Shinobu brought Kanao along. Kaito wasn't sure of her intentions, but she led him to her sister's grave.
Throughout the journey, Kanao only nodded and greeted Kaito without any other reaction. However, when she heard that the purpose of this trip was to revive Kanae, her expression showed both confusion and excitement.
Mitsuri's eyes sparkled with stars. If the atmosphere weren't so somber, she would have used all the vocabulary she had learned in her life to praise Kaito.
While waiting for Shinobu, Kaito had also explained his identity.
As for her future plans, for now, she would stay at the Kamado Hot Spring Inn.
"We're here."
Destination reached.
She was buried near the Demon Slayer Corps' headquarters. A cherry blossom tree, apparently transplanted, stood there. Beneath the tree was a small mound and a stone marker.
Kaito stood before the marker, watching Shinobu kneel and bow before it. When she stood up and moved aside, Kaito knew it was time for him to act.
But then again...
He needed to put on a good show.
Using the Revival Coin directly would bring Kanae back to life. It was very simple.
But doing it so simply wouldn't be interesting, would it?
So...
Kaito began chanting an incantation. After reciting a long string of spells, a massive magic circle appeared beneath his feet and began to float, layering upon itself.
Gradually, it formed a complex magic array. As it shrank and began to rotate, the surrounding ground rumbled and shook.
Soon,
The mound split open, revealing a ceramic urn containing ashes.
Kaito signaled Shinobu, along with Mitsuri and Tsuyuri who had accompanied them, not to interfere. Then he forcefully opened the lid of the urn and placed the A-Class Revival Coin inside.
After all, for Kanae, he naturally had to use a better Revival Coin.
Next, the rotating magic circle blazed with light.
A golden beam shot straight into the sky, extremely conspicuous in the night.
The whole process looked like the casting of a massive, powerful forbidden spell.
After the beam shot into the sky, a human figure gradually emerged.
As the ashes integrated into the body, the magic circles spun faster. Each time a part of the body was restored, the circle would instantly expand outward and then slowly dissipate.
Thus...
The fair, delicate feet were completed. The first magic circle expanded and vanished.
...
Kaito watched the entire process, while Shinobu beside him could barely contain herself.
This revival was... exactly as she had imagined!
But could she stop it?
No!
And she didn't dare make any unnecessary moves, afraid of disrupting her sister's revival.
However...
Putting aside the fact that Kaito was openly admiring the scene, he had actually revived her sister. For that, Shinobu was overjoyed. Tears of happiness uncontrollably streamed from the corners of her eyes.
A minute later, Kanae floated in the air, her long hair flowing in the wind.
As her closed eyes began to stir, those beautiful purple irises opened, regaining their luster.
"Huh? Oh? This is..."
Still in the stage of recovering her memories, Kanae looked around in confusion. Soon, she regained all her memories and finally noticed Kaito and the others.
"I... I died, didn't I?"
Kanae blinked and couldn't help but ask, completely unaware of her current state.
"Yes, you did die. But I have revived you."
Kaito nodded. It was only when Kanae slowly descended from the air and stood on the ground that she suddenly jolted, realizing her situation.
"Sister... please put these on quickly."
"Ah, ah, is that Shinobu? You've changed so much? And is this Kanao? You've grown up too~"
Barely suppressing her shyness, Kanae took the clothes Shinobu offered, turned around, put them on, and tied them.
Well, it was just a white kimono. And it was empty underneath.
Because that was the only garment.
"Um... could you tell me what's going on now?"
"Sister... I asked Mr. Kaito to revive you. He is not from this world..."
Shinobu patiently explained Kaito's identity and the details of her revival.
Because it required a great cost, she even mentioned that she would become Kaito's attendant.
She also described the impressive display earlier, which had alarmed the entire Demon Slayer Corps. They were currently trying to come and investigate, but all had been put to sleep by Kaito's magic.
Anyone who came near had turned back, told that the commotion was caused by Kaito's attempt to revive Kanae.
"I see... Shinobu, to revive me, you're going to become Mr. Kaito's attendant, is that it?"
"But... hehe, I really don't want you to do that."
Kanae, looking both pained and fond, embraced Shinobu. From Shinobu's current appearance, the perceptive Kanae quickly understood that she had been imitating her all this time since her death.
As for Kanao...
Well, she was still the same.
"I don't know what to say. Mr. Kaito, thank you very much for reviving me. But regarding my sister... if possible, could you not make her your attendant? Instead, I am willing to trade places with her and become your attendant myself."
"Sister! What are you saying!!"
"Sister, I am already dead. You have your own life, your own happiness to find. I cannot let you sacrifice those for me."
"But... sister, I don't need those. Your being alive is the greatest meaning in my life!"
"Haha... isn't it the same for me?"
How could she, as the older sister, accept sacrificing her sister's happiness for her own new life?
She had already died, losing her future.
So, if she became Kaito's attendant, she wouldn't have many objections or resistance.
On the other hand, Shinobu still had the right to pursue her own life and happiness. Therefore, her becoming Kaito's attendant was the perfect solution!
As long as she could see her sister occasionally, she would be content.