Yoriichi could no longer maintain his upright posture. He covered his face with trembling hands.
The sound of a demon turning to ash beneath the sunlight was one he knew all too well. Yet at this moment, he wished he didn't. If only he could deceive himself into believing that Hiru had simply vanished into the light—facing the sun rather than leaving him behind entirely.
Even when the faint crackle of burning ashes faded, Yoriichi still dared not turn around.
What would he even see if he did?
An empty seat before the easel, with only a piece of clothing left behind?
Or perhaps the final painting, standing in quiet remembrance of its creator?
[It was my fault.]
"Eh... Brother..."
[If only I had noticed Hiru's message sooner, arrived sooner...]
"Brother..."
[Why didn't I stop him? Hiru had already conquered his hunger for human flesh. He could have lived on as a demon without harm...]
"Brother, you—"
[Is that Hiru's voice? Could it be a hallucination born of guilt? If so... don't let me wake up. Just let me—]
"Hey, big brother, stop crying already! I'm totally not dead!"
The touch on his shoulder made Yoriichi's head snap up. Behind him stood Hiru—completely intact, unburned, alive. His face was caught somewhere between confusion and exasperation.
"Uh, so, Brother... I think I've overcome sunlight. What do we do now?"
Tears continued to stream down Yoriichi's cheeks as he stared blankly at him. "...Is this an illusion?"
"It's not an illusion! Snap out of it!" Hiru cupped his brother's face between his hands. "See? I'm right here. Still alive! The real question is—what now?"
"...That's wonderful."
"What?"
Yoriichi suddenly stood, pulling Hiru into a tight embrace. His voice trembled, overflowing with unrestrained relief. "...That's wonderful. You didn't disappear. It's truly wonderful."
"Isn't it actually a bad thing that I didn't disappear?" Hiru slumped in his brother's arms but still hugged him back, patting his back lightly. "If the sun didn't kill me, that means you'll have to.
Even though he's our enemy, seeing how badly Muzan's body was torn apart looked painful enough.
And if I die by your hand instead... wouldn't that be even more cruel for you?"
Lowering his head, Hiru buried his face against Yoriichi's shoulder, his voice growing soft. "From the very beginning, I only suggested this so you wouldn't have to face that outcome.
I know how gentle you are, Brother. I didn't want you to bear that pain. But now... haven't things just gotten worse?
Honestly, if I can withstand the sun, why can't I create a medicine that turns me human again...
The wisteria's lost its effect on me, too. Isn't this just forcing you to finish me off instead?"
"Hiru."
Yoriichi gripped his shoulders firmly, meeting his gaze with eyes still red from tears. "Live on. Please. Even as a demon if you must. I... I don't have the strength to face your death again."
"...But without you by my side, how can I still believe that I'm human?" Hiru wiped the tears from Yoriichi's face, gazing at his weathered features with sorrow. "I've tried so hard, but without you, I would've long become a man-eating demon like Muzan—spreading misery wherever I went.
If not for your constant reminders, the faint emotions I still have left wouldn't have been enough to hold on to my humanity. You know that, don't you, Brother?"
"So we must find another way."
Hiru patted his shoulder gently, then turned to face the fully risen sun. "Because under such beautiful, dazzling light, demons really shouldn't exist... don't you think?"
Yoriichi opened his mouth several times, but no words came out.
[Ah, yes. Demons are beings that should not exist.]
[But, Hiru, how can I accept that?]
[I truly, truly, truly cannot bring myself to end your life with my own hands.]
[Ah... how utterly selfish I am.]
The brothers sat in silence as the crimson sun gave way to a pale moon. Down at the foot of the mountain, the lively chatter of the town faded into stillness.
At last, Hiru moved. He carefully removed the painting from the easel, rolling it up with steady hands. His voice was calm. "Let's go find Miss Tamayo. Didn't she say she used to be a doctor?
Even if it's only to prepare for the day Muzan Kibutsuji must die, let's ask her to create a medicine that can kill me. That way, maybe... I can go with you to the afterlife."
"Hiru—"
"Brother."
Hiru placed the rolled-up painting into Yoriichi's hands, smiling softly. "I already know."
Watching him pack away his supplies, Yoriichi's eyes stung again. But seeing Hiru's calm, unshaken expression made the words on his lips fade away.
Slowly, gently, he unrolled the painting. On it was a breathtaking landscape—and the inscription:
[This painting is dedicated to my elder brother. May his remaining years be peaceful and bright, may he remain as radiant as ever, and may he no longer dwell on the past.]
[Respectfully presented by Yomi-sensei—his final and last work.]
Yoriichi said nothing.
"Let's go, Brother." Hiru smiled lightly. "This time, I'll carry the luggage. Traveling with you from this angle feels strange... but kind of nice."
Yoriichi carefully rolled the painting back up and tucked it into his sleeve before setting off. "Want to have another race?"
"Huh? A race? For what?"
"To see who reaches the luggage first," Yoriichi said softly, a faint warmth in his tone. "Since you won last time, I'll demand a rematch. The loser grants the winner one wish."
"Heh, fine!" Hiru grinned, his eyes glinting playfully. "But don't blame me if you lose again, Brother!"
Yoriichi watched as his brother's figure vanished swiftly into the forest. His gaze lingered on the silhouette of Mount Fuji, where dawn once again brushed the sky with pale light.
"Another beautiful day, I suppose..."
His expression softened as he stepped into the woods, his warm, steady voice echoing softly through the quiet air.
"...The one who truly shines, Hiru, is you."