Time had a funny way of slipping by when life felt good for once.
Mitsuri and I went on another date after the one that had been interrupted. We hadn't officially labeled it yet, but the other Hashira were already whispering things like 'boyfriend' and 'girlfriend'.
We were inseparable from then on, Kagaya didn't have a problem with it. Bossman probably thought that it was grounding me even more.
We went on walks when we weren't on missions. She'd blush, grab my hand and hold on to it like it was something precious. I really enjoyed making her laugh too.
Unfortunately there was still a barrier around us… that right… We haven't kissed yet. Gasp! Big shock!
It was like the universe was conspiring against me. Mitsuri found it funny, but I could tell that even she was getting a little frustrated.
Every time we were just about to make contact, someone or something would always ruin it. One day it had been Sanemi, demanding that I spar with him. Another day, it was Mei-Mei, making gagging noises at us from the corner of the room.
I silently swore that I'd get that kiss, one way or another. Even if I had to fight Muzan while I had severe brain bleeding.
On the other hand, the Kamado family had pretty much become a mainstay at the Butterfly Mansion. Tanjiro trained harder than ever, nearly mastering all twelve forms of Sun Breathing.
The younger kids helped the injured slayers, whether it was bandaging or just keeping them entertained.
Kie had somehow become the parental figure. She was always there, offering words of comfort and cooking meals for wary slayers.
It wasn't long before the younger slayers started calling her 'oka-san'. Even the Hashira couldn't resist her motherly charm.
Most surprising was Sanemi. Kie had somehow managed to get the Wind Hashira to stop screaming all the time and to actually eat with everyone when he could.
I had walked in on Kie brushing his hair once. The blush on his face had been something I wished I had a modern phone for. So much blackmail material was wasted.
Shinobu and Kanae agreed that it was some form of sorcery, jokingly calling it "Mom Arts-Mom Effect".
And Kyojuro? He practically worshiped her cooking. He'd smile, then shout out 'DELICIOUS' loud enough to shake the rafters between every bite.
Kie seemed to have also accepted everyone as her own children. Overall, Kagaya had been more than happy to see the warmth blooming in the slayer corps.
The Butterfly Mansion truly became a home for everyone. It was more than just a pit stop between fighting demons now.
[Scene Break]
I was sprawled out on the veranda of the Butterfly Mansions main building. My head rested on Mitsuri's lap as she gently played with my hair. I was feigning taking a nap, really I was just enjoying the lap pillow Mitsuri was giving me and the sound of her humming a song.
Her delicate fingers brushed across my cheek as she pushed my hair out of my face. Even with my eyes closed the Six Eyes let me see the gentle smile on her face.
'Hmm, I should really get a haircut… I don't trust anyone not to fuck up my life though so I'll leave it for later.'
Honestly, life really was enjoyable when your sort of girlfriend was ridiculously adorable. I opened my eyes and looked at Mitsuri through my shades.
"You're really spoiling me at this rate you know."
She giggled, giving my hair another brush with her fingers. "You deserve it Satoru-kun… you've been working so hard lately."
I tilted my head, "Hard? Me? Come on… I've been slacking off all week since our date. We've got like three days until new years and I haven't even killed any demons."
Before she could retort, I noticed a familiar figure jogging up to where we were. Tanjiro's earnest face soon became visible as he finished his final lap around the mansion.
He rested his hands on his knees to catch his breath and shuffled closer. "Satoru-sensei! Uh… excuse me." He bowed slightly when he saw Mitsuri.
"Finished already?" I squinted at him through my shades, he nodded, "alright then… what is it?"
He hesitated, then blurted out. "I… I was wondering if you could perform the Hinokami Kagura with me on New Years." He held another bow.
"Hah? Isn't that your family tradition?" I sat up, trying to ignore Mitsuri's pout.
I pondered for a moment, I was going to teach him Sun Breathing anyways. The Kagura would let me see how much he'd improved over the time he's been training.
Mitsuri seemed to finally catch up, "Satoru-kun… you should do it. We can even have a little party with lots of food." Her eyes were shining by the end of her sentence.
I chuckled helplessly as I glanced at Tanjiro's expectant face. The both of them combined was a cheat version of puppy dog eyes.
"Hmm, fine… but only because Mitsuri-chan asked and it's New Years."
"Yay!" Mitsuri cheered as she grabbed Tanjiro and spun him around. "This is going to be so fun Tanjiro-san!"
I smiled at the sight… Mitsuri had pretty much adopted Tanjiro as a younger brother. As for myself, I saw him more as a brother too than a student. I was only a few years older than him after all.
"Hai! Kanroji-san!" Tanjiro was smiling despite looking like he was gonna puke from how much Mitsuri was spinning him.
"There's a catch though…" I grinned, the two came to a stop. Tanjiro nearly getting flung away.
"A catch?" He asked me.
"Yup," I popped the P, "starting next month no more set morning exercises. We'll begin your swordsmanship training and breathing style exercises."
I saw some light return to Tanjiro's eyes at the mention of no more morning training.
"Yata!" He cried out in cheer.
"Hmm? I said no more set training. I still expect you to train on your own. At the end of every month you'll spar with me until I think you're ready to take the Final Selection trial."
Tanjiro deflated instantly, "B-but…"
"No complaints, I expect you to last at least a minute against me by the end of two months."
Tanjiro paled, "Sensei! That's impossible—"
"Nah, I'm the stro—
"Satoru-sama!" A Kakushi ran into the courtyard, out of breath.
'Damn it… this better be important.'
[Scene Break]
Turns out… It really was important.
Ubuyashiki summoned me back to HQ. I appeared in a crack of shattered air. Kagaya was already waiting when I turned to look towards the sprawling estate. His family was absent from their usual spot around him.
"Satoru-san," I stepped forward, "I have a mission that I feel would suit you the most."
"What is it bossman?"
"Come, walk with me."
I shrugged and followed him as we walked through the grounds of his estate. He didn't speak for a moment, then he turned.
"A matter has come up where I believe your particular skills may come in handy."
"Sure, just tell me the location and I'll erase the demon there."
He shook his head, "Not this time Satoru-san… this is a delicate matter."
'Oh?' "What do you need me to do?"
"Recently an old ally has tried to make contact with the Corps."
I had a feeling I knew where this was going, I stayed quiet and let Kagaya continue speaking.
"She asked for a representative to meet with her to discuss a strategy she has for defeating Kibutsuji Muzan," Kagaya glanced at me, "I want you to go meet with her."
"So you want me to go walk into a potential trap," I grinned, "with my strength you expect this trap to fail."
He shook his head, "I believe we can trust her. She has been a staunch support of our cause for years."
"Alright bossman, when do I leave?"
"After the New Year," he stopped by a wisteria tree, "a contact will come to escort you."
I nodded and turned around to leave, just as I took the first few steps Kagaya called out.
"Satoru-san," I paused, "congratulations." He gave me a knowing smile.
I waved behind my back as I continued to make my way out of the gates.
[Scene Break]
Mei-Mei purred as I scratched behind her ears.
"I'll have to go again soon." I muttered.
She looked at me accusingly, "Nyaaan"
"I know, I know… I'm sorry for almost forgetting about you."
She swatted at my hand, "Nyan."
"Kie has been taking care of you though… so don't complain. Don't think I haven't noticed you putting on a little bit of weight."
She hissed and threatened me by raising her paw and extending her claws. I rolled my eyes and booped her nose. She let out an adorable sneeze and slinked away after giving me one more glare.
"Silly cat…"
Several days had passed since the New Year, everyone who had shown up to Mitsuri's small party had been in awe when Tanjiro and I performed the Hinokami Kagura side by side.
I was now getting ready to meet with the 'contact' that Kagaya had set up to take me to the 'ally'. Tanjiro was already hard at training. I had given him the assignment of mastering the first two forms of Sun Breathing while I was out.
Mitsuri had left the day before, her duties as a regular Hashira had called her away on a mission to the north.
She had kissed me on the cheek before leaving and promised a better one once we met up again.
A little jingle drew my attention to a orange, black, and white cat purring at me from beneath the shade of a wisteria tree.