(Smut skip)
The warm glow of evening lanterns lit my path as I strolled through the corridors of the Butterfly Estate, my mind still lingering on the tender moment I'd shared with Mitsuri. But as the peaceful quiet settled around me, I felt something—no, someone—approaching.
In an instant, soft arms wrapped around me from behind.
"Got you," a voice whispered gently, full of affection.
I blinked and looked over my shoulder, only to freeze for a moment in surprise.
It was Nezuko.
But not the Nezuko I remembered from before.
She had changed.
She was no longer the small, bashful girl who would hide behind Tanjiro or cling to his sleeve like a shy kitten. Standing before me now was a young woman, fully grown—graceful, radiant, and confident. Her long raven-black hair cascaded down her back, and her warm pink eyes met mine without hesitation. She wasn't blushing or hiding. Instead, she smiled at me with quiet certainty, as if she had waited for this exact moment.
"Nezuko…" I murmured, turning to face her fully.
She didn't let go. If anything, her hug only tightened slightly, as if reassuring herself that I was real. "Welcome back," she said softly.
I returned the hug, placing a gentle hand on her head. "You've grown."
She nodded, pulling back just enough to look up at me. "Since I became human again, I started aging normally. Tamayo's medicine really worked."
I smiled. "It suits you. You look… happy."
"I am," she said, her voice full of quiet joy. "But it's been lonely too… without you."
I raised a brow. "You missed me that much?"
She didn't answer immediately—only gave me a playful, slightly pouty look before gently resting her head against my chest again.
After a moment of silence, I asked, "Where's Tanjiro?"
"Out on a mission," she said. "Some stubborn demon hiding in the mountains. He said it's nothing dangerous, but he's been gone for three days now."
I nodded. "Of course he's still working hard."
Nezuko giggled lightly. "He never changes."
Her expression softened as she looked up at me again. "But… neither do you. You still feel the same."
I tilted my head, curious. "Feel the same?"
She placed her hand over my heart. "Here. Even after all this time… being near you feels safe. Just like before."
There was a flicker of emotion in her eyes, deeper than what she usually showed. The innocence was still there, but it was no longer pure naivety. She had grown—not just in body, but in spirit.
"You've really changed, Nezuko," I said gently.
She smiled, but then leaned up on her toes to whisper in my ear, "I've waited long enough, Alex… You're not allowed to disappear on me again."
I smirked. "Was that a warning?"
"A promise," she replied with a teasing glint in her eyes.
Her hand slipped into mine, fingers lacing together naturally.
"I was on my way to meet Aoi," I said.
Nezuko tilted her head. "Should I come with you?"
I considered for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. Let's go together."
As we walked side by side through the corridor, her hand never left mine. There were no more barriers between us, no more hesitation. She wasn't the quiet girl in a bamboo muzzle anymore. She had grown into a woman who could speak her truth—and in that moment, she made it very clear that her truth included me.
I glanced at her as she walked confidently beside me, her head held high, her steps light and sure.
This world had changed.
~~~
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