Chapter 25

Akaza and Inosuke only stopped fighting when Kyo and Tanjiro separated them. However, both were still at a loss for words and being unable to fight made them shy away from each other and hide.

“W-well,” started Zenitsu, who was hiding behind Nezuko, “But if Akaza-san takes it, doesn’t he have a high chance of dying?” A heavy silence filled the room, and they all looked at him.

“That is also why I don’t want to turn back,” said Kyo, “I don’t like the possibility of losing him.”

“No!” said Akaza, turning to face Kyo, “You have to change back. I feel guilty changing you. I robbed you of your family and friends. I want you to be happy. That’s why you have to change back.”

“Why don’t you believe me when I say I’m happy being with you?”

Akaza remained silent as he looked through Kyo’s eyes, feeling his sincerity, “What should I-”

“You stupid demon,” yelled Inosuke, “Rengoku-san said that he is happy with you regardless if you are a demon or a human. And I’ll allow you to be my f-friend! I don’t care if you’re a demon or a human, either.”

“What he is trying to say,” said Tanjiro, “Is that you should choose what you want because they will be there for you either way.”

Akaza turned to Tanjiro and looked at Inosuke, who hid behind him. He looked down, unsure what to do. He didn’t remember how it was to be a human, but he wanted Kyo to be bathed by the sun again, and in his dreams, he hoped he could be standing next to him. Akaza turned to Kyo, his lips quivering as he tried to form the words in his mind. He nodded before saying he wanted to stand beside Kyo under the sun, and that would make him happy. Kyo stepped closer, holding his shoulders, “I don’t want to lose you. Let's wait until there are more chances for you to survive before we proceed. There must be something we can do.”

“Well,” said Yusuke, interrupting Rengoku-san, “Actually, this cure took more time to complete due to that. I allowed it to ferment for longer before mixing the last components, so in theory, it should be more powerful. Douma had to take a couple before he could turn, and if he weren’t so strong, he would’ve died in the process. But one dose of this should be enough for him.”

Inosuke complained that he should’ve said so earlier while the rest sighed in relief hearing the news, except for Akaza, who remained tense. When Kyo asked him again if he wanted to take it, the pink-haired demon nodded with hints of fear in his expression. Yusuke stood up and handed each demon their corresponding vial, and they drank it simultaneously.

After a day, Kyo woke up in one of the mansion's rooms. His head hurt, but otherwise, he felt fine. He felt like always. He looked at his arms, and a part of him wanted to rip his arm off to test whether he was still a demon, but he refrained from it. Instead, he stood up, and avoiding the sunlight from habit, he walked out of the room, trying to find Akaza. A familiar voice made him look out the window, and he saw Inosuke and Zenitsu playing. He crouched in pain, holding his head while his memories as a human returned to him, and he relived them in seconds. Hearing the grunts in pain, Tanjiro found him kneeling on the floor.

“Welcome back,” said Tanjiro, smiling, “You are officially a human again.”

Rengoku found it hard to believe he was a human, but his mind went back to Akaza, and he asked about him. Tanjiro led the way to Akaza’s room, which was in complete darkness, while he lay on the bed in the middle.

“All we can do now is wait for him to wake up,” said Tanjiro.

After over a week, Akaza finally opened his eyes. During that time, Kyo sat next to him, anxiously waiting.

“Hey, sleepyhead,” said Kyo when Akaza grunted and opened his eyes.

“How long was I asleep?” said Akaza, slowly sitting up, “You aged.”

“Humans need sunlight to look alive,” chuckled Kyo.

“I’m so glad,” said Akaza, hugging Kyo close.

“You should worry about yourself first.”

“We are both alive. That’s all that matters.”

While Kyo briefly explained what happened during the week Akaza was unconscious, he helped him up. Inosuke burst through the doors and tackled Akaza, crying from happiness seeing Akaza finally awake. Kyo pulled Akaza up, and the trio walked together to see Yusuke and tell him the good news.

“I guess we can call this a success,” said Yusuke, “The marks on your body disappeared, and your eyes are blue.”

Akaza was surprised to hear his eyes were blue and quickly ran to a nearby mirror. Seeing his reflection, a wave of human memories invaded his brain, and he curled in pain. Kyo comforted Akaza, and within a few minutes, the pain subsided, and Akaza started to breathe normally.

Tanjiro and his friends gathered outside the mansion in the sun, waiting for Akaza and Kyo to step outside. Akaza was the one most afraid of doing so. So many years had passed that it was instinct for him to hide from the sun. Voluntarily walking to it was a huge hurdle for him.

“Whenever you’re ready,” said Kyo, noticing Akaza’s expression and holding his hand, “We have time.”

Akaza clenched Kyo’s hand and shook his head, “It’s now or never.”

Together, they stepped into the sun. Akaza had his eyes closed, waiting to start disappearing at any second. Kyo smiled brightly and looked at the sky while their friends celebrated their rebirth. The brightness was too big for Akaza, and he could barely open his eyes. Still, the sunlight's warmth was enough to make Akaza cry his eyes out.