As Yoizumi's breathing grew fainter, Shinobu and Tanjirou stood motionless beside him, utterly distraught.
Could they do nothing?
Were they just going to watch Yoizumi die?
Why?
The greatest calamity was already gone; punishing those who erred should be enough... Why take Yoizumi?
They had finally achieved victory, so why were they met with such a result? Shinobu remained silent, her empty eyes fixed on her beloved. Her tears had long since dried, and she gently, slowly, stroked Yoizumi's golden hair, just as she used to.
In the past, Yoizumi would always blink his beautiful sapphire eyes, then slowly bend down, lowering his head closer to her.
"If Shinobu wants to touch, please do."
But now, that golden hair, once radiant in the sunlight, seemed to have lost its luster, dimming along with its owner.
What should I do... Yoizumi...
I can't even hold your hand anymore... Tanjirou sobbed uncontrollably, draped over Yoizumi's body, praying incessantly.
God... if there truly is a God in this world... please don't take my family away anymore... We only have each other left, we can't bear another separation... Please... God...
Thinking of his sister, who knew nothing, back at the Butterfly Mansion, Tanjirou's heart ached. What was he to do? Why did fate always play tricks on him?
The other Pillars stood by in silence, heads bowed. Even the most volatile Sanemi Shinazugawa merely gritted his teeth and turned his head away.
"Yoizumi..." Kyoujurou Rengoku murmured, his fiery eyes filled with sorrow, yet he did not avert his gaze.
Kyojuro Rengoku had always kept his promises.
But you've made me a person who can't keep a promise... If there was a hole... I'd really like to crawl into it...
Giyu Tomioka, standing nearby, lowered his eyes and pressed his lips together. Scenes of separation always came so suddenly, leaving no time for preparation.
He had experienced too much.
Yet he still couldn't get used to it. He let out a heavy sigh, Giyuu turned his back, choosing not to look anymore.
"Meow~"
A cat's meow drew Giyu Tomioka's attention.
This is... "Ouch... It hurts so much!" Zenitsu wailed as he crawled out of the rubble. After being swept away by Muzan, he had also served as a human cushion for Inosuke, and the immense impact had knocked him unconscious.
Rubbing the back of his head, Zenitsu looked at Inosuke lying on the ground, anxiously shaking his body. Inosuke had a large hole in his body!
Inosuke wouldn't die, would he?
The thought made Zenitsu burst into tears.
"Don't you die!"
"You're usually a bit annoying."
"You're terribly troublesome."
"You don't listen to reason."
"I also hate it when you deliberately call people by the wrong names and spray food on people's faces when you eat..."
"But I actually still quite like you, Inosuke... Waaahhh... Don't you die!"
Zenitsu was a mess of snot and tears. He couldn't accept the death of a companion he had spent every day with.
"He's still alive," a female voice suddenly reached Zenitsu's ears, startling him.
Kanao quietly looked at Inosuke's body, noting his faint pulse. She knelt down to bandage his wound.
From the wound, it appeared Inosuke had shifted the position of his internal organs to avoid damaging vital ones.
He was only temporarily unconscious.
"Ah... Really?" Zenitsu sniffled, uncertain.
"I told you he wouldn't die," a slightly irritated voice came from behind the two.
Kanao finished wrapping Inosuke's wound with bandages and turned to look at Yushiro, who was in the shadows. She had rescued this demon from the rubble.
Yushiro paced back and forth anxiously. It was eerily quiet outside, and he couldn't go out. He didn't know if Muzan was dead, or if all the Pillars were dead.
Regardless, he had to get back to Lady Tamayo as quickly as possible.
Suddenly, Yushiro frowned. Through their shared vision, he saw the scene Chachamaru was currently witnessing.
Yushiro furrowed his brows and let out a sigh.
This guy... how could he really... No... If it were Lady Tamayo... there would definitely be a way... "Chachamaru, go find Lady Tamayo!"
"Meow~"
Zenitsu pouted, staring at Inosuke lying on the ground. After the bleeding stopped, his pulse had improved significantly, and he felt a slight relief.
Judging by the sound... Muzan must be dead... That's great... But... why is Tanjirou crying?
Zenitsu's yellowish-brown eyes suddenly widened. He rubbed his ears as if disbelieving, his voice a bit hoarse.
"Big Brother Yoizumi... is dead?"
Kanao opened her mouth, her hands involuntarily clenching.
Master... "Wh-what?" Inosuke, who was unconscious, suddenly opened his eyes and spoke with difficulty.
"Inosuke, you're awake," Zenitsu crouched beside Inosuke, forcing a smile.
Inosuke struggled to sit up, pressing down on Zenitsu. His green eyes were filled with inquiry, and he asked again in a hoarse voice.
"You said... who died?"
Zenitsu averted his gaze, then slowly lowered his head. The name in his mouth, however, just wouldn't come out.
"I... I don't believe it!" Inosuke painstakingly stood up, ignoring Zenitsu and Kanao's pleas, determined to see for himself.
"Yosuke isn't that easy to die!"
Yushiro stared at the sun outside, his head slightly bowed, making his expression unreadable. He clenched his hands, his bones making a "clack" sound.
Finally, he gritted his teeth and, following the shadows, slowly approached Lady Tamayo's direction. Carelessly, he was scorched by the sun, and Yushiro knelt on the ground, his forehead instantly covered in cold sweat.
He heard Inosuke's hoarse and agitated voice from not far away.
"How is that possible!"
"Wake up!"
"Yoizumi, what about Shinobu, Tanjirou, and Nezuko!"
Yushiro clicked his tongue and got up, continuing forward.
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