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"Oniichan, I'm home!"
"Welcome back, Retsuki! Go take a bath and change into this!"
"Wow, it's beautiful! Thank you, oniichan! Mwah!" She stood on tiptoes, kissed his cheek, grabbed the clothes, and dashed toward the bathroom.
Watching her disappear, Kaidō touched the spot she'd kissed, smiling softly. 'That girl... I wonder who she learned that from. But... as long as she's happy, everything's good.'
...
"Dragon Hashira-sama!" Goto and six other Kakushi arrived.
"Follow me!" Kaidō led them to the courtyard, where twenty large boxes waited.
"These contain gifts for every Corps swordsman and Kakushi member—including all of you. One per person. I need your help distributing them!"
"We get gifts too, Dragon Hashira-sama?"
"Everyone does."
"Thank you, Dragon Hashira-sama! We'll handle it!"
"Also, these two separate packages—please deliver them to former Water Hashira Sakonji Urokodaki and former Thunder Hashira Jigoro Kuwajima."
He'd considered inviting both retired Hashira but realized the distance was too great. Instead, he prepared special gifts for them.
"Yes, Dragon Hashira-sama—we'll complete this mission!"
Goto and the others loaded everything onto five carts. Fortunately, they'd brought enough vehicles.
8:00 PM.
The first to arrive was Kagaya Ubuyashiki with his wife Amane and their children—Kiriya, Kuina, and Kanata. The entire family came together.
At the entrance, they saw the open gates decorated with (Fortune) character. Red lanterns hung on both sides. A couplet adorned the doorframe:
Upper Line: When all demons are slain and we return
Lower Line: Everyone gathers in grand reunion
Horizontal Inscription: Joy and Peace
Inside, happiness radiated from every corner.
"Master, you're here! Oniichan is bathing. He asked me to receive you! Please sit on the sofas and rest—others should arrive soon."
Retsuki had bathed and changed into the outfit Kaidō gave her: a white kimono adorned with pink and light blue flowers, white butterfly ribbon in her black hair, red obi sash, and red shoes.
"Thank you, child." Under Retsuki's guidance, the Ubuyashiki family settled onto the sofas.
Shortly after, Shinjuro Rengoku arrived with his wife Ruka and son Senjuro—having finished patrolling Kaidō's territory.
"Master!" Shinjuro bowed respectfully upon seeing Kagaya.
"No need for formalities, Shinjuro-san. Today, young Kaidō invited everyone to gather. Please, sit with us."
"Yes." The Rengoku family joined them.
Minutes later, Kanae and Shinobu Kocho arrived, accompanied by Kanao Tsuyuri, Aoi Kanzaki, and the three younger girls—Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho.
After completing her mission, Kanae had used the Clone Talisman, then spent two hours traveling to the Butterfly Mansion to collect everyone.
"It looks so lively!" Seeing the decorations, Kanae felt overwhelming warmth. Shinobu and the others felt the same.
"Kanae-nee! Shinobu-nee! Everyone's here!" Retsuki greeted them.
"Retsuki-nee!" the three younger girls chorused.
"Oh my, Retsuki-chan, you look beautiful tonight!"
"Thank you, Kanae-nee! Let me show you inside—oniichan will be down soon."
"Thanks, Retsuki-chan!"
Ten minutes later, Gyomei Himejima, Kyojuro Rengoku, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Muichiro Tokito arrived together.
"Namu Amida Butsu. Everyone's here!"
"Mm! Perfect timing! Hahaha!"
"Stop wasting time—let's go in!" Sanemi grumbled.
Muichiro nodded silently, following them inside.
Soon after, Genya Shinazugawa arrived. When Retsuki greeted him, her cheeks turned pink with embarrassment. She couldn't quite explain why, so she simply led him quietly to the living room.
Seeing Sanemi on the sofa, Genya couldn't help but call out: "Big brother..."
"You're here. Sit down and chat with us."
"Yes!" Genya's face lit up with joy.
Minutes later, Mitsuri Kanroji and Obanai Iguro arrived hand-in-hand.
"Wow, so lively! So much food! Ah, sorry, Master, I—" Mitsuri spotted the snacks on the coffee table, then noticed Kagaya.
"It's fine, Mitsuri. Young Kaidō said everyone can help themselves!"
"Then... I won't hold back!" She pulled Obanai to the sofas and began sampling treats.
Obanai simply felt happy being with her.
"Where's Kaidō? I don't see him," Obanai asked Retsuki.
"Oniichan's upstairs changing clothes. I'll call him down!" She scurried upstairs.
Suddenly—
"Yo! How flamboyant! Looks like young Kaidō has surpassed my flamboyance! Hahaha!"
Tengen Uzui arrived with his three wives—Hinatsuru, Makio, and Suma.
"Tengen-sama, stepping into this house fills me with happiness. I feel so joyful," Hinatsuru observed.
"Me too," Makio agreed.
"Me too, me too, Tengen-sama!" Suma added excitedly.
"This feeling is truly flamboyant!"
...
During their discussion, Giyu Tomioka entered.
"Tomioka-san, you're late!" Shinobu teased.
"I had business."
"(╬￣///￣) Talking like that makes people dislike you, Tomioka-san!"
"I'm... not disliked..."
Finally, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke arrived—having received notification from Kaidō's crow.
"WAHAHA! The great Lord Inosuke has arrived!"
"Idiot, quiet down! I can hear the Hashira and Master inside!"
"Alright, alright—Inosuke, Zenitsu, let's go in!"
They entered and greeted everyone.
—————
At that moment, Kaidō descended the stairs, holding Retsuki's hand.
He wore a white button-up shirt under a sleeveless sweater vest, topped with a loose black casual jacket. Blue fitted pants and white shoes completed the outfit. His long white hair hung loose, straight bangs covering his forehead, with two long strands draping over his chest.
"Sorry for the wait, everyone."
"AHHH! SO CUTE!!" Suma rushed forward, crushing both Kaidō and Retsuki against her chest.
THWACK!
The siblings were engulfed by soft warmth.
Kaidō raised one hand weakly toward Tengen, making muffled "Mmph! Mmph!" sounds.
The message was clear: I'm filing a complaint! Your wife's committing assault! Do something!
BONK!
Hinatsuru delivered a swift chop to Suma's head. "Idiot! You're smothering them!"
"Sorry!" Suma held the growing bump on her head.
"Apologies for Suma's behavior!" Hinatsuru pressed Suma's head down in a bow.
"It's fine. Just be careful next time. Also... I'm male..." Kaidō explained helplessly.
"Eh?? Male? But you're so cute—how can you be a boy?" Suma looked shocked.
"Hahaha! He's the Dragon Hashira—the flamboyant kid who slayed Upper Rank Five!"
"Alright, everyone, please take your seats! You've waited long enough—you must be hungry! Master, please join us."
"Yes, thank you, child."
Everyone moved from the sofas to the dining tables.
Kagaya invited Kaidō and Retsuki to sit with him—exactly seven people at one table.
The Kocho sisters, Kanao, Aoi, and the three younger girls filled another table perfectly.
The Rengoku family (four people) sat with Tanjiro's trio at the third table.
Tengen with his three wives joined Gyomei, Giyu, and Muichiro at the fourth.
Since the fifth table had empty seats, they connected it with the fourth. The Shinazugawa brothers and Obanai with Mitsuri completed the arrangement.
—————
"UMAI! UMAI (Delicious)!" Kyojuro enthusiastically devoured his meal as always.
"Inosuke, slow down! Use chopsticks, not your hands!"
Mitsuri's eyes sparkled at the feast. She tried the braised fish first. "Wow! This fish... it's delicious! Obanai, you have to try it!" She kept eating while also serving food to Obanai.
"Mm, it's excellent. Mitsuri, you eat more too."
"Not bad, not bad! Better than anything I've had before! You're truly flamboyant, Kaidō! Hahaha!"
"Mmph mmph mmph... (So good!)" Suma's cheeks bulged like a chipmunk's. She choked slightly.
"Idiot Suma! Watch your manners! Slow down—nobody's stealing your food!" Makio patted her back.
"Kaidō, your cooking is truly different. Delicious. I'm very happy," Kagaya said warmly.
"Thank you, Master. Gathering everyone like this makes me happy too."
"Child, why don't you say a few words to everyone?"
"Yeah, Kaidō-san! Say something!"
"Mm! Young Kaidō, speak boldly!"
Voices encouraged him from every table.
"Alright then." Kaidō stood, raising his cup. "Everyone, no matter what the future holds, I hope next year we can all gather like this again!"
"Haha! We will! Everyone, let's flamboyantly toast!"
"CHEERS!"
Everyone raised their cups—beverages substituting for alcohol—and drank together.
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