Chapter 26

Time flew by during the next few months. Akaza was like an unsupervised child who loved to eat sweets and wasn’t aware of danger. He had some trouble getting used to wearing sandals, but whenever he walked bare feet, Kyo nagged him, seeing the scratches on his feet, and eventually, Akaza gave in. With his new friends, he slowly became used to being a human again. He trained with Inosuke and learned how to cook with Nezuko and Tanjiro.

“I thought you got rid of it,” said Akaza when he saw Kyo hanging the nameplate on the door of their new home.

“I would never throw it away,” said Kyo lovingly, “Ready to finally see our house?”

Akaza nodded and followed Kyo inside. Even though both of them worked on the house, to finally see it organized and clean felt completely different. After getting used to the new house, Akaza and Kyo threw a housewarming party, inviting their friends over for dinner. During the party, every adult drank alcohol, including Akaza, who was used to drinking without getting drunk. Inosuke complained about it, but when he lost against Akaza in arm wrestling, he gave up on tasting alcohol. At the end of the night, when all the guests left, Akaza was wobbling from wall to wall, trying to help Kyo tidy up.

“Careful,” said Kyo, holding Akaza, who almost fell while getting up, “You drank too much.”

“I’m not drunk,” said Akaza, slurring, “Demons can’t get drunk.”

“You’re a human already, you drunkyard,” said Kyo, giggling.

Akaza stopped and looked into Kyo’s eyes as if remembering he was human. Then he held Kyo’s face with both hands, brought it closer to his, and kissed him.

“That’s right,” said Akaza, his lips brushing against Kyo’s, their eyes on each other, “You’re the reason I’m this happy.”

They kissed again, and Kyo brought Akaza’s body closer to him.

“It’s scary how happy you make me,” said Akaza, wrapping his arms around Kyo’s neck and looking him in the eye, “I really do love you.”

Kyo’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes opened in surprise. But before he could ask Akaza to repeat it, Kyo felt the pink-haired human in his embrace slump. Kyo tried to wake him up and tell him to repeat, but Akaza was completely out. Still dazed by his words, Kyo carried Akaza to their bed. While he cleaned the rest of the house, Kyo’s mind kept replaying Akaza’s words.

“Morning,” said Akaza, barely awake.

“Do you remember what happened yesterday?” asked Kyo after replying to Akaza’s greeting.

“Hmm. I remember some parts. But it’s mostly bits and pieces.”

“What exactly do you remember?”

“I remember us having dinner. And playing that game that Tanjiro suggested.”

Kyo continued to press, but there wasn’t much that Akaza could remember, and eventually, during their breakfast, Kyo gave up. Akaza and Kyo walked out together and like most days, they walked together until their paths had to diverge. Kyo was going to a new dojo to teach children swordplay, and Akaza was going to work at a sweets shop in the middle of the town.

“Oh, yeah,” said Akaza after they said goodbye and walked a couple of steps in different directions, “I meant what I said when we were kissing after everyone left. I love you.”

Akaza smiled brightly at Kyo, and without waiting for a reply, he turned around and dashed away. Kyo was left speechless once again, and throughout the entire day, he couldn’t hide his smile. He was thankful and glad for his choice to become a demon since he saved such a warm-hearted human and found the love of his life. Akaza was the reason why he, too, was so happy.

THE END