As evening fell at Tanjiro's home, the family gathered around the dining table, enjoying their meal together. As they neared the end of the meal, Tanjiro's mother, seemed to have made up her mind. She looked at Yohan with a serious expression and said, "Yohan, if you're not joking…"
"I want to take my family and leave."
After speaking these words, Tanjiro Aoi let out a heavy sigh. This decision wasn't easy for her at all.
"Of course I'm serious. Auntie, you can start packing, and leave the rest to me." Yohan had already anticipated this answer. He knew very well that for a mother, nothing mattered more than the future of her children.
"Huh?!" Tanjiro, still chewing his food, froze in confusion. He had just returned from the mountains after a short break, and now he couldn't make sense of their conversation.
"Leave? Pack?" Tanjiro's voice was louder this time, more in shock. He had never expected his mother to make such a big decision.
"But... I don't know how to do anything..." Tanjiro was uneasy. He had spent his life following his father in the mountains, digging coal and selling it in the nearby town. He had no experience with life outside the mountains. The idea of leaving everything behind made him anxious.
"Haha, Tanjiro, you're not as ordinary as you think," Yohan chuckled, trying to reassure him. "Once we leave, you'll understand."
Yohan smiled enigmatically, wondering if Tanjiro would ever join the Demon Slayer Corps. If he did, Yohan would make sure to introduce him, but if Tanjiro wanted to live a peaceful life, that was fine too.
Yohan wasn't too concerned with whether Tanjiro joined the Corps. What mattered most was saving this family from the fate that awaited them if they stayed. As for destroying Muzan Kibutsuji, Yohan could handle that on his own.
Tanjiro wasn't upset with Yohan for not informing him of this decision beforehand. After all, his mother was the head of the household, and if possible, Tanjiro was also curious about the world outside the mountains.
And so, the family began to pack. This time, it wasn't just a simple departure; they didn't know if they would ever return, so they packed thoroughly.
The younger siblings, seeing their older brothers and sisters so busy, couldn't help but bounce around excitedly, eager to help.
….
At dawn,
Outside Tanjiro's home, after packing most of the night, the family had barely packed much. Originally, Tanjiro's mother had hoped to take as much as they could, but after Yohan's persuasion, they decided to only bring a small amount of clothes.
"Is everything ready?"
"Then let's go!" Yohan called out loudly.
With that, the group set off, embarking on their journey to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
….
Demon Slayer Corps, Butterfly Mansion
It was the fifth day since Yohan left.
Kanroji Mitsuri was busy airing out Yohan's room. The entire space was neat and tidy, showing signs that someone had been cleaning it diligently every day.
"Ugh!" Kanroji sighed heavily. "I should've insisted on going with him."
She had never realized how much she missed Yohan until now. Over the past five days, she had found herself truly longing for his presence, something she hadn't felt when she was constantly with him.
"Kanroji, you're cleaning that guy's room again?" A voice interrupted her thoughts. It was Shinobu Kocho, who clearly wasn't visiting for the first time.
"Shinobu, what brings you here again?" Kanroji asked, a little puzzled. How was it that every time she turned around, she ran into Shinobu in this room?
"Of course… I came to find you!" Shinobu grinned mischievously. "I just thought of a new recipe! Let's go try it out in the kitchen."
Before Kanroji could respond, Shinobu grabbed her hand and began pulling her toward the kitchen.
"Ah, ah, slow down, I know!" Kanroji couldn't help but laugh, her earlier worries forgotten at the mention of a new recipe.
Lately, with Yohan gone, life at the Butterfly Mansion had returned to normal. Everyone was busy with their respective tasks. But at meal times, the empty bowls and chopsticks served as a constant reminder of someone they all hoped would return soon.
….
The Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps had finished their training under Kanroji Mitsuri's guidance and had mostly left the headquarters to return to their assigned areas. For them, it was already rare to have any time to rest at the headquarters. Once back, they would continue their training, especially focusing on their work with the Iron Body.
The Pillars, however, had all come to respect Yohan. Not only was he powerful, but he had also set aside any past grudges and helped Kanroji with the Iron Body training. On top of that, he had gone out of his way to find the blue spider lily.
They admired him—he was a fellow who shared their goal of destroying Muzan Kibutsuji, and for that, they now held him in great esteem.
….
The Eternal Paradise Faith
In a golden, extravagant room, sitting on a lotus throne, Doma was indulging in his "meal." The blood of his "food" dripped onto the lotus seat, staining the once-golden surface with red.
Midway through his meal, Doma set down his "food" and turned to face the corner where a figure appeared. It was Nakime.
"Doma-sama, Muzan-sama is furious about the fact that Yohan is still unaccounted for. He wants the Upper Moons to take action."
"I understand. I'll make sure to satisfy his expectations," Doma replied, his voice filled with a quiet but sinister resolve.
Once Nakime disappeared from view, Doma resumed his meal, continuing to enact the teachings of the Eternal Paradise Faith.