Demon Slayer: The Journey That Began When I Became Yoriichi's Sister

"Get some rest early, don't stay up until the wee hours like you did last night."

“You guys were quite sleepy at the clinic today.”

"You have to go to school tomorrow, you can't do this again." Shinobu Kocho took away the basin of hot water and casually reminded him.

Several years ago, everyone discussed the matter of the three children's schooling. They are currently attending a school in the city and only come to the clinic to help out on weekends when they have free time.

"Eh~ We've been found out?" The three of them widened their eyes in surprise, then apologized, "Sorry~ Shinobu-neechan."

"It's okay." Yu Zi patted their heads. "Anyway, they were just laughed at by the patients who came and went."

Three people: "..."

Shinobu Kocho chuckled, "Don't listen to Yuuko's nonsense. Everyone thinks you guys are cute enough, how could they possibly laugh at you?"

Although Shinobu Kocho made up for it with that comment, Ikuko's joke had already served as a reminder to the three of them that they really shouldn't stay out too late at night.

After washing up, the three of them immediately crawled into bed, closed their eyes, and said in unison, "We're going to sleep!"

"Get some rest." Shinobu handed the basin of water to Yuuko, affectionately stroked everyone's foreheads, covered them with blankets, turned off the lights, and closed the door.

Wow~

Shinobu reached out to take the basin of water from Ikuko's hand.

Yuko dodged for a moment, then quickly took two steps: "I'll go, Shinobu, go back to your room first."

Shinobu Kocho caught up with him in quick steps, smiling, and said, "The fire in the kitchen is still burning, the char siu should be ready soon, I'll go check on it."

"I was going that way anyway..."

As soon as Yuko finished speaking, Shinobu Kocho hugged her tightly, holding her wrist.

"Be careful..." Yu Zi was startled, and the basin of water in her hand wobbled, almost spilling the water.

Shinobu Kocho turned her head, a faint smile on her lips: "Let's go together."

Yu Zi glanced sideways, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Ah."

After Kanao married Kanzaki Aoi and moved into Tanjiro's house, Shinobu Kocho rarely acted recklessly or teased people anymore. Instead, she took on the role that Kanae used to play, gently acting as the matriarch.

In just a few years, Shinobu Kocho has long since reached her thirties, and her temperament has become increasingly similar to Kanae's, making her more and more beautiful and feminine.

Of course, the most noteworthy thing is that Shinobu Kocho actually went through a second growth spurt and grew a little taller.

Yeah, just a tiny bit, about two centimeters.

But even this small amount made Shinobu Kocho so excited that it took her several weeks to calm down.

Yuko realized Shinobu's maturity and began to consciously restrain her own emotions.

Centuries of growth have given her considerable experience in regulating her own emotions.

"The moonlight is beautiful." In the courtyard, Shinobu Kocho looked up at the starry sky.

The moonlight was hazy, the clouds were sparse, and the bright moonlight accompanied the starry sky, which shone like a waterfall of the Milky Way.

Yuko looked down from the sky and asked with a smile, "Shall we go to sleep a little later?"

Shinobu Kocho thought for a moment and said, "With my older sister here, it's okay to go to bed a little later."

"Then hurry up and clean up the kitchen." Yu Zi poured water into the water tank in the yard, which was used to water the vegetable garden.

Bored, Yu Zi planted a lot of vegetables in a corner of the yard.

The two quickly prepared the ingredients needed for the morning, tidied up the kitchen, and then climbed onto the roof.

The two leaned on each other, sitting on the rooftop gazing at the starry sky.

“It’s so beautiful~”

The galaxy was reflected in Shinobu's purple pupils.

"Well, it's beautiful."

Since there are fewer and fewer people in their family, the two of them often go up to the rooftop late at night to look at the night sky when the weather is nice.

As she watched, Yuko suddenly chuckled.

Shinobu Kocho glanced at her sideways, her gaze carrying a hint of inquiry.

Yuko also offered an explanation: "Just thinking about Shinazugawa taking care of the kids tomorrow makes me want to laugh."

"Really..." Shinobu Kocho smiled helplessly, but then she thought of something happy.

As expected, Shinazugawa, that rough and tough guy, is a disaster when it comes to taking care of children.

He clearly has younger siblings of his own, but perhaps his years of demon-slaying have eroded his experience in raising children.

Taking care of the child alone is always a challenge for him. He gets flustered and sweaty from the child's antics, and seeing him like that always makes people laugh until their stomachs hurt.

The two chatted about interesting things in their lives, with Yuko doing most of the talking and Shinobu listening.

At first, Shinobu would occasionally respond, indicating that she was listening.

But gradually there was no response.

Yuko stopped speaking, her eyes glancing slightly out of the corner of her eye.

Before she knew it, Shinobu had fallen asleep on her shoulder.

They are not lonely, nor are they alone.

……

Several more years passed in this ordinary yet passionate life. Kanao and Aoi Kanzaki would occasionally go home to visit, and their life there was quite happy and fulfilling.

Even a fool like Inosuke has gradually become more like a person under everyone's guidance. He hasn't been wearing his boar head mask and ramming around all day for a long time. Instead, he has taken on the responsibility of being a husband and supporting his family.

Kanae's two children are growing up and calling her Aunt Yuko and Aunt Shinobu.

Yu Zi didn't feel anything, after all... she was several hundred years old and people could still call her aunt.

Grandma is already satisfied enough.

But Shinobu Kocho is different.

At first, she happily accepted the title, but as she grew older, the change in the title seemed to gradually take root in her heart.

Shinobu Kocho didn't outwardly show any signs of distress, but Ikuko knew she was watching herself grow old...

No, it should be said that they are still too early to be old, but as time goes by, everyone's appearance is changing and becoming more mature, except for Yuko.

Of the group, the one who changed the most was naturally Shinazugawa Sanemi. His former spiky hair has now become much more rounded, and he has grown a buzz cut. His chin is also covered with a beard, which grows back quickly after being shaved off, giving the two children a lot of prickling experiences, and thus he is disliked.

Kanae's age has also surpassed thirty and is heading towards forty.

However, because the Butterfly family has naturally beautiful genes, she looks like a young person in their twenties even at thirty, without much change.

She's just become more and more composed, with a touch of mature womanly charm.

This made Shinobu Kocho think that she is still quite young and doesn't look old at all. She is almost thirty years old but looks no different from someone in their twenties. The only thing that has grown is her temperament.

But after a few years, a dozen years, or twenty years, can she still maintain this appearance?

I'm afraid my face will become full of wrinkles and all smudged.

Since falling in love with Yuuko, Shinobu Kocho has pondered this question more than once.

She didn't regret the answer she received at the time.

Even now, she doesn't regret it, and perhaps when she's truly old, she still won't regret it.

But not regretting it and not disliking yourself are two different things.

Ikuko was well aware of Shinobu's worries and was willing to work to help her.