Chapter 18 – Farewell and Journey
From the central courtyard to the side path near Butterfly Mansion, Hikaru walked in calm silence, passing by Demon Slayer Corps members immersed in their training.
Each group was led by their respective mentors.
And the technique they were practicing…
Was one he had created himself—Hikaru-Style.
"Whoa! Hikaru-sama!"
A few of them recognized him and bowed deeply with admiration.
Hikaru responded with a small smile and a polite nod.
His many achievements—especially the creation of his own breathing style and the countless people he had helped—had earned him quite the reputation within the organization.
Without even realizing it, he had become a figure admired by many across the Corps.
Some had even given him nicknames like "Master Hikaru the All-Rounder" or "The Guy Who Can Do Anything."
With every step, he felt it—the invisible thread that connected him to everyone around him. The weight of their expectations, the warmth of their respect.
And through it all, he could feel how real this world had become.
Welcomed by familiar voices and kind glances, Hikaru finally returned to the place that had been his home for a while—Butterfly Mansion.
In the back garden, strands of wisteria swung gently in the wind, though not a single petal had bloomed.
Standing beneath the soft shadows of the trees was a petite girl with deep violet-black hair, staring quietly at the still waters of the pond.
The Insect Hashira—Shinobu Kocho.
She turned slowly at the sound of his footsteps, her soft smile—equal parts mysterious and gentle—still resting on her lips.
"Mm…"
Hikaru greeted her calmly. "Kocho-san."
"So, you've made your decision?"
Shinobu asked, still facing the water.
"Hmm… I don't think I've ever changed since the beginning," Hikaru replied with a small chuckle, watching the sky ripple across the surface of the pond. "I'm just following the path I believe in."
"Is that so?"
Shinobu glanced at him for a moment before her gaze drifted to the pendant hanging from his waist.
The one marked with the Wisteria Crest.
"Congratulations. You've finally become one of the Hashira."
"I'm still not used to it," Hikaru said, scratching the back of his head.
"That's not surprising," Shinobu replied gently. "But you deserve it—both in skill and in heart."
"…Still, being a Hashira also means facing greater responsibilities. And more terrifying threats."
Her voice was soft, like the flutter of a butterfly caught in the summer wind—just like the girl herself.
After a brief silence, Hikaru spoke again.
"I'll be leaving."
"When?"
"Now."
"So soon?"
"Not that soon… but once a decision's made, it's better to act right away."
He smiled gently at her, his jet-black eyes calm and steady.
"Thank you—for everything you've taught me."
Hikaru bowed deeply, with utmost respect and sincerity.
Then, without another word, he turned and made his way back inside to prepare.
He wasn't the type to linger or hesitate. Once he was done, he moved forward.
And everything he needed to do here… had already been done.
As she watched his back slowly disappear, Shinobu raised her sleeve to shield her eyes from the light and smiled faintly.
"…Truly a fascinating man."
Their relationship wasn't particularly close, nor was it distant. And for Shinobu… that distance was just right.
Back in his room, Hikaru's preparations were simple—just his Nichirin Blade and a few travel supplies.
But when his eyes fell on the neatly folded black haori on his bed, he paused.
As a Hashira, he had the freedom to choose his combat gear. Most still wore the standard uniform but added a personalized haori as a symbol of their title.
Now that he was officially one of them—
It was time to wear his own.
He glanced out the window again.
But the girl he'd just spoken with was already gone.
Without a word, Hikaru slipped on the haori, fastened his belt, and tucked his blade at his waist.
After brushing off a few creases on his clothes, he left a letter on the desk…
And walked out.
No emotional farewells. No tearful goodbyes.
That just wasn't his style.
Besides, this wasn't goodbye forever.
As a Hashira, he could return whenever he wanted.
No need for drama.
"He's already gone, huh…"
"But we'll meet again. I'm sure of it."
From the rooftop of Butterfly Mansion, Shinobu Kocho stood with the wind in her hair, smiling gently under the early sunlight as she watched a lone figure disappear into the mountain path.
Beside her, Kanao simply tilted her head slightly, her expression as blank and unreadable as a porcelain doll.
Later that afternoon—
When Aoi Kanzaki returned to Hikaru's room with the three little girls, the room was already empty.
"H-He really left without saying goodbye! I was so nice to him too!"
Aoi stood with her hands on her hips, visibly annoyed.
"He didn't even cook for us one last time!"
"Hikaru-nii's gone!"
"I want yummy food again!"
The three little girls shouted in unison, talking over each other in a storm of chaos.
"Hmph! Like I care about his food anyway…"
Aoi turned away dramatically—only to spot a white envelope sitting quietly on the desk.
"…What's this?"
She picked it up and slowly unfolded the letter.
The handwriting was neat and elegant.
> Thank you, Aoi-san, for all your care… and to the three young ladies as well.
Please send my regards to Kocho-san too. Thank you for the gift. I truly loved it.
This isn't goodbye.
We'll meet again someday—
And when that time comes…
Please let me cook you something even more delicious.
—Hikaru
"…Fufu~ So under that cold face, he's actually a bit shy, huh? Leaving behind a letter like this."
Aoi chuckled.
"Can we read it too?!"
"I wanna see Hikaru-nii's letter!"
"Letter! Letter!"
The room once again exploded with laughter and joyful shouts.
Goodbyes didn't have to be filled with sorrow. No tears were needed, and no long speeches required.
Somewhere among the winding mountain paths, where dusk began to paint the sky in orange and gold, stars blinked one by one into view.
With his black haori fluttering in the wind and his Nichirin Blade resting at his side, Hikaru lifted his gaze to the sky above—where the stars shimmered gently beneath the bright full moon.
Then…
He closed his eyes.
Felt the breeze brush past him.
And opened the system window in his mind.
— — —
Name: Hikaru
Affiliation: Demon Slayer Corps
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
— — —
Status:
Strength: F+
Agility: F+
Endurance: F+
Luck: D
Magic: —
Noble Phantasm: —
— — —
Active Skills:
[Void Breathing: Constant (F+)]
[Mirror Flower, Water Moon (F+)]
[Focused Serenity (F+)]
[Hikaru-Style (F+)]
[Anti-Demon (F)]
[Medical Knowledge (F)]
[Craftsmanship (F)]
[Cooking (F)]
...
— — —
Equipment:
Nichirin Blade (F)
— — —
Not many numbers had changed.
But compared to the day he first arrived in this world…
He had grown so much stronger.
Hikaru tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword—and under the gentle moonlight bathing the stone path ahead—
He took his first step forward.
Firm. Steady. And certain.
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