"Manjiro!"
Through the dust and the morning light, figures began to appear. Manjiro stood up from tamayo as he heard his name.
There.
Shinobu Kocho was sprinting toward him. Her haori was torn, and she seems to be exhausted too, but her eyes were wet with tears.
"Shinobu-chan? You look terrible, you shou—"
SMACK.
She didn't hit him. She grabbed his collar, yanked him down, and smashed her lips against his.
It wasn't a sweet, gentle kiss like in the movies. It was desperate, a little angry, and full of total relief.
Manjiro's eyes went wide (o_o).
"You truly are annoying, aren't you?" she said softly. She pulled back, breathing heavily, and her face beet red.
Shinobu began to check on manjiro.
"You used a dangerous technique, didn't you?" Shinobu asked. Her voice was soft but serious.
"I..." Manjiro stuttered.
"MANJIRO-KUNNNNN!"
From the left, Mitsuri Kanroji came flying toward him.
"Wait, Mitsuri, don't—"
CRASH!
She tackled him. The impact sent both Manjiro and Shinobu tumbling back into the floor. Mitsuri buried her face in his neck, sobbing loudly.
"I KNEW YOU CAN DO IT! WE CAN FINNALY GO HOME AND LIVE A NORMAL LIFE! WAAAAH!"
She lifted her head, looked him in the eye with her heart-shaped pupils, and planted a massive, wet kiss on his cheek.
SMOOCH.
Manjiro lay flat on his back in the dirt. He had two beautiful girls clinging to him, crying and laughing at the same time. His body was completely broken, but the long war was finally over.
He stared up at the clear blue sky, totally confused but completely happy.
Wow... What is happening?
Suddenly, a loud, high-pitched scream echoed across the ruined street.
"GYYYAAAAAHHHHH!"
Manjiro turned his head. Through the clearing smoke, three figures were walking toward them.
It was Zenitsu, Tanjiro, and Giyu.
Zenitsu's eyes were bulging out of his head. He pointed a shaking, angry finger at Manjiro. His face was completely red with jealousy.
"…You've got to be kidding me." Zenitsu screamed, pulling his own blonde hair. "Why are two beautiful, amazing Hashira kissing you?! This is unfair! This is completely unfair! I fought hard today too! I almost died!"
"And you're telling me that while I was risking my life… you were out here collecting Hashira?"
"Zenitsu, please calm down," Tanjiro said with a gentle voice.
Tanjiro walked closer. His face was covered in blood, but his dark red eyes were shining with tears. Tanjiro took a deep breath, smelling the air. Instead of the awful smell of demons, he only smelled pure love, relief, and peace coming from Manjiro, Shinobu, and Mitsuri.
Tanjiro smiled the warmest, brightest smile. He didn't care about the romantic jealousy at all.
"You saved everyone, Manjiro," Tanjiro said, bowing his head deeply. "Muzan is gone. No one else has to lose their family. Thank you... thank you so much."
Behind Tanjiro, Giyu Tomioka walked up slowly. His Haori was half-torn, and he looked as quiet and serious as always. Giyu stopped and stared down at Manjiro lying on the ground, holding hands with Mitsuri and Shinobu.
For a long moment, Giyu didn't say anything. He just blinked.
Then, Giyu turned his head slightly to the side to hide his face. But Manjiro saw it. For a split second, a very small, genuine smile appeared on the Water Pillar's face.
"You did good," Giyu said quietly. "Now, let's go home."
"Not so fast! We cannot leave without a flashy celebration!" a loud, confident voice echoed.
Manjiro tried to lift his head.
Walking out of the morning mist was Tengen Uzui, missing a hand but grinning widely. Right beside him was Kyojuro Rengoku, his bright flame hair blowing in the wind. Behind them walked Gyomei, Muichiro, Sanemi, and Obanai.
Every single Hashira was alive this time.
"HAHAHA!" Rengoku laughed with his booming voice. He marched right up to Manjiro and slapped him hard on the shoulder.
"WONDERFUL WORK, MANJIRO, MY BOY!" Rengoku shouted happily, ignoring the pain he just caused. "Your spirit burned brighter than the sun today! You protected everyone! I am incredibly proud of you!"
"And look at you, scoring two beautiful women right after the final battle!" Tengen pointed at Shinobu and Mitsuri, winking at Manjiro. "That is the most flashy victory I have ever seen! You might even catch up to me and my three wives!"
"IT IS NOT FAIR!" Zenitsu screamed again in the background.
"Shut up, you loud brat," Sanemi Shinazugawa growled, But he looked completely relaxed for the first time in his life.
Obanai sitting nearby, holding his side. He watched Mitsuri clinging to Manjiro. He let out a long sigh, his snake Kaburamaru nuzzling his cheek.
"She looks happy," Obanai murmured. "That's enough."
"The sky looks so beautiful today," Muichiro Tokito said softly. He looked up at the clouds with a peaceful smile. "I'm glad we all get to see it together."