After obtaining the blue spider lily, Yohan and the others returned to Tanjiro's home.
"Tanjiro, I found the blue spider lily. I guess it's time for me to leave now."
Though it had only been a few days, Yohan realized just how much he missed Kanroji. He missed the way she relentlessly clung to him every day, full of energy and without a care for exhaustion.
He knew it was time to go back. But before he left, there was still one matter he needed to address.
"Tanjiro, I need to speak with your mother."
"Huh? You need to talk to Mom, Yohan?" Tanjiro blinked in confusion but led Yohan to the kitchen where his mother, Tanjiro's mom, was.
"Auntie, I wanted to ask if your family would be willing to come with me and leave this place?" Yohan asked after greeting her.
"Leave here?!" Tanjiro's mother was taken aback, surprised by such an unexpected proposal.
"Yes," Yohan confirmed. "I mean, I'm asking if you would be willing to move to a town and live there."
Tanjiro's mother was a little stunned. She had thought Yohan might be preparing to leave and simply wanted to say his goodbyes. Never had she imagined it would be such a proposition.
"This…" she hesitated.
"Auntie, you must know that Tanjiro's work in the mountains, digging coal, isn't enough to support your whole family. If you come with me, I can provide you with a place to live and a job."
"But…"
"I understand this is a big decision, and you'll need time to think about it. But I promise you, if you choose to leave, I will take care of everything for your family. You wouldn't want your children to grow up in the mountains forever, would you?"
Yohan's last words seemed to strike a chord with Tanjiro's mother. As a woman who had married Tanjiro's father, their family had lived in the mountains for generations. She had never minded, but as a mother, she wanted something better for her children—a life beyond the mountains.
"I… I need to think about it," she said, her mind slightly hazy.
"Auntie, there's no rush. I'll stay here until tomorrow. I hope you can give me an answer by then," Yohan said, aware that he was giving her a tough decision to make. As the head of the household, she had to carefully consider what was best for her children.
However, Yohan wasn't too worried. If they stayed here, as the story went, Muzan Kibutsuji would inevitably come after them. He didn't want to see such a warm and simple family meet such a tragic fate.
As for what would happen after they left—he would leave that to the Demon Slayer Corps. He'd have them find the family a home and a stable living situation. If Tanjiro wanted, he could join the Corps as well. After all, Tanjiro's family had been practicing the Breath of the Sun for generations—a technique that the Demon Slayer Corps could never afford to lose, especially if their goal was to destroy Muzan Kibutsuji.
The next few hours passed as Yohan stayed at Tanjiro's house, telling stories to his younger siblings while Tanjiro went back to the mountains to dig coal—being the eldest son, he couldn't rest for long.
"Yohan Brother, what did you talk about with Mom?" Nezuko asked after noticing her mother's distracted mood. She seemed absent-minded during their afternoon chores, so Nezuko thought it must have been because of the conversation with Yohan.
"I was asking her if she would like to come with me," Yohan explained.
"Come with you?!"
"Yohani, are you saying we should move away?" Nezuko's small face looked shocked.
"Yes, that's right. Don't you want to live outside, Nezuko?" Yohan asked casually as he sat back in his chair.
"But… we don't have enough money…"
"Leave that to me. You just need to decide if you want to leave or not," Yohan said, seeing the pitiful look on Nezuko's face. He couldn't help but reach out and ruffle her hair.
"Ah! Y-Yohan brotheri!"
Nezuko was startled by the unexpected gesture. Her cheeks turned bright red.
"Ah, sorry, Nezuko, I just did it out of habit…" Yohan quickly realized that he might have been a little too familiar. How could he just pat a girl's head like that?
No... I miss Kanroji more and more!
"No... it's fine... but, would that be too much trouble for you, Yohan?" Nezuko stammered, still flustered.
Of course, she wanted to live outside. Ever since their father passed away, the weight of the family responsibilities had fallen entirely on Tanjiro's shoulders. Nezuko, as the eldest daughter, could only help with chores or look after the younger siblings.
If they could move to a town, maybe Nezuko could find a job that would help her family, something more than just managing the household.
"Haha, of course, it's no trouble! You might not even know how important the flowers you helped me find are, Nezuko." Yohan chuckled, ruffling her hair one more time.
"As long as you're willing to leave, everything else will be taken care of."
Nezuko thought for a moment before answering, her voice quiet but firm. "If... if it's possible, I'd really like to go."
In her heart, Nezuko just wanted her family to live a better life. If moving meant that, she was more than willing. Besides, if they moved, she wouldn't have to say goodbye to Yohani, would she?
Her ears flushed with color as she glanced at the man who had suddenly entered their lives. Yohan. She wasn't sure why, but she felt her heart stir whenever he was around.
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