You somehow end up lost in Japan, having little to no memory of your life before or any understanding of the land and people here. But you meet extraordinary individuals who, over time, become very important to your new life as you travel and fight...
The group begins to recover after the intense battle against Upper Moon Six, each member grappling with their own mix of thoughts and emotions. Not wanting to stay idle, it doesn't take long before you join one of the Hashira on a mission that quickly takes an unexpected turn, testing your resolve and relationship with them. When you return to the Butterfly Estate again, you share a tense but heartfelt moment with one of your companions—a quiet exchange that highlights the bonds you share with your friends amidst the chaos. It's during this quiet, reflective moment that the uncertainty of particular feelings begins to surface... and that's when things start to get a little complicated.
Ahhhh, it's finally here! The new chapter is up, and I hope you all enjoy it! It's a bit shorter than usual, but this is where the new update schedule comes into play! Based on the survey results, I'll be aiming for medium-length chapters (10-15k) with more intermediate updates (taking 3-4 weeks, give or take, depending on circumstances) moving forward. I hope you enjoy the change!
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The Butterfly Estate hummed with a quiet rhythm, the energy of recovery filling the air. The scent of medicine and herbs lingered in the warm light that filtered through the windows, softening the tension left in the wake of the battle of Yoshiwara. The sounds of hushed conversations and gentle footsteps could be heard as the workers moved about. It had only been about an hour and a half since everyone who had fought there returned to the estate, yet the weight of the battle still seemed to hang in the air. Zenitsu, his golden hair still damp from a recent wash, sat quietly with Inosuke in their room. His usual animated energy had settled into a subdued silence, his gaze fixed on the floor below him.
His hands were resting on his lap, the events of the fight replaying in his mind.
Inosuke sat on his bed, legs spread wide in his usual, almost reckless posture. His chest is heavily bandaged from the wounds he had sustained, but there's no sign of discomfort on his face. He's focused on the warmth of the room and the unusual silence that enveloped them. Every now and then, his gaze flicks towards Zenitsu, noticing the tension in his friend's shoulders. Inosuke throws one of the acorns he had stashed under his pillow at Zenitsu, but he is deep in thought, and it seems like nothing will pull him out of it. Zenitsu had fought well, beyond what he thought he was capable of. But now, in the quiet aftermath, a nagging doubt gnawed at him. Had he done enough?
Inosuke let out a low grunt, shifting in his bed. "What's up with you? You're all quiet. Usually, you're yelling about something."
Zenitsu blinked, looking up as if realizing where he was. He forced a weak smile, scratching the back of his neck. "Just... thinking. Nothing really important..." His voice trailed off, and he quickly looked back down at his hands.
Inosuke's eyes narrowed slightly. "You've been real quiet since we got back," he observed, his voice calmer than usual. "If you're not gonna talk about it, that's fine. But you're not fooling me."
