A long time passed after that.
...
Mansei Bliss Cult
The cold wind howled, and heavy snow piled up past the ankles.
Kotoha stood at the wind's edge, the tip of her nose red from the cold. Even so, she rose onto her toes, staring unblinkingly at the pitch-black mountain road.
"Midnight… is almost here."
Her voice trembled. The lantern in her hand swayed.
"Still not back?"
Daki grabbed at her hair in agitation.
"That idiot little brother! He better not be lying!"
Akaza leaned against a pillar. Though his eyes were closed, the fingers tapping lightly against his arm betrayed his anxiety.
"Hmph. Maybe they got lost. Those two lackeys don't look very smart anyway."
Doma stood behind Kotoha, using his body to shield her from the wind and snow.
The smile on his face could no longer hold. His fan tapped lazily against his palm.
"Oh dear… if they really don't make it back… how are we supposed to eat this New Year's dinner?"
Just as everyone's hearts were sinking deeper and deeper—
"HEY!!
ANY LIVING PEOPLE UP THERE?!
THIS YOUNG MASTER IS STARVING TO DEATH!!
COME RECEIVE US!! THESE SPECIALTIES ARE TOO HEAVY TO CARRY!!"
Three familiar voices, mixed with wind and snow, drifted up faintly from the mountain below.
They were distorted, even breathless—but to everyone present, they sounded like heavenly music.
Kotoha jerked her head up. Tears instantly welled in her eyes.
"It's Inosuke! It's their voices!"
"AAAAH! They're back!!"
Daki screamed and leapt straight down the steps.
"Don't run so fast! Be careful not to fall!"
Seeing how worked up Kotoha was, Doma suddenly scooped her up in his arms.
"Hold on tight, my lady~
Let's go welcome our child!"
"Ah!"
Kotoha cried out softly, then instinctively wrapped her arms around Doma's neck, a faint blush spreading across her face.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Several figures shot down the mountain like arrows loosed from a bowstring.
Doma carried Kotoha, stepping on ice lotus blooms.
Akaza complained about the trouble—but was faster than anyone.
Daki and Gyutaro followed close behind.
Kaigaku tossed aside his broom and stumbled downhill after them.
Halfway down the mountain—
Inosuke and the others were panting heavily as they dragged a huge pile of luggage.
Suddenly, their vision blurred.
"Inosuke!!!"
Before the three could even react, a crowd pounced on them.
"Mom! Dad! Can you watch where you're going?! You almost crushed me!"
Inosuke was squeezed between Doma and Kotoha, nearly knocked breathless.
Kotoha cried as she cupped his face.
Doma laughed, rubbing his head.
The intertwining sensations of icy cold and gentle warmth made Inosuke feel indescribably at ease.
On the other side—
"Zenitsu! You useless idiot, why did you take so long?!"
Kaigaku stood awkwardly in front of Zenitsu. He wanted to curse him out—but seeing Zenitsu's face frozen purple, the words that came out instead were:
"…At least you didn't die out there."
After saying that, he actually—unprecedentedly—reached out and gave Zenitsu an extremely stiff hug.
"B-big brother?"
Zenitsu was so shocked his tears retreated back into his eyes.
"Did you eat the wrong medicine? Or get possessed by a demon?"
"Shut up! If you don't want a hug, then scram!"
Kaigaku shouted, red from neck to ears.
"That's great… everyone's still here…"
Tanjiro watched the scene with a bright, happy smile.
...
Demon Slayer Corps
This place, too, was brightly lit.
A long table was filled with dishes.
Rengoku Kyojuro was as energetic as ever, shouting loudly,
"Delicious! Delicious! All the hard work this year was worth it!"
Uzui Tengen raised his cup.
"Let's celebrate flamboyantly!"
Yet everyone felt that something was missing.
They were missing that arrogant Inosuke.
Missing that blond boy who cried and screamed for help.
Missing that gentle boy who was always apologizing and breaking up fights.
"Well…"
Tomioka Giyu sat alone in a corner, holding a plate of salmon and daikon.
Shinobu Kocho walked over and sighed.
"Tomioka-san, everyone's gathered together. Why are you sitting here by yourself? People will dislike you, you know."
Giyu looked up, utterly serious.
"I'm not disliked.
What if Inosuke and the others come back?"
He pointed to the three empty cushions beside him.
"What if… they suddenly want to come back to eat salmon and daikon?"
Shinobu froze.
Then her eyes reddened slightly. She smiled softly and sat down beside him.
"Yes… what if those greedy kids suddenly follow the smell back here?"
"Everyone!"
Rengoku Kyojuro stood up, lifting his cup high toward the three empty seats.
"Even if they aren't here, our hearts are together!
May Young Inosuke, Young Kamado, and Young Agatsuma have a wonderful New Year over there as well!
Next New Year—they must come celebrate with the Demon Slayer Corps!!!"
"Cheers!!"
...
Inner Hall of the Mansei Bliss Cult
A massive heater burned brightly. The table was filled with a lavish New Year's feast.
Tempura, sukiyaki, sashimi, ozoni, mochi—everything imaginable.
"Drink! Everyone drink!"
Inosuke had completely cut loose tonight.
Standing on a chair, he held a sake bowl bigger than his face.
"No one's leaving sober tonight!
If anyone dares use Breathing Techniques or Blood Demon Arts to sober up—they're a puppy!"
"Alright!!!"
Everyone roared in response.
After several rounds of drinking, the situation steadily spiraled out of control.
Doma was the first to get wasted.
The cult leader who normally maintained a dignified façade had now completely turned into—
"Kotoha-chaaan~~ Inosuke~~"
Doma's face was bright red. One arm hugged Kotoha, the other hugged Inosuke as he rubbed against them.
"Waaah… I'm so happy…
Inosuke! Daddy loves you so much! If anyone ever bullies you, Daddy will freeze them into popsicles for you to snack on!
Kotoha-chan! Kiss me~ I want to hear you sing!"
Inosuke's eyes rolled back as he was strangled.
"Idiot! Let go! Your drool's all over me—gross!"
Kotoha, meanwhile, wiped Doma's face with a helpless yet indulgent smile.
"Alright, alright, Lord Cult Leader. You've had too much to drink."
In the corner—
Kaigaku and Zenitsu were also completely drunk.
The rival senior and junior were slung over each other's shoulders, sitting on the floor, crying and cursing at the same time.
"Zenitsu! You useless crybaby!"
Kaigaku slurred.
"You're the useless one! A senior who only knows how to bully people!"
Zenitsu shot back, venting wildly with liquid courage.
Suddenly, Kaigaku burst into tears.
"I'm sorry… sob… I'm sorry to Grandpa… and I'm sorry to you…
I was just jealous… jealous that Grandpa treated you better…
Actually… I really… really cared about you…"
Zenitsu froze, then started crying too, wrapping his arms around Kaigaku's neck.
"Big brother… sob… as long as you fix your ways… we're still family…"
Nearby—
Daki's eyes were unfocused from drink. She was gripping Tanjiro's haori and refusing to let go.
"Hey! Inosuke's lackey!"
She pointed at Tanjiro, who was taking care of Nezuko.
"That's your sister, right? She's way too cute! Give her to me as my little sister!
I want to do her hair… buy her pretty clothes…"
Tanjiro laughed awkwardly.
"Um… Lady Daki, Nezuko is my sister…"
"Tch! Stingy!"
Daki snorted, then leaned her face close to Tanjiro's, slurring drunkenly.
"Then how about this… for Inosuke's sake…
I'll reluctantly… take you in as my little brother instead!
If anyone bullies you, just say my name! Big sister's got your back!"
Beside her, Gyutaro held a cup of sake, watching his sister's domineering, happy expression.
It was the sweetest drink he'd ever tasted—since becoming a demon.
"That's really nice… Ume…"
By the window—
Akaza sat alone, gazing at the warmth and noise filling the room.
He had drunk a lot. His eyes were unfocused.
Through the frost patterns on the window, he seemed to see a dojo from deep within his memories—to see a girl in a kimono, smiling as she called his name.
"Koyuki…"
Akaza murmured, his voice so soft only the snowflakes could hear it.
"This place… isn't so bad."
Inosuke watched all of it.
He smiled—a dazzling, genuine smile.
He raised his cup toward this family: imperfect, burdened with sins, yet sincerely loving one another in this moment.
"Hey! Listen up, all of you!"
Inosuke shouted.
"No matter what happens tomorrow!
No matter how many fights are waiting in the future!
As long as we're together—we're invincible!"
Dong! Dong! Dong!
In the distance, temple bells rang out.
The bells of the New Year pierced through the wind and snow, echoing across the land.
Whether it was the Hashira at the Butterfly Mansion, or the Upper Moons in the Bliss Cult—
Whether human or demon—
At this very moment, they all looked up toward the same bright moon.
Different places. Different sides.
Yet the same words rang out:
"Everyone—"
"Happy New Year!!!"
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