Demon Slayer: Seraph of Radiance

Sayuki smiled with eyes curved like crescent moons. "You're worried about me, right? Don't worry, onii-san."

"Recently I've been feeling especially sleepy at night, so I always go to bed very early. I haven't gone out after dark."

Her tone was just like always. Kawanishi couldn't detect even a hint of deception.

"In that case... have you noticed anything strange? Unusual people or events?"

Sayuki did carry a faint scent of demons — extremely faint, but the moment she opened the door, Kawanishi had noticed it.

Sayuki, maybe you unintentionally came into contact with a demon and were contaminated by its scent... hopefully that's all it is.

If you've truly turned into a man-eating demon, then no matter how much it pains me, I'll bear that sorrow and end your life with my own hands — to set you free...

Sayuki bit her finger, thinking hard, but could not recall anything unusual.

"No... everything's been perfectly normal."

Kawanishi pulled her finger out of her mouth and flicked her forehead.

"How old are you now? And you still instinctively bite your fingers like before."

Sayuki giggled. "I haven't changed at all. I'm still the same as always."

Then suddenly, her eyes lit up and a blush bloomed on her cheeks.

"No, wait... one thing has changed. I've grown a lot. Onii-san, don't you want to check?"

As she spoke, Sayuki leaned closer to Kawanishi. Her warm breath brushed his face, and the air between them turned ambiguous.

With her eyes gently closing and her long lashes quivering slightly, she slowly tilted her head upward toward him.

This silly girl... what is she trying to do?

Sayuki drew closer, her soft pink lips inching toward his.

Now that Kawanishi was sure she hadn't become a demon, his usual self returned. He sighed, extended his hand, and gently pressed his fingertip against her forehead to stop her from getting any closer.

"Sayuki... you're getting so bold. When I first met you, you couldn't even speak to me."

Blocked by Kawanishi, the intimate mood dissolved completely.

Sayuki pouted in frustration, her voice crisp:

"That's because you coached me so well..."

"Besides, isn't it normal for a little sister to kiss her big brother?"

Kawanishi replied flatly:

"…Kissing on the lips doesn't seem very normal."

Sayuki suddenly grinned mischievously:

"Kissing on the lips isn't normal... then is kissing the cheek normal?"

Kawanishi answered without thinking:

"Yeah, that seems pretty normal..."

Before he finished, Kawanishi felt a warm softness on his cheek.

Sayuki's lips brushed against him like a fleeting dragonfly landing on water.

After kissing him, Sayuki's face flushed bright red from neck to ear, but she stubbornly held back her shyness, gazing at him playfully with a hint of aggression.

"You said it was normal, so I kissed you to see if you'd dodge."

Kawanishi touched his cheek, where the warmth lingered.

He could've easily dodged it with his reflexes — yet, for some reason, it was like his body froze.

Could it be… I have feelings for Sayuki too, but I just haven't realized it?

Suddenly, a pair of mesmerizing dual-colored eyes surfaced in his mind, leaving him with an inexplicable sense of loss.

Am I simply longing for love because of my frustration with Shinobu?

If so, that would be unfair to Sayuki. I can't let this happen again. Kawanishi, at this moment, you're just an ordinary man swayed by emotions...

"I'm sorry, Sayuki. But from now on, please don't do that again."

Sayuki's breathing paused for a moment. Kawanishi could feel her body trembling slightly as she suppressed her emotions, but this time she didn't cry like before.

She smiled brightly instead:

"Got it. But as your little sister, I'm allowed to be spoiled sometimes, right? Even if I don't always listen, you'll still tolerate me, won't you?"

I believe that one day, Kawanishi-nii will change his mind, truly fall in love with me... and then we'll stay together, for life and death, forever.

Kawanishi gently smiled:

"Of course..."

Sayuki, over the years, you've changed too — becoming stronger and more mature. This is the future I hoped for you.

I know. You used to wish for everything to go your way, to have everything you desired.

You weren't wrong — everyone in this world wishes for that. But I'm sorry, reality teaches us that what we wish for rarely comes true...

When you understand that, you'll no longer be a little girl needing guidance — you'll be someone who can stand on your own.

No one can care for you forever — not me, not your parents or family.

Only when you've grown will there truly be something to celebrate.

Looking into Sayuki's eyes, Kawanishi reached out to smooth her slightly messy golden hair with his fingers, gently straightening each strand.

With a tender smile, he said:

"You've grown up. That makes me very happy."

Feeling the warmth of his hand, Sayuki closed her eyes contentedly. She had always loved it when Kawanishi stroked her hair — she loved it then, and she loved it now.

Saying nothing more, she simply leaned quietly against him, like a golden-haired sprite drifting into sleep.

Kawanishi-nii… if only time could freeze right here.

But... you'll leave again, won't you? And we won't meet again for a while. I really don't want you to go.

I wish I could keep you by my side forever, from now until the end of time...

The atmosphere made Kawanishi feel at peace and at ease, as if they had returned to the carefree days of the past.

After a few minutes, Sayuki's lashes fluttered open.

Grasping his hand, she gently stood up and led him toward a window.

The wooden-framed window was covered with white gauze, simple and elegant without ornamentation.

A wooden bar locked it tightly shut.

"Winter will soon be over, and the wind has grown gentle. Let's open the window," she said.

Sayuki removed the wooden bar and pushed the window open.

Outside, the sky remained overcast. Even with the window open, nothing changed; the light inside still came from the electric lamp.

Leaning against the window, she gazed out and softly asked:

"Onii-san, you're leaving again, aren't you?"

Kawanishi could feel Sayuki tightening her grip on his hand, as if summoning all her strength.

Facing the cool breeze, he said:

"I am. There are things I must take care of — I have no choice but to go."

Though he yearned to hold onto this peace, people are often powerless before their responsibilities...

Sayuki's nose tingled, her heart heavy at the thought of parting so soon after reuniting.

As expected... he still has to leave.

Sayuki, you're not a child anymore. Kawanishi-nii must have his reasons. You need to let him go and show him your strong side, so he won't worry.

No matter how much I wish to keep him here, I mustn't hold him back… Be strong, become the person he hopes I'll become.

She secretly wiped her tears, then smiled with a slightly trembling voice:

"Then go, onii-san. I won't make things difficult for you."

"When you've finished your business, or when you have free time, promise me you'll come see me, okay?"

"I'll stay in Teitei Town. I won't go back to Asakusa. I'll wait for you here."

Sayuki… what am I supposed to do with you…

Faced with Sayuki's mature resolve, Kawanishi fell silent for a moment.

After a while, he closed the window, gently pulling Sayuki along:

"Let's go for a walk. I'll buy you your favorite wagashi and pickled plum rice balls, how about that?"

He still remembers what I like to eat... A sweet smile bloomed on Sayuki's face.

"Okay."

(End of Chapter)