The sun dipped below the mountains, casting golden light over the quiet Kamado home. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, the air thick with the scent of grilled fish, herbs, and fresh rice.
Nezuko sat on the porch, stringing together little flower crowns. Her hands moved gently, rhythmically, as if she'd done this every spring since she was born.
Rin sat nearby, reclining with his back against a post, half-awake and watching the clouds fade into stars.
Tanjiro stepped through the trees with a bundle of herbs tucked under one arm.
"Dinner's ready," he called, smiling.
Nezuko held up two flower crowns.
"One for each of you," she said.
Rin stared at the pink and yellow thing in her hands. "…You expect me to wear that?"
Tanjiro smirked. "You're the one lying around like royalty. Seems fitting."
With an exaggerated sigh, Rin took it and placed it on his head.
"Fine. But if a demon sees me like this, you're both to blame."
Later that evening, as the sky darkened and the first few stars appeared, Rin stood behind the house, splitting wood for the stove. Tanjiro approached with two cups of tea.
They stood in silence for a moment.
Then Tanjiro spoke.
"Rin… can I ask you something?"
Rin kept chopping. "You're going to, whether I say yes or not."
Tanjiro exhaled. "Why didn't Nezuko… become one of them?"
Rin paused, letting the axe rest.
"I've asked myself that," Tanjiro said. "I've asked the gods. The wind. The snow. But none of it makes sense. Muzan doesn't leave people alive."
Rin turned toward him, his expression unreadable.
"Sometimes," Rin said, "fate bends when something stronger stands in the way."
Tanjiro blinked. "…You were there."
Rin didn't nod. Didn't smile. Just said:
"There was a shadow in the forest that night. Cold. Wrong. I didn't know what it was then—but I knew it meant death. So I stood in its path."
Tanjiro stared at him, stunned.
"You saw him."
"I saw it. And I made sure it left."
Silence settled like fresh snow. Then Tanjiro lowered his head.
"You saved her."
"I didn't do it for gratitude," Rin said quietly. "I did it because someone had to. And if I hadn't… you'd be alone."
Back inside, Nezuko laughed as she placed another crown on Rin's head while he pretended to scowl. Tanjiro watched them both with quiet warmth.
Rin wasn't just a friend anymore.
He was part of their world now.
And the night that should've taken everything from them… never came.