Nezuko's bright smile bloomed like sunlight itself as she ran forward and threw herself into Chika's arms.
Chika froze.
Wait… what?
It had only been a few days. How in the world had Nezuko suddenly overcome sunlight? She couldn't have just randomly decided to test it out, right?
"Ne… Nezuko? You… you're not afraid of sunlight anymore?" Chika asked, looking down at her sister, who beamed up at her with childlike joy.
Inside the residence, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke heard the commotion and rushed outside.
"Big sis! You're back!" Tanjiro's face lit up with pure happiness.
For Tanjiro and Nezuko, even one or two weeks apart felt like forever. They had grown up together, rarely spending even a day apart.
Tanjiro ran forward as if to join the hug—
"Stop."
Smack!
Chika raised her palm like a barrier, blocking him coldly. She gave him the dead-fish stare, then glanced down at the cheerful Nezuko still in her arms.
"Before you start with the family reunion," she said flatly, "can someone please explain why Nezuko's out here in broad daylight?"
Tanjiro froze, scratching his cheek awkwardly, eyes darting away like a guilty puppy.
Nezuko stepped back from Chika's embrace and came to stand beside her brother. Though clearly nervous, she still puffed out her chest, determined to "protect" Tanjiro.
"Big Sister… um, actually, about that…"
She began to explain.
Earlier that day—
Right when Chika's fiery duel with Rengoku had rocked the Demon Slayer headquarters, Tanjiro's instincts had kicked in. Even before his mind caught up, his legs were already moving. He'd sensed the explosion and bolted toward the training field.
Zenitsu and Inosuke, after finally pulling off their blindfolds, had sensed it too and immediately sprinted after him.
Barely ten seconds later, as the noise faded, Nezuko stepped out of the house. Looking around, she found it empty—her sister, brother, even Zenitsu and Inosuke were all gone.
Anxiety welled up inside her chest.
Her senses were sharper than any human's now—she could hear, smell, and feel everything around her with uncanny clarity. The tremors from the training ground carried through the air like distant thunder.
Are they fighting? Is Sister and Brother in danger?
She walked to the edge of the house, stopping right where the sunlight began. One more step, and she'd be in the open.
Her throat tightened.
Her body trembled.
But… what if they need me?
Ever since she'd turned into a demon, her instincts had screamed one truth—sunlight kills. She had never once tested it, but even the thought made her skin crawl.
And then, a memory surfaced.
That evening back at Urokodaki's cottage—
"Maybe… maybe you should leave me behind," Nezuko had whispered, clutching her knees. "I'm weak… and I can't even walk in daylight. I'll only slow you down."
Chika had seen through her insecurity immediately. Smiling softly, she'd placed a hand on Nezuko's head.
"How could Nezuko ever be a burden? You're amazing," she'd said—then coughed awkwardly. "I mean, think about it. You're a demon who doesn't drink blood. That's one of a kind! Who's to say you won't overcome sunlight one day, too?"
It had been clumsy encouragement, but it stuck.
Nezuko had looked up then, eyes shimmering with quiet hope.
"If only… I really could stand in the sun someday…"
Now, that memory echoed in her mind.
Her hands trembled as she stared at the light spilling through the open doorway.
Try it? Just a little?
She bit her lip. If it hurts, I'll pull back right away…
Had Tanjiro been there, he would've stopped her immediately. But he wasn't.
And so, Nezuko—alone—decided to take the most dangerous step of her life.
She swallowed hard, slowly extending one shaking hand into the sunlight.
At once, pain flared across her skin.
It was as if the gentle sun had become a searing blade. The scent of burning flesh filled the air, and she bit back a cry.
But then—
The pain began to fade.
Nezuko blinked, startled.
Wait… what?
She opened her eyes slowly, staring at her hand. The burns were already healing, her skin returning to its pale smoothness.
She froze.
"Is… is it gone? It doesn't hurt anymore…"
Her wide eyes glistened like marbles. She pulled her hand back, examining it from every angle. No burns. No smoke. Nothing.
"C-Could I really… not be afraid of sunlight anymore?"
She tried her other hand.
It burned for two seconds—then stopped.
A grin began to spread across her face. Her eyes sparkled like twin stars.
And then—she went all in.
One leg. Then the other.
"Three… two… one—!"
Step!
She stepped out into the sunlight, fully exposed.
The light washed over her like warm water. The brief sting faded, replaced by gentle warmth.
She stood frozen for a heartbeat, then threw both arms into the air.
"Yaaay!!!"
If Muzan had seen her at that moment, he'd probably have fainted in envy.
Back in the present, Chika had already pieced the story together from Nezuko's animated retelling.
And then—whack!
A clean karate chop landed squarely on Nezuko's forehead.
"Yowch! Big Sister, why?!" Nezuko yelped, clutching her head with teary eyes.
Chika sighed, rubbing her temples.
She couldn't even be angry—just exasperated. Yes, the result was miraculous, but the process… reckless didn't even begin to cover it.
Even she, with all her meta-knowledge of the "original story," had felt her heart seize listening to that near-suicidal experiment.
Because this wasn't the original timeline anymore. Her very existence had already changed things.
If fate had been nudged even slightly, Nezuko's outcome could've been different—fatally different.
That thought chilled her.
Chika wasn't a god. She was just someone who had stumbled into this world, trying her best to steer it toward a better ending.
And for that to happen, she'd have to treat every unknown—every variable—with care.
Because if she wanted this story to end with everyone smiling…
…then no more lucky gambles like this one could ever happen again.