A hot pot restaurant.
A private banquet venue had been arranged for a rare gathering, reserved exclusively for the Demon Slayer Corps and the Upper Moons under an uneasy truce orchestrated after the recent instability involving "Monjushiro."
Taro, an ordinary young man with an overprotective affection for his younger sister Mei, had been brought along due to his connection with the Butterfly Mansion's medical support network.
"Taro, Mei, over here!"
Doma waved enthusiastically from across the room, his usual unsettling cheerfulness softened by the atmosphere of forced cooperation.
Beside him, Kotoha had already begun preparing ingredients, carefully placing thinly sliced meat into the simmering pot.
These were specially prepared livestock cuts developed through Tamayo's research in collaboration with the Butterfly Mansion's medical team safe for both humans and demons under controlled conditions.
Even Mitsuri Kanroji and Kyojuro Rengoku had previously praised the flavor.
Gyomei Himejima sat nearby in silent prayer, quietly attending the gathering despite the unusual circumstances.
Across the table, Inosuke Hashibira impatiently leaned forward, chopsticks tapping the table.
"Hurry up… hurry up…"
His usual lack of manners drew immediate attention from Aoi Kanzaki, who struck him sharply on the back of the head.
Aoi Kanzaki scolded him firmly. "Sit properly! Don't bite your chopsticks!"
Inosuke grumbled but obeyed, placing them down reluctantly while muttering under his breath.
Kotoha watched the scene with a gentle smile, reassured by the strange sense of family forming around the table.
Nearby, Tanjiro Kamado sat with Nezuko and Zenitsu Agatsuma.
Tanjiro Kamado carefully served his sister, while Zenitsu eagerly offered her food with unusual sincerity.
Zenitsu Agatsuma smiled brightly, earning a faint but appreciative glance from Tanjiro.
Gyutaro, seated further down, glanced at Tanjiro with a crooked grin.
Gyutaro sneered. "Your sister's sitting right beside a boy like that and you're fine with it?"
Tanjiro responded calmly without hesitation. "Zenitsu is kind. That's enough."
At the center, Kotoha distributed food to the group with maternal warmth.
Mei, wide-eyed and innocent, looked up in admiration. "Doma's wife is so beautiful!"
Kotoha blushed slightly at the unexpected praise, lowering her gaze in embarrassment.
At the same moment, Inosuke now fully engrossed in eating choked loudly after stuffing too much food into his mouth.
Aoi immediately rushed over, handing him water and patting his back.
"I told you not to eat so fast!"
From across the room, Doma gently pulled Kotoha closer, whispering casually.
"Let them handle it. We don't need to interfere."
Kotoha relaxed slightly, trusting the strange but peaceful atmosphere.
The table was filled with contrasting dynamics familial warmth, awkward friendships, and forced coexistence between former enemies.
Zenitsu nervously chatted with Nezuko, while Tanjiro sat quietly, slightly overwhelmed by the social chaos.
Suddenly, Tanjiro felt a tap on his shoulder.
It was the Butterfly Sisters.
Shinobu Kocho smiled gently while guiding Kanao Tsuyuri forward.
"Tanjiro, our table is a little crowded. Could Kanao sit here for a while?"
The request was unnecessary there were clearly empty seats but Tanjiro immediately nodded and made space.
Kanao sat quietly beside him, her usual silence unchanged.
Back at the main table, Sanemi Shinazugawa clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Sanemi Shinazugawa muttered, "Eating while wandering around… ridiculous."
Shinobu smiled sweetly. "If you don't like it, you can leave."
Sanemi went silent, begrudgingly eating while still placing portions on Genya's plate without comment.
Genya Shinazugawa quietly whispered, "Thank you… brother."
Across the table, Mitsuri Kanroji giggled uncontrollably at the rare sight.
Mitsuri Kanroji tried to cover her mouth, but failed to suppress her laughter.
Obanai Iguro immediately stepped in front of her protectively.
Obanai Iguro snapped at Sanemi. "Don't take your anger out on Mitsuri."
Sanemi's temper flared instantly, but before he could respond, Giyu Tomioka spoke flatly.
Giyu Tomioka sighed. "You're all exhausting. I'm not like you."
Both Sanemi and Obanai turned simultaneously.
"Shut up."
Shinobu quickly placed a dish in front of Giyu. "Mr. Tomioka, please just eat quietly."
Giyu immediately focused entirely on the food.
Nearby, Kyojuro Rengoku enthusiastically devoured everything placed in front of him.
Kyojuro Rengoku shouted, "Delicious! This is excellent!"
Genya also assisted Gyomei Himejima with his meal, carefully serving him due to his blindness.
"Thank you, Genya."
Even in this unusual gathering, Gyomei maintained his calm presence.
At a smaller table nearby, Muichiro Tokito sat with his family.
Muichiro Tokito listened as his family discussed his future.
Talk of school and family business continued, reflecting a peaceful path that contrasted sharply with the battlefield life of the Corps.
Elsewhere, remnants of the Lower Moons gathered awkwardly.
Enmu stared at the table absently, while others argued over food portions and payment, some muttering about who would bill Muzan.
At another corner, Kokushibo's subordinates exchanged uneasy glances, discussing missing assignments and unfinished tasks, unaware of how fragile their current "peace" truly was.
For a moment, the impossible happened.
Humans and demons shared a meal without bloodshed.
But beneath the surface, every participant knew
This fragile calm would not last forever.
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