"Haah… haah… Father…♡"
The name that spilled from Kanao's lips was no longer that of a respected adoptive father; it was the call of a female yearning for her male.
Even when calling the man she loved, she still addressed him as Father.
That single word shattered the last lock of morality that had stood between them.
Akira lifted the trembling Kanao in a princess carry and carefully laid her down on the bed.
The soft mattress embraced her naked white body. Akira's touch was infinitely gentle and delicate, as if handling fragile glassware.
He kissed Kanao's wet eyelids, then moved down her nose to her trembling lips.
"You're beautiful, Kanao. You've grown so much. Without me knowing, you've become such a lovely flower."
"It's all… thanks to you raising me, Father. Because I grew up receiving your love…"
Kanao smiled shyly and wrapped her arms around Akira's neck.
Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would break her ribs.
The girl who had lost her emotions due to childhood abuse was no more.
Now, there was only a woman burning her entire body with passionate affection for the man before her.
Guilt? A sense of betrayal? Such things didn't matter.
At this moment, the only truths were that she was in the arms of the man she loved and relied on most in the world, and that he desired her as a woman.
"I won't hurt you. But I don't think I can stop. I'm already drunk on your scent."
Akira's low, rough voice tickled her ears and spread throughout her body.
"Yes, don't stop. It's okay if I break. Make me… from head to toe, completely yours, Father♡"
With those words, their bodies intertwined as one.
As Akira's hot member entered, Kanao arched her back and let out a short scream.
A strange sensation she had never felt before, a pain as if being torn apart, followed by a heavy, filling pressure.
The pain soon transformed into a pleasure that felt like melting.
From her mouth burst forth the loneliness, sorrow, and love that had been suppressed until now, along with moans.
"Ah! Ugh, Father♡ I love you…!"
"I love you too, Kanao."
Akira accepted everything about her.
Her past wounds, present sorrows, and future hopes.
The forbidden night burned white with the heat of the two.
So intense was their passionate love that even the moonlight outside seemed to hide behind the clouds in shame, making the night dense and affectionate.
How much time had passed? Dazzling dawn light streamed diagonally through the curtains, illuminating the bed.
Kanao struggled to lift her heavy eyelids.
Her whole body felt languid and sore as if beaten, but the fullness rising from deep within her chest was something she had never felt before.
"Are you awake?"
A tender voice came from beside her. Turning her head, she saw Akira lying with his chin propped up, looking at her lovingly.
On his firm chest, the scratch marks Kanao had left were imprinted like medals.
"...Ah, Father."
Kanao's face instantly turned as red as a ripe radish. Memories of how boldly she had clung to him and what embarrassing sounds she had made last night flashed through her mind like a panorama.
"Good morning, my pretty daughter. Or should I call you my woman now?"
Akira smiled playfully and tapped Kanao's nose.
"Don't tease me… I'm embarrassed…"
Kanao pulled the blanket over her face to hide, but even her ears sticking out were bright red.
Akira found her so adorable that he hugged her, blanket and all, and wouldn't let go.
"Was it hard? You cried a lot yesterday."
Akira's hand gently stroked Kanao's disheveled hair.
"...Yes. But I'm okay now. Because I've confirmed that you're by my side. I won't be lonely anymore."
Kanao pressed her ear against Akira's broad chest and listened to the regular, strong heartbeat.
Thump, thump, thump.
That sound was like the drumbeat of life, giving her the strength to live.
"Are you hungry? Let's go eat. Ushiwakamaru and Okita are probably waiting outside."
"Ah, yes! I'll get ready quickly!"
Kanao tried to jump up but staggered from the sharp pain shooting through her waist and pelvis.
"Ouch, be careful. I guess I was too rough yesterday. Don't push yourself today."
Akira hurriedly supported her. Kanao let out a happy cry and fell back into Akira's arms.
Even that pain felt like proof of his love, making her happy.
When they entered the living room, a lavish breakfast was already set on the table. Okita and Ushiwakamaru greeted them with mischievous expressions.
"Oh~ A new couple has emerged? Your face is glowing, Kanao-san."
Okita grinned, holding chopsticks in her mouth.
"Congratulations. You've finally become a true family. The sounds last night were so loud, I think we need to recheck the soundproofing of this mansion."
When Ushiwakamaru teased with a serious face, Kanao buried her face in her rice bowl and couldn't lift her head.
But she didn't mind the teasing. These were family members cheering on her love.
After the enjoyable meal time, it was now time to part.
"I should go now. The family at home is waiting. If I leave them too long, Kiyohime might start breathing fire."
Akira stood up from his seat.
"...Are you leaving already?"
Kanao's eyes were filled with regret. The warmth from last night was still vivid, and she couldn't believe she had to send him off so soon.
But she didn't throw a tantrum. She knew that Akira had other family members, and she had duties to fulfill in the Demon Slayer Corps.
Last night's indulgence was enough.
"Don't worry. I'll come see you anytime. And… if it gets hard, contact me anytime. I'll come running right away. Or anytime, I'll come see you even if it's through their bodies."
Akira hugged Kanao tightly and kissed her forehead deeply.
"I'll be back, Kanao."
"Yes… Goodbye, Father."
Kanao whispered in a small voice. Akira chuckled and waved his hand, then threw a talisman into the air to open a dimensional door.
Soon after he disappeared, silence returned to the room.
But it wasn't the same lonely silence as yesterday. It was a warm silence filled with the warmth and love Akira had left behind.
After Akira left, Kanao went into the bathroom and soaked in warm water. Then she stood in front of the mirror.
The woman in the mirror had become a completely different person from yesterday.
The dull, lifeless eyes from staying up for several nights were gone, replaced by eyes shining with the vitality and confidence unique to a woman who has been loved.
Her skin had a healthy flush, and a firm smile hung on her lips.
"...I can do it."
She put on her cloak.
The reality of the Butterfly Mansion would still be a mess.
The ignorant members would still be clueless, the rigid regulations would hold her back, and the endless screams of patients would continue.
Nothing had changed.
But Kanao had changed.
She was no longer alone. She had a place to return to, a person who loved her completely, and a sturdy father (husband) behind her who wished for her not to break.
That single fact made her as strong as steel.
"I'm off."
Saying that, Kanao left the mansion with Okita and Ushiwakamaru.
The warm morning sunlight illuminated her path ahead.
Her steps toward the Butterfly Mansion were lighter and more confident than ever before.
She now clearly knew that flowers bloom even in ruins, and what she must do to protect those flowers.
She would no longer cry.
Instead, with the knowledge and love she learned from Akira, she would gradually but surely change this rotten Demon Slayer Corps.
And she would coordinate from within to ensure the Demon Slayer Corps does not harm her family.
That was the path she had chosen.
"Hey, Okita-san."
"Yes, what is it?"
On the way to work, Kanao shyly spoke to Okita who was following behind.
"Um, I want a morning kiss from Father. Is that okay?"
"…You know this is my body, right?"
"Of course I know! But, even before the body is different, it's Father. Even if the body is different, if it's Father, hehe."
"Do I have no human rights?"
"From the beginning, we are one with our Master, so what could be important, Okita-kun."
"If Master orders it, I'll do it, but being asked by Kanao-san like this makes me feel conflicted—am I abnormal?"
Okita, the sensible one, sighed and sent a telepathic message to Akira. Soon after, Okita's eyes briefly glowed red, and a gentle voice flowed out.
"Already missing me?"
Akira's voice came from her mouth. Kanao hugged her as if it didn't matter that it was Okita's body.
Akira kissed Kanao, and Kanao, filled with happiness, twisted her body.
"Hey, Father. Can you stay with me today? I want to work with you."
"Hmm, okay. Since I can just use one of my brains. Okita is fine with it too. But you said I'll regret it? What does that mean?"
Akira got permission from Okita and decided to spend the day with Kanao using her body.
Thus, they arrived at the Butterfly Mansion.
"Does it make sense to feed them suppositories!?"
"I'm sorry!"
"Why are you making them drink IV fluid!? You need to insert it into a drip!"
"I'm sorry, Flower Hashira!"
The Butterfly Mansion was, of course, still a mess. And Kanao was coordinating that mess.
Even though it was still tough, Kanao could smile. Because Father was with her.
And Akira was.
"Kanao. Seriously, don't you want to quit?"
"It's okay! Today is better than usual, and you're here, Father."
"Sigh, it's a bit much to have my daughter working in this shitty place."
"I'm really fine. Instead, Father. I heard that you can grow things on the bodies of connected people, is that true?"
"Uh, Kanao?"
"Later, during lunch break, would that be okay?"
"Wow, Kanao is becoming like Shinobu and falling fast."
Kanao, who was already thinking about sharing love with him using others' bodies. Perhaps because her ego was built in Akira's mansion, she was different from the start.