"Woof!"
On a snow-covered main street, a small dog was hopping back and forth, barking loudly at a young man dressed in a blue cotton robe who was carrying two large bags of supplies. The piercing sound made many passersby frown in annoyance.
Small plum-blossom prints were left scattered across the snow from the dog's frantic movements.
"Are you hungry?" The young man's expression remained unchanged. After a moment of contemplation, he set his bags on the ground, reached inside, and rummaged around. He pulled out a rack of pork ribs and, with raw strength, snapped off a piece of bone with a bit of meat still clinging to it.
The dog flinched at his sudden movement, stopping its barking and taking a small step back. Then, as if feeling humiliated by its own retreat, it leaped forward again with its teeth bared, letting out a final, forceful yelp.
"Woof!"
"Stop barking. Here's a bone." The young man leaned down, dangling the bone in front of the dog. Once he had its full attention, he gave it a light flick, tossing the bone away.
"Woof!" Without a second thought, the dog turned and chased after the prize.
"Heh." A faint smile touched the young man's lips as he picked up his bags and continued on his way.
However, the dog soon returned with the bone in its mouth, standing before him and glaring with the same intensity as before.
The man and the dog entered a stalemate once again.
…
"Sigh, I knew you'd be held up by a dog again after being away for so long." A cute girl with a single ponytail shook her head as she walked up to the young man's side. "Even though you can be quite annoying sometimes, I don't understand why even puppies hate you. Have you figured out the reason yet, Tomioka-san?"
Giyu Tomioka shook his head and answered flatly, "I am not hated."
"Sure, sure. But did you forget what day it is, Tomioka-san? We've been waiting forever. Let's get moving."
"Mm."
The little dog was easily flipped onto its back by the girl, exposing its belly and losing all its threat toward Giyu.
The two walked side-by-side and soon arrived at a wooden house. Two girls, one older and one younger, were already standing there. Seeing Giyu and his companion, they waved their small hands. "Shinobu, Giyu! Over here!"
"Onee-chan, are you finished packing?"
"A long time ago; we were just waiting for you two. Giyu, did you get everything on the list?"
"Yes."
"Then let's head out!"
The four split into two rows. The three girls walked in front, chatting incessantly, while Giyu Tomioka followed behind, carrying the supplies.
They soon reached a large manor where many familiar faces awaited.
"Kanae-san! Shinobu!"
"Mitsuri, Iguro-kun, it's been a long time. Wait, your stomach?!"
"Hehe, I'm pregnant!"
"Is that so!"
"It is!"
"Where is Rengoku-san?"
"He's busy in the kitchen."
"What?! You actually let him handle the cooking?" Shinobu had a bad premonition. She quickly called out to Giyu and rushed toward the kitchen.
"Tasty!"
Just as she suspected, Kyojuro Rengoku was happily eating the dish he had just finished stir-frying.
"Rengoku-san, why are you eating all by yourself?"
"It looked so delicious I couldn't help but take a taste, and then I couldn't stop! Hahahaha!" Kyojuro laughed as he shoveled the rest of the plate into his mouth, shouting, "Tasty!"
"Sigh." Shinobu sighed, rubbing her forehead. "There's just no helping you. Let me do the stir-frying. You and Tomioka-san can handle the chopping."
"Right!"
Outside, Kanae Kocho and the others weren't idle either. They worked together to set up tables and chairs in the courtyard and hung colorful lights and decorations on the trees.
Before long, with the arrival of Muichiro Tokito, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and the others, the manor became even more lively.
"Where's Uzui? I haven't seen him."
"I heard his three wives are all pregnant at the same time, so he's busy taking care of them!"
"Speaking of which, are Oyakata-sama and Gyomei-san not coming?"
"Idiot, how could we let Oyakata-sama come here personally? Naturally, we are the ones who go to visit them."
"That's true! Let's go visit them together tomorrow!"
"Yeah!"
After a while of chatting, steaming dishes were brought out one by one. The long-awaited gathering of the Hashira had officially begun.
"Hahaha! Since Oyakata-sama and Gyomei-san aren't here, I'll say a few brief words."
Kyojuro Rengoku stood up with a brilliant smile and spoke in a booming voice: "Almost a year ago, we successfully defeated Muzan and ended nearly a thousand years of darkness. Now, in the blink of an eye, it's already the last day of the year. Tomorrow is the start of a new one, which means that demons and Demon Slayers are officially a thing of the past. We are no longer colleagues of the Demon Slayer Corps, but we remain friends, brothers, and sisters. From now on, let's live our lives happily!"
"Yeah!" Everyone burst into applause.
"I didn't expect you to be able to say something like that."
"Hahaha! I'm just saying what's in my heart. Alright, no more talk. Everyone eat! I've been waiting for this."
"Hey, don't take the whole plate!"
"By the way, has anyone heard any news about Kakado-san?"
"No. He's probably gone to another country to save other people, just like how he saved us."
…
Deep in the distant mountains, another group of people was gathered, enjoying a delicious dinner.
"I'm stuffed!"
"Eh? Tanjiro-niichan, you're full already?"
"Yeah, I have something very important to do, so I ate a little faster."
"What is it? I'll help you."
"Let me handle it," Tanjiro's mother said as she stood up. "Nezuko, you stay here and look after your younger brothers and sisters."
"Okay, I understand."
Before long, a crimson bonfire flared up high. Dressed in a fire-red robe, Tanjiro began a graceful dance nearby, the light reflecting off the children's faces.
"It's so beautiful..."
"This is the Hinokami Kagura, a dance to pray to the Fire God for safety. With the Fire God's protection, everyone will surely be safe and sound next year."
"Mhm!"
Amidst the joyful laughter, Tanjiro eventually stopped his Hinokami Kagura, panting for breath. He glanced at the two long swords resting beside his family members, his face filled with gratitude.
"Aomori-san, thank you."