James and Mitsuri's wedding day arrived exactly as scheduled.
Because both families lived modestly, the wedding was not grand or extravagant. Still, every small detail revealed the sincerity and care both families had poured into the ceremony. Nothing was excessive, yet nothing was lacking.
Mitsuri wore a pure white shiromuku, her head covered with a kakushi, making her appear gentle, innocent, and breathtakingly beautiful. Standing beside her, James wore a white haori and hakama, his posture straight and calm, his presence steady and reliable.
A Shinto priest stood on the raised platform, chanting blessings and offering prayers to the gods. After completing the San-San-Kudo ritual, the couple signed their marriage contract before their relatives and friends and publicly declared their vows.
It was the first marriage for both of them.
They were nervous—but everything went smoothly.
By the time the ceremony ended, James felt no physical exhaustion at all.
However, the smile on his face had grown slightly stiff from politeness and repeated greetings.
Kyojuro had wanted to attend his big brother and sister-in-law's wedding, but duty prevented him from leaving. Instead, he sent an extremely generous gift.
Families with long histories like the Rengoku household possessed deep financial foundations. Simply put—they were wealthy. Very wealthy.
No member of the Demon Slayer Corps ever truly worried about money. Especially the Hashira, whose needs were always provided directly by the Master.
That alone explained why every generation's Master was revered by the entire Corps.
The true source of this wealth came from the Ubuyashiki family's inherited foresight, which allowed them to stay ahead of social and industrial change for generations.
---
Later that night, Mitsuri sat on the bed, happily opening gifts and carefully placing them into her dowry chest. Despite the exhausting wedding process, her body showed no sign of fatigue.
"All right," James said, closing the lid of the box. "Stop acting like a hamster. It's late."
Then his gaze deepened.
"We should get down to business."
Mitsuri's cheeks instantly flushed red.
She had already received some vague education from an elder woman earlier that day. She wasn't completely ignorant—but now that the moment had arrived, her mind went blank.
"W-wait… let me take it off myself…"
"Relax," James replied calmly. "I'm very good at undressing people."
His fingers moved with practiced ease, tracing over her body, loosening layers one by one as naturally as peeling a boiled egg. In moments, only smooth, fair skin remained beneath the dim light, along with a face filled with shyness, nervousness, anticipation, and quiet fear.
What followed needed no description.
James possessed six times the strength of an ordinary man, and Mitsuri—who had always been careful with her own power—quickly realized she had been worrying too much.
For the first time, she could hold someone without restraint.
Without fear.
Without hesitation.
Crack.
James stiffened.
Mitsuri immediately curled into his arms, shrinking her neck and refusing to look at him, as if she had done something terribly wrong.
"It's fine," James said softly. "Just one bed slat broke."
James could endure Mitsuri's strength.
The bed clearly could not.
---
By morning, Mitsuri had changed.
Not just physically, but emotionally.
Some of her girlish innocence had faded, replaced by a gentle, mature glow that made her even more captivating.
---
A few days later, James's father approached him.
"Now that you're married," he said, "it's time you consider taking over the family business."
"I have other plans," James replied calmly.
"Electric lights."
His father froze.
"I already found a sponsor," James added. "But since you're my father, I'll give you a share."
After some thought, his father sighed and agreed.
"This will be the best investment of your life," James said confidently.
---
That sponsor was the Ubuyashiki family.
James had already sent a detailed letter explaining the concept of ultraviolet lamps. As he expected, the Master immediately grasped their importance.
What James didn't expect was that the Master would visit in person.
Despite objections from the Hashira, the Master insisted, traveling with only Kyojuro as his guard.
When James saw the wheelchair at his gate, he was briefly stunned before welcoming them inside.
Later, after tea and conversation, James finally spoke.
"I've completed the ultraviolet lamp. The only question is whether it truly works."
The Master smiled gently.
"I have a premonition," he said calmly.
"It will."
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