Chapter Text
Chapter 1: The Winter Muichiro Became Family
Tanjiro wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his sleeve, exhaling softly as he placed the final clean baking tray onto the rack. The air was warm and faintly sweet, still filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and custard that lingered long after the ovens had cooled. Outside, the world beyond the window had already sunk into darkness.
Nezuko had been out for most of the day attending her university classes and she had told him not to wait up. She planned to stop by the campus shogi circle afterward. Ever since she had first met Yuichiro Tokito, Muichiro’s older brother, back when she had helped Tanjiro and Muichiro find each other again, there had been an occasional, easy exchange between them. Nothing particularly serious, but just small conversations here and there, most often about famous shogi matches or clever tactical plays that had caught their attention. Still, Tanjiro couldn’t help but notice that recently she had been smiling often while leaning against the counter between customers with her phone in hand and her thumbs flying across the screen quickly. Once or twice, he had caught a glimpse of her display and was fairly certain Yuichiro’s name sat at the top of her messages, but rather than tease her, he had simply smiled to himself, deciding to let things take their natural course and watch curiously from the sidelines.
When Tanjiro finally glanced up at the clock above the counter, he realized it was already nearing six in the evening. The day had felt endless as his feet ached and his arms were sore, but despite the exhaustion of the past few days, he couldn’t help feeling grateful for the Christmas rush. A few weeks ago, Muichiro and Yuichiro had helped distribute flyers around the neighborhood, advertising the bakery’s limited Christmas pastries and special offers for customers who spent a little extra. Tanjiro had to admit, with a fond smile, that the strikingly good-looking identical twins had certainly played a part in boosting the bakery’s popularity. Now, only two days before Christmas, a steady stream of customers continued to pour in, searching for cute, festive treats to share with lovers and families alike. Loosening the knot of his apron, Tanjiro sighed and began untying it completely, ready to close up for the night. Yet just as he took a step toward the door, the gentle chime of the entrance bell echoed through the quiet shop.
“Eh? Another customer?” he murmured as he quickly stepped out of the kitchen, brushing flour from his hands. It was late and with only a few pastries left in the display case, he worried that whoever had come in might be disappointed. But the moment he stepped into the storefront, the world seemed to blur around him.
A flash of long, silky black hair with its tips gleaming cyan beneath the bakery lights, was all he saw before someone collided into him and he felt the slender arms wrapping firmly around his neck. But there was no shock or confusion. Tanjiro let out a laugh, his lips curving into a gentle smile as his eyes softened. He instinctively raised a hand to rest against the back of the boy’s head, his fingers digging gently through smooth strands of hair that still carried the fresh and slightly sweet scent he knew so well.
“Muichiro,” he whispered against the silky and soft hair. “Why are you here?”
The boy lifted his face from Tanjiro’s shoulder as he looked up with his eyes sparkling. Before answering, Muichiro leaned forward and pressed a quick, featherlight kiss against Tanjiro’s lips, which were still faintly dusted with flour from the day’s work, but Muichiro didn’t seem to mind at all.
“Because I missed you, Tanjiro,” he admitted softly, the words flowing out with simple sincerity as his eyes curved into two beautiful crescents that mirrored the gentle smile spreading across his face.
Tanjiro couldn’t help but laugh, feeling the warmth spreading in his chest and washing away the day’s exhaustion. It had been over a week since they had last seen each other. The days leading up to Christmas had been relentless. The Kamado siblings were working side by side to keep up with the endless orders, while Muichiro was constantly balancing his university work, catching up on missed lectures with the help of Yuichiro’s meticulous notes and pushed himself through long, demanding hours of kendo training in preparation for the national championship qualifiers coming soon after the new year.
And yet, despite all of that, he was here now. Tanjiro’s smile deepened as he looked at the boy before him. Slowly, he reached out and drew Muichiro closer, their bodies fitting together as it was meant to be. Muichiro’s head bumped lightly against Tanjiro’s chin and Tanjiro chuckled at the impact. His hand rose to rest on the back of Muichiro’s head, fingers threading gently through his hair as he murmured, “I missed you too… Muichiro.”
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Their eyes met again and in the stillness of the empty shop, the world seemed to fall away. Without a word, they leaned toward each other, their foreheads touching first and their breaths mingling before Tanjiro felt a brush of warmth against his lips. It was just a simple, fleeing but tender kiss that carried every unspoken word between them. When they finally drew apart, both of them smiled at each other as their noses brushed in playful affection.
Muichiro loosened his arms, glanced toward the shelves. “Can I have the leftovers, Tanjiro?”
“Of course!” Tanjiro replied at once as he quickly hurried behind the counter. He pulled out a few paper bags, carefully selecting the remaining pastries and pieces of bread. As he worked, he glanced back at Muichiro. “But why are you here today? We were supposed to meet in two days…” His voice trailed off and a faint blush crept across his cheeks as he added, almost shyly, “…for Christmas Eve?”
By then, Muichiro had already wandered over to the small table near the window. Over time, it somehow had quietly become his spot. Setting down his bag, he sank into the chair and unlocked his phone, scrolling absentmindedly as he typed a quick message to his brother. He barely noticed Tanjiro’s flustered tone until he looked up again, just as Tanjiro approached with three neatly packed paper bags.
“Thank you, Tanjiro!” Muichiro said cheerfully. He placed his phone aside, ready to stand, but before he could, Tanjiro sat beside him and gently caught his hand.
“Muichiro,” he began softly. Tanjiro’s thumb brushed over Muichiro’s fingers, “you’re not overworking yourself, are you? You must be tired. You said you’ve been training every day lately… and then you came all the way here.”
Muichiro blinked, surprised by the concern in his voice. For a moment, he could only stare, his heart warming at the gentle sincerity in Tanjiro’s eyes.
Ahh… Tanjiro is always like this. Always thinking about me.
His smile didn’t fade as he shook his head lightly. “Don’t worry, I’m fine. I won’t stay too long — training ended earlier than I expected and I just wanted to see you. I couldn’t wait for Christmas.”
Tanjiro smiled but he did notice the subtle change in Muichiro’s scent revealing the exhaustion behind. Yet when Muichiro leaned lightly against his shoulder, closing his eyes, Tanjiro said nothing. He only stayed still, letting the younger boy rest against him as the warmth of their shared silence filled the small shop. After a moment, Muichiro added quietly, almost as an afterthought, “Besides, my battery charges the fastest here.”
For a long while they just stayed like that with Tanjiro listening to the steady rhythm of Muichiro’s breathing. When Muichiro’s head tilted slightly, Tanjiro brushed a few stray strands from his face, before he pressed a gentle kiss to his hair.
Then, slowly, he spoke again, “Let me finish closing up, Muichiro. I know your schedule is packed, but…” His words started to trail off. The thought slipped out before he could stop it and now that it hung in the air, he felt his face grow hot. He fumbled for words to continue, his voice tripping over itself in embarrassment. “...But if you want—really, only if you want to and if you’re comfortable, of course—and I promise, it’s just to rest, nothing more and my siblings—” He stopped himself, burying his face briefly in his hands before looking back up at him, the corners of his mouth twitching into a nervous smile.
“…If you want to stay here tonight, Muichiro…I would love…”
Muichiro lifted his head in surprise, his beautiful teal eyes widening as he stared at Tanjiro for a long moment. The flush on Tanjiro’s face, the nervous tension in his posture of this invitation was so rare that Muichiro couldn’t help but feel his heart skipping a few beats and at the same time a mischievous grin showed up on his face. Without a word, he moved closer again, his arms suddenly wrapping around Tanjiro’s neck, so much that Tanjiro let out a startled gasp.“Mu–Muichiro!” but before he could say more, he heard the laugh against his ear, felt the breath that brushed warm against his skin.
“Of course, Tanjiro,” Muichiro whispered with his voice low and brimming joyfully. “I wasn’t planning on leaving all too soon anyway.” He paused just long enough for his tone to turn teasing as he added, “But I can’t guarantee anything.” Leaning back slightly, his arms still looped lazily around Tanjiro’s neck, Muichiro tilted his head and smirked up at him. Tanjiro’s eyes wide, cheeks burning scarlet, was so endearing that Muichiro’s smile only grew wider.
“Mu… Muichiro!” Tanjiro stammered once more unsure whether to scold him or hide his face in his hands. But at the same time Tanjiro noticed the faint shadows beneath Muichiro’s eyes and the tiredness that not even his teasing could conceal. His flustered expression softened immediately. Without really thinking, Tanjiro raised his hand and cupped Muichiro’s face, his thumb lifting to brush slowly beneath the delicate rings of tiredness under his eyes. After a moment, he let his fingers slide into Muichiro’s dark hair, stroking through the strands a few times before gently easing him back, just enough to put a little distance between them. His arms stopped and came to rest on Muichiro’s shoulders.
“Muichiro,” he said quietly, “you must be tired, right? Go upstairs and wait for a bit. I’ll finish closing the shop and make dinner, okay?”
“Let me help you,” Muichiro offered immediately, but Tanjiro only shook his head with his hands remaining steady on Muichiro’s shoulders. “Not today,” this time Tanjiro remained firm not leaving any room for further argument. “Go rest for a while, alright?”
Muichiro hesitated as his lips parted to protest, but when he looked into those crimson eyes carrying an unmistakable worry in it, he stopped. He knew Tanjiro had already sensed his fatigue, the faint weariness in his scent that he could never hide from him. “…Okay,” Leaning forward, he placed a light kiss on Tanjiro’s cheek before straightening with a small smile. “I’ll wait upstairs for you, then. Let me check on the kids, too.”
Tanjiro smiled at that and watched as Muichiro disappeared toward the stairway, only then noticing the large shopping bag he had apparently brought along, now being dragged up the steps with a soft rustle. Once the sound of his footsteps faded, Tanjiro exhaled and moved toward the entrance, flipping the small wooden sign from open to closed before locking the door. The shop fell into a calm silence as Tanjiro began clearing the counters, but his thoughts drifted back to Muichiro.
Even though the boy could hide it well Tanjiro could tell that the past few days had worn him down. He knew Muichiro had been pushing himself hard, balancing his studies with his kendo training. More than once, Muichiro had sheepishly admitted that he’d handed off some of his assignments to his twin brother to finish for him, but even that hadn’t eased his schedule much. Between early mornings class and training sessions lasting until the late night, it was no wonder he looked exhausted. Tanjiro’s heart softened as he wiped down the counter. All he wanted now was to finish quickly, prepare a quick dinner and let Muichiro rest to give him a small corner of peace amidst the endless rhythm of his days.
Two young boys were huddled together on the couch glued to the newest episode of a popular anime flickering across the television. The room was bright and the sound of cheerful voices and background music filled the cozy space until the creak of door reached their ears. Both boys turned at once and the moment they saw who had entered, their faces lit up with joy, just like their older brother downstairs.
“Muichiro-nii-san!” they shouted in perfect unison and they ran toward the boy with long, flowing hair. Seeing them, Muichiro quickly set the large bag down on the floor before kneeling and opening his arms wide to welcome them. “Shigeru-kun, Rokuta-kun! Not so fast,” he said with a small laugh, steadying himself as both of them collided into his embrace.
It was still something of a wonder to the young kids that this calm, graceful young man with the long black hair, who also happened to be the reigning national kendo champion was also their big brother Tanjiro’s boyfriend. The younger boys didn’t understand how everything had come to be, but they knew that Muichiro was a very important person in Tanjiro’s life now. And it was the same for them. To Shigeru and Rokuta, Muichiro was more than just “Tanjiro-nii’s boyfriend.” He was cool and strong, smart but gentle and he had once helped save their brother and sister. To them, he was a kind of hero and a dear friend they’d quickly come to adore.
“Muichiro-nii-san!” Shigeru said a little breathless. “Tanjiro-nii didn’t tell us you were coming today!”
Muichiro pulling back just so he could look at them properly without loosening his hold. “I just decided to come. I missed your brother…and the two of you, of course, too! Don’t you want to see me?”
“Of course we do!” Rokuta exclaimed, shaking his head so hard that his hair bounced. Then he wrapped both of his small arms tightly around Muichiro’s neck. “We missed you too!”
“I just showed Rokuta how to make cranes!” Shigeru said proudly. “Can you show us some other origami animals too?”
“Of course,” Muichiro replied without hesitation and his smile widening. But before he could say more, his eyes drifted toward the kitchen, where the door was half-open.
“Takeo-kun? Nezuko-chan?” he asked, tilting his head slightly trying to look inside the kitchen. “They’re not home?”
Shigeru shook his head as he replied, “Takeo-nii-chan is staying overnight for his school club camp. Nezuko-nee-chan should be coming home later. She mentioned something about a shogi circle at her university. Tanjiro-nii-chan is still downstairs!”
Muichiro nodded as he slowly set Rokuta back down on the floor, ruffling both of their heads affectionately. “I met him downstairs already,” he said with a light smile. “He’s closing up the shop and coming up soon.”
With one more glance toward the kitchen, Muichiro walked over to where he had left the large bag he’d brought along. Lifting it from the floor, he carried it toward the kitchen counter.
Curious, the two boys trailed right behind him, their small footsteps padding softly against the floor. Muichiro placed the bag on the table and began to open it, drawing out a large box. For a moment, he paused, his expression softening as he brushed his hand over the smooth surface. Then, carefully, he lifted the lid. Watching from behind, Shigeru’s eyes widened, sparkling with excitement as Muichiro tilted the box just enough for him to see what was inside—a rice cooker.
“Muichiro-nii-san, is that a rice cooker?” Rokuta asked in awe, his eyes sparkling like his brothers.
Muichiro turned around and smiled gently, “It is. You’re probably hungry already, right? Let’s make some dinner.”
“Really?!” Shigeru exclaimed, practically bouncing on his feet. Ever since he had started helping Takeo every now and then with cooking, he had become rather proud of his growing kitchen skills. Without waiting for another word, he darted to the shelves and pulled out a big bowl. “I’ll wash the rice!” he announced and his enthusiasm was radiating through the room.
Muichiro watched over the young boy as he scooped the rice from the large sack in the corner of the kitchen. Rokuta stood on his tiptoes beside him, clutching a jug of water in both hands while Muichiro leaned over the rice cooker, helping to measure the right amount.
The three of them were soon huddled together around the counter, their heads touching as they studied the water level in the pot with absolute seriousness. Rokuta’s small hands trembled as he tried to pour just the right amount of water, while Shigeru’s brows furrowed in deep concentration. Muichiro closed his hands gently around Rokuta’s, steadying the water jug while allowing him to lead the pour, but still guided them carefully.
That was the sight Tanjiro walked in on. Standing at the doorway, he stopped for a moment, simply watching. His siblings and Muichiro were gathered so close together that their dark hair seemed to blend into one another beneath the soft light of the kitchen. The gentle sound of their laughter filled the room with an almost unreal sense of peace. The scene made Tanjiro’s heart tighten in his chest. He wondered, not for the first time, what he had done to deserve this: the laughter of his family, the sight of the boy he loved fitting so effortlessly into their home and the joy that seemed to fill every corner when Muichiro was near.
“Hey, what are you guys doing here?” Tanjiro asked finally after a short moment, curiously stepping closer to see what they were gathered around and only then noticed the rice cooker right in the middle of them. “Muichiro…” he started softly, realizing it must have come from the large bag Muichiro had been carrying earlier. The sight made his heart ache a little once again, Muichiro had gone out of his way to help them without saying a word.
But Muichiro only looked up, smiling at his boyfriend in that effortlessly gentle way that always seemed to calm the room. “Tanjiro, do you like it? Help us figure out the water level for this!” he said, tilting his head.
With a small sigh that melted into a smile, Tanjiro took over. Surrounded by the warmth of his siblings and the soft glow filtering through the doors, he swallowed the words of gratitude he couldn’t quite bring himself to say aloud. Instead, he reached out, taking the measuring cup from Muichiro’s hand with one hand and with the other gently scooped the two little boys to the side. He poured the water into the rice cooker not even glancing at the measuring lines. Dipping his little finger into the pot, he nodded with a smile. “Should be right like this,” he murmured.
Even though the rice cooker was new to him, Tanjiro quickly figured out which buttons to press and before long, the soft bubbling of the rice filled the air. “Shigeru, Rokuta, ” Tanjiro said, turning to them with his usual gentle authority of the old brother, “the laundry is probably done now. Can you unload the washing machine and hang up the clothes?”
The two boys exchanged a quick look full of mischief and understanding. Over time, they had begun piecing things together, noticing how their big brother’s and their new Muichiro-nii-san’s relationship fit into the puzzle of their lives. “Tanjiro-nii-chan, Muichiro-nii-san,” Shigeru called playfully, “we’ll leave you alone now. But don’t forget to call us for dinner!” With a grin, he tugged Rokuta along and the two disappeared behind the sliding kitchen door.
Left alone in the kitchen, Tanjiro stood there beside Muichiro, flustered he realized that his little siblings understood far more than he’d thought, enough to deliberately give them privacy. A moment passed, filled only by the rhythmic bubbling from the rice cooker, Tanjiro turned toward Muichiro as his expression was soft but conflicted. “Muichiro, you really didn’t have to bring a rice cooker…” he said quietly, his voice carrying both gratitude and a touch of guilt.
Then Muichiro turned to him as well. “Tanjiro, you’re thanking the wrong person,” he said with a light chuckle. “This was Nii-san’s idea.”
Tanjiro froze, blinking in disbelief, his jaw hanging slightly open. “Yuichiro-san? Did you tell him that we didn’t have a rice cooker?”
Muichiro shook his head with his hair swaying gently. “No, actually I didn’t,” pausing before adding with a smirk, “I guess Nezuko spilled something…”
They shared a knowing look before Muichiro continued. “But Tanjiro, don’t worry about it, really. It’s an older one we’re not using anymore. My brother got a new one as a present when he participated in some TV shows promoting shogi last year.”
Tanjiro looked down at the rice cooker again. The appliance gleamed faintly under the kitchen light, barely showing any signs of use. Even if it was an old one from the Tokito family, it was clear it hadn’t been used for very long. Another wave of gratitude welled up inside him, not just for Muichiro, but for everything that seemed to connect their lives again, even after a century apart. He still couldn’t understand what kind of miracle had brought him back to Muichiro, nor how to ever repay all the kindness not only from Muichiro, but from his twin brother as well.
Without a word, Tanjiro stepped forward, closing the small distance between them. He wrapped his arms around Muichiro from behind, pressing their sides together, his cheek resting against the soft fall of Muichiro’s hair. Muichiro felt the sudden embrace and let himself lean back completely, his head coming to rest lightly against Tanjiro’s shoulder. Then, out of nowhere, Tanjiro pressed a tender kiss to Muichiro’s temple.
When Muichiro tilted his head up to look at him, their eyes met and their lips found each other in a long, lingering kiss that spoke all the words they didn’t say. When they finally parted, Tanjiro’s hands slid gently down Muichiro’s arms as he smiled softly. “Muichiro, rest a bit in the living room, okay? I’ll make something delicious for you.”
At that, Muichiro’s eyes lit up at the thought of getting to taste Tanjiro’s cooking again.. “I can help you!” Tanjiro shook his head, his tone gentle but firm as he looked at Muichiro. “Not today, Muichiro. You look really tired. And I want to make a little surprise, okay?”
Muichiro met his eyes and sighed softly, but the small, content smile never left his face. “I guess I have no choice then, Tanjiro. I’m looking forward to your surprise.” He leaned forward, pressing another quick kiss to Tanjiro’s lips before turning to leave the kitchen. It’s okay, he thought with a faint smile as he walked away. I still have the whole night with him.
In the living room, the soft rustle of fabric greeted him. Shigeru and Rokuta were already kneeling in front of a big basket of freshly washed laundry, carefully folding each piece.
“Shigeru-kun, Rokuta-kun,” Muichiro called cheerfully, crouching beside them, “your brother kicked me out of the kitchen. Can I at least help you fold these?”
The two boys grinned, clearly happy to have him join. Working together, they quickly finished, their small hands moving in rhythm. When they were done, Shigeru and Rokuta dashed off to distribute the neatly folded laundry to each sibling’s room.
A moment later, Shigeru came running back, clutching a small stack of colorful origami paper.
“Muichiro-nii-san! Can you show us more origami animals?” he asked eagerly.
Muichiro let out a soft sigh and a laugh at the same time, amused by the boys’ boundless energy.
“All right, all right,” he said, settling back comfortably. Shigeru plopped down right beside him, close enough to watch every fold carefully, while Rokuta nestled himself between Muichiro’s stretched-out legs, determined to imitate his movements, though his results came out a little more unique. Still, their laughter filled the living room, echoing warmly through the house.
Just then, Tanjiro’s voice called from the kitchen. “Shigeru! Rokuta! Prepare the dinner table!”
“Ohhh!!” the boys answered in chorus, setting down the little paper rabbits they had been folding. Without any complaint, they jumped to their feet and rushed toward the kitchen to help carry out the trays and dishes.
Muichiro lingered behind for a moment longer. He reached for one more sheet of origami paper and paused, hesitating for a moment before his fingers moved on their own. In a few moments, a delicate paper crane rested in his hand. He held it up against the light from the living room glinting off its folds. And then it struck him suddenly that this was the first time in a century he had made one without feeling the ache in his heart.
When Muichiro didn’t immediately follow the two boys, Tanjiro eventually came over to the living room, worrying if Muichiro was truly more exhausted than he let on, if he might be hiding that he didn’t feel well. But the moment Tanjiro saw him, standing there with a small paper crane held gently in his hand, his tense expression relaxed. Trying not to startle him, Tanjiro called out lightly once more, “Muichiro, dinner is ready.”
Muichiro looked up to see Tanjiro smiling at him with the undeniable warmth shining in his eyes. Setting the little crane carefully on the table, Muichiro stood and returned the smile. “I’m coming!” he said, hurrying beside Tanjiro and entered the kitchen on his side.
When Muichiro stepped into the kitchen, the scent that greeted him felt strangely nostalgic in a way he couldn’t explain. His eyes wandered over the table, where the dishes were arranged neatly at each seat: two perfectly golden, crisp yaki-onigiri on every plate, a steaming bowl of miso soup beside it, a perfectly grilled fish, some pickles on a tiny plate and another small dish filled with a bright tomato and greens salad.
Just looking at the trays filled Muichiro with a deep sense of comfort. He couldn’t quite understand why Tanjiro’s cooking always touched him like this as if every meal, no matter how simple, carried a kind of warmth that reached straight into his chest. And somehow, he knew this would never change. Not in a few months, not in a few years as it didn’t even change after another century.
The two boys had just finished setting the chopsticks when Tanjiro came to the table carrying another tray, balancing four small bowls with lids. Gently, he placed one on each dinner set before taking his seat beside Muichiro.
All four of them clapped their hands together. “Itadakimasu!” they said in perfect harmonization.
Muichiro picked up his chopsticks and took a sip of miso soup first, letting the warmth spread inside him. Then he picked up one of the yaki-onigiri and bit into it. The crisp, soy-scented crust gave way to the soft rice inside.
“Ahh… it’s so good,” he murmured, his voice almost dazed with contentment. The nostalgic feeling deepened. It took him a moment to realize that Tanjiro had made this exact dish once before, over a century ago, during one of their brief lunch breaks between training sessions with the other warriors. The flavor was the same, even after all this time. Different ingredients, different tools… yet the same unmistakable taste of Tanjiro’s cooking.
Tanjiro only smiled at him, not touching his own food yet. He simply watched Muichiro eat, eyes filled with affection. He had promised himself long ago never to disappoint Muichiro again. No matter how busy his schedule or how strict his training became, he wanted to support him in the small, simple ways he could do. And one of those was to make food that nourished him. Otherwise, he knew all too well, Muichiro would just survive on bread again.
Muichiro, lost in savoring each bite and Tanjiro, absorbed in watching him, were both pulled back to reality when Rokuta suddenly shouted, “Tanjiro-nii-chan! What is this???”
The little boy held up the lidded bowl Tanjiro had just placed earlier, now open in his small hands.
Muichiro turned his head toward him and the piece of onigiri he hadn’t finished chewing almost slipped from his mouth as he saw what Rokuta was holding. Tanjiro sighed, half laughing, realizing his carefully planned surprise had been revealed too soon.
“Rokuta,” Tanjiro began with a chuckle, “that dish is called furofuki daikon. I’ve never made it before at home, but… this is Muichiro’s favorite… or at least, I hope it still is.”
Tanjiro continued, looking at Muichiro now, his expression gentler than ever. “I tried a few times to get the recipe right, looking up old instructions and trying to remember what I could from before. I promised, remember? That someday I’d make it again for you.”
It had been a promise written in one of their letters long ago, one that neither of them had ever thought would actually take a century to keep.
Muichiro froze completely. The bowl in Rokuta’s hands blurred through the sudden tears that filled his eyes.
“Muichiro-nii-san?” Shigeru asked quietly, startled to see the usually calm, composed kendo star and now their big brother, almost crying.
“Ah… Muichiro…” Tanjiro whispered as he immediately put down his chopsticks and reached over to wipe the tears from Muichiro’s eye corner. His thumb brushed gently against his skin and feeling that warmth, Muichiro finally moved again. With trembling hands, he reached for his own bowl, carefully lifting the lid himself. He didn’t know what to expect when he picked up his chopsticks and slowly took a bite. The daikon was perfectly cooked, tender and full of flavor, melting easily on his tongue. It tasted nothing like his own attempts in this life. Taking another bite, Muichiro smiled through his tears and stuffed the rest of the daikon piece into his mouth, cheeks puffed like a hamster.
When he finally swallowed, he set the bowl down and reached out to ruffle Shigeru’s hair. “Shigeru-kun, Rokuta-kun, don’t worry, your brother just finally fulfilled a promise to make me the most delicious furofuki daikon from a long, long time ago. You know, it really took him a long time to remember the recipe finally. It’s so good. You two should try it.” As if nothing had happened, Muichiro hummed happily and continued eating his meal, while across the table, the three Kamados watched him completely speechless.
Soon, the four of them resumed their meal — laughter and soft conversation filling the cozy kitchen. Not long after, Tanjiro quietly lifted his own bowl of furofuki daikon and placed it onto Muichiro’s tray.
“Thank you, Tanjiro!!” Muichiro exclaimed brightly, his voice full of childlike joy. Tanjiro chuckled softly, shaking his head as Muichiro happily accepted the extra portion.
The rest of dinner passed in warm harmony. The two boys chattered excitedly, telling Muichiro all about their plans for the short winter break from school, where they wanted to go, what they wanted to do and grew even more thrilled upon hearing that Muichiro would be staying overnight.
When the meal finally ended, Shigeru immediately offered to take care of the dishes. Rokuta hesitated for a moment, but after a brief glance at his older brother, he sighed and agreed to help. It was typical of the Kamado family, each of them looking out for one another, even in the smallest of ways.
Tanjiro and Muichiro returned to the living room. The soft clinking of dishes faded behind them as they sat down again. Muichiro was still trying to find the right words to thank Tanjiro for the furofuki daikon, for remembering and for keeping that promise after a hundred years until Tanjiro suddenly stopped mid-step.
His eyes had landed on the table, still scattered with sheets of colored origami paper from earlier. Slowly, he knelt down and picked up the small crane that Muichiro had folded before dinner, holding it gently in his hand.
“Tanjiro…” Muichiro said softly, already knowing what was going through his mind. Those small paper cranes had been the final trigger that had unlocked Tanjiro’s memories completely. Tanjiro looked up at him with a faint, knowing smile. Without a word, he reached for another sheet of paper and began folding. A moment later, he placed his own crane right beside Muichiro’s.
“Tanjiro…” Muichiro began again, but before he could say more, Tanjiro extended his hand toward him. Muichiro took it without hesitation, letting Tanjiro gently pull him down to sit beside him. Together, they looked at the two paper cranes resting side by side and their delicate heads tilted toward each other, almost touching, almost as if kissing.
Muichiro squeezed Tanjiro’s hand before letting go, using his other to lift the two cranes carefully onto his open palm. He studied them for a moment, before he started to speak a bit teasingly. “Tanjiro, I didn’t know your cranes looked so perfect now. They’re not bent or crooked at all…”
Tanjiro chuckled, then wrapped one arm around Muichiro, drawing him close until the sides of their heads touched. His fingers brushed gently through Muichiro’s hair. “You know, Muichiro,” he murmured with a faint, wistful smile, “I had a lot of time to practice… in the past century.”
At those words, Muichiro fell silent. The bittersweetness of them lingered in the air. He hadn’t meant to open any old wounds and for a moment, the silence stretched on, filled only by the faint sounds of water running in the kitchen. Glancing around to make sure the children hadn’t returned yet, Muichiro leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Tanjiro’s lips while still holding the two cranes carefully in his palm.
For a long silent moment, they simply leaned on one another, breathing in the same slow rhythm. Then Tanjiro shifted, carefully lifting the cranes again from Muichiro’s hands. Without a word, he stood and crossed the room.
Muichiro watched as Tanjiro moved toward the small shrine in the corner dedicated to his parents and Hanako. Tanjiro took out two sticks of incense and lit them, setting them carefully in place before gently laying the paper cranes directly in front of the softly glowing incense. He then pressed his hands together and bowed deeply in respect. When he straightened, his eyes immediately searched for Muichiro’s and Muichiro didn’t need to be called. He rose quickly and joined him, with his heart already swelling. He had paid respects here before, but not like this. Not after Tanjiro’s memories had returned and their feelings were finally spoken.
Tanjiro reached out and took Muichiro’s hand. It felt natural and together, they knelt in front of the shrine. “Okaa-chan, Otou-chan… Hanako.” Tanjiro began softly. He lifted their joined hands slightly, as if presenting something sacred. “This… this is Tokito Muichiro.”
Muichiro bowed deeply, saying nothing as he let Tanjiro gather his thoughts and lead the moment.
“I… I found the most important person in my life again,” Tanjiro continued, his words soft and heavy with emotion. “After a century. Finally.” He let out a shaky breath. “I don’t know if you can believe something like that, but we… we were destined already a century ago.”
Muichiro lifted his head to meet Tanjiro’s eyes. The gentleness in them and the reassuring squeeze of his hands was enough to make his own vision blur.
“He’s my boyfriend now,” Tanjiro said, cheeks growing redder with every syllable. “I love him — so much more than I can ever explain and for so much longer than would even sound real.” His voice cracked with sincerity as ears turned pink at the same time. “Maybe… maybe this isn’t exactly what you pictured for my future. But I’m incredibly happy. I have Muichiro by my side and I know you would like him! I hope… I really hope you’re proud of me. And…” His palm had grown warm and damp with every word until he felt Muichiro squeezing it back.
This time Muichiro bowed again, then raised his head determined. His eyes and voice stayed calmer than he had expected. “Okaa-san, Otou-san,” he said warmly, respectfully. “Thank you for bringing Tanjiro into this world. For raising him so kindly and shaping him into the person he is today. Because of you, my long search for him wasn’t in vain. I was able to find him again.” His fingers tightened around Tanjiro’s as if sealing a vow. “I promise I will stay by Tanjiro’s side. Forever. I will protect the bakery and support him in every way I can. I will help him care for the little ones.” He finished with another deep and sincere bow coming from his heart.
The room held its breath as if waiting for their parents approval. And then suddenly, even though everything was perfectly still, the incense smoke suddenly curled before going upward, as if their prayers were heard.
They had barely finished saying their prayers when quick footsteps echoed from the hallway and Shigeru and Rokuta suddenly came rushing into the room after finishing the dishes. But the moment they caught sight of Tanjiro and Muichiro kneeling before the shrine, their movements halted instantly. Behind the boys, Nezuko appeared in the doorway, having just returned home and for a heartbeat she stood frozen as well, quietly taking in the tender scene unfolding before her.
The younger boys exchanged a glance, realizing at once that they had stepped into a deeply private moment and for a second they were unsure whether to speak or step back. Yet Nezuko, calm and perceptive as always, gently placed one hand on each of her little brothers’ shoulders. With a soft but encouraging push forward, she guided them further inside, silently telling them that they belonged in this moment too.
Following her lead, the three Kamado siblings knelt down beside Tanjiro and Muichiro, mirroring their posture, hands pressed together as they offered a prayer to the parents who continued to watch over them. For a little while, the room held a stillness that felt sacred, stitched with the warmth of shared emotion and the comfort of family drawn close around the memories they cherished.
Then Nezuko’s soft voice broke the silence, gentle yet steady, like a warm breeze brushing over the quiet evening. “Okaa-chan, Otou-chan… please don’t worry about us anymore. Even though it’s not easy sometimes, we’re doing really well,” she said, her eyes lingering on her older brother with pride. “Onii-chan takes care of everything and he works so hard for all of us. But most importantly…” her tone warmed, softening as her gaze shifted toward Muichiro, “he’s happy now, too. Our family has grown — we have Muichiro-san with us, supporting Onii-chan and helping him. He brings him happiness.”
She paused for a second before the continued with a smile on her lips “Onii-chan is happy, so please watch over us. We’ll support them too — all of us will.”
As her words sank gently into the stillness of the room, Tanjiro’s hand, still intertwined with Muichiro’s, loosened, only so he could wrap his arm around Muichiro’s shoulder and pull him in close, an instinctive gesture overflowing with warmth and gratitude. Muichiro didn’t hesitate as he let his head fall naturally against Tanjiro’s shoulder, allowing himself to lean into that warmth, into the quiet, undeniable certainty that wrapped around him like a promise he had long waited to receive. Surrounded by Tanjiro and his siblings, held in a space full of love, memory and gentle acceptance, Muichiro felt something settle deep within his chest. In that moment, he believed without a single doubt that this was where he belonged. After a century of searching, grieving and wandering he had finally found his place.
It wasn’t as though Muichiro didn’t already value the life he had now, nor that he lacked gratitude for the happiness he had been given. He truly cherished living with his brother and parents; the memories of when their mother was still alive remained precious in his mind. He loved his parents deeply and he loved Yuichiro in a way that others sometimes struggled to understand, but this time Muichiro understood better than anyone, how fiercely Yuichiro cared for him beneath that cool exterior and curt tone. Every clipped remark, every sigh of exasperation, every protective gesture was just Yuichiro’s imperfect but earnest way of trying to ensure Muichiro was safe and happy. It had been Yuichiro, after all, who had suggested digging through the dusty corner of their storeroom to retrieve that rice cooker. And Muichiro treasured that life, treasured that love that had raised him in this era.
Yet this moment was different. To be here now, with both the family of his present and the family tied to the boy he loved since a century ago, felt almost too miraculous, too generous. Perhaps it was greedy to want both, to hold onto every piece of love he had been granted, but Muichiro could not bring himself to feel guilty for it. For once, everything in his world fit perfectly into place and he would not let himself believe he was asking for too much. So he simply closed his eyes for a moment, breathed in the warmth around him and allowed himself the joy of knowing Tanjiro was looking at him with a gaze full of love, full of history, full of a promise neither of them needed to speak aloud anymore.
Nezuko rose first, brushing a few flecks of dust from the hem of her winter skirt and Shigeru and Rokuta echoed her movements almost immediately, scrambling up beside her. Then Tanjiro and Muichiro followed, rising slowly as though reluctant to break the moment.
“Okaeri, Nezuko,” Tanjiro greeted softly, finally catching up with the reality that his sister had returned home. “Did you eat yet? I can warm up dinner for you.”
Nezuko shook her head with a gentle little smile. “I’m fine. The university shogi club had their year-end party and they invited me to join.” Her eyes went to Muichiro, kind and welcoming. “Muichiro-san, you’re staying tonight, right? I’ll start filling the bath, you can go first.”
Before Muichiro could nod, two sets of small hands immediately claimed his arms, tugging with all the determination only children could possess.
“Muichiro-nii-san! Show us more origami!” Rokuta pleaded with exaggerated desperation while Shigeru nodded rapidly, already dragging him back toward the living room.
“Hey, bedtime,” Tanjiro tried to remind them, but Rokuta’s pout was so dramatic and earnest that even Muichiro had to swallow back a laugh. “It’s alright, Tanjiro,” Muichiro said with a calm smile. “It’s winter break anyway. I’ll show them two more and then…” he glanced down at the boys with a playful raise of his eyebrow, “you two go straight to bed. Deal?”
Both boys nodded so quickly it looked like their heads might fall off, clutching Muichiro’s sleeves triumphantly.
Tanjiro however still hesitated. “Muichiro… are you sure you’re not too tired?”
Muichiro nodded with a bright smile. “I promise I’m fine.” Then, just as the boys were about to drag him away, Muichiro stepped close enough to Tanjiro that his breath brushed his ear and he murmured in a playful, low whisper only he could hear, “I still have plenty of energy left tonight for you, Tanjiro.”
Tanjiro went nearly incandescent before his face exploded into a shade of red so intense it rivaled the ripest summer watermelon and without a single coherent word escaping his lips, he practically fled the room, ears burning, avoiding eye contact as though his life depended on it.
The two younger siblings watched him vanish with identical bewildered expressions, eyes blinking in chorus as they wondered how Muichiro was able to chase their big brother away so easily.