MITSUKO STOOD IN front of Shinobu, not meeting her gaze. She failed her duty as a Pillar. She was supposed to at least prolong the battle until the sun rises. There's no need to slay the Upper Moon Two. She just needed for the two of them to survive.
Mitsuko apologized, "I'm very sorry, Shinobu-san. I'm really sorry."
She was waiting for Shinobu's outburst. She thinks she is mentally ready for whatever blaming words Shinobu will spat towards her.
She was anticipating. Instead, she received a hug.
"It can't be helped, Mitsuko-san."
Before Mitsuko could return the gesture, Shinobu had already pulled away from her. Shinobu patted her shoulders before leaving her behind.
"I'm really sorry." If only I was strong enough to take on that Upper Moon Demon.
"Mitsuko-san."
The girl faced Shinobu. The successor of the Butterfly Estate bestowed her a small smile. There was a meaning behind that smile. Mitsuko couldn't quite place what it was.
"Thank Takehiko-san when you see him."
"Eh?"
* * *
"No..."
At the sight of a bloodied path entering the small house, Mitsuko bolted. Her heart was thumping loudly in her chest—purely out of fear. She wasn't ready discovering what possible events had transpired in her absence.
She should've get a Kinoe Demon Slayer take over her territory. Who knows how long she had been in a coma. She's still recovering from her wounds. The littered bandages in her body proved her argument.
Mitsuko tripped over something. She had no time to heed any attention to whatever she just tripped on. She just needed to look if Muichirou and Yuichirou are still there. She rose from the ground and approached the worn-out house.
"M-Michi..." Her instantly covered her mouth. The sight of the kitten both Muichirou and her look after was on the floor, bathing in its own dried blood.
She was sure this happened while she was still in the coma. The dried blood and faint hint of dust gave it away. The bodies of the two were not present. Mitsuko hoped they are alright.
Mitsuko slowly approached Michi; tears stinging her eyes and throat closing up. Gently and carefully, she lifted Michi and exited the remains of the Tokitou household. She held Michi like it was the most fragile thing on earth. Michi's corpse was almost unrecognizable. She merely bit her lip to prevent any unwilling push of her tears.
"Thank you, Michi." It must've been painful.
If only Mitsuko was smart enough to let someone take over her area temporarily, then whatever attacked the Tokitou twins would be killed. If it was a demon, then she herself will sever its neck from its body.
"I'm so incompetent!" yelled Mitsuko, kicking the ground. Her mind was filled with if only's.
"CAW! CAW! YOU'RE BEING SUMMONED IN THE UBAYASHIKI ESTATE! CAW! CAW!"
Her eyes fixed on Taki. With one last glance on Michi's grave, she left.
Forever.
* * *
"Am I a celebrity in the Demon world or something?" Mitsuko has blurted absentmindedly.
Kagaya's smile brighten. "Considering the numerous demons knowing of your existence, I suppose it is safe to assume."
The Artemis Pillar wanted to sink in the floor out of embarrassment. She was pondering about her encounter with Douma and the dream when she fell unconscious during the battle. She was with Muzan and Douma. It made her spine shiver and her body tremble at the thought of being close with two strong demons—including the strongest demon.
"Should we conclude I used to be with the demons when I was gone?" asked Mitsuko, leaning slightly towards the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. Mitsuko had reported what happened during their confrontation with the Upper Moon Two—Douma.
Mitsuko felt uneasy. She was starting to doubt her forgotten past. She did recall being taken away from her family. For what purpose? Mitsuko was clueless and afraid what the answer may be.
"You have conviction, Mitsuko."
"What do you mean, Oyakata-sama?"
Kagaya stretched out his hand, soon resting on Mitsuko's head. She reacted by looking up in his hand. The smile she received from Kagaya was comforting. It was always like that, no matter what the circumstances. A smile of a loving father. She was reminded by her own father even though they weren't blood-related.
With couple of pats, Kagaya retracted his hand. He said, "You're present and future will not be affected by your past. Remember that. In the moment you regained your memories, you will become a stronger person with unyielding determination and will."
Her worries dissipated in the wind.
"In the meantime, take your time in healing your wounds."
Mitsuko smiled. "Thank you, Kagaya-sama."
* * *
"It's Tomioka!"
Mitsuko turned to the direction of a very cheerful voice. It broke through her train of thoughts. She could already feel the energy radiating from a specific Flame Pillar.
"Rengoku-sama," she greeted.
"Did you come here to visit the Kochou's tombstone?"
Mitsuko nodded.
"Great! Very great indeed."
Mitsuko tilted her head. What's so great in paying respects to the departed?
"Do you like sweet potates?"
"Um, yes?"
Rengoku laughed. It was so contagious it brought a smile on Mitsuko's lips. The Fire Pillar sure is charismatic. She couldn't help but enjoy being in the presence of the Rengoku.
"Then, come with me! I'll treat you a bunch of sweet potatoes."
With one last glance on Kanae's grave, she turned around and followed Rengoku out of the graveyard. A smile was present on her lips as Rengoku chatted on their way to the nearest restaurant, rather the restaurant where Rengoku always eats.
"The usual?" asked the man over the counter. There was an accommodating smile present on his face as he asked.
"Yes!" was Rengoku's cheerful reply. "And serve my friend here, Tomioka, your best sweet potatoes!"
"Sure do!"
Mitsuko doesn't know how and why, but she felt rather exhausted just watching the exchange of the two. She was envious of their burst of energy. She wondered if she could have that cheerful and charismatic disposition again.
"Oh! Takehiko-kun! What an unexpected visit!" greeted the man. Mitsuko turned around and saw Hitoshi entering the restaurant.
"I was nearby so I decided to stop by. Ramen please."
The two locked their eyes with each other. Their mind buffered first before widening in recognition.
Hitoshi was the first to snap out of his trance and greeted, "Nice to see you well, Mitsuko."
"Same to you, Hitoshi."
Hitoshi turned to the Fire Pillar, offering his greetings as well. "I see you're eating here again, Rengoku-san."
"Of course! Why not?" Rengoku paused before asking, "Are you two in a relationship?"
Mitsuko, who was busy observing the place, choked on her own saliva. Hitoshi's hands flew in front of his face as he dismissed it repetitively in a wave.
"No, we're not! We're very good friends!"
Mitsuko snapped her head at Rengoku. "Why would you think of that, Rengoku-san?" Mitsuko has no plans of being in a relationship because she deemed she was young for her own good and she didn't want to spend her time worrying over her non-existent significant other.
"You two are on first name basis already."
Rengoku's and Mitsuko's sweet potatoes landed in front of them.
"If that's what you think, I'm alright with people calling me Mitsuko and that includes you, Rengoku-san."
"The same goes for me. People often call me Hitoshi because they think it suits me better than my last name."
"DELICIOUS!"
Mitsuko flinched at the sudden declaration of Rengoku. Hitoshi deadpanned and sighed, bracing himself for another session of "Delicious!"s of Rengoku.
Rengoku turned to Mitsuko, who is yet to eat her part. "Dig in!"
"Hai..." Mitsuko clapped her hands together. "Itadakimasu."
Hitoshi and Rengoku waited in anticipation as Mitsuko bite into the dish. They witnessed how the young Pillar's eyes widened in delight.
"It's delicious."
Hitoshi's ramen landed in front of him. He offered his gratitude before plunging into the blessing before him. He stole glances at Mitsuko with a smile. He was relieved she was enjoying herself at least quite a bit after what she had recently gone through.
"Hitoshi?" Mitsuko called out.
"DELICIOUS!"
Hitoshi hummed over Rengoku exclaims.
"Thanks for looking out for me."