Butterflies' Dance - [A Kimetsu No Yaiba Full Story]

Chapitre 21

   Days passed.

   What was it ? A matter of weeks before the date of the representation would arrive.

   Nothing had changed. Zenitsu had disappeared for sure, the triplets would not come back, and even if she got better, Miss Kocho was injured. The gloomy atmosphere would not withdraw with the bickering of Aoi and Inosuke nor with... anything, really.

   It felt empty, dull. Like walking in a haunted house where the ghosts had flown away.

   One day, as they were walking around the former opera, having completed the chores the cook reluctantly gave them, Tanjiro smelled a hint of despair. It came from the kitchen, where they were heading.

   Sitting, hair falling like an ink river, bangs covering her eyes, it was not difficult to understand she was the one crying from the trembling fists on her lap, and the water streaming down her cheeks, usually not that pink. Her friend was by her side, folding laundry, and listening, sometimes muttering some words of comfort, despite it not being her strong suit.

   This vulnerable, it made his heart sting, and he had to step out.

 "Kanao."

   Her name sounded like a departing butterfly from his lips, so soft, easily rolling on his tongue.

   She raised her head and tried to wipe off the evidence of her emotions. Why would she want to hide it ?

 "No need to be insecure, Kanao. I understand how it feels. After all, Nezuko and I lost our family too."

   They sat down on the wooden chairs. Being next to her, he could perceive her sweet odor, intoxicating, making his skin tingle : Lily of the Valley, rose and cyclamen. Flush raised to his cheek. He was not perverted, however, being this close to a girl made him sheepish and increased his heartbeats.

  No, not any girl.

  Kanao.

   He gulped down, hesitating, before rubbing his calloused hand on her back.

 "Do not get too worried. You heard the doctors. She will be fine."

 - No. Maybe if I was there... I was the one who was supposed to be there. But she took my place. If it had been me..."

   And she sobbed again.

 "Pull yourself together, Kanao." Sharp, but not annoyed. "She is fine. She would certainly not want you to be hurt, nor believe that you should take the blame. If they took you under their wings, it is because they wanted you to be happy, not upset." Aoi exhaled, crouching, putting a hand on her knee. "And they knew you had much potential."

   Scented smoke brought Aoi to her senses, and she stood. The Mythical Purple orbs turned towards the siblings.

 "I am sorry. You must be disoriented. I was adopted by the Kocho sisters when I was younger. I was... mistreated. Unfortunately, everything good comes to an end. Do you know what happened ?" She took out the coin. "Do you know why it closed ?" Clenching it. "Do you know why I can't make decisions by myself ? Why I regret it so much ?"

   Her teary gaze met theirs. She smiled sadly, putting in their hand the gold piece.

 "I am a coward. That is why." The glimmer in her eyes vanished. "I have never done a single thing to help or protect what was dear to me. My sister died in front of my eyes. But I was too much of a– I did not save her."

   Her lips quivered :
 "I wish I could have done something. I will never be able to forgive myself for that."

   Metal clang, and if Aoi gave all of them a terrifying glare, she was also emotional, and left without a second glance.

 "Aoi..." was a whisper.

 - Let her. She is prideful; she would refuse to be thought as useless." She lowered the hand to grab his sleeve. She took a deep breath, trying to steady it, to ignore the shivers running on her spine. "If we have been attacked before, the murder was the final straw. The opera closed for good."

 - And this representation would have helped you all." the feathery voice of Nezuko finished

   Their interlocutor nodded.

  Light.

   The air was lighter, their hearts too. He let his mouth unwrap the guilt weighting on his shoulders.

 "I do not know exactly how it was, but our entire family was murdered. Nezuko is the only one who survived."

   The fact that he wasn't there when it happened, that, as the eldest son, he could have defended his family made his chest tighter.

 "And I am glad she did. She is a strong girl, talented."

  You, as well.

 "Our mother was the one who pushed us to do what made us happy. She was the one who initiated Nezuko to dancing. She also taught us to write and read ; I must admit she was exceedingly good at it. I wonder if she never done it before."

   He closed his eyes, seeing again the loving face of his mother.

 "It is something we still have trouble to talk about, it is still clinging to us. But we want to make it change. To let them rest in peace. At the end of the day, our loved ones stay in our hearts and memory, right ?"

   Silence followed this heartfelt speech.

   Perhaps it was not that bad, it was a comfortable silence. A mutual understanding silence. Right ?

 "Oh !" Her body was straight, as straight as a line, her eyes lost somewhere. She got up, rushing out of the room.

 - Did I frighten her ?" Tanjiro scratched his neck, confused by her leaving the room so suddenly. "Sometimes, thou shouldest tell me to shut it, Nezuko." he complained

   Small steps were heard again. In her pale hands, there was a paper. Torn out at the edges, a paper nonetheless.

 "Wh... What was your mother's name ?"

 - Kamado Kie. Why ?"

   She frowned cutely.

 "Did you ever heard of a nickname for her ?"

 - My father called her the arm ripper someti–" His lungs were emptied from air as a fist landed on his back.

   The furious look in his sister eyes scared him.

   She looked at them. Her voice started softly :

 "The Adagio Legend was my eldest sister's inspiration." Kanao placed the little poster, signed by the dancer featuring on it, on the table for them to see.

   It was her.

   Author's Note : Also, just so you know, I'll take a break before the last chapter. Not the epilogue (or possible special chapters), the 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 chapter. Sooo number 25, I guess.

  Yes, we're that close to the end.

 Until next time ! ( ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)/~