- Y/n Tsugikuni -

Chapter 6 - Aftermath -

Butterfly Mansion – Midday

“Your wounds aren’t healed. You shouldn’t be walking around like this.”
Y/n’s voice was tired, quiet—but there was concern threaded through it as he glanced over at Tanjiro.

“I could say the same to you, big brother,” Tanjiro chuckled with a small, sheepish smile.

Y/n gave the ghost of a smile back, though his eyes didn’t match it. “Yeah, well… guess neither of us listens too well.”

Inside the mansion, Kiyo nearly dropped a tray of bandages as she rushed through the hallway. Zenitsu was mid-sprint with a stolen bun in his mouth and nearly collided with her.

“W-Whoa! What’s wrong—?”

“K-Kanroji-san just saw Tsugikuni-san and Tanjiro-kun leave! They’re both gone!”

The tray clattered. The bean bun hit the floor.

Within seconds, the sound of a chair scraping across wood came from the back room.

“They what?”
Shinobu’s voice carried without needing to shout.

She stepped out of the room with cold precision. “You let them walk out while they’re both barely stitched together?” she asked Aoi.

Aoi shook her head, flustered. “We didn’t even know—Kiyo saw them leaving, but by the time we got outside—”

Shinobu pinched the bridge of her nose. A soft breath. Controlled.

“Tch. That idiot… If he tears his stitches again, I’ll kill him myself.”

But she didn’t move to chase them. Instead, she turned back toward her desk, muttering under her breath:

“...Just like him to leave without saying goodbye.”

---

Rengoku Estate – Late Afternoon

Y/n and Tanjiro followed the Kasugai crow’s path down the familiar stone trail. The late afternoon sun bled through the trees as they approached the Rengoku estate.

Senjuro was sweeping the steps. His head shot up when he spotted them. His eyes lit up—briefly.

“A-Ah! Tsugi-san!” He ran over, still gripping the broom. “Tanjiro-san too! You’re both—wait, are you okay?”

“We’re alright,” Y/n said gently, offering a small nod. “A bit roughed up. But we had to come.”

Senjuro blinked, sensing something in Y/n’s expression. A strange quiet. His voice came out smaller. “You both… look really pale.”

Y/n crouched a little, placing a hand on Senjuro’s shoulder. “It’s been rough. That’s all.”

Before Senjuro could answer, the door creaked open.

“Tsugikuni. You again?”

Shinjuro stood in the doorway, arms crossed. His tone wasn’t drunk—just sharp.

“I’m starting to believe you’re making a habit of this.”

Y/n stayed calm, his hand still on Senjuro’s shoulder. “You asked for me. I’m just here because of that.”

Shinjuro stared for a moment. Then turned back into the house without a word.

Senjuro sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “He’s… been like this. Less yelling, more... keeping it in. Ever since… you... you know.”

“I know.” Y/n gave a faint smile and ruffled his hair. “Let’s go inside, okay?”

Inside the Rengoku Home