"Brother Yohan!"
"How long do you think it'll be before my brother comes back?"
Inside the Butterfly Estate, Nezuko was sticking close to Yohan's side as she asked eagerly.
Ever since she began training here, Nezuko had been spending more and more time at the estate—so much so that it already felt like a second home.
She had once been shy about speaking up, but now, she was just like she had been at home: lively, talkative, and full of curiosity.
"You mean Tanjiro?"
"He'll probably need quite a bit of training first," Yohan answered with a smile.
"Plus, to become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, one must pass the Final Selection."
"Only those who survive that trial can truly be called Demon Slayers."
"Then I'm sure my brother can do it!" Nezuko puffed up her cheeks, then muttered under her breath, "I wonder how I compare to him now."
Even though she was a girl, Kanao, Shinobu, and even Mitsuri were all strong beyond belief. Maybe—just maybe—she could surpass her brother someday, too?
Nezuko deeply wished to become stronger. Not only to protect her family, but also to be able to support Brother Yohan one day.
From what she'd overheard at the Butterfly Estate, Yohan seemed to be growing more and more powerful with each passing day.
She pouted. Would there ever come a day when she could actually be of help to him?
A warm hand gently ruffled her hair.
"Nezuko, all you need to do is train hard under Mitsuri. Believe in yourself."
Though she no longer had the physical advantages of being a demon, Yohan didn't believe that was a setback. He had confidence in Nezuko's potential.
"Okay! Then I'll get back to training right away, Brother Yohan!"
Beaming with newfound energy thanks to Yohan's encouragement, Nezuko bolted off to find Mitsuri again.
With little else to do, Yohan decided to check in on Tamayo and the progress of her research.
He walked toward the lab just as Tamayo was about to leave. The two ran into each other head-on—quite literally.
Tamayo lost her balance from the impact and was about to fall—
—but in the next second, she was caught in Yohan's arms.
A soft warmth filled the space between them.
Startled by the sudden closeness, Yohan stood frozen for a moment.
"Um... could you... let me go first, Yohan-kun?" Tamayo's voice was barely audible, her face lowering in embarrassment.
"Ah, Miss Tamayo! I was only trying to stop you from falling. That's all," Yohan explained quickly.
He certainly didn't want to be mistaken for a pervert—he may admire beauty, but he always did so with dignity!
Tamayo smiled shyly. "I'm not blaming you, Yohan-kun. If anything, I should be thanking you."
"Also… if it's alright with you, could you start calling me Tamayo?"
Her cheeks were tinged with red.
After letting go, the air between them still lingered with awkwardness.
"Alright… Tamayo, then."
Trying to change the subject, Yohan cleared his throat. "Actually, the reason I came was to ask how the research on the Blue Spider Lily is going."
A flicker of disappointment passed across Tamayo's face.
She had thought—perhaps foolishly—that Yohan had come just to see her.
But it was only about the research.
"…Also, I wanted to know how you've been lately. Are you feeling alright staying here at the Butterfly Estate?"
At that, Tamayo's expression lit up again.
So he does care…
Returning to her usual serious tone, she began explaining, "We've made a breakthrough in our research on the Blue Spider Lily. We believe we've identified the specific internal component responsible for its unique reaction to sunlight."
"Of course, we still need to test it, but… I believe we're very close to a complete formula."
Tamayo's excitement was unmistakable as she spoke.
Even though she had stayed in the Butterfly Estate for a long time now, she was still well aware of what was happening in the world outside.
Especially the recent shocking news:
Yohan had killed both Upper Rank Two and Upper Rank Three.
Nothing could bring her greater joy than the thought of Kibutsuji Muzan seething in rage.
And Yohan—he had the power to defeat him.
Tamayo's eyes gleamed.
When the medicine was ready… that would be the moment she exacted her revenge.
But then… her gaze turned uncertain.
"…About what comes next, after the medicine is finished…" she said hesitantly.
Yohan immediately picked up on her unease. He looked at her, calm and patient.
"Is there a problem, Tamayo?"
It was strange. If she had run into trouble with the research, she should've come to him earlier.
"It's about the final testing of the medicine. Both Shinobu and I have been wondering… if it should be tested on me."
Yohan's eyes darkened slightly.
He hadn't forgotten the original purpose behind the Blue Spider Lily research—it was to create a medicine that could make Muzan vulnerable to sunlight.
But they couldn't just claim that the formula worked.
They had to prove it.
Which meant they needed a test subject.
And who better than Tamayo herself?
Shinobu had initially suggested using Yushiro, but Tamayo had firmly refused.
Yushiro had already left the estate long ago and had found acceptance within the Demon Slayer Corps. Tamayo didn't want to drag him back into danger now that he'd found peace.
And most importantly—Tamayo herself didn't want to run away from this.
If there was even a chance she could help destroy Muzan, she would do it.
Even if it meant risking everything.
She didn't know if the medicine would work.
If it failed… the sunlight would kill her.
"Don't worry so much."
Yohan's voice was calm and steady, bringing her a sense of safety once more.
"No, Yohan. I've already made up my mind."
Tamayo had long prepared to give her life for redemption.
What had she been so afraid of before?
Why was she suddenly hesitant?
They were so close to killing Muzan—
Yet, she felt herself wishing she could keep living…
She knew exactly why.
It was because of the life she'd found here, and… the man in front of her.
He had always treated her as a human being.
And because of that…
She had begun to long for life again.
But even so, she still wanted to contribute.
"I want you to live."
Yohan looked into her eyes, his voice filled with sincerity.
It was as though he had seen straight through her.
"Tamayo, all you need to do is continue working with Shinobu to complete the formula."
"You don't need to think about anything else."
"Everything will come to an end soon."
"And when it does… I want you to stay."
"Stay, and continue to be with me."
"…Mm… okay."
Her reply was soft, like a whispered promise.
There was nothing more that needed to be said.
They understood each other's hearts—
Now, they just had to do their part.
After leaving Tamayo's lab, Yohan spoke quietly to the system:
"System, can you test the medicine to see if it works?"
[Yes, Host.]
[Testing the medicine is well within the system's capabilities.]
Yohan let out a quiet breath of relief.
He had promised Tamayo that she didn't have to worry, but truth be told, he hadn't had a way to verify the medicine until now.
If the system had said no—
He would've gone to find Yushiro himself.
Even if Tamayo didn't want him involved, Yohan believed Yushiro would never hesitate to drink the medicine once he understood the stakes.
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