Zenitsu looked at Inosuke with a dazed, idiotic expression in his eyes.
At that moment, the three Butterfly sisters entered the room.
Kocho Kanae was the first to speak:
"Please don't move, Mr. Tomioka. Even though you're awake, you still need to rest for a while."
"During this time, Shinobu will be in charge—"
Before Kocho Kanae could finish her words, Kocho Shinobu clenched her fists and suddenly shouted:
"Tomioka Giyuu, you bastard!!"
Tomioka Giyuu's mouth twitched into a faint smile. He was about to say, "Even in this state, you're still yelling at me?"
But a soft, sudden hug from the girl silenced him. The words were swallowed back down into his chest.
The reactions of those present varied, but the biggest change was on Kocho Kanae's face.
She covered her mouth in surprise, watching Kocho Shinobu and Tomioka Giyuu in their unexpected embrace.
The three little ones—Aoi, Kiyo, and Naho—blushed instantly.
Kanao maintained her usual serene smile, though a glimmer of emotion sparkled faintly in her eyes.
Zenitsu's face contorted with jealousy, Tanjiro gave a gentle smile, and Inosuke looked completely confused.
Tomioka Giyuu stood stiffly, his hands frozen mid-air, unsure of what to do as Kocho Shinobu cried quietly in his arms.
Truthfully, he was at a loss.
It was Kocho Kanae who finally coughed twice and broke the moment:
"Alright, alright, Shinobu—let go of Tomioka~"
Only then did Shinobu snap out of it.
Realizing what she'd done, her face flushed red, and she rushed out of the room without another word.
Just then, Rengoku Kyojuro strode in energetically. He looked around and asked, puzzled:
"Did something happen, Butterfly? Why did Shinobu run off in such a hurry?"
The room fell silent. No one answered the awkward question.
But Rengoku, being who he was, didn't mind. His reason for coming was to check on Tomioka Giyuu.
Ever since Tomioka Giyuu had fallen unconscious during the Mugen Train incident, Rengoku Kyojuro had made it a point to visit him whenever he could.
A whole month had passed before Giyuu finally woke up safely.
Seeing that Tomioka Giyuu was in good spirits, Rengoku bowed solemnly and declared:
"Tomioka! Thank you for saving me. I will never forget this debt of gratitude!"
Tomioka Giyuu gave a strained smile and gently waved a hand.
"No, no… Just as you saved the civilians on the Mugen Train, I only did what I had to. It's our duty."
Kocho Kanae clapped her hands cheerfully and reminded:
"Alright, let's not disturb Tomioka any longer. He still needs rest."
"Of course! Rest well, Tomioka. I'll be off for now!"
"When you're ready, I'll help with your rehabilitation training!"
With that, Rengoku was the first to leave, followed by the others.
Tanjiro bowed respectfully before leaving.
"Giyuu, thank you for saving me—again!"
"You're welcome. After all, I'm your senior," Giyuu replied with a faint smirk.
After everyone had gone, Tomioka Giyuu lay back down, hoping to get a little more sleep.
But then, that gentle voice returned.
"Oh, Tomioka~!"
Kocho Kanae had come back, smiling brightly.
"Shinobu will be taking care of you for the next few days, alright?"
"After all, your body is still very weak~"
Giyuu merely nodded, ignoring the teasing glint in Kanae's eyes.
When Tomioka Giyuu next opened his eyes, it was already night.
He sat up slowly, dazed.
"I'm starving…" he muttered.
Just then, the door creaked open, and Kocho Shinobu entered with a tray of food.
"Oh? You're awake—perfect timing~"
"I was about to wake you up if you didn't get up soon."
"Eat up, it's your favorite—salmon with daikon."
Tomioka Giyuu gave a quiet thanks, then took the bowl and began eating slowly.
Shinobu sat on the edge of the bed, resting her chin on one hand, silently watching him.
Under that gaze, Giyuu shifted uneasily.
"Uh… Shinobu? Do you want to say something?"
There was a pause. Then she shook her head and smiled gently.
"It's nothing. Just… can you try not to get injured so badly next time?"
"Giyuu… if not for your strong recovery ability, you would've died this time."
He could hear the faint tremor in her voice.
But he didn't know how to answer.
To protect others, to uphold his duty, he had to risk his life.
That was what it meant to be Tomioka Giyuu.
Soon after, he finished eating. Kocho Shinobu took the tray and stood up to leave.
Just as she reached the doorway, she turned back.
Though her smile remained, her eyes burned with determination.
"But I know that's impossible."
"No matter how badly you get hurt—"
"—I'll always heal you, Giyuu."
He was stunned for a moment, then smiled gently.
"Yeah… I believe in you."
***
A month passed quickly.
In the courtyard of the Butterfly Estate—
"Flame Breathing, First Form: Unknowing Fire!"
Bang—!
"Nice block, Tomioka!"
Rengoku Kyojuro rebounded swiftly, his wooden sword arcing again toward Tomioka from a sharp angle.
"Water Breathing!"
Tomioka narrowed his eyes and made no move to dodge, letting the blow slip just past him in an elegant maneuver.
"Thirteenth Form: Imprinted Shadow, Mirror Flower, Water Moon!"
With a precise strike, Tomioka's wooden blade stopped at Rengoku's neck.
"Thank you, Kyojuro. That was a good session."
Rengoku sighed, smiling as he looked at the blade near his throat.
"You're incredible, truly strong!"
But Giyuu shook his head.
"I'm not strong enough—not when it comes to fighting demons…"
Rengoku's voice grew firm.
"Next time we meet one of those demons, I'll be the one to kill it!"
Tomioka was silent for a moment. Rengoku's words stirred something in him.
In the final battle at the Infinity Castle, maybe Rengoku could stand with Tanjiro…
And he—he would face Douma, the Upper Rank Two demon who might one day take Shinobu's life.
"Alright, alright, you two—time to eat~" Kocho Kanae called out, waving her hand cheerfully.
Hearing her, Tomioka and Rengoku looked at each other and smiled, then headed inside.
This was how Tomioka Giyuu spent his days recovering at the Butterfly Estate:
Meditation.
Conversations with Kocho Shinobu.
Sparring to reawaken his body.
Salmon with daikon for every meal.
Sometimes, he found himself wishing the days could stay like this forever.
That night, he climbed onto the roof and quietly gazed at the sky.
Staring at the moon, Tomioka whispered to himself:
"I'll do everything I can… to protect this peace."
Before long, Shinobu climbed up beside him with ease, a bottle of plum wine in hand.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Here—drink this~"
He took the bottle from her and took a sip, speaking softly:
"Nothing… I just feel a bit emotional. I have to leave tomorrow."