Dawn pierced the darkness, bringing light to the earth.
Gentle sunlight streamed through the window into the room and fell softly upon the bed.
In mornings past, the woman lying beside Soma would most likely have been Nezuko. Today, however, it was another young woman.
Soma had woken early.
As a perfect demon, sleep and rest were unnecessary. He could go without food or drink entirely. Yet deep in his heart he still considered himself human, clinging to human habits and desires. He loved fine food, enjoyed wine, and cherished beautiful women.
Leaning back against the headboard, he half-closed his eyes.
Makomo was small and delicate. He could easily encircle her with one arm. At this moment her head rested against his chest, her warm breaths brushing his skin.
Besides Nezuko,
another girl had now shared the most intimate connection with him.
Exploring the beginning of life together had been thrilling and deeply pleasurable. But when everything finally calmed, simply holding her close and feeling her warmth was also a quiet, wonderful thing.
At least, right now, Soma felt content.
For Makomo, the transformation had happened in a single night. She still felt unaccustomed to it, as though her body no longer belonged solely to herself—as though it now carried the presence of another person.
When she woke, she was no longer alone. Someone was there beside her.
In winters past, waking from sleep had always meant relying on her own body heat to fight the cold. But this winter, the moment she opened her eyes, it felt as if she were lying atop a warm stove.
Unlike yesterday, when Soma had just returned from outside and his skin had been ice-cold, forcing her to warm him, now he was the one keeping her warm.
This must be what it means for two people to be together.
After waking, Makomo's beautiful eyes opened just a sliver. Sensing her current state, she immediately closed them again and continued pretending to sleep.
Although everything had been laid bare between them the night before,
even now
she still felt terribly shy.
It felt as though she stood completely exposed before him with nothing hidden, as if every part of her had lost its privacy. The thought made her blush with embarrassment.
Almost at the same moment Makomo stirred, Soma sensed it. He lowered his head and looked at her.
The girl's fair little face slowly flushed crimson. The trembling of her long eyelashes betrayed that she was already awake.
"Awake?" he asked softly.
"Mm." Makomo nodded lightly, burying her face against his chest.
Soma was far less well-behaved than before. Earlier, to let her rest properly, he had naturally refrained from disturbing her while she slept. Now his hand gently stroked her smooth back before settling at her waist.
"Your waist is so slender, Makomo," he murmured. "Like a willow branch—thin, yet supple."
Makomo's face turned bright red. She quickly caught his wandering hand.
...
After another long stretch of tender intimacy, Soma took her hand and led her out of the room.
Outside, Tanjiro had already risen. It was a habit he had long cultivated; even without the pressure of demons, someone as disciplined as him rarely allowed himself to be lazy.
Seeing Soma and Makomo walking hand in hand, looking so close, Tanjiro froze for a moment.
Anyone who wasn't a fool could guess the nature of their relationship.
Tanjiro was no fool.
"Good morning," Soma greeted warmly.
"Good morning," Tanjiro replied after recovering from his daze, his tone somewhat stiff.
For Tanjiro, his emotions were undeniably complicated. He had spent a long time preparing himself to accept his little sister being with Soma. Now, seeing another girl by Soma's side, his first instinct was to think of Nezuko and feel indignant on her behalf.
He wanted to say something, but reason held him back. Interfering in their relationship might only make things awkward.
"Good morning," Makomo called out shyly as well. Deep down she still felt embarrassed that others now knew about her relationship with Soma.
They returned to the living room together.
Kie Kamado was sitting with Nezuko, both sewing clothes. When Kie saw how intimate Soma and Makomo appeared, she cast a worried glance toward her daughter.
Nezuko paused her work. For a brief moment her expression was complicated, but soon a gentle light softened her features. She even stood up enthusiastically and pulled Makomo aside to chat.
Soma had been tense the entire time. Although he knew Nezuko had tacitly approved of last night's events, he couldn't help feeling uneasy. Seeing this scene now, his heart finally settled a little.
At times like this, he naturally behaved himself.
Just then Kanao walked into the living room from outside. The moment she saw her uncle, she broke into a small run and, as always, threw herself straight into his arms.
Today she wore a winter-style dress. As she moved, the skirt swayed gently. Thick stockings covered her legs, yet they still outlined their straight, slender shape.
Perhaps because Soma had given his approval, Kanao seemed especially cheerful today.
...
They had not been in the living room long before guests arrived.
Kanae Kocho came first, bringing Shinobu Kocho with her. They had come to visit and might stay for several days, while also discussing the current state of the Demon Slayer Corps with Soma.
With Muzan Kibutsuji's death, the source of demon creation had been destroyed. Thanks to the remaining swordsmen's efforts, the number of demons was decreasing every day. By now, incidents of demons attacking humans had become extremely rare.
Because demons had nearly vanished, the Demon Slayer Corps had lost its original reason for existing. Moreover, the authorities were wary of maintaining such an organized group with significant martial power. Steps were already being taken to gradually disband it.
There were also matters concerning Soma himself.
During the great battle that day, many swordsmen had witnessed his identity as a demon. Most held complex feelings toward him. Given everything he had done, they could not truly see him as an evil demon to be hunted down. Deep in their hearts, they had largely accepted him.
Yet some still carried deep hatred.
These swordsmen acknowledged that although this demon had accomplished much and had undeniably contributed to the defeat of Muzan Kibutsuji,
he was still a demon.
Who knew whether he might become the new Muzan Kibutsuji—the new source from which demons would be born?
These swordsmen had even banded together and gone to the Master, Kiriya Ubuyashiki, demanding that the root of the problem be completely eliminated.
When Kanae Kocho mentioned this, Soma took a small sip of tea.
"What did Kiriya say?"
"Oyakata-sama suppressed the matter."
Kanae spoke in a low voice, her tone filled with worry. "Although Oyakata-sama has suppressed it for now, these people will not give up easily."
"They will definitely look for new opportunities… and they might come after you…"
She did not finish the sentence, but Soma already knew what she meant.