After leaving the Kamado residence, Si Shu and Yoriichi came to a fork in the road.
To go east, or to go west. For a long time, the two stood there, unmoving. They both knew this parting could be for a lifetime. If fate was not kind to them, they might never meet again in this life. Even if they could, who knew how many years it would be.
Having lived together for nearly ten years, neither Si Shu nor Yoriichi wanted to see this happen. But for them, separating was the most efficient method. As long as Muzan was dealt with, everything they were doing now would be worth it.
In the end, it was Si Shu who moved first. He picked up a small stone from the ground and carved a line on one side. The line was heads, the blank side was tails.
"Heads for east, tails for west. I choose heads," Si Shu said, handing the stone to Yoriichi.
Looking at the small, fingernail-sized stone in his hand, Yoriichi's heart was filled with complex emotions. He clenched his fists. If he had a choice, he wouldn't want his student to walk the same path as him. No matter what choices he had made, Si Shu had always supported him silently. Even if he had to bear the mission of killing Muzan for the rest of his life, he had never said a single word of protest.
With a small smile, Si Shu gently closed Yoriichi's hand around the stone. "Master, toss it."
Yoriichi paused, lowered his head slightly, and then flicked his arm upward. The tiny stone flew into the air, tumbled a few times, rolled on the ground, and came to a stop.
Facing up was the side with the carved line.
"Looks like I win," Si Shu said with a smile, turning to walk east.
Smack.
Yoriichi grabbed his arm and took something out from his robes, handing it to him. It was a crudely made flute. The material wasn't great, and the shape was a bit ugly. But Si Shu knew this was the flute Michikatsu had made for Yoriichi when they were children. Yoriichi giving him this flute said more than words ever could.
"Live on. I'll be waiting for you to return this to my hands," Yoriichi said, then turned to leave.
"Wait." Si Shu stopped him and took something out from his own robes. It was the small box he had found before leaving the Corps. Inside were the drawings of his first seven years with Yoriichi. He handed the box to his master. "It wouldn't be fair to be one-sided. I'll be waiting for you to return this to me, Master."
Yoriichi stroked Si Shu's head and placed the box in his robes. He then turned and walked west.
After putting the flute away, Si Shu watched his master's retreating figure. He then turned and walked east. The night wind blew gently, a bit cold, a bit lonely. It wiped away the tears of the two swordsmen and carried their hopes to each other's hearts.
Let us meet again one day!
Winters came and summers went. The sun rose and the moon fell. New lives were born, and old lives passed away. Generation after generation, the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps changed. Demon after demon was slain.
Now, sixty years had passed.
At night, in a small tavern, a young man was eating and drinking. He looked to be around twenty years old, with a slender build and a face so handsome it was otherworldly. His short black hair was as deep as the night, and a sharp glint would occasionally flash in his star-like eyes. A faint smile hung on his lips, as if he could look upon the world with amusement. Though he appeared very young, his entire being exuded a unique charm.
At this moment, a drunkard in the tavern started chatting with his companion. "Hey, hey, did you hear? They say in a few days, a red moon will appear at night."
"A red moon? You're drunk, aren't you? Spouting such nonsense."
"Tch, believe it or not. You'll see when the time comes."
Seeing his companion's disbelief, the drunkard said no more. But the young man seemed to be drawn by his words and walked over. "I'm curious about the red moon you mentioned. Could you tell me more?"
"Sure, I've got nothing better to do," the drunkard said, squinting and hiccupping. "But kid, what's your name? I haven't seen you around here."
"I'm just an idle wanderer, only recently traveled to these parts." The young man strapped the sword from the table to his waist and smiled faintly. "My name is... Si Shu."
After getting more details from the drunkard, Si Shu left the tavern. He strolled down the street, occasionally looking at the vendors on both sides. This place has become so prosperous. I remember when I came here over thirty years ago, it was a deserted wasteland. If any ordinary person heard this, they would be terrified. A man in his twenties who had been here over thirty years ago... how old was he really?
Arriving at an inn, Si Shu planned to rest for a bit. Just then, a cry of alarm came from outside. "Oh my god, they're fighting!"
At first, Si Shu thought it was just a common brawl, but then he suddenly felt an incredibly familiar aura. An aura that shared the same origin as his, hot as the sun itself.
This feeling... there's no mistaking it.
The receptionist at the counter saw Si Shu's strange expression and asked in a low voice, "Sir, would you still like a room?"
"Ah, my apologies. Please wait a moment."
Snapping out of his thoughts, Si Shu ran outside. The once-busy street was now crowded with people forming a circle. A faint moan could be heard from within. Listening closely, Si Shu understood what had happened. A local ruffian had been causing trouble but had picked on the wrong person. He had tried to bully an old man but was instantly taken down. Although the old man had held back, the ruffian's arm had been broken on a stone on the ground.
"Excuse me, please let me through." His gentle aura instantly changed. An aura as hot as the sun erupted, and the people standing near him backed away as if from a scorching furnace, creating a path.
Walking through the opening, Si Shu saw the two people standing inside. Ignoring the moaning ruffian on the ground, his gaze was completely fixed on the old man.
He had white hair, an aged face, and his exposed skin was like withered branches. On his left forehead and next to his left eye were two flame-like marks. A sword was also strapped to his waist.
The moment he saw the old man, Si Shu's outwardly-projected aura instantly vanished, retracting back into his body. His eyes reddened slightly, and a tear slid down his face.
"It's been a long time... Master."
-------
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