~# Keep the chapters coming — Support with Power Stones!
<><><><><><><><>
At Home
"Mom! Reika! I'm back!"
"Big brother, we're home!"
Kaidō noticed the small girl following his mother and sister.
He recognized her immediately: the girl who was supposed to enter Inosuke's dream.
'Why is she in my dream instead? She should be with Inosuke...'
"It's you," Kaidō said, looking at the girl behind his family.
"Big brother, you know her?" Reika asked curiously.
"We're acquaintances. Since she's here, she's our guest. I've already prepared plenty of food—come sit down and help celebrate my sister's birthday!"
The moment Kome saw Kaidō, an overwhelming pressure washed over her. But to complete Enmu's task, she forced herself to endure it.
—————————
That Evening
After dinner, night had fallen. Outside, the streets blazed with light—streetlamps and storefront signs illuminating the entire neighborhood.
Kaidō brought out the cake and placed it on the table, lighting the candles.
"Reika, make a wish!"
"Okay!" Reika pressed her palms together, closed her eyes, and wished silently before blowing out the candles.
"What did you wish for? Can you tell your big brother?"
"Nope~! Not telling you, dummy! Hehe!"
"Alright, you two! Honestly, you're like an old married couple with all this bickering. Time to cut the cake!" Their mother smiled fondly at the playful exchange.
"Yes, Mom!" they replied in unison.
"Here, Reika—the biggest piece for our birthday girl. This one's for Mom. Kome, this one's yours. And I'll take this tiny slice!"
"Thank you, big brother!"
Kome accepted the cake slice, murmuring her thanks.
"Go ahead and eat, Kome! My brother ordered this from a special bakery—it's delicious!" Reika encouraged.
Kome took a bite. The sweetness melted on her tongue. But watching this warm, loving family before her, tears suddenly streamed down her cheeks.
"What's wrong, child? Are you feeling unwell?" Kaidō's mother asked with immediate concern.
"I... I miss my family..." Kome sobbed.
"You poor thing! You must have suffered so much!" His mother pulled Kome into a gentle embrace.
—————————
After finishing the cake and cleaning up, Reika helped their mother wash dishes in the kitchen.
"Kome, come with me. There's somewhere I want to show you." Kaidō gestured toward the hallway.
"Y-yes..." Kome stood and followed him toward the entrance.
Hearing movement, Reika rushed out from the kitchen. "Big brother!"
"What is it, Reika?"
"Nothing... it's just..." Tears welled in her eyes. "Will you come back?"
Kaidō pulled his sister into a warm hug. "Yes. I don't know what you've figured out, but I will return. I haven't fulfilled my promise to you yet."
"I believe you." She sniffled. "You wanted to know my wish, right? I'll tell you secretly!"
She whispered into his ear. Kaidō smiled gently.
"I'll make that wish come true."
"I'll wait for you!"
He took Kome's hand and led her toward the rooftop. Behind them, Reika waved goodbye.
—————————
The Rooftop
Kaidō opened the door.
Kome gasped at what lay beyond.
An endless sea of flowers stretched to the horizon. A single tree stood in the distance, a vine swing hanging from its branches.
A warm breeze swept across the field. Kome felt its gentle touch—and for the first time in so long, her heart began to calm.
Kaidō guided her to the swing and began pushing gently from behind.
"Why... why are you leaving?" Kome finally asked the question burning inside her. "Isn't this dream beautiful?"
"Dreams can be beautiful or terrible. But dreams are just dreams. When you wake up, reality remains unchanged." His voice was kind but firm. "Short-term pain is better than prolonged suffering. Leaving now means we can reunite properly later."
"But in the dream, you can have everything you want! You can be with your family!" Kome protested.
"If you live in a dream forever, what makes you different from the dead?" Kaidō's words struck deep. "What about the future your deceased loved ones entrusted to you? How will you carry that forward?"
The question resonated through Kome's soul.
She swung back and forth, gazing at the boundless flower field. Slowly, understanding bloomed within her.
But remembering the warm scene with Kaidō's family earlier made tears flow again.
"Sob..."
"It's okay to cry. Sometimes crying helps." Kaidō embraced her from behind, stroking her head soothingly, letting her release her pain.
—————————
Back in the Train Carriage
Nezuko tumbled out of her wooden box, confused by the scene before her.
She tried shaking Tanjiro awake—no response. After a moment of thought, she headbutted his forehead.
BONK!
"...Ow!" It took several seconds before Nezuko realized her own head was bleeding.
Tears welled up. She began crying—and her blood ignited with flames, engulfing both herself and Tanjiro.
"AHHHHH!! Huff... huff..." Tanjiro bolted upright, gasping.
"!!" Nezuko jumped back, startled by his scream.
"I'm... I'm alive??" He clutched his throat. The sensation of death had felt completely real.
"Nezuko! Are you okay... what's this?" He noticed the burned rope on his wrist, smelling demon essence on it.
"The tickets... of course. The tickets also carry the demon's scent. We were hypnotized when they were checked. Such powerful Blood Demon Art from just a faint smell!"
"Kaidō! Rengoku! Zenitsu! Inosuke! Wake up! Who are these kids? Why are they tied with ropes?"
As Tanjiro moved to cut the ropes with his blade, instinct screamed at him to stop.
"Right! Nezuko, please burn all these ropes!"
"Mm-hmm!" Nezuko's flames consumed the bindings.
"Zenitsu! Inosuke! Wake up!"
"Hehehe~ Nezuko-chan! Kaidō-chan! Hehe, so soft," Zenitsu drooled in his sleep, clearly having pleasant dreams.
"Mm-mm!" Nezuko looked up at Tanjiro proudly, seeking praise.
"Good girl! Thank you, Nezuko!"
Suddenly, killing intent erupted from behind. Tanjiro spun, shielding Nezuko as he dodged.
"Don't interfere with my dreams! This is your fault! Why did you wake me up??" A girl in a green kimono brandished a sharp awl, eyes burning with fury.
'What? She's doing this willingly??' Tanjiro realized with shock.
Another boy stood up, gripping his own awl menacingly.
"Wake up and help already! I don't care about your tuberculosis or whatever! If you don't get moving, I'll tell that gentleman and you'll lose your dreams forever!"
"Kome! Wake up right now! Don't you want to see your family again??"
—————————
In Kaidō's Dream
"Thank you... for letting me feel the warmth of family one more time." Sitting on the swing, embraced by Kaidō's warmth, Kome felt no regrets.
"Then it's time we both woke up. I have a battle to fight. I have something very important left to finish. I must protect them."
"Before you go... can you tell me your name?"
"Kaidō. We probably won't meet again after this. But I hope you'll live happily from now on!"
"Thank you, Kaidō-niisan!"
Watching the scene fade, Kaidō activated Demonic Eye, bringing Kome with him as they left the dream together.
[Ding! Preserving moment in time... Preservation complete.]
<><><><><><><><>
~# 18 Advanced Chapters Available on my Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
~# Every 200 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter!
~# Add to Library!