After the Pillar Meeting ended, a series of orders were dispatched from the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. Members stationed across the country, upon completing their current missions, were instructed to head to headquarters for intensive training.
This round of training was unprecedented in scale—each and every Pillar would personally oversee different segments of the drills, aiming to rapidly enhance the Corps' overall combat strength in a short period of time.
Tanjiro Kamado had also returned from Mount Sagiri, having just met with Kagaya Ubuyashiki. He was now in the courtyard, sharing with the Pillars the teachings passed down to him by his father.
"The changes are... insane!"
Tanjiro looked around at the Pillars intently studying in the courtyard, still trying to process all the news he had just heard.
Back on Mount Sagiri, he had been diligently training under Sakonji Urokodaki, mastering breathing techniques and refining his fundamentals. His only goal had been to get strong enough to qualify for the Demon Slayer Corps. And yet, as soon as he was recalled to headquarters, he was hit with a flurry of shocking updates—there was now only one Upper Rank demon left, and the Corps was preparing for a full-on assault against Muzan Kibutsuji.
It was such a massive leap in events that for a few minutes, Tanjiro's brain had gone completely blank.
After confirming it repeatedly, Tanjiro finally accepted that none of this was a joke.
"Thinking back on it… what was I even stressing about before?"
Tanjiro smiled bitterly, feeling like all the sweat and effort he poured into training was somehow dwarfed by the monumental advances the Corps had made while he was away. Not that he was upset—quite the opposite. If the day they could annihilate Muzan came sooner, all the better. Especially when he'd just learned that the knowledge his father had passed down might actually help the Corps.
So, being the warm-hearted soul he was, Tanjiro wracked his brain for several days, meticulously recalling and explaining everything he could about his father's teachings.
"With this… maybe I can be with my family again soon."
Tanjiro had never experienced the tragedy of losing family. His heart was still firmly tied to their simple, quiet life. And if this helped the Corps win sooner… maybe he could go home. That thought alone felt like a miracle.
"Big bro!!"
A booming voice behind him almost made him trip and faceplant.
"Wait… Nezuko?!"
Tanjiro blinked in disbelief. He had assumed it was Zenitsu yelling, but no—this loud, energetic voice came from none other than his own little sister.
Yes, Nezuko Kamado.
If Yohan had been present, he would've been floored. Even after he'd twisted the storyline beyond recognition, fate seemed to find a way: Tanjiro had still crossed paths with Zenitsu.
Though this time, it happened at headquarters. And so far, the two boys were merely acquaintances.
As for Nezuko, her heart belonged to another—Yohan-nii.
"What's up with you, Big Bro?" Nezuko planted her fists on her hips and stared him down. Ever since leaving the mountain, her brother seemed to have gotten a bit… slow.
"Nezuko... what are you doing here?"
Tanjiro had no idea that Nezuko had basically made the Butterfly Mansion her home. She had come today because Yohan mentioned that Tanjiro might be returning soon. So of course, she'd dashed off to headquarters to meet him.
Only, she had to yell three times just to get his attention.
"Why shouldn't I be here? And let me tell you—I'm super strong now!" Nezuko proudly punched the air.
Tanjiro was suddenly reminded of their mom. Back home, Kie Kamado might've always had a gentle smile, but if you crossed her… well, the wrath of a mother was no joke.
And in that moment, Nezuko's fierce stance completely overlapped with that of their mom in Tanjiro's mind.
"N-Nothing at all!"
He took a cautious step back, then turned tail and ran. He'd just explain everything later.
"You…" Nezuko watched him flee, shaking her head. Still, seeing her brother alive and well made her feel warm and relieved.
Time to head back to the Butterfly Mansion and cook dinner. Ever since she arrived there, she'd been training under Mitsuri. But after learning that Yohan liked food—a lot—she doubled down and trained in the kitchen like a woman on a mission.
Now, Nezuko was not just strong—she was a culinary powerhouse.
As Tanjiro retreated, someone crashed into him from the side.
"T-T-Tanjiro!!"
Zenitsu clung to Tanjiro's sleeve like a koala, shaking him with intensity. "Was that beautiful girl just now your sister?!"
"Yeah, that's my sister, Nezuko. But don't even think about it!"
"She already likes someone!"
Tanjiro narrowed his eyes with deadly seriousness. He knew Zenitsu's type. The moment he saw a cute girl, he lost all sense of restraint. And as her big brother, it was Tanjiro's sworn duty to protect Nezuko's innocence.
"She… she already likes someone?!"
Zenitsu looked utterly crushed. The mood around him grew dark and heavy as he slowly backed away, his spirit seemingly deflated.
Back at the Butterfly Mansion—
"Nezuko, are you back?" Yohan asked as Nezuko plopped down beside him.
"Mm-hmm! Yohan, what would you like to eat tonight?"
This time of day was Yohan's favorite—he always lounged in the sun whenever possible. He called it his "peaceful hour."
"Hmm... anything you make is fine."
Nezuko lit up. Her cooking had become so good recently that she was hands down the most sought-after cook in the entire Butterfly Mansion.
And for Yohan, a meal made by a cute, hard-working girl? What's not to love?
"But Nezuko, don't overwork yourself, okay?"
"There are plenty of others who can help in the kitchen too."
Yohan knew she had been doing nearly all the cooking lately. Even if it was "just cooking," with so many people in the mansion, it was still tiring work.
"I know, I know. Is this you worrying about me?" Nezuko touched her fingertips together and fidgeted slightly, her stance a little unstable.
"Of course it is."
"Mm… I knew it!" she whispered, then turned on her heel and ran off.
Despite the early winter chill, Nezuko's cheeks were flushed crimson. She looked feverish—and not from illness.
"Come on, Nezuko, you can do this!"
"You've got this!"
Hiding in a shadowed corridor, Nezuko clenched her fists, whispering encouragement to herself.
She liked Yohan. That much she was sure of. But how to tell him?
Everyone in the Butterfly Mansion adored him. Even though she was still young, Nezuko could sense it—girls like Shinobu with her brilliant mind and medical skills, Mitsuri who had been at Yohan's side from the beginning, Kanae who owed her very life to him...
They all had memories—deep, unique connections with Yohan.
And what was she? Just a simple girl from a charcoal-selling family, with nothing special to offer.
Even joining the training here had been her own request.
But Nezuko didn't want to give up.
Even if it was just a little…
Even if it was just through cooking…
She wanted to stand beside Yohan. Even if she had to work ten times as hard.
Even if all she could offer… was a homecooked meal.
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