Flashback: A Few Minutes Earlier.. At the Shingetsu Fortress.. Lotus Mansion..
"How does it look, Tamayo? Anything out of the ordinary?"
"Hmm.. It doesn't seem any more unusual than the last time but, it is rather different.. Why didn't you tell me about this sooner, Tsuki?" Tamayo asked, feeling slightly concerned about the young silverette as she carefully packs away her medical equipment for safe keeping
"I.. I didn't want to be too much of a bother to you all.. That's all.. " Natsumi replied, fondling the strings of her robes as Tamayo looks at her with slight confusion before finally getting a better understanding on what she meant by that..
"I see.. Well, in any case.. It doesn't seem like this mutation has any unfavorable effects that we should be wary off.."
"That's good.."
"Although, I do advise you to take it easy.. Give the medicine some time to spread and then you can go and have your training with Yoriichi and Michikatsu.." Tamayo advised, only to receive a gentle sigh as Natsumi slowly nods her her head in agreement..
"Good.. Now, then.. How about we go and make ourselves some tea?" Tamayo suggested, only to receive a gentle smile as Natsumi decides to take her up on her offer, at the very least..
Back to Reality..
'I can't believe it.. She's alive.. My successor is alive..' Yoriichi thought, lowering his head in absolute shame as his eyes slowly began to shed tears at the sight of his precious little niece standing right before his very eyes
"Yoriichi?" A calm and curious little voice called, only to receive nothing more but a gentle sob as Michikatsu couldn't help but wonder just what on earth has gotten into his younger brother, he had to admit it was odd seeing him act this way and yet at the same time, it did felt somewhat relieving to know that even Yoriichi was capable of expressing some of his emotions just like every other human being..
"Kanae, Tamayo, Could you give us a moment? " Natsumi sighed, only to receive a gentle nod as Tamayo and Kanae immediately began to take their leave, not bothering to spare them a second glance as they slowly began to exit the Tea Room in absolute silence..
"Oji-san.. Oji-san, look at me.." Natsumi called, catching the attention of a certain little redhead as he slowly starts to turn his head towards her, not bothering to even wipe away the tears streaming down his cheeks
Seeing the tears running down his cheeks, Natsumi couldn't help but let out a gentle smile as she quickly brings the Former Sun Hashira into a tight hug, hoping it would be enough to ease the pain and sorrow in his heart for having to spend so many years under Kibutsuji's influence..
"It's okay, Oji-san.. There's no need to cry, I'm here.." Natsumi cooed, only to receive a gentle sob as Yoriichi immediately tries to stop himself from crying any further before deciding to return the hug that was given to him..
"Gomenasai, Natsumi.."
"..There's no need to apologize to me, Oji-san.. You and Otou-san weren't the ones responsible for what happened.."
"You don't blame us?"
"I never did.."
"Arigatou, Natsumi.."
Meanwhile, At the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.. At the Water Hashira's Mansion..
"You really make a great cook, Ha-san.. This tastes absolutely delicious.." Tomioka commented as he happily stuffs his mouth with a spoonful of his favorite dish, personally made by none other than Sabito himself
"Hehe.. Thanks! I used to do this all the time back when I was still a human.. It was my best friend's favorite dish.."
"Hmm.. You don't say.."
"Yeah, he would always ask me to do this for him all the time whenever there's some leftover salmon and daikon at the kitchen.." Sabito bragged as Tomioka stares at him in slight suspicion
'Strange.. Sabito and I used to do those kind of things as well, back when he was still alive..' Tomioka thought as he stares off into space, while his mind immediately began reminiscing through his own memories of his best friend..
"Giyuu? Hey, Giyuu? You alright?" Sabito called as he casually snaps his fingers right next to the Water Hashira's ear, hoping it would be enough to snap him out of his daze before he decides to get a water bucket to splash him with
"Huh? What? What happened?" Tomioka asked, only to receive a gentle sigh as Sabito returns back to his seat, feeling slightly relieved to see the other finally coming back to his senses
"It's nothing.. I.. Uhh.. I was going to ask if you wanted to have some more, but you weren't responding.." Sabito excused, only to receive a bright little smile as Tomioka quickly leans his bowl forwards for a second serving
"Gladly!" He exclaimed, not bothering to acknowledge the fact that Sabito was fairly amused by his reaction as he happily serves his a second serving of his favorite dish..
"Ara~! Ara~! Isn't this a surprise?" A calm and bittersweet little voice sounded, only to earn slightly shudder as Sabito quickly turns his head around towards the doorway, just to see the Insect Hashira standing right before them with a gentle smile, while a few of other members of the Hashira slowly began to come into view
"Hm? Ha-san? What are you-.. Oh my gosh! Are you guys having lunch together? How cute!?" The Love Hashira squealed as Sabito immediately began to blush, it wasn't like she was wrong or anything but the thought of him having a lunch date with Tomioka, did made him feel flustered for some reason..
"It couldn't be helped.. We were both hungry.." Tomioka deadpanned as he silently takes a bite upon a piece of daikon, not bothering to acknowledge the dumbfounded look that Sabito was giving him from across the table
"Blunt as ever, I see.. This is exactly the reason why no one likes you, Tomioka.." The Insect Hashira chuckled, only to receive a slight glare as Sabito stares at her from across the room
By the time Sabito and Tomioka had already finished their meal, Sabito didn't even bother to think twice before gathering all of the plates on the table, just to avoid getting teased by the Insect Hashira herself
"If you need me I'll be right over there by the counter.." Sabito announced as he was just about to make his way over towards the kitchen counter, if only his mask hadn't decided to wedge itself right into his chair when things started to get inconvenient for him..
"Oh, you got to be kidding me!? "
"..S-Sabito?"
"Shit.."