Chapter 199 The Season When Cherry Blossoms Bloom

—Three months later—

"So beautiful!"

Nezuko's voice was like a spring breeze, carrying the freshness and innocence unique to young girls. Leaning against the bed, she gently cupped her rosy cheeks with her hands, her eyes reflecting the cherry blossoms falling outside the window, like a pink dream, gently sprinkling into her world.

Upon hearing this, Tanjiro tilted his head slightly and nodded in agreement. Because of the cut, he was blind in one eye, and it was now just for decoration.

"That was dangerous! I heard that if it weren't for Shinobu-san having some medicine to restore humanity, I'd be done for." Tanjiro's voice was low, tinged with lingering fear and self-reproach. He lowered his eyes, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He felt like a burden in this battle, and that he had even used such a precious medicine. "Actually, it should have been given to Iwakatsu-san. Someone like me, dragging everyone down..."

"Hey, hey—don't wallow in self-pity. When Yoriichi and I weren't here, weren't you holding off Muzan with us?" Ichiro's voice rang out at the right moment. He leaned against the doorframe, frowning as he spoke. This voice startled Inosuke and Zenitsu, who were fast asleep. The two rubbed their sleepy eyes, their confusion revealing a hint of curiosity.

"Ichiro! How's your hand?" Tanjiro asked in surprise. Ichiro had left the Butterfly Mansion a month ago and was going to live with Yoriichi, Kokusatsu, and Muichiro.

"I'm pretty lucky. I can move and feel, but I'm not very flexible. It seems like there's some damage to my nervous system." Ichiro waved his hand, feeling that he was lucky compared to others.

"Ichiro, what brings you here all of a sudden?" Zenitsu lunged forward, only to be instantly pinned to the ground by Muichiro behind Ichiro. He pressed hard on Zenitsu's neck, then looked up and gave Tanjiro a smile.

"Tanjiro, my brother and I are here to congratulate Mr. Iguro and Sister Kanroji. We heard they got engaged."

"Eh—." Zenitsu exclaimed in surprise, quickly running back to Nezuko's side after Muichiro let go, his expression shocked: "Mitsuri-san is going to be with that pretty boy-looking man?"

"Zenitsu, you'll get beaten up if you keep doing that," Tanjiro said helplessly. Nezuko covered her mouth and chuckled, patting Zenitsu's head reassuringly. Looking at Muichiro, who was still clinging to Ichiro, Nezuko asked curiously, "Didn't Yoriichi-sensei and Kokushi-sensei come?"

"Ah, they went to see Lord Kiriya." Muichiro replied, playing with Ichiro's hair. They had just finished the final Pillars meeting when the two said they had something to do and asked them to leave first.

"I see..."

On the other side

"Why didn't you tell me, elder brother? I know where their graves are." Yoriichi paused after leaving the long corridor of the Ubuyashiki mansion, turned to look at Iwakatsu, his fiery red eyes filled with deep doubt and confusion.

"……Shut up."

He looked up at the sun high in the sky, and the dazzling light made him feel uncomfortable. He hadn't been in direct sunlight for a long time, and even as time passed, his fear and discomfort with the sun remained.

"Lord Kuro... Iwakatsu."

Hearing the familiar voice, Yan Sheng turned around, smiled gently at Kaigaku who was jogging over, and patted the other's head with a gesture full of care. "How have you been lately? How's the wound healing? I heard it was... a lung injury, is that right?"

"Thank you for your concern, I'm fine!!" Kaigaku's cheeks flushed slightly. His mood, which had been annoyed by being forced to visit Zenitsu, improved considerably at that moment.

However, at that moment, he suddenly felt a burning gaze fixed on him, making him extremely uncomfortable. He looked up in surprise and met Yoriichi's fiery red eyes. In that instant, he felt as if he were being terrified by an invisible force, his heart raced, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

"What's wrong?" Yan Sheng looked at Kaigaku, who was sweating profusely with a stiff expression, and turned around following his gaze. He saw Yoriichi with a blank expression and was puzzled.

"No, it's nothing. I'm going to the Butterfly Mansion now. Goodbye, Lord Iwakatsu."

Kaigaku felt that Yoriichi's gaze towards him was very subtle, so he thought it best to leave first. Seeing the other's flustered appearance and remembering Kaigaku's injured body, Iwakatsu couldn't help but say worriedly, "Be careful, there's time later... come visit me."

"Alright—." Kaigaku's voice faded into the distance. After watching his figure disappear into the distance, Iwakatsu turned to continue forward. However, at that moment, he met Yoriichi's unwavering eyes once again.

"Does your elder brother like that child very much?"

"...No."

"But you looked away."

"..." So annoying.

Under the scorching gaze, Iwakatsu strode forward to the group of tombstones. The place was serene and solemn, each tombstone bearing the weight of a past and a memory. Here, they encountered Shinobu Kocho, being pushed along by Kanao. She stood quietly before a tombstone, holding a bouquet of flowers and a butterfly hair clip, her face etched with a faint sadness and longing.

"Miss Ren."

“It’s Mr. Yoriichi and Mr. Iwakatsu.” Shinobu Kocho turned her head, her empty sleeves swaying gently with her movement, a warm smile on her face. “You both look great, that’s wonderful. It’s a real shame I couldn’t be of much help during the battle.”

"Master! No way!" Kanao couldn't help but retort upon hearing Shinobu's words. Shinobu chuckled, her smile as warm and bright as the spring sunshine. She looked at Kanao, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. Kanao was becoming more and more assertive; her sister would surely be very happy to know.

"If it weren't for Shinobu's help in developing the medicine, the damage would have been even greater," Yoriichi said earnestly, though his words didn't have much effect. Iwakatsu glanced at him hesitantly, then turned to look at the tombstone in front of Shinobu.

“This is my sister, and my stepsons…” Shinobu Kocho raised her hand to stroke them and said softly, “I want to tell them myself that we won.”

"The flowers are beautiful, they'll be very happy." Iwakatsu said, his voice filled with respect and remembrance for the deceased. Shinobu nodded, looking at the two with some curiosity. After all, those they knew were still alive, and she couldn't help but wonder about the purpose of their trip.

"Why did you two suddenly come here?" she asked softly, her tone tinged with concern and curiosity.

“I’ve come to visit my good friend, the first Water Pillar,” Iwakatsu replied, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

Shinobu Kocho nodded and pointed the way for the two. Iwakatsu and Yoriichi walked slowly, their eyes constantly scanning the tombstones they passed, noticing how old and worn they were. They had originally thought Akio would be buried in the Rengoku family, since he was an adopted son, but when they arrived there, they only found Shujuro. Akio had left behind only a wooden plaque representing his identity and his surname from the family genealogy.

Yan Sheng looked at the old but clean tombstone, squatted down to examine it, reached out and touched the indentation engraved with Kawakami Akio, and sighed.

"Qiusheng...I've come to see you."