Chapter 82: New Year's Festival x Homecoming
New Year's Festival.
After bidding farewell to his master, Sakonji Urokodaki, Roy began his journey home.
The basket on his back was packed full: medicine for his father, new clothes for his mother Kie and sister Nezuko, candy for Shigeru and Takeo, a bamboo dragonfly for his youngest sister Hanako, and... the lingering, reluctant gazes of Sabito, Makomo, and all his senior brothers and sisters.
"It's not like I'm not coming back," the boy always said with a smile.
He knew. Without him as the medium, having just been reunited with their master only to be separated again, was incredibly cruel for them. Even though they were all considerate enough not to ask him to stay, Roy could still feel their intense emotions and longing.
"Don't worry. In the future, even when I'm not here, you'll still be able to see Master." This was the promise the boy made before leaving.
The prerequisite condition to fulfill this promise was mastering Shu.
Shu: An advanced application of Ten. It involves using the technique of Ten to envelop an object held in contact with the body, reinforcing its properties. Even after letting go, the effect can persist for a short time, the duration depending on the user's Nen intensity.
Sabito clapped him on the shoulder. "Of course, we believe you."
His master pressed the lucky money he had prepared long ago into his robes. They all thought the boy was just offering words of comfort. They watched him leave, waving silently.
Roy didn't explain further. He adjusted the basket, gave them a small smile, turned, and vanished into the mountain forest, leaving behind two sets of footprints that were quickly erased by the wind and snow.
On his way down Sagiri Mountain, the boy hunted another wild boar, sold it in town for some silver, and bought New Year's gifts.
Then, following the familiar path back up into the mountains, he deliberately quickened his pace. As the sun began to dip, he caught a faint scent.
He smiled, silently activated Zetsu to mask his presence, and followed the scent. In a snowy clearing, he saw a red-haired boy repeatedly striking a dead tree. The boy bore a resemblance to him, and a flame-like mark spread across his forehead—considered an auspicious symbol in this era.
Chop! Chop! Chop!
"One thousand one hundred fifty-one! One thousand four hundred fifty-two! One thousand seven hundred seventy-nine! Two thousand!"
The red-haired boy let out a low shout, his hand rising and falling as he struck the dead tree with a 'Snake Awakens' technique, piercing right through it. CRACK!
Unsupported, the dead tree fell, becoming firewood pieces in the basket beside the boy.
Tanjiro, axe in hand, wiped the sweat from his brow. He straightened up and stared toward Sagiri Mountain, lost in thought.
It had been over three months since Nisan had left home. Countless times, he had wanted to set out for Sagiri Mountain to find him, but the basket of firewood and his younger siblings at home always held him back. Fortunately, although Nisan wasn't here, he sent some silver via crow every week. Tanjiro recognized the crow; it was the Kasugai crow that belonged to Nisan's master, specifically tasked with delivering messages.
His mother said that as long as the crow came, there was hope. They knew Nisan was doing well, and she could rest easy. As for the money he sent, she hadn't spent a single coin, locking it all away in a wooden box, saving it for Nisan's future wedding.
What's a wedding? Probably something like what Father and Mother have. Tanjiro snapped back to reality and let out a breath, the white mist freezing and falling to the ground. He bent down to lift the basket, but then his nose twitched. He noticed a pair of feet standing right in front of him.
His gaze traveled up from the feet, past the knees, the chest... and the axe slipped from his hand, clattering to the ground.
"Nisan!"
The boy leaped onto Roy, sending the firewood in his basket scattering across the ground from the sudden movement.
"You've grown taller, Tanjiro." Roy smiled, ruffling Tanjiro's hair. The red-haired boy choked back a sob, biting his lip to stop the tears. He clung to Roy like a koala. Roy let him hang there, picking up the firewood while listening to his chatter.
"Nisan, you didn't even send a letter! Mother was asking just the other day if you were coming home for the New Year..."
"I wanted to surprise you all."
"We don't need surprises! We just want Nisan to come home more often! Otherwise... Hanako won't even remember you."
"My fault."
"It's not Nisan's fault! Father said you're at the age for adventure, and you shouldn't let coming home for the New Year get in the way of important things."
"It doesn't get in the way. How is Father?"
"We had the doctor come see Father. His condition is stable."
"That's good."
The sun slanted westward. The older boy led the younger one through the snow-covered forest.
At dusk, he stopped, looking up at the smoke curling from the chimney of the easternmost wooden house. His arms suddenly felt lighter as Tanjiro, no longer feeling comfortable clinging to him, jumped down and stood beside him, gazing at their home just a short distance away.
Faintly, they could hear the joyous laughter of children, the cough of an adult, and see a few blurry figures moving about—a warm, picturesque scene.
Roy took a deep breath. "Let's go."
He stepped forward, leading his brother through the deep snow until they stood before the courtyard gate.
Creek. The gate swung open. The wind and snow seemed to pause. From the main house, the kitchen, the backyard, heads popped out one by one. A moment of silence, then an eruption of cheers!
"Eiichiro!"
"Nisan!"
"Grandma, come quick! Brother Eiichiro is home!"
"Who?"
"It's Big Brother Eiichiro!"
Takeo and Shigeru burst out like cannonballs, each grabbing one of Roy's legs. Their mother, Kie, wearing a headscarf, pushed aside the kitchen curtain, holding a plate of just-battered tempura. Her eyes instantly reddened with tears. Nezuko helped their grandmother out, who was holding Hanako. Their father, Tanjuro, sat up straighter by the hearth.
A gentle smile spread across Roy's face. "I'm home."
"It's good you're back... it's good you're back. My precious grandson, come let Grandma see you..." The grandmother, her hair silver, handed Hanako to Nezuko and pulled Roy into a tight hug.
Tanjiro helped his brother take off the heavy basket. The two little ones, Takeo and Shigeru, chirped "Nisan!" as they peeked into the basket, their eyes lighting up when they found the candy.
Kie wiped her tears with the back of her hand, let the curtain fall, and went back to frying tempura. Her boy was home; he couldn't go hungry.
The boy patted his grandmother's back and met his father's eyes across the room. Tanjuro smiled at him, and even his coughing seemed to lessen.
That night, fireworks erupted in the town at the foot of the mountain, praying for peace and driving away evil spirits. Roy had bought some small handheld fireworks from the market earlier. He sat beside Tanjuro, watching Tanjiro lead Nezuko, Takeo, and Shigeru in gleeful play in the yard. He accepted the cup of hot tea Tanjuro offered him.
"Eiichiro, welcome home." Tanjuro raised his cup and gently touched it against Roy's. The year felt complete.
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