Chapter Text
"Please don't die, Yushiro-san. You're the only one who can keep Tamayo's memory alive."
And here he was, sketching the next painting of her. Their time together was still vivid in his memory. Her small smiles directed to him, the way she closes her eyes when she feels the breeze, her soft voice that soothes his angry self.
The sketch showed Tamayo holding a bouquet of camellias. Her eyes were half-closed, in a momentary bliss from the fragrance of the flowers.
He stood up from his chair, stretching as he took a break. It's been years and the mansion was still well-kept by him. He made a small shrine for her with her hair pin proudly displayed at the center.
Its been years since he planned to follow her.
After they had killed Muzan, his original plan was to die as well. What use would he be if he wasn't by his Tamayo-sama's side?
Yushiro told no one. He longed for the fight to end so that he would soon see her in the afterlife.
Yet Tanjiro, that child that Tamayo so fondly remembered who called her a person, stopped him.
At first, he had no plans of heeding his advice. He had already helped fulfill Tamayo's life goal which was to annihilate Muzan.
And so, he came back to their mansion. Her faint scent is still in the air.
What if.... What if she was waiting for him all along?
His hurried footsteps brought him to her room. Her bed was neatly kept and various notes were scattered on top of her vanity mirror. In that moment, it felt that he would hear her voice gently telling him off to not peek into other people's room.
Silence welcomed him.
It was deafening and heartbreaking. He knelt on the floor and cradled her hair pin, the only thing he had left of her. Gone was his reason for living, gone was the sole being who took care of him, and she brought along with her his will to live.
Chachamaru came to sit beside him and leaned against him. The cat was never fond of him but in this moment, its presence felt comforting.
And so the days continued, weeks passed, and months flew by. Yushiro still lived and continued his daily routine without Tamayo.
It struck him one night that he almost couldn't remember her face. Fearing that he won't see her beauty again, he sought after painters who would teach him to hone the craft he has now.
Perfection is what his Tamayo-sama deserves.
His artworks grew popular. Her memory grew vivid each time a painting is completed. For a brief time, he can almost smell her familiar scent, hear her timid laugh, and feel her comforting touch.
That was enough for him.
Holding a cup of tea in his hand, he went through the mails he had received today. One of them was an invitation to a gallery that showcased his works.
He seldom came to those types of events. Seeing people express their admiration for her is enough for him.
"Well, a breather would be good too."