"Yoizumi, is there any change in your body since you woke up this time?" Kagaya asked softly, smiling as he glanced at the empty bowl of red bean soup that Yoizumi had finished.
"No," Yoizumi said, finishing the last bite of mochi in his mouth, putting down his spoon, and shaking his head.
"That's good... but to be safe, you should go see Miss Tamayo in the next few days."
"Yes, I also need to thank her and Yushiro," Yoizumi said. He had learned from Shinobu that Tamayo and Yushiro had helped him; otherwise, he might not be sitting here perfectly fine now.
What should I give them? Yoizumi pondered for a moment, his sapphire eyes widening slightly.
He had an idea.
"Also..." Kagaya's voice rang out again. Yoizumi looked up, meeting Kagaya's serious eyes.
"Yoizumi, are you ready... to become human again?"
Hearing this, Shinobu, who was still sipping red bean soup beside Yoizumi, also looked up at Yoizumi, and then her left hand was tightly held by Yoizumi's right hand.
"From the moment I learned what kind of impure blood flowed in my veins, I was ready."
Yoizumi glanced at Shinobu, a gentle smile appearing on his face. Yoizumi's voice was steady, yet filled with absolute determination.
"I want to spend all stages of life with the people I care about."
Kagaya and Amane exchanged glances, both smiling. They also held hands. Kagaya looked at Yoizumi, whose beautiful golden hair was as dazzling as ever.
A color more brilliant than the sun... a light in the darkness... leading them successfully to dawn.
Kagaya and Amane stood up, called their children to their sides, and Kagaya's gentle voice called Yoizumi's name again. Then... he and his wife and children bowed together to Yoizumi.
"Master..." Yoizumi stood up, reaching out to help them, but Shinobu raised her hand to stop Yoizumi, shaking her head. Yoizumi understood the meaning in Shinobu's eyes.
Shinobu wanted him to accept... Shinobu stepped back, smiling at Yoizumi.
"Yoizumi..."
"I solemnly lead the Ubuyashiki family in expressing our sincerest gratitude to you."
"Thank you for your contributions to the Demon Slayer Corps and to this world."
Kagaya straightened up and extended his hand to Yoizumi, just as he had invited Yoizumi to join the Demon Slayer Corps at the Pillar Meeting, with that gentle smile on his face.
Yoizumi looked at Kagaya's young face and gently clasped Kagaya's hand. He was different now; Yoizumi was no longer holding a cold, thin, fragile twig that felt like it would break with a slight squeeze, but a warm, strong hand.
"Yoizumi... thank you."
"And..."
"You've worked hard."
Clasping Kagaya's hand in return, Yoizumi said softly,
"You too, Kagaya."
Later, they chatted casually about daily matters. When it was time, Yoizumi declined Kagaya's invitation to stay for dinner.
"I promised Tanjirou I'd go back and have dinner with them today."
"Is that so..." Kagaya nodded understandingly and did not press further.
Kagaya didn't know what to say to Shinobu, so Yoizumi walked into the courtyard first. A handball slowly rolled to his feet. Noticing Kanata's timid gaze, Yoizumi bent down to pick up the handball, half-crouching, his aloof expression gradually softening, and handed the handball to Kanata.
Kanata fidgeted with her fingers, hesitant. After being encouraged by her sister, she moved in front of Yoizumi, took the handball, and thanked him softly.
Looking at Kanata's tender face and her short hair that didn't reach her shoulders, Yoizumi inexplicably thought of his youngest sister—Hanako.
He unconsciously raised his hand and gently stroked Kanata's head. Yoizumi sighed, stood up, and spoke slowly.
"Be careful, don't fall."
Then Yoizumi looked inside the house, wanting to confirm if Shinobu and Kagaya had finished their conversation, when his pant leg was tugged. Yoizumi looked down to see Kanata holding the handball high.
"Mr. Yoizumi... do you want to play together?"
"..."
Kagaya and Shinobu walked out of the living room and saw Yoizumi carefully playing with the children.
Kagaya chuckled at the scene, then quietly asked Shinobu,
"Shinobu, when are you and Yoizumi setting the date?"
Shinobu, who had been covering her mouth and secretly giggling at Yoizumi's awkwardness, barely daring to use force with the children, heard this and was somewhat confused.
"Master, I don't quite understand what you mean."
Pointing to the ring on Shinobu's left hand, Kagaya maintained his pleasant smile, his gentle voice causing no discomfort.
"You're already wearing the ring, so when is the wedding?"
"Once you have a specific date, I can prepare your gift."
"Eh? I... Master, please don't tease me..."
Facing her Master's teasing, Shinobu's face uncooperatively turned red. She shyly avoided Kagaya's gaze and replied in a muffled voice,
"Um... I'll take Yoizumi and leave first..."
"Master and Lady Amane, please take care of yourselves."
Shinobu quickly grabbed Yoizumi's hand and fled the Ubuyashiki estate as if escaping.
Yoizumi turned his head and silently waved goodbye to the children with his free hand, then looked at Shinobu's suddenly reddened cheeks, his sapphire eyes blinking.
"Shinobu... what happened? What did Kagaya say to you?"
Shinobu suddenly looked up at Yoizumi, staring at his perpetually calm face, and couldn't help but pinch it with her fingers, playfully pulling at the corners of Yoizumi's mouth.
"I won't tell you!"
"?" Had he, without realizing it, angered Shinobu again?
..."It's the first time I've seen Miss Kochou make such an expression," Amane said, standing beside Kagaya.
"Me too... Should I give Yoizumi some pointers?" Kagaya held his wife's hand, strolling down the corridor.
Amane chuckled, looking at her husband's rare childlike side.
"Let them take their time."
Kagaya looked at his wife gently, the children's playful laughter ringing in his ears.
He couldn't help but take a deep breath, the scent of wisteria filling his nostrils.
After all this time, it still feels like a dream... "You're right... In the days to come, the children will all make their own decisions."
On the other side,
As soon as Yoizumi and Shinobu returned to the Butterfly Mansion, they were greeted by Nezuko.
"Welcome back! Brother Yoizumi, Miss Shinobu!"
"Dinner is ready."
After patting his sister's head, the three of them went to the dining hall together.
"Brother specially made grilled rice balls for you today, Brother Yoizumi!"
Nezuko walked happily ahead, looking lively and cute.
Yoizumi entered the dining hall, looked at Shinobu, whose hand he was holding, and then at the several people gathered around the round table, a smile involuntarily appearing on his face.
So lively... just like before...
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