Prelude to the Wedding of Water and Moon
The journey to the city was a test of tempering, not only allowing Shiro to finally break free from the shadows of the past but also solidifying the bond between her and Giyuu through life and death. Returning to the familiar Tomioka residence, the trust and reliance that had been built upon their shared experiences of danger naturally transformed into an intimacy that permeated their daily lives.
The change happened quietly. It started with the casual touch of fingertips when handing tea after training, or the disappearance of distance between shoulders while watching the moon on the porch at night. Then one evening, while combing Bai's silver hair, Yiyong was combing her hair with exceptional gentleness and slowness. He suddenly stopped.
Bai turned around in confusion, only to see Yiyong tilt his head slightly, his ears flushed. His voice was a little deeper than usual, with a hint of subtle nervousness:
"You...are alone at night. If you have nightmares again, or your energy becomes unstable...I won't be able to detect it easily." He paused, as if he had made up his mind. He turned his gaze to her. Although his cheeks were still slightly red, his eyes were very serious. "Why don't you...move to my room. It will be easier to take care of you."
The air seemed to freeze for a moment. Bai was stunned for a moment, then a blush spread rapidly from her neck to her cheeks, her heart pounding like a drum. She looked into Yiyong's blue eyes, which feigned composure but betrayed nervousness. What surged within her wasn't shyness, but a warmth so overwhelming it threatened to overflow.
Without any hesitation, she nodded gently, her voice as soft as a mosquito's whisper, but clearly audible: "...Okay."
Thus, Bai's bedding, pillow, and her scattered small belongings quietly appeared in Yiyong's originally simple and almost empty room. Without much words, the two of them tacitly laid out the bedding side by side.
On their first night together, they were both a little stiff, as if an invisible barrier separated them. But in deep sleep, the body always honestly seeks out warmth. Before they knew it, Bai's head rested on Yiyong's arm, and his arm naturally wrapped around her waist. The next morning, waking up to find themselves in each other's embrace, they both blushed, but neither of them let go.
Since then, a certain tacit ritual has been established.
Every morning, when the first ray of sunlight filtered through the window, Yiyong would always, in that hazy light, gently kiss Bai's forehead or lips, waking her up with a gentle "good morning kiss." And every night, before falling asleep, there would always be a gentle kiss goodnight.
When Bai's energy was slightly depleted from training or emotional upheaval, without her even asking, Giyuu would tilt his head, exposing the side of his neck. He would lean in, his fangs piercing his skin briefly and gently, replenishing her blood while his reassuring presence enveloped her. This was no longer simply a sustenance, but a deeply intimate ritual that sustained their lives and emotions.
The days flow by in this sticky and warm daily routine, and the ambiguous atmosphere in the air becomes increasingly stronger, like a ripe fruit, just waiting to be picked.
Finally, on a moonlit night, the two lay side by side in their quilt, listening to the subtle chirping of insects outside the window. Yiyong suddenly turned over and, in the darkness, quietly gazed at the soft profile of her face under the white moonlight.
"Bai." He called softly.
"Hmm?" Bai turned her head and met his unusually bright eyes.
Yiyong took a deep breath, as if mustering up the greatest courage of his life. His cheeks flushed clearly in the moonlight, but he did not look away. He asked clearly and solemnly, word by word:
"Are you willing to be my wife?"
Time seemed to stop at this moment.
Bai's eyes suddenly widened, her dark pupils filled with disbelief and shock. She even wondered if she was dreaming. Becoming Giyu-senpai's... wife?
However, seeing the unprecedented tension, anticipation, and unmistakable affection buried deep within his eyes, a huge, tsunami-like sense of happiness instantly overwhelmed her, dispelling all the sense of unreality.
Tears welled up without warning, but that was because she was too happy. She nodded vigorously, her voice choked with emotion: "Yes! I do! Giyu-senpai!"
Hearing her affirmative answer, Yiyong's tense body instantly relaxed, a feeling of relief and great joy spreading in his eyes. He reached out and carefully wiped away her tears, but his ears turned even redder. He continued a little clumsily, but with great sincerity:
"Then... let's pick a date and hold the wedding." He seemed to think it wasn't formal enough, so he added, "I'll... report to the lord, and... send invitations to the other pillars."
He announced to all his companions that Haku Yinji would be the only wife of Giyu Tomioka in his life.
Bai looked at him, who rarely showed so many emotions, and burst into laughter. She nodded vigorously again, threw herself into his arms, and hugged him tightly.
"Um!"
Moonlight gently filled the room, bearing witness to the lovers' final, lifelong vows. Within Tomioka's residence, an unprecedented sweetness, the scent of happiness, permeated the air.
The next day, invitations with the scent of ink and solemn handwriting were delivered to each pillar by Yin's team members.
Butterfly House.
Shinobu Kocho unfolded the invitation card with a dark blue background and looked at the names "Giyu Tomioka" and "Haku Inji" listed side by side, as well as the words "Wishing to tie the knot and invite you to be the witness". Her purple eyes first widened slightly, and then turned into a gentle smile that showed understanding and deep blessings.
"Ah, finally said it? Mr. Tomioka." She whispered to herself, her fingertips lightly brushing over the two names, "That's great, Bai." She carefully put the invitation away and began to think about what kind of gift to prepare.
training ground.
Mitsuri Kanroji was doing her daily exercise when she received the invitation from the Hidden Team member and opened it curiously. The next second, her emerald green eyes widened, her cheeks flushed, and she let out a short, excited scream:
"Ah--!!! Mr. Tomioka and Miss Shiro!!! Are they getting married?!!" She jumped up excitedly, clutching the invitation card tightly against her chest with both hands, tears of extreme emotion flashing in her eyes, "Great! So romantic! I knew it! They are such a perfect match!!" She had already begun to imagine the scene of the wedding day in her mind, and which of the most beautiful clothes she should wear to attend.
Headquarters corridor.
Fuzukawa Shima frowned and ripped the envelope open almost roughly. When he saw the contents, his frown deepened, and he uttered an ambiguous smack of the tongue: "Tsk... That Tomioka, he's actually serious..." He said this, but he didn't throw the invitation away. Instead, he scratched his frizzy white hair in annoyance, looked in the direction of Tomioka's house with a complicated expression, and finally snorted coldly and stuffed the invitation into his arms.
A corner of the courtyard.
Iguro Obanai quietly read the invitation, his bandaged face expressionless, but in his one exposed, heterochromatic eye, a faint flicker of emotion, something like "As expected." He glanced at Mitsuri, who, excitedly receiving the invitation, was chattering nonstop to Kosumi and Kokiho about how wonderful Shiro was. His gaze softened for a moment, and he carefully put the invitation away.
temple.
Beiming Island Xingming stroked the edge of the invitation with his thick fingers, tears streaming as usual: "Amitabha... Tomioka Giyu... Yinji Haku... This is a fate that has finally achieved a positive result after going through hardships... It is truly a cause for celebration... I... will definitely prepare generous gifts and pray for the two of them..."
The Xiazhu Mansion.
Tokito Muichiro stared blankly at the invitation in his hand, tilting his head in thought for a long time. "Tomioka...? Shiro...?" He blinked, as if suddenly remembering something. "Ah, it's that always serious Water Pillar and the silver-haired lady." He casually placed the invitation on the table and continued to stare blankly.
Purgatory House.
"Hmm! This is such great news!" Rengoku Kyojuro's booming voice echoed throughout the mansion. He held up the invitation, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Giyuu has finally gotten it! Shiro is a good girl! We must celebrate!"
At the same time, Giyu and Shiramasa were kneeling side by side in the Japanese-style room of the Ubuyashiki residence.
Although Ubuyashiki Kōya couldn't see, a genuine smile of relief filled his face. He looked at the young couple in front of him, his voice gentle yet powerful:
"Yiyong, Bai, congratulations." His words were like a spring breeze, carrying the most sincere blessings. "To be able to find each other in this chaotic world and to walk hand in hand firmly is such a precious fate. I am sincerely happy for you."
His voice became more solemn: "I hope that your union can be like water and the moon, reflecting each other, relying on each other, and giving each other the courage and strength to move forward. The Demon Slayer Corps will always be your backing and your home."
Receiving the Lord's approval and blessing, Bai leaned forward excitedly, his voice choked with sobs: "Thank you very much, Lord!"
Yiyong also bowed deeply. Although he remained silent, his tightly grasped hand of Bai and his slightly reddened ears showed his inner turmoil.
As the two left the Ubuyashiki residence, sunlight bathed them in a golden glow, their future ablaze with life. Invitations had been sent, blessings had been received, and with their family and friends as witnesses, they were about to officially become husband and wife, embarking on a new chapter in their lives.
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