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System Life Space
Less than ten minutes remained before the hour expired. The System had achieved satisfaction—gazing at recorded photos with the delighted cackle of a fujoshi fangirl.
But Kaido had suffered. He currently clutched a pillow, face burning crimson, sitting on the bed in tearful "agony"—expression utterly dead inside, as though he'd lost something irreplaceably precious.
Cover the relevant parts with your imagination. I'm afraid of getting deleted.
"System, come here for a moment."
[Host, what do you require?]
The System obediently approached, kneeling before him.
Without warning, Kaido grabbed her and flipped positions—sitting on her stomach, pinning her beneath him. "I told you ages ago: if you ever got a physical body, I'd pin you down and grind you into the mattress! Now... hehe! I've wanted to try this forever!"
This System Life Space was the System's creation. As its host, he should theoretically possess control too.
He'd just thought of this—uncertain if it would work, but willing to test it. Concentrating, a red rope materialized in his hands.
"It actually works!" Examining the rope, then the System: "Hehe, you don't get a say in this!"
[H-Host, please be reasonable! This system is just a system... Ah! No, don't—!]
Within minutes, the System found itself bound in a humiliating position—with certain areas conspicuously unbound.
"Now it's my turn!" Kaido extended both hands, squeezing and kneading the System's cheeks.
"Soft... smooth... so this is what it feels like!" Watching the embodied goddess's face flush red under his ministrations brought deep satisfaction. "I've always wondered what squishing a goddess's face would feel like. Now I know!"
(What are you expecting? Stop staring downward!)
"Though System, why are you drooling?"
[Hehe!]
Following the System's gaze downward, Kaido finally understood. Aside from white stockings on his legs, he wore absolutely nothing...
"Damn it! You perverted System!"
He frantically covered his still-female form.
[Sigh~ This system should've removed more of its own clothing earlier! Wearing too much was my mistake!]
Kaido: "..."
'This System is completely shameless!' he thought bitterly.
After agonizing waiting, the hour finally elapsed. His body reverted to male form—the chest bulges vanished, and his little brother returned.
"Finally! Back to normal!"
[Host, this system has never asked you for anything. Could you possibly—]
"No."
[I haven't even said what—]
"Whatever it is, it's definitely not wholesome!"
Afterward, Kaido changed into a new Corps uniform identical to his original. He purchased a white fox mask from the System Shop, grabbed the Longsword, and prepared to return.
"System, thank you for everything. Without you, I'd be nothing in this world."
[Host, everything you achieved came from your own efforts. This system merely provided rewards.]
Hearing that, Kaido smiled faintly. "But I'm still grateful you've stayed with me so long. Anyway, time to go home. Wonder how that little girl's doing?"
[Host, you haven't completed this month's check-in!]
"Check in!"
[Ding! Check-in successful.]
[Reward obtained: Rings of Eternal Love!]
Rings of Eternal Love: Wearing these rings provides calming and spiritual nourishment effects, spiritually connecting hearts. "I take your hand, we grow old together. If you never leave, I'll remain through life and death."
The Rings of Eternal Love were perfectly white, topped with sky-blue crystal diamonds carved into snow lotus shapes—exquisitely crafted, appearing genuinely alive.
The System explained the rings auto-adjusted to fit any wearer.
Gazing at the pair, Kaido simply smiled—storing them in System Space.
The embodied System transformed into light, merging into his brow as they departed Life Space together.
━━━━━━━━
Feeling as though he hadn't seen sunlight in ages, emerging from Life Space brought warm rays across his face—comfortingly pleasant.
According to System guidance, his current location was a forest path—approximately seven to eight hours from Corps headquarters.
"Been a while since I've seen everyone. Wonder how they're doing?"
He began the journey home.
While walking, he couldn't help surveying his surroundings. Since Muzan's destruction, every village radiated joy—smiles everywhere.
Multiple villages displayed identical atmosphere.
Perhaps without demonic threats, peace had finally returned—hence this transformation.
During travel, he encountered a young woman—a skilled craftsperson selling handmade trinkets. She asked every customer if they knew a monk named Gyomei Himejima.
Curiosity drove Kaido forward. The girl—named Sayo—explained her history. Once homeless, Gyomei had kindly sheltered her.
But one night, someone named Kaigaku extinguished the wisteria incense that repelled demons. A demon attacked the temple. Several homeless children like her were killed. Gyomei fought all night protecting her.
But her fear prevented clear explanation—causing arriving adults to misunderstand, imprisoning Gyomei. When she recovered clarity, it was too late...
Understanding everything, Kaido told Sayo he knew Gyomei—describing his features and appearance.
Learning this, Sayo retrieved a letter from her pocket, requesting Kaido deliver it to Gyomei. She explained: that year, everyone fled the temple seeking weapons and adults to help fight the demon alongside Gyomei—not to abandon him...
Kaido accepted the envelope, promising personal delivery.
Watching Sayo's departing figure stirred deep emotions. Retsuki's image surfaced in his mind.
Thinking of her always brought pain. After all, System Life Space differed drastically from the external world.
Nearly three hours inside equaled three months outside.
"Wonder how she's been these past months? Hope she's alright."
"Sayo, don't worry. I'll definitely deliver this letter to Himejima."
Contemplating everything, he accelerated through Breathing techniques.
━━━━━━━━
After several hours, he finally reached Corps outskirts—everything familiar as before.
Without overthinking, he entered quickly, heading directly toward his estate.
Some swordsmen handling tasks suddenly spotted him—thinking they'd hallucinated, they rubbed their eyes. Upon reopening them, he'd vanished.
"Hey, what are you staring at? Help move these things inside! The Hashira have all recovered—tonight we're celebrating with a feast!"
"You won't believe this, but I think I just saw the Dragon Hashira!"
"Stop talking nonsense! Dragon Hashira is... sigh, if only he were still here. Now only his sister remains... I heard from Butterfly Mansion staff that Retsuki-san often cries alone..."
"Yeah, if Dragon Hashira hadn't destroyed Muzan at that critical moment, everyone would've..."
"Enough talk. Help move things!"
"Right!"
Whenever Kaido passed others at a distance, they unanimously assumed hallucination—believing Kaido's spirit had returned to visit.
Before long, he stood at his estate's entrance.
Gazing at his home, impatience to see his sister consumed him.
Just as he prepared to enter—sounds came from behind.
"Kaido-niisan?"
Hearing that familiar voice, his heart trembled. Turning, he saw Retsuki carrying a large case on her back—the Hashira and Ubuyashiki family of seven following behind.
Seeing her long-awaited beloved, Retsuki couldn't contain herself anymore—tears breaking free. She stepped forward but lost balance due to the case's weight.
Kaido rushed forward instantly, steadying her while setting the case down gently—pulling her into tight embrace.
"I'm sorry. I made you worry."
"Sob... Kaido-niisan, I thought... I'd never see you again... I missed you so much... I really, truly missed you!"
The trembling form in his arms clung desperately—terrified he'd vanish the next instant.
"I'm home."
"Kaido-niisan, welcome home."
The group behind Retsuki witnessed everything, unable to suppress their joy. They approached together.
"Thank god you're alive! This is supremely flamboyant!"
"Namu Amida Butsu. Kaido, welcome back."
"You little punk, you actually came back! Do you have any idea how worried your sister was?! I thought you were..."
"Ara, Kaido-kun, you made us all worry so much! You'd better explain what happened!"
"Kaido, my child—welcome home!"
Everyone spoke over each other—words filled with happiness and concern.
They'd believed Kaido had departed this world. Yet here he stood—alive, real, before them!
"Sorry, everyone. Circumstances delayed my return. Once matters are settled, I'll explain everything."
"Namu Amida Butsu. In that case, we'll return to the Butterfly Mansion first. This is joyous news!"
"Children, let's go back. Leave them some time together. Kaido, comfort Retsuki properly—she's been heartbroken these past months."
"Yes, Master. Thank you."
Kagaya led everyone toward the Butterfly Mansion, leaving only Retsuki and Kaido.
"Retsuki, I—"
Before finishing, Retsuki's fists hammered his chest—though without real force.
Kaido stood still, accepting every strike. He understood—she blamed him for being alive yet taking so long to return.
Once she'd vented enough, Kaido cupped her face, wiping away tears—then kissed her directly.
The sudden action startled Retsuki—but she didn't resist. Her arms wrapped around his neck.
Eventually, their lips parted.
"Retsuki, I'm sorry. Circumstances delayed my return. I made you so sad."
"Kaido-niisan, I thought... you didn't want me anymore. After hearing you'd died, I felt so lost... These past months, I've thought about you constantly... sob..."
"How could I not want you? Besides, I still need to—"
"Still need what?"
Taking a deep breath, Kaido spoke words that made her heart race: "I still need to marry you!"
Hearing this, Retsuki's mind went blank. Then her face burned crimson.
"Kaido-niisan, you... is that true? You really want to marry me? Marry someone who was once a Lower Moon demon—who hurt so many people?"
Since becoming human, Retsuki had carried one persistent burden. She'd been a Lower Moon—had killed many humans.
Though redeemed, that barrier remained—she felt unworthy of Kaido.
Yet his constant care had warmed her heart, intensifying her guilt.
Until months ago, hearing of Kaido's death—her heart stopped. She'd planned ending her life to accompany her brother.
But Amane Ubuyashiki, Ruka Rengoku, and Tamayo's comfort and counsel extinguished that thought.
Everyone knew Retsuki's demonic past—yet accepted her completely.
They understood. Like Nezuko—though transformed into a demon, she'd never harmed humans. Instead, she'd constantly helped the Corps and humanity.
Though Retsuki had been Lower Moon, since becoming human she'd devoted herself wholeheartedly to assisting at the Butterfly Mansion—always claiming her contributions were insignificant. But everyone saw everything.
Given choice, who would choose becoming a demon?! Without Muzan, even living in hardship would've been better than that fate!
"Yes!"
Hearing this, Retsuki's emotional dam shattered completely. She wept.
Kaido simply held her tighter, letting her release every ounce of accumulated pain.
"Retsuki, will you marry me?"
"Yes! As long as Kaido-niisan doesn't mind me—I'll do anything you ask!"
"Silly girl."
Seeing her expression, he couldn't resist kissing her again.
Much later, Kaido reluctantly released her—only because Retsuki had been gasping for air. Otherwise, he might never have stopped.
"Retsuki, we should head to the Butterfly Mansion. Otherwise everyone will worry."
"Mm..."
Recalling recent events, Retsuki's face burned bright red. Her lips were slightly swollen—needing time to recover.
Finally, Kaido placed the case containing his broken blade inside the estate, then carried Retsuki piggyback toward the Butterfly Mansion.
Feeling the soft form pressing against his back, he wished this walk would never end.
Retsuki seemed to read his thoughts. Mischief sparked. She leaned forward slightly—blowing air against his ear.
"Oh? Retsuki, you're playing tricks on me? Let's see how I punish you!"
His hands supporting her thighs began tickling mercilessly—sending tingling sensations through her entire body.
"Hahaha... Kaido-niisan... I was wrong... I'll do it again next time... Stop... stop tickling... Hahaha... It tickles!"
Thus, carrying Retsuki piggyback, Kaido proceeded toward the Butterfly Mansion amid playful laughter.
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