[Seiji's POV]
"So that's how it was," Kanae whispered softly while her dainty fingers travelled around my scalp, gently massaging my head,
"I am happy for Mitsuri, she deserves to be a Hashira, she worked hard for every ounce of the weight that title carries," Kanae's praise came from seeing Mitsuri work hard for four months.
The both of us were in the small veranda overlooking the garden of the Butterfly Mansion. The silver sun was in the sky, its soft light shyly lit up the world yet neither of us needed the light. She was sitting on the futon, her legs dangling down the platform but not touching the ground.
On the other hand, I was lying on the futon, my head resting on her lap. Her supple thighs made for the second-best pillows in the world (the first obviously being the boobs).
The natural scent of her body was perfume for my nose, her magical touch soothed every bit of tiredness from my body, releasing knots of exhaustion in my spirit. One thing about Kanae that no one could replicate was the peace and rest I found in her embrace.
Her presence nearly made me forget I was in a world infested by bloodthirsty demons. Everything was so relaxing and serene when I was by her side.
Her fingers gently teased my earlobes, bringing an unknown sensation to my ears. It felt like at that moment, I could hear her touch.
"What else? What do you think about the other new member? Obanai was it?" she asked me but I was closing my eyes and only focusing on the pleasant sensation of her touch so I didn't see it.
We were talking about the Hashria Meeting that happened today. I was meant to inform her about what transpired but here I was, unable to even respond due to being so relaxed.
Misturi was already asleep in her own room. Somehow, someway, Rengoku had convinced her to drink sake to celebrate her promotion so she was drunk and had fallen asleep after the duo finished all of the food in the feast.
I had to carry her home as she was stupidly drunk. She was not a drinker so she did not know how to hold back.
"Don't you go dozing off on me mister, I want to know more," Kanae said and spread my eyelids so that I would look at her.
"How was the other newcomer?" she asked.
"He was okay," I said, trailing off as I thought about what more to add. Honestly, I never really thought deeply about it.
He was a Hashira in the original story, so I was not thinking about whether he was worthy or a good addition to the ranks, as the other Hahsiras did, or what Kanae expected me to think. I just knew that he was the right person to be a Hashira.
"He has my hatred, similar skills to Giyu and the attitude of Sanemi," I said, describing Obanai.
"Wow...that's...an odd combination," Kanae hummed.
"It is," I said. My thoughts lingered on the Snake Hashira since she brought him up. I wondered, would he be angry if he was aware of the possibility that he could've been with Mitsuri? A possibility that I robbed from him.
I was chucking him basically, although he didn't know it.
That was one of the issues I battled for the longest time in my relationship with Mitsuri. I always had the feeling that I was taking her away from the true love she was supposed to share with Obanai.
Whereas loving Kanae did not give me even the slightest guilt. It felt more natural - like fate was on my side if I loved her.
But I had long since been over that. Mitsuri herself helped me overcome that issue.
"Why did you love me Kanae?" I asked suddenly as my mind was on the topic of romance.
It was a generic question that has been asked countless times between couples, but I still.
I knew how she loved me. She slowly fell for me throughout our time together and she completely fell for me because I was always there for her, whenever she needed me.
What I wanted to know was why she decided to go along with that feeling, even when she had many opportunities to stop.
Why did she fight for it, despite being easier to forget about it?
"I didn't realise it until I had completely fallen for you. And at that point, I didn't know how to live without loving you anymore," she said, "Life had become about loving you. You were a part of my life now, one that could not be replaced or discarded,"
"Was it by chance?" I asked, playing devil's advocate.
"Was it by chance that we breathe?" she asked back for an answer and I thought over the question.
You had no memory or intention when you first took your breath. But by the time you realized you were breathing, it had become so vital to your life that if you stopped you would've died. Yet it was not by accident you breathe either, it was meant to be.
A question made for a good answer. That was a first. I envy her quick mind sometimes.
"What about you?" she asked me back, "Why did you decide to love me and jeopardize what you already had with Mitsuir?"
"...."
"Was it pity?" she so very slightly stilled when she asked that - as if she was afraid of her own question.
"You loved me even before I regained my own heart," I began, "I've always nurtured a hatred for myself ever since that day when the demon killed my family,"
"I had forgotten what it was like to even love myself. But I kept on going solely on hope alone, hope that I would find another love and another family," I said and my hand took her hand and held it gently.
"And you were the first treasure I found, the first fulfilment of my hope. You taught me how to love myself again," I said.
She needed me. That was the first real thought I had when I first met her. I knew her fate which was to die at the hands of Douma.
So the knowledge that she needed me was what destroyed the perspective I had of myself as a foreigner. I had no reason to live otherwise. Even without my presence, Tanjiro and others would put an end to Muzan.
But I felt needed in the case of Kanae's situation. And my existence became unapologetic from then on.
In that way, she unintentionally helped me with her existence alone and I love that.
In my search for a new love and a family, she was the first one I found.
"I've lost enough, I didn't want to lose anything again," I said.
I could feel the smile on her face.
"I understand," she said.
We stayed like that for the whole night. I did not just let her spoil me the entire night either as we took turns spoiling each other.
We talked and talked and talked. Sometimes we talked about the old times and sometimes we talked about our future.
We also did this thing where we told each other what the other could not sense. I told her what I saw, described the beautiful stars in the sky and in return, she would describe what she heard - the whisper of the wind, the sound of crickets and the fireflies.
In that way, we paint a complete picture of our surroundings. We filled the void in each other.
Like we always did, since the very beginning.
The one who needed help and the one who yearned to be needed. We saved each other.
"Do you get it now? We fit together like a puzzle," I said.
For reasons I was not aware of, Kanae's eyes started watering when I said that. She choked out a smile, a bitter joy.
"Yeah," she said, "Our love is not awkward, it is perfect too,"
I was not sure what that meant but I agreed.
"Yes,"
..
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(A week later)
"Goodbye," I said and kissed her on the forehead.
"Are you sure you can't bring me with you?" Kanae asked like a needy child.
"Unfortunately no," I said. What I was about to face soon would put her in danger, I couldn't bear to do that.
In response to my rejection, Kanae gave a small smile still.
"Okay then...stay safe," she said.
A chilly breeze blew upon us. Gone was the dry autumn air, the wind carried a hint of winter now.
I turned to Shinobu and said, "Take care of her, and take care of yourself,"
"You do know that she is also my sister, right?" she asked while rolling her eyes.
"But sure, if that makes you sleep easier," she replied.
"Seiji-nii..." Kanao called me, her eyes were much like Kanae's, begging me to take her with me but sadly, I can't.
"Keep training, like I taught you," I said.
"Remember, you are going to take the Demon Slayer exam next year," I said and she gave a nod.
"Okay,"
The sun was just about rising on the horizon, urging me to start my travel to the Gifu region and to the Kamado family.
"I'll be back soon, don't worry. It will only be a month," I said.
And with a final farewell, I left the Butterfly Mansion and made my way towards the Kamado family.
I was a Demon Slayer.
I reminded myself throughout the journey as I made my way to what could be, my final destination.
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[IMAGE]
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Author : It was too quick so of course it's late.
[Seiji's POV]
The children were waiting for me on the road leading up to their house. I had sent a letter to Kie Kamado, informing her about how I intended to spend the winter with them.
I even got a reply letter that said I was more than welcome to do so. Winter was unforgiving in the Gifu region where heavy snowfall was to be expected every year, and men were the greatest resource in this age.
So a window like Kie was more than glad to have a male relative to stay with them through the harsh winter.
Which was why she even allowed the children to wait for me like this. It was not strange for a relative to spend the winter with them. Japan was very family-oriented in this manner.
"Seiji-nii!!" Nezuko and the younger children called out to me as I appeared in their field of vision.
"Seiji-san!!" Tanjiro was more formal, however, I could see that he was just as excited if not more than his siblings.
They all came running at me with their small chubby legs. It was incredible how fast children could get attached to someone, I was with them only for a few days last time.
So precious.
"Seiji-san, please let us help you with your luggage," Tanjiro said and took a few bags from the giant load I was carrying.
Nezuko did the same thing and took a few things of her own to ease the load I was carrying. The rest of the kids were still too young to try and offer help so they just stuck close to my legs.
What was in the luggage I was carrying you ask? It was mostly spices for food, warm clothes for everyone and Christmas presents for the children. There were other things too like my own clothes and utensils but those were most of them.
"We meet again, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru," I said their name one by one while giving pats on their head or pushing their button nose. They laughed in childish glee.
"And little Rokuta," I said and pinched the two-year-old baby who was held by Takeo. Rokuta gave me a weird baby laugh that was a vibrating inhalation.
With Tanjiro and Nezuko helping me carry my luggage and with the younger children tagging behind us, we went back to the Kamado house.
Kie herself gave me a warm welcome and immediately served me a piping hot tea. I settled down in the living room and everyone eyed my huge luggage curiously.
"Huddle up everyone, your cool cousin brought you gifts from Tokyo!!" I declared while opening the bags.
"Really!!" "Wow!!"
The mere mention of Tokyo got them excited. Well, anything from the city was a huge deal for country kids. Even Tanjiro was excited despite trying to be mature.
Speaking of which, I idly noticed the growth of the protagonist. I saw each new strand of muscles he had gained during my absence including the minor bone fractures and callused hands. I could see that he had been working hard. Good.
I distributed whatever I brought amongst everyone. Even when they were receiving clothes which was not that exciting for kids, the Kamado children showed joyous expressions that made every bit of my effort worth it.
As I took out everything, I realized that I may have gone a little overboard. I couldn't help it, money was not an issue for me so I bought anything that fancied me.
I could see how Kie's expression shifted with each new gift I brought out. The few gifts were polite and expected but as more and more came out, she was naturally a little uncomfortable.
She felt indebted.
Some of the things I bought included toy figures, spinning tops, cards with beautiful illustrations for Nezuko along with paper for origami, a few drawing books and colours, I even bought a few toy swords believing that they'd want to be a cool samurai like me.
I also got them giant warm sweaters which were different from what they had since it was Western fashion.
"You didn't have to buy all of these Seiji-san, it's too much," Kie said nervously while looking at the children who were engrossed in their own gifts.
"Please Kie, let me do this. You don't have to feel uncomfortable at all," I said, soothing her worry.
Still, she couldn't quite ease her expression with all the gifts. Others might even suspect that I was going after the hot lonely milf with all the efforts I put in.
So I made my intention clear, or more like I lied.
"Ever since my mother passed, you and your children are the only family I have left. Things can get quite lonely," I said.
"Doing this makes me happy as much as they are," I said and I allowed her to mull over my words.
"..I understand," she said, "If that is so, please allow me to give you my sincerest gratitude,"
I smiled in return.
"Speaking of which, I did not only bring things for the children. I have stuff for you too," I said and went diving back into my bag to pull out the things I'd bought for her.
It was not a lie when I said that doing this makes me feel good. I feel like Samurai Santa.
And so, my days with the Kamado family started once more. This time, I would stay with them for a month or so.
...
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"What are you doing?" I asked one chilly morning.
It was dawn and the sun had not even risen yet. At this time of the day, the weather was particularly cold. The ground was wet with sparse powder of snow here and there.
Yet on this morning when a normal human would be at least five layers under a blanket, I saw Tanjiro readying himself to head out with a new jacket I gave him and a basket of charcoal on his back.
"Ah! Seiji-san, sorry I woke you up," Tanjro bowed his head and apologized quickly.
"Stupid. You can't wake me up, I'm deaf," I said.
"Oh...right,"
I was usually awake at this hour to watch the sunrise. I loved the sunrise and sunset, they were one of the most beautiful things in the world. So usually, I wake up at this hour every day to witness it.
Then if I wanted to, I would return to sleep again. I usually never even leave the bed as I could see through the walls andiree the sunrise.
"So? What are you doing?" I asked again.
"I'm setting out to the nearby village to sell the charcoal. It's our family village business," he said.
I hummed, "You shouldn't do that, come back inside,"
"I'm sorry but I can't do that Seiji-san. The winter is when we have the most customers. I have to sell it or else all our hard work during Summer and Autumn will go to waste," he replied to me.
"I'll buy it then," I said with a shrug.
"Huh?" Tanjiro blinked, "No, I can't let you do that. If you want, you can take home as much as you need for free,"
"Not some, I'll buy all of it," I said.
"eh.....EHHH!!!!" Tanjiro gasped, "Really? Are you sure?!"
I smirked, "Yeah, I'm sure. So get back inside, let's use them to make a heater instead," I said and gestured at him to come back in.
"Besides, I have better use of your time than you going around selling some charcoal," I said. I need to train him for the future of this world.
"Thank you so much!!" Tanjrio said and bowed to a right angle but I'd already turned my back so I didn't see him.
And see him I must because he ran inside and did the same thing again but in front of me.
"Enough of that. No need to act like a stranger to me," I said, "Where is your heater? You have hibachi right?"
"Yes, I'll take it out right away,"
...
(Later that day)
"I can't believe you guys have no kotatsu," I said in disbelief while I worked in the middle of the living room where the table was previously placed.
"How do you guys get through the winter before? On hopes and dreams?" I said, more to myself because I couldn't hear whatever they were replying to me as I was busy with my work.
I think you might have seen it in other anime but a kotatsu was a wooden table covered in a blanket. You put a heat source under the table and trap the heat with the blanket.
Families would gather around and sit beside the kotatsu and spend the winter together. But for whatever reason, the Kamados didn't have that. I thought every Japanese family had that.
And now here I was, making a Kotatsu for them. Tanjiro and Kie were on my side, eager to help me as I set it up.
"My husband used to make one for us. But ever since he got sick, he couldn't do such a thing anymore and it was impossible for me to maintain a kotatsu while having all the kids," Kie explained in my dead ears.
I could understand that. A kotatsu needed constant maintenance since unlike the modern machines, this one used charcoal for the heat. You could easily burn something if you were not careful.
It was not too difficult to set up the kotatsu and I finished it with ease. That proved to be quite fruitful later on as the heater was constantly used.
We would sit around the table to play cards, and board games and use the paper I bought to make Origami. All of which I quickly learned I was a master at.
..
..
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I came back to the Kamado house after a successful hunt. i had three deers and a pheasant in my hands, this much meat should last a few days at least.
When I came upon the yard, I saw Tanjrio swinging a sword with his upper body bear. His body was smoking from the heat interacting with the frigid air. His body was covered in sweat even in the cold morning.
Tanjiro was not alone as his other siblings hung around him. Nezuko was carrying baby Rokuta on her back while she worked on cleaning up a few vegetables.
The other siblings were running around, playing tag with the new toy store I bought. But all those distractions seemed to not reach Tanjiro as he continued swinging the sword again and again, endlessly.
Tanjiro had a very big potential as the main character of this world. But...
Hmm...how should I put this lightly?
He was awfully ordinary in his talent. Meaning his capacity to learn was high but his rate of learning was extremely sword.
It was to be expected. After all, while Muichrio became a Hashira in the span of two months, Tanjiro took three years to even take the Demon Slayer exam.
I think in that regard, Tanjiro was more similar to me than anyone else. He was the type of person who grew after every challenge overcome, a warrior who improved rapidly but only in high-intensity battles where his life was on the line.
Nevertheless, I did not slack from training him.
"Seiji-san, you're back," Tanjiro greeted with a wide gaping smile. He wiped his sweat with his forearm and he continued swinging his sword after I gestured at him to continue.
I rolled my eyes to the sky above and I clenched my fist.
Anytime now...
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[IMAGE]
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Author : Double chapter like promised and that will all be for the week. Next week will start with the fighting.
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