The night on Mount Sagiri was thick with mist.
After seeing Makomo back, Soma made his way home. The house he had built wasn't far from hers, and it didn't take long before he arrived.
In the deep darkness, a faint glow of lamplight shone from within, pushing back the dense fog just enough to create a pocket of warmth. For someone weary in both body and mind, returning to a lit home like this always stirred a quiet sense of comfort—something close to happiness.
Before he even reached the door, hurried footsteps approached from inside. Just as he was about to push it open, the door swung wide.
A delicate, lovely girl stood there.
Dressed in simple home clothes, Nezuko looked both soft and refined. The moment she saw him, her face lit up with a bright, genuine smile, her long lashes fluttering lightly—it was such an endearing sight that Soma almost couldn't resist reaching out to pinch her cheeks.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, or perhaps realizing how openly happy she looked, she quickly lowered her head, a faint blush spreading across her face.
"You're still awake, Nezuko?"
"…Mm."
She nodded softly.
Soma glanced inside. The dishes on the table had already been cleaned up, the floor swept spotless—everything was neat and orderly, carrying the unmistakable feeling of a home cared for by its mistress.
A faint smile touched his lips as he stepped inside, and Nezuko quietly moved aside to let him pass.
On the table sat a cup of hot water, still steaming gently. It was easy to imagine her sitting there moments ago, hands wrapped around it, waiting patiently for him to return.
Even now, a faint, pleasant fragrance lingered in the air, carrying a soft, sweet warmth.
"Would you like some porridge, sir?" Nezuko asked softly, standing off to the side. As she spoke, her small hand unconsciously brushed a strand of hair behind her pale ear. "You've just had alcohol… a little porridge would help your body feel better."
"There's porridge?" Soma asked, slightly surprised.
"Yes… red bean porridge. I can heat it up for you."
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
"It's no trouble at all."
A small, pleased smile appeared on her delicate face as she added gently, "Please wait a moment."
With that, she turned and walked toward the kitchen in light, quick steps.
Soma watched her retreating figure. Unlike when she had been turned into a demon and reduced to a smaller form, Nezuko had now grown into a graceful young woman. With age, her features had become even more refined, her figure slender and elegant.
In truth, even before all of this, she had already been considered one of the most beautiful girls in her hometown. After they moved, her beauty had gradually become well-known in the surrounding area as well.
After a brief glance, Soma followed her into the kitchen.
The moment Nezuko entered, she began busying herself. In fact, the red bean porridge had already been prepared earlier; all she needed to do now was reheat it over the fire.
As she added wood to the hearth, she seemed to feel his presence and looked up, finding that Soma had followed her in.
"It'll be ready soon," she said softly, adding another piece of firewood. "You didn't have to come in."
"I just wanted to take a look," Soma replied casually.
His gaze settled on the small pot. As the fire grew, it didn't take long for the porridge to begin bubbling gently, releasing a sweet, comforting aroma into the air.
"It looks like you already cooked it earlier."
"…Mm." Nezuko nodded. "I was worried it might get too soft, so I stopped the fire. I'm not sure if it'll suit your taste."
"It smells good," Soma said with a faint smile.
Soma let out a soft chuckle.
Once she felt it was ready, Nezuko picked up a small bowl and ladled out a serving. "I'll bring it to the main room for you to eat there."
"No need," Soma replied, shaking his head. "I'll just eat here in the kitchen."
He pulled over a small stool and sat down, taking the bowl and chopsticks she handed him before beginning to eat right there. Having just finished drinking, the warm porridge spread through his stomach with a comforting heat, easing the lingering effects of the alcohol.
As he ate, Nezuko sat quietly beside him, watching as he seemed to genuinely enjoy the food. Without realizing it, the corners of her lips curved into a gentle, satisfied smile.
After another bite, Soma lifted his head—and found her looking at him.
There was a softness in her gaze, a quiet warmth that closely resembled that of her mother, though still touched with youthful innocence.
The moment their eyes met, Nezuko quickly lowered her head, a faint blush blooming across her delicate cheeks.
"It seems like you're not afraid of me anymore," Soma said lightly, a teasing note in his voice as he took another sip of porridge. "I remember you used to be quite scared of me."
"That's not true," she replied, brushing a strand of hair aside, instinctively denying it in that familiar, slightly stubborn way.
And yet, in her mind, she couldn't help recalling the first time he had barged into her home. Back then, he had been terrifying—truly frightening. Even now, when she thought back on it, the image still sent a faint chill through her.
At the time, she hadn't dared to go near him.
But now… things were different.
The longer she stayed by his side, the more she realized that beneath everything, his temperament was actually quite gentle. Even though he was a demon, once she accepted that fact, it no longer felt so frightening.
Without noticing, Nezuko lifted her head again, stealing a glance at him.
He was focused on his porridge, only the side of his face visible. In the flickering light of the kitchen fire, his features appeared strikingly refined, almost captivating.
The thought surfaced quietly in her mind—
That one day, she might marry the man before her.
At once, her heart began to beat faster.
Right now, everything about him seemed so good… but would that ever change?
A trace of worry followed. If she were to be with him in the future, would she be able to take care of everything at home properly? She had been trying hard to learn from her mother, but there was still so much she didn't know. Would she ever be able to manage a household as well as her mother had?
Lost in these thoughts, she didn't notice how long she had been staring.
Soma took another sip of porridge, then glanced up again, noticing her sitting there with her cheeks lightly flushed, staring at him in a daze.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked softly. "You seem completely absorbed."
"N-nothing," Nezuko replied quickly, shaking her head, her face slightly red. Seeing him looking at her, she lowered her gaze and asked in a small voice, "How is the red bean porridge… compared to before?"
"It's much better," Soma answered without hesitation. "Especially after drinking—having a bowl of this makes my whole stomach feel warm."
"Really?"
Her expression brightened instantly, delight spreading across her face, her eyes almost sparkling with joy.
"So happy over that?" he teased.
"I'm not…" she muttered, brushing her hair again in a slightly awkward gesture. "It's normal to feel happy when something you made is appreciated."
"That's true," Soma nodded. "If something I made was liked by others, I'd feel pretty satisfied too."
After a pause, he continued, "While your brother and I were away, how has your 'Breathing' training been going?"
Nezuko lowered her head slightly, but as she spoke, she couldn't help sneaking a glance at him, a faint trace of pride slipping into her expression.
"I've learned it," she said. "Not just Sun Breathing… I've also been studying Water Breathing with Urokodaki-sensei."
There was an unmistakable hint in her eyes—
as if she were silently asking for praise.
Hearing this, Soma couldn't help but feel a flicker of astonishment.
Because of his intervention, the Kamado family had already deviated from their original fate. They had avoided the tragedy of being slaughtered by Kibutsuji Muzan, and while he couldn't predict exactly what their future would hold, at the very least… for now, they were safe.
No one had died.
And Nezuko had not been turned into a demon forced to constantly battle the urge to devour human flesh.
"You've learned both Sun Breathing and Water Breathing?" he asked, unable to hide his admiration.
After all, he had taught Sun Breathing not only to Nezuko but also to her younger brother, Kamado Takeo. Yet even now, Takeo had been unable to fully grasp it.
Sun Breathing was notoriously difficult—not only demanding in technique but also requiring a strong physical foundation. For someone as young as Takeo, it was simply too much.
And yet Nezuko had not only mastered Sun Breathing in such a short time, she had even gone on to learn Water Breathing under Urokodaki.
That was… unexpected.
Even Tanjiro, at this point, had only managed to grasp Sun Breathing.
"Try performing the Breathing for me." Soma said, curiosity stirring within him.
"Alright."
Nezuko nodded and stood still, drawing in a slow breath. A large volume of fresh air flowed into her lungs, and almost instantly, her fair face flushed red.
Setting his bowl aside, Soma stepped to the side and observed closely.
Even as she took in such a deep breath, her rhythm remained steady—more than that, it was smooth, almost seamless.
Unconsciously, he compared it to Tanjiro's breathing rhythm.
And the difference was clear.
Nezuko's control was far more fluid, far more refined.
"What about Water Breathing?" he asked quietly.
He had intended to tell her to rest for a moment before switching, but almost the instant his words fell, her breathing changed.
The earlier intensity faded, replaced by a calm, flowing rhythm—gentle, continuous, like a stream that never ceased.
Watching from the side, Soma couldn't help but feel a deeper sense of amazement.
He himself had never learned Water Breathing, but he knew well enough that it stood at the opposite extreme of Sun Breathing. And yet, she transitioned between the two without pause, without strain—it was as natural as breathing itself.
This wasn't something one could achieve through effort alone.
Most swordsmen could only ever master a single breathing style.
Once accustomed to one rhythm, switching to another was nearly impossible—even for the Hashira.
And that made Soma recall something from his previous life—an evaluation people often made about Nezuko and Tanjiro.
They said Tanjiro was born to be a Demon King, while Nezuko was a natural-born swordsman.
Yet fate had twisted their paths—one became a swordsman, the other a demon—each walking a road they were never truly suited for.
As he watched the girl before him, her long lashes trembling slightly with each breath, Soma smiled faintly. "That's enough. You can stop."
"Ha…"
Nezuko let out a soft exhale, her breathing gradually returning to normal. Only her gently rising and falling chest hinted at the exertion.
Then she looked at him.
Her bright, shining eyes were filled with anticipation—
waiting for recognition… and praise.