look… (cough) I didn't… (inhale) need you."
"And what does that matter? You can barely even speak,"
he said sarcastically—
yet instead of a smile forming on his lips, his eyes softened.
Genya cast jealous glances, remaining silent.
He knew their history together, and he wouldn't mind his brother treating her kindly—
but Sanemi was still his brother.
He walked past him.
But Sanemi suddenly lifted his hand and struck Genya's shoulder.
He didn't even look at him.
Perhaps that was his way of saying well done—
he simply didn't know how.
Tanjiro laughed and pulled the confused, aching Genya away,
whispering to him as if translating the gesture: That was his way of saying good job.
Genya smiled shyly.
Meanwhile, Clover was taken away from the Corps' headquarters.
This had been her first mission—
and her greatest.
And within it,
the first-ever manifestation of a mark
on someone who was not a Hashira
was recorded.