Arriving back home, Tanjuro and Kiyomi both changed back into something more comfortable. With Tanjuro changing into his usual black and orange checkered haori.
Whilst Kiyomi decided that she wanted to get some rest, Tanjuro got an axe to go gather more wood for charcoal.
Like any other day, the family got together during breakfast and had a lively meal. Although the food wasn't much, the warmth and support that the members of the family gave each other were more than enough.
After breakfast, as Tanjuro was about to resume his woodcutting, Kiyomi went up to Tanjuro and tugged on his Haori.
Puzzled, Tanjuro put down his axe, "What is it Kiyomi?"
With her clear amethyst eyes filled with confusion, Kiyomi slowly answered, "Oto-san.. are you not going to ask me about yesterday?"
Giving a soft head pat, the corners of Tanjuro's mouth raised slightly. "Kiyomi, everyone would eventually have their secrets that they would not want anyone to know."
He picked up Kiyomi and put her on his shoulders.
Pointing to a beehive hanging from a tree nearby, Tanjuro spoke with gentleness "Just like how if I were to pry open that beehive, I would get to taste the honey inside, but I would also get stung by thousands of bees."
He looked at the little girl who was hugging his neck.
"It is the same with our little secret, If I were to force an answer out of you, you would probably start to resent me."
Putting Kiyomi back on the ground, Tanjuro picked up the axe from the snow.
"So if you wanted to tell me your secret, I'll always be listening. If you don't want me to know, I will not try to pry it from you."
Getting ready for the second round of woodcutting, Tanjuro didn't forget to remind Kiyomi to quickly go back into the house.
Staring at the back of Tanjuro until it can no longer be seen, Kiyomi, who was once filled with hatred and longing for family affection and caring parents, silently made a promise to herself.
Her face unknowingly seemed a little more at ease, as if something heavy was taken off her shoulders.
Since then, other than learning sewing from her mother and Dance of the moon goddess on her own time, Kiyomi also started spending more time and more with her father, who was starting to get weaker.
A few months later...
"Happy birthday Tanjiro!" celebrating Tanjirou's fifth birthday, the kamado family held a joyous atmosphere.
"Hey, little brother! Happy 5th birthday! I made something for you, quickly try it on and see if it fits!" Kiyomi swiftly took out a black and green checkered haori from seemingly out of nowhere.
Tanjiro who was surprised that his usual tsundere sister suddenly changed, still haven't got rid of the shock before his arms were stuffed with the soft haori.
Trying on the hand-made haori, Tanjiro felt the warmth of his family's affections.
Feeling emotional, Tanjiro burst into tears.
"Ehh?! Tanjiro! Are you okay? Do you feel uncomfortable? Are you hurt?" Feeling flustered at Tanjiro's tears, Kiyomi hurriedly went to comfort her little brother.
Seeing his sister's concern for him, Tanjiro quickly stopped his tears from flowing and replied, "No.. I'm fine Onee-san, I just feel very happy! Thank you so much! This is the best gift I've ever gotten!"
Seeing Tanjiro's smile again, Kiyomi exhaled a sigh of relief, and then instantly changed into "I'm mad" mode, chasing Tanjiro around the house.
"Ah!! I'm sorry, I promise I'll never scare you again onee-sama!" Tanjiro screamed while doing his best to keep his distance from Kiyomi.
"Oh~! It's a good thing that you know! But I'm still going to tickle you to death when I catch you! Come back here Tanjiro!"
In this way, the two ran up and down the mountain twice before Tanjiro finally gave in and collapsed on the ground right outside their yard.
Smiling triumphantly at the Tanjiro looking like he had just died, Kiyomi decided that she had given enough punishment.
Sitting crossed-legged on the floor, Tanjuro watched the siblings play around until they got tired.
Seeing that Tanjiro laying on the ground, exhausted, Tanjuro decided that it was time to pass on the Kagura Dance.
The next day, Tanjiro was holding a batch of plants tied together with a bell, imitating the dance that he had seen his father do. Nesuko was beside him, holding a Den-Den Daiko, cheering for him.
Kiyomi was sitting next to Tanjuro on the porch, watching tanjiro's dancing.
Tanjuro was occasionally reminding and correcting Tanjiro's posture and movement.
After half an hour, Tanjiro started getting tired and ran towards Tanjuro and Kiyomi.
Seemingly doubtful about the fact why he cannot dance for as long as his father, Tanjiro asked, "Father, why can I not dance as long as you do?"
Just as Tanjuro was about to answer, Kiyomi opened her mouth, "It's breathing, little brother. You need to learn to breathe..."
As both father and son looked at Kiyomi in amazement, Kiyomi, seeing Tanjiro's expectant gaze and Tanjuro's surprised eyes, shook her head and kept silent.
Smiling helplessly, Tanjuro started to explain, "Like your sister just said, there's a breathing technique. A way to breathe so that no matter you won't exhaust yourself, no matter how much you move."
Still, confused at the answer from both his bigger sister and the father he respected so much gave, he questioned, "Breathe?".
Nodding, Tanjuro continued, "Right. If you can master the correct way to breathe, you'll be able to dance forever too. The cold won't bother you, either. Do you understand?"
Slightly enlightened, Tanjiro nodded eagerly.
"Right... Tanjiro? ... If nothing else, make sure that this kagura and these earings, get passed down uninterruptedly."
After finishing his words, Tanjuro took off the Hanafuda earrings and handed them to Tanjiro.
Staring blankly at the earrings, Tanjiro promised, "I will dad! I will make sure that the kagura dance and these earings get passed down uninterruptedly!"
Hearing his son's promise, Tanjuro smiled and gave Tanjiro a head pat, "I know you will, son."
"Hey, Tanjiro. Isn't it too early making that promise?" Kiyomi, who hasn't interrupted the teachings of Tanjuro, decided that it was a good time to chime in.
Smiling, Kiyomi remembered a scene from the Hashira meeting and trial.
"Maybe you should start with learning the Kagura Dance. And as father is currently resting, I'll do a demonstration for you instead. Keep in mind that you are observing my breathing, not my movements, and posture. Okay, little brother?"
With a blush on his face, Tanjiro hurriedly replied, "Yes! If that's fine with you big.. sis? Eh? EH???"
Tanjuro and Kiyomi turned to smile at each other with a tactic understanding.
"That's right little brother, I'll be the one teaching you breathing! Dad will be responsible for your posture, movement, and rhythm!"