章 40: 40. Mitsuri's Awakening
"I am a coward."
No, you're not.
"I only wish to live in the present, but all of you here seek the future."
No, we don't. We are not seeking the future. We are the same—those who are still living in the past, unable to leave it.
Listening to Kotaro's story, all of the Hashiras were numb because they realized that this arrogant man… is different.
A tragedy occurred to him, yet he has moved on from it, all for the sake of his loved ones. He didn't want revenge—the path riddled with thorns; he just wanted to ensure his loved ones were safe.
He is different from all of them, who are still trapped in their past, trying to overcome it by slaughtering demons. But this man just accepted it as it is and walked forward.
If there was someone to whom Kotaro's story resonated the most, it would be Shinobu Kocho. Her parents were killed by demons, just like Kotaro's. And instead of losing everything to demons, she and Kotaro still had a loved one beside them.
But the difference lies in the choice. She and her big sister took the path to join the Demon Slayer Corps, while Kotaro is here, trying to take a different path.
"I am enraged and wish that demons would disappear from this world, but if it comes at the cost of endangering the life of my loved one, then I don't need that rage or that wish."
Shinobu, who heard Kotaro say this, just trembled. Her fists were clenched, and she couldn't help but think—if… if, after the death of her parents, instead of joining the Demon Slayer Corps, she and her big sister had chosen to live a different life… would she still be alive?
'Onee-sama…'
…
'Kotaro-sama…'
Mitsuri's eyes were clouded. The more she listened to Kotaro, the more she understood the pain he went through.
But what hurt her more was the fact that she hadn't noticed all the pain he was enduring. She is his wife, yet… yet…
'I am a failure!'
Even now, she could see Kotaro-sama trying to keep her safe. Mitsuri had fantasized about this all her life. She would be married, and her husband would protect her from every danger.
Her wish was indeed fulfilled, but why was she feeling sad?
'I don't want Kotaro-sama to be hurt.'
She didn't want Kotaro-sama to protect her to the extent of hurting himself. But even if she told him that, Mitsuri knew that Kotaro-sama would simply smile and say it wasn't a big deal.
What can she do? Can she just fulfill her duty as a housewife and do nothing about it?
No!
She has something gifted from the gods. Mitsuri clenched her fist, feeling the abnormal strength running inside her. This is the power she had cursed before.
But now…
"Kotaro-sama!"
"What happened, Mitsuri? Why are you crying?"
Even now, Kotaro-sama is worried about me… I truly love you, Kotaro-sama. And that's why I can't let you be hurt.
A wife is a husband's biggest support. That's why I, Mitsuri Kenshin, will…
"Kotaro-sama, I… I wish to join the Demon Slayer Corps!"
…protect Kotaro-sama.
…
"M-Mitsuri, what did you say?"
"Kotaro-sama, I wish to join the Demon Slayer Corps!"
Kotaro was astounded. At first, he thought he heard it wrong, but now, after listening to it again, it seems to be true.
Mitsuri wants to join the Demon Slayer Corps? Is this some kind of joke?
But…
'Those eyes…'
Kotaro looked at Mitsuri's pale green eyes, filled with tears but carrying a resolute determination. It was his first time seeing Mitsuri with such eyes. She was always filled with uncertainty, anxiety, and low self-esteem, but now it felt like he was seeing a different Mitsuri.
"Kagaya-san, excuse me."
Kotaro stood up and took Mitsuri by the wrist, leading her out of the mansion to talk about what was happening with her.
"Mitsuri, are you serious?"
Hearing Kotaro's serious voice made Mitsuri a bit tense, but she gritted her teeth and then replied with a resolute voice. She knew that if she showed even a bit of hesitation, Kotaro-sama might not agree with her.
"Yes! I want to join the Demon Slayer Corps!"
"Don't you know what it means to join as a demon slayer?"
"Yes, I know."
"No, you don't!"
Kotaro was bewildered by Mitsuri's wish to become a demon slayer. The continuous fights with demons are nothing but risking one's life all the time.
To him, it was unacceptable.
"If you become a demon slayer, you'll have to fight demons all the time. Your life will be at risk. You might even get injured, and—"
"Kotaro-sama!"
Mitsuri shouted, making Kotaro's one-sided talk fall silent.
"When Kotaro-sama went to fight the demon for Aiko-san, I was scared and worried. What if something happened to you? That's why I followed Kotaro-sama. And my worst fears came true. Kotaro-sama was on the ground, and the demon was about to kill you."
Mitsuri's words made Kotaro remember the moment she was speaking about. That was when Mitsuri came and saved him by punching the demon's face.
"That's when the fear of losing Kotaro-sama overwhelmed me, and I rushed to the demon, punching him with all my might. And that was the first time I realized that my strength is not a curse. But despite that, I wasn't able to do anything to help Kotaro-sama. Instead, I became a burden, needing Kotaro-sama's help again."
Mitsuri looked into Kotaro's eyes, with no hesitation in hers.
"Kotaro-sama, I want to become a support for you! Didn't you say that a wife is a husband's greatest support? I want to become stronger and walk side by side with Kotaro-sama!"
"Mitsuri…"
Kotaro just looked at Mitsuri, who was declaring all of this with such determination. Her figure was glowing more than ever, and she exuded an aura that made her look more heroic.
"This strength of mine… I want to use it to protect the one I love the most! That's why I want to become a demon slayer and grow stronger, so I can protect and support you, Kotaro-sama!"
===
A/N:
Mitsuri is now powered up! The Love Hashira is here!
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