Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Flames

Chapter 21: Road to the Mugen Train

"So, you're leaving for a mission huh?" Aoi said with the same face. "Well, I hope for the best that you come back home. You surely have a reason to." She then looks at the Kamado siblings playing. "So please be careful."

"I couldn't be more thankful Aoi." Nezuko said thankfully. "It's because of your care, we're able to fight again."

"I'm unable to do much unlike you guys and Miss Shinobu. I'm not like many of the demon slayers. I was just a wimp who got lucky during Final Selection. I was too afraid to go to the frontlines." Aoi was indeed shameful of herself. But Nezuko refused to believe that. "Don't worry about it. You were able to help us get back to shape and make our family happy. Your emotions and feelings, I'll carry them with me in battle."

Her entire life, Aoi lived without making a single friend after her real family was slaughtered by demons. But after spending time with Nezuko, Tanjiro, and Inosuke these past two months, she realized that she finally made friends. "So don't worry! If we're injured again, we'll put our faith into your care!!" Nezuko then ran to change into her uniform.

Meanwhile Tanjiro spots Kanao sitting alone. "Hey Kanao. We'll be leaving for a mission. Thank you for everything." Kanao didn't respond. "It's amazing how you're a Tsuguko and we're part of the same Final Selection survivors. We'll do our best and get stronger."  Kanao still kept her smile, but then she reached for a coin, and flicked it in the air. As it lands on her hand, see looks to see what side it lands on and looks at Tanjiro.

"I merely just followed my master's orders. I don't need any of your thanks. Farewell." 

But Tanjiro was curious on Kanao flipping her coin. "How come you flipped your coin before you talked to me?"

"I use it to decide whenever I'm not given instructions. I decided whether or not I should talk to you. If it was heads, I refused to talk to you. If it was tails, I would speak to you."

"Kanao, why can't you decide on your own? What happened to you?"

"It doesn't really matter anymore. I'm unable to make any decisions for myself."

"But it's very different when it comes to Zenitsu."

That caught Kanao off guard, but she still kept her face the same. "That's because, he holds a special place in my heart. He was the very first person to see me as a human being instead of trash. He felt like a brother I can rely on."

"I'm sure that the world around you can't just resolve around one coin. I can feel a small voice in your heart Kanao. But you are abided to follow your orders." Tanjiro then had an idea. "Hey, can I see your coin for a moment?"

"Uh, sure." Kanao was hesitant but gave it to Tanjiro. He ran out into the yard. "I'll flip the coin myself and settle this." Tanjiro said. "Settle what?" Kanao replied.

"On whether or not you'll listen to your heart! I'm going to try and make you truly free Kanao!" Tanjiro then flips the coin in the air, but it went up too high and he lost it in the sun. "Gah! I flipped it too high! Heads! I'm calling heads! If it lands on heads, live with your heart's wishes Kanao!"

Tanjiro catches the coin, but Kanao was feeling anxious. 'I couldn't see what it was, because he had back turned on me.' Tanjiro lifts his hand revealing the coin landing on heads. "YEEEEEESSS!" He returns the coin to Kanao but then surprises her by grabbing her hand. "Kanao, people are always driven by the desires in their heart! Si use them to grow even stronger! Good Luck!! We're heading off now!" As he walks away, Kanao stopped him. "Wait! H-How exactly did you make it land on heads?!" She had a feeling that he didn't cheat but was confused on how it happened.