Time Passed So Quickly!

(A/N: Timeskip-Kun is HERE!)

--- Chapter 33 ---

Four years later!

Snow slowly melted away by the warm breeze of the spring season.

Sunlight illuminated the evergreen mountain range, sending its morning glory to every creature there.

Birds chirped in their nest, leaves danced as dews fell to the ground below, and several flower buds gradually bloomed beautifully.

On the far north of Wakami Village, two girls walked on the carved stairs path leading to the highest peak in this mountain range. One girl wore a white-pink kimono with a green sash, and the other wore a white-blue kimono with a purple sash, making them look stylish and beautiful.

Besides that, they also wore thigh-high white socks and Geta, which created a crisp yet pleasant sound when hitting the mountain trail, echoing in the silent mountainside.

The pink-clothed girl is taller and has a more developed body than the blue-clothed girl. It seems their age difference is quite far, but they are still great friends to each other.

Weirdly enough, none of the girls were bothered by the cold.

Although the winter is over, the atmosphere is still colder than usual as the spring season has yet to peak, and the highlands make it even worse for them.

"Brrr... Even with the advanced Dagger Breathing, I still feel coldness in my toes!" said the blue-clothed girl. Her twin-tailed black hair and lithe body shivered, but it was exaggerated.

"I can't imagine how Tenma Nii-chan can train in such a place for months without getting frostbite."

"This place is unlivable!"

The pink-clothed girl shook her head and giggled, "You just want to show off in front of me."

"Eri-chan. At your age, reaching the advanced stage of your breathing technique is a sign of genius already. At your age, I'm struggling with my training and need Kanae-san to teach me thoroughly."

The blue-clothed girl pouted, "Hmph! I can never brag to you. You're too humble, Nao-chan!"

Yes, the two girls are none other than Kanao and Eri!

After four years, both girls have broken their former shells and turned into beautiful butterflies who can flap their wings in the real world without issue.

They weren't very social girls, but everything changed the day the Kocho Sisters announced the founding of Totsuki Culinary School. They became Tenma's first disciple in the Culinary Arts and started smiling more often.

Slowly but surely, the gloomy Kanao and Eri changed. They wore more clothes with bright colors to show their changes to Tenma, the person who changed them for the better!

"By the way, how is Tsume-san?" Kanao asked, humming and enjoying the highland. "I assumed she has recovered her memory of your childhood."

Eri sighed deeply, "She did a year ago when Nii-chan was about to enter seclusion. After consuming Nii-Chan's remedy, Mom recovered nearly all portions of her memory. However, she also started replacing anything related to my father with Nii-Chan."

"To be honest, this isn't a bad thing. It's better to bury the bad memories with the happy ones. I also didn't remember much about my late father."

"BUT! She's such a hopeless romantic toward Nii-chan. Yet she didn't dare to confess her feelings because she felt she was too old."

"So, my Mom ran away to the nearby city and developed a business to support our school. She returned to Wakami Village often, still..." Eri swayed her twin tails in frustration.

"Nii-chan is also way younger than Mom, but she is not that OLD! And I don't think he would reject her. I also heard from some bad people said that a 'Milf' is more popular with young men these days, hmph, a group of scoundrels!"

'Eri-chan, you're also too young for this conversation!' Kanao couldn't help but facepalm. Currently, Eri is only nine!

Eri suddenly glanced at Kanao, "What do you think, Nao-chan? Don't you think Tenma Nii-chan is a good partner for my Mom? He's tall, handsome, strong, and CAN COOK!"

"Eh, what?" Kanao didn't expect Eri to throw such a question at her.

"I... I honestly don't know."

"I don't think the Polygamy is banned yet."

"Tch, tch, what a fool I am." Eri clicked her tongue. "I forgot that you also have feelings for Nii-chan!"

"Don't say that out loud!" Kanao covered Eri's mouth, blushing like a bright red tomato. Kanao has known Tenma for four years and has admired him wholeheartedly since.

After all, he was the one who healed her broken heart. His cooking that day brought new joy to her life.

But this was a public secret that everyone knew.

Such drastic changes, so only love can explain it.

Eri laughed cheekily at her, "Hehehe, stop covering my mouth, or I'll lick your hand!"

"What are you? A dog?" Kanao was speechless.

"Hehe, I can be a puppy, woof~!" Eri responded immediately.

Kanao was helpless. Why did the quiet and adorable Eri turn into such a wild girl?

Eri smiled smugly, "I prefer to be a cat, though."

"Anyway... You must face heavy contenders if you want to be Nii-chan's woman, Kanao."

"My Mom aside, there are Tamako-san, Shinobu-nee, and..."

"Kanae-san..." Kanao finished Eri's words with a solemn look.

Kanao and Eri aren't the only ones who have grown in the last four years.

Tsume has become a savvy businesswoman, stretching her flourishing food and entertainment industry all over Japan. With Butterly Mansion's support and Totsuki Culinary School's rich connections, she has a bright future. Oh, yeah. She's also Totsuki's financial advisor.

Tamako became the acting Headmistress of Totsuki Culinary School while Tenma was in seclusion. Her cooking skills are second to Tenma's, which allowed her to teach over a hundred elite students connected to high-end restaurants and high-class, noble families.

Besides the 'milf' women, the Kocho Sisters have matured a lot. Their beauty and skill are famous, even among 'common' people.

Shinobu has become a high-ranking member of the Demon Slayer Corps and was even 'possibly' promoted to be a new Hashira. Her sword skills and ability to create poison capable of killing commander-level demons are breakthroughs for humanity!

People called her Poisonous Violet Flower and Cold Beauty Shrouded in the Stunning Mist.

And last but not least is Kanae herself.

Kanae has made a name for herself after killing three of Lower Moons consecutively all by herself in the Tone River. That day, her beauty and strength as Flower Hashira stunned everyone!

Many people dubbed Kanae the Beautiful Flower that Bloomed in the Bloody Battlefield and the Most Beautiful Woman in the Demon Slayer Corps.

Of course, this led to many suitors proposing to Kanae. However, Kanae rejected them ruthlessly with a gentle smile on her face.

So, Kanae and Shinobu also have another title. They are called the "Untouchable Flowers" in the Demon Slayer Corps.

Aih, Time Passed so quickly.

"Untouchable Flowers, huh?" Eri rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

"I think you have a chance to become Untouchable Flowers when joining the Demon Slayer Corps this year. I think they will hold the Final Selection in a few months."

"Do your best, Nao-chan~! You have the beauty and strength to do it!"

"That's just a superficial title," Kanao responded calmly. "All that matters to me is Tenma..."

"Haiyah, you're such a hopeless romantic, too..." Eri couldn't help but smack Kanao's rear, making her blush.

Pa!

"Y-You! Come here, you cheeky little devil!" Kanao's eyes widened in disbelief as she chased after the cheeky Eri.

"Hehehe, you can't catch me!" Eri climbed the stairs as fast as she could.

...

...

After running for an hour, Kanae and Eri reached the 'gate' to Tenma's seclusion site. Kanae tackled Eri to the cold floor, tickling her stomach until she begged for mercy.

"Stop, Nao-chan! Stop, give up, I give up!"

"Don't tickle my stomach anymore!"

"Hmph, no stomach, feet do!"

"W-Wait, not the feet-! HAHAHA~! STOOOOOP~!"

It was not until Eri cried that Kanao stopped.

Eri flicked her crocodile tears and kneeled on the cold ground, putting a reflecting look on her young face. "I promise that I won't tease Nao-chan anymore!"

"I hope you do, or I will use One Thousand Years of Death to you." Kanao snorted, finally making Eri frightened,

"T-There is no you learned that forbidden technique!" Eri trembled in fear, guarding her bum. Her fake tears become real instantly.

Kanao didn't say anything and only gave Eri a 'try me' look.

"Uugh... I will reflect on my actions. Please forgive me..."

"Apology accepted."

After that, Kanao and Eri stood before a giant boulder sealing an entrance to a cave. Some ancient characters were carved on the boulder, which they couldn't decipher completely.

"Can you read them?" Eri asked Kanao.

Kanao shook her head, "I can only understand three characters."

"Oh, what are they?"

"Stellar, Ocean, and Fenrir."

"Damn it, I only know Ocean..."

Suddenly, the boulder trembled.

Buzz! Buzz!

Thud! Thud!

The surrounding rock and mountain peak also reacted like this, shaking clouds nearby.

A calm voice brushed Kanae and Eri's ears. "Kanao, Eri, you might want to move aside from the position. It's quite dangerous."

Kanae and Eri's eyes lit up as they hurriedly retreated from the boulder, hiding behind a solid mountain wall.

DUM! DUM!

Drumming sound reverberated in the mountain peak.

And the boulder cracked like spiderwebs.

Crack! Kacha!

KABOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!

The giant boulder exploded into pieces, becoming a cloud of dust swept away by the highland wind. A tall figure walked from the depth of the dark cave, changing the atmosphere.

The cold and unfeeling mountain peak suddenly becomes sunny!

A tall, handsome young man with a healthy complexion revealed himself to the world. He wore a loose blue robe, his long white hair dancing wildly due to the wind, and a pair of obsidian eyes with specks like stars looking at the world below.

"Ladies..."

"Your Handsome and Fabulous Tenma is BACK!"

"HAHAHA~~!!" His joyous laugh rang in the mountain peaks.