The gentle sunlight spread across the land, driving away the darkness, and naturally, driving away the evil demons as well.
After resting for a day, Kenshin Himura looked much better. After washing up briefly, he went to find Soma, and the two traveled together toward Mount Sagiri.
It took them about two days to reach their destination.
When they arrived at Mount Sagiri, their presence quickly drew the attention of many people, and a small crowd ran out to welcome them back.
Looking at Soma, who was entirely surrounded and cheered by everyone, Kenshin Himura could not help but admire just how deeply popular and respected Soma was.
…
"Everyone, this is Kenshin Himura. He is a highly skilled swordsman, and from now on, he will be joining the Demon Slayer Corps to become a demon slayer."
Standing among the crowd, Soma introduced the new companion to everyone.
Kenshin Himura bowed politely, lowering his head.
Everyone welcomed Kenshin Himura warmly as well.
After Soma briefly arranged Kenshin Himura's lodging, he met with many others, and also observed the training of the young boys and girls he had been fostering for a while, before finally returning to his room.
…
The moment he stepped inside, Kanao wrapped herself around him like a koala, her small head rubbing gently against his chest.
Soma had long since grown used to how close Kanao was with him. Naturally, he reached out and rubbed her soft hair.
Her hair had become much longer now, almost reaching her waist. The girl had also grown taller, her figure becoming fuller and more graceful.
She truly had become more and more beautiful.
By coincidence, Soma had bought a hairpin for her during the trip, so he personally placed it in her hair.
"It looks beautiful."
He praised her softly.
Hearing her uncle's praise, Kanao gave a blank but happy smile, then tightly hugged his arm with both hands.
The soft warmth of the girl pressed against his arm with surprising tenderness.
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen you for a few days. How has your strength improved?" Soma asked curiously.
"Uncle can personally check for himself."
Kanao lifted her head, her pretty pink-purple eyes looking at him with complete admiration.
"Then let's spar a little."
Soma smiled.
Only then did Kanao loosen her hold on his arm.
"Please, Uncle, check carefully."
…
In the courtyard,
Soma and Kanao stood facing each other, wooden swords in hand.
"Let's begin,"He spoke softly.
"Mhm." Kanao nodded.
The two quickly exchanged blows. Their wooden swords swung so fast that only afterimages could be seen.
All this time, Kanao had continued training tirelessly without ever slacking off, and her strength had steadily improved.
As for Soma, he no longer had any real weaknesses. Combined with the power he had gained earlier on Mount Fujikasane through "devouring," his strength had increased greatly. He was already at the level of an ordinary Hashira. And with the special nature of his body, even a normal Hashira would likely not be his opponent.
Their fight truly counted as a genuine sparring match. Neither Soma nor Kanao wanted to truly hurt the other, even while training.
Holding her wooden sword, Kanao continuously attacked, eagerly showing everything she had to her uncle—her swordsmanship, her fighting spirit…
To Kanao, the person she cared about most was her uncle. He was also the person she had already decided to protect for the rest of her life, the most important emotional support in her heart.
The two figures constantly moved across the courtyard, their wooden swords clashing and separating again and again…
"Haa… haa…"
Before long, under the intense training, Kanao's small face became slightly red, and she began lightly gasping for breath. It was obvious her stamina was being heavily drained.
Soma, however, remained the same as he had at the start, his breathing barely changed.
After all, humans and demons were different. Humans became thirsty, became tired…
Kanao actually wanted to continue longer, but as time passed, her stamina became harder and harder to maintain.
"That's enough."
After dodging another strike from Kanao, Soma spoke gently.
"Uncle, I can still keep going…"
Kanao still wanted to spar with him a little longer. More than that, she wanted her uncle to see where her limits truly were.
"There's no need for that."
Soma lowered his wooden sword, looking down at the thoroughly exhausted girl.
Seeing her uncle call an end to the match, Kanao had no choice but to lower her own wooden blade, ending the spar.
The girl bent forward slightly, breathing heavily as she tried to steady herself where she stood. No matter how much she trained, a human body could never compare to a demon's. Intense exercise drained her strength far too quickly.
Seeing how exhausted she was, Soma smiled softly. He took the wooden sword from her hands and set it aside before finding a towel and gently wiping the sweat from her cheeks.
"Give me your hands too."
His voice was warm and gentle.
Kanao obediently stretched out her hands and opened her palms.
Soma picked up the towel again and carefully wiped the sweat from her palms.
Ever since meeting her uncle, she had always been cared for by him. Back then, Kanao only felt warmth and happiness. She never thought too deeply about it.
But little by little, as she opened her heart and experienced more of the world around her, she also began to understand other feelings as well…
So now, while watching him carefully wipe her hands with such focus, a faint blush slowly spread across the girl's cheeks, and a different emotion quietly rose within her heart.
It was no longer just simple admiration or affection toward Soma.
There was also a strange awareness that existed between a man and a woman.
"It feels like your face is especially red today, Kanao."
Soma muttered curiously. They had sparred before, but even after hard training, her cheeks had never looked this flushed.
Kanao lowered her head slightly and said nothing.
"You should go take a bath. You're covered in sweat after all that training."
After wiping her hands clean, Soma lightly patted her head with a smile.
"Mm." Kanao nodded softly.
…
Carrying a change of clothes, Kanao walked into the bath.
But instead of washing herself immediately, the girl slowly raised her wrist and looked down at her palms. Even now, she could still clearly remember the gentle feeling of her uncle carefully wiping them with the towel.
She lifted her hand and lightly touched her cheek, as if she could still feel his touch lingering there.
Then slowly, her fingers moved downward.
Her long neck, graceful like a swan's.
Her pale shoulders, smooth like polished jade.
Her gradually maturing figure and slender waist…
The sensation of her fingertips brushing across her skin made Kanao unconsciously bite her lip. As her breathing grew slightly uneven, she quietly whispered, "Uncle…"
…
After finishing his sparring session with Kanao, Soma returned to the living room and found Nezuko and Kie Kamado already there. Smiling, he greeted them both.
After chatting casually for a while, Kie left the room, and before long, only Soma and Nezuko remained.
"While I was away, have you been training properly, Nezuko?" Soma asked curiously while sipping his tea.
"I've been working hard the whole time. I train with Kanao every day."
The girl sat properly in seiza with her back straight. Having inherited her mother's graceful beauty, Nezuko had grown even more mature, her figure clearly visible beneath her clothes.
"That's impressive."
Soma praised her sincerely before casually continuing the conversation.
But gradually, Nezuko seemed to drift into her own thoughts. She looked distracted, as though something was weighing heavily on her mind, and a blush slowly appeared on her delicate face as well.
Soma soon noticed her strange behavior and looked at her in confusion.
"What's the matter? You seem a bit off."
"S-sir…"
Nezuko's voice came out hesitant and shaky.
Soma looked at her curiously. Her cheeks were bright red, her lips lightly pressed together, and her entire demeanor seemed nervous and awkward.
After a long moment—
The girl, who had been kneeling quietly, suddenly stood up so abruptly that it startled Soma. He instinctively set down the teacup in his hand.
While Soma was still confused about what was happening, Nezuko suddenly hurried out of the room. Just as he was wondering what she was doing, the girl quickly ran back inside again.
This time, there was a small pouch in her hands.
"S-sir… p-please accept this."
Soma took the pouch with a puzzled expression. After loosening the string around it, he found colorful sugar candies inside, sparkling like tiny stars.
He knew very well that these were Nezuko's favorite sweets.
"This… what's this for?"
"This is… the thing I treasure the most."
Nezuko bit her lip softly as she spoke.
"Then you should keep it for yourself instead of giving it to me." Soma could not help laughing helplessly.
Nezuko's face turned even redder, especially when she felt Soma's gaze resting on her. Her small hands clenched tightly, and even the round ears peeking out through her hair had become bright red as well.
"Sir… I… I'm willing to cook red bean porridge for you every day. I can wash your clothes every day too, and prepare your bedding…"
Soma was surprised by Nezuko's behavior, and even more confused about why she was suddenly saying these things.
The girl nervously brushed the hair beside her ear aside with her fingers. Seeing that Soma still did not seem to understand what she meant, she became even more flustered, biting her lip tightly.
"I… actually… like…"
Her voice was so soft that the final words barely came out at all.
"What?"
"I mean… I actually… have liked you for a very long time."
This time, Nezuko finally managed to say it clearly.
The sudden confession left Soma genuinely shocked. He had never expected those words to come from Nezuko herself.
After saying it, Nezuko lowered her head and quietly waited for his answer. But as the silence dragged on without any response, she slowly began regretting her impulsiveness.
Soma looked at her carefully.
Today, Nezuko was wearing loose clothing, yet her graceful figure was impossible to hide. Her beautiful face still carried the same adorable softness as before, making her look especially charming.
He was surprised by her confession, but deep down, he had sensed it already. After all, he could clearly feel how much closer Nezuko had gradually become toward him.
Especially now, seeing how nervous she looked, he hesitated for a moment before slowly leaning closer.
The warmth of the man's breath brushed against her face, making Nezuko even more nervous.
Soon, Soma leaned near her ear and spoke softly.
"I… am a demon. Have you truly thought this through?"
His identity as a demon had once troubled Nezuko deeply, but that had been in the past.
"I… I've already decided."
The girl raised her head, her eyes filled with determination.
Seeing her expression, Soma did not say anything for a moment. He only spoke quietly.
"You must not regret this."
"I… won't." Nezuko bit her lip, her face filled with sincerity.
Soma looked at her for a long moment before gently reaching out and taking hold of her hand.
He did not directly say yes, but his actions had already given his answer.
The moment Nezuko felt her hand being held, the anxiety in her heart completely disappeared. In its place came an overwhelming sweetness, along with a deep sense of shyness.
Soma lightly tightened his grip on her hand, and with a small pull, Nezuko was drawn into his arms.
Her body was soft, like the finest silk.
"Have you really thought it through?" Soma asked once more in a low voice.
"Mm…"
Nezuko lowered her head shyly, the tips of her ears burning red. Her voice was so quiet it barely escaped her lips.
"Then… come to my room tonight." Soma spoke softly.
The blush on Nezuko's face instantly deepened. She neither agreed nor refused, but her silence already carried the answer.
Tap… tap…
Soft footsteps suddenly came from outside.
Kie Kamado had returned.
The moment she saw her daughter leaning against Soma's chest while the two held hands so intimately, she immediately turned around and stepped back outside again.
The interruption made Nezuko's face burn even hotter. Like she had been shocked awake, she hurriedly pulled herself out of Soma's embrace.
"It seems Lady Kie does not mind the relationship between us."
Watching Kie Kamado quietly leave the room, Soma looked down at Nezuko with some surprise. He still remembered clearly how terrified both Kie and Nezuko had been of him in the beginning.
But now, neither of them seemed to care about the fact that he was a demon anymore.
Nezuko's cheeks were bright red. In her extreme embarrassment, she could barely even look at Soma, much less answer him.
Soma reached out once again and gently took hold of Nezuko's hand. With a slight pull, he drew her back into his arms.
"D-Don't… what if Mother sees…"
The girl sounded incredibly nervous.
She had already nearly died from embarrassment after being seen just moments ago.
"But Lady Kie doesn't seem to oppose us." Soma spoke softly.
At once, Nezuko's resistance weakened completely. Her cheeks only became even redder, and combined with her delicate, adorable face, she gave off an astonishing charm.
Nezuko's heart was still beating nervously, yet at the same time, an overwhelming sweetness filled her chest.
Then, a gentle voice reached her ears.
"May I kiss you?"
Nezuko truly did not know how to answer him. Her entire body stiffened from nervousness.
Soma slowly leaned a little closer.
The moment he moved nearer, Nezuko immediately shut her eyes tightly.
A soft breeze drifted through the window, lightly brushing through her dark hair and carrying away some of the warmth filling the room.
Soma looked at the girl before him, her eyes tightly closed and her eyelashes trembling faintly. Gently, he brushed the loose strands of hair away from her cheek and tucked them behind her ear.
That simple touch made Nezuko even more shy. Hidden beneath her shoes, her toes curled tightly together.
One of Soma's hands held Nezuko's hand, while the other rested lightly against her back as he slowly leaned closer.
His warm breath brushed against the girl's face, causing Nezuko to unconsciously shrink her shoulders slightly. At the same time, the hand holding his tightened nervously.
Soma could clearly feel the strength in her grip, and through it, he understood exactly how nervous she was feeling at this moment.
Then gently, softly—
His lips landed against the side of Nezuko's cheek.
At that instant, Nezuko's toes curled tightly inside her shoes, while waves spread through her heart again and again like ripples across water.
And what Soma could feel was the girl in his arms nearly melting against him, as though she no longer had the strength to support herself.
Her cheeks were soft and delicate, smooth like fresh tofu.
...
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