Gratitude

While the village was bustling and dusty, Muichiro secluded himself behind a jutting cliff near the village. He had to complete one thing before leaving the place and going on another mission. Now he was kneeling before an oblong stone overlaid with withered flowers. The Hyottoko mask of the now deceased Tetsuido, driven into the ground by frequent rains, stared at the demon slayer with stupid eyes. Muichiro clasped his hands together and whispered softly. Then he got up from his knees and walked quietly down the overgrown path back to the village. His attention was suddenly drawn to the edge of the red vest, flashing from behind the lilac bushes that grew everywhere. — Kotetsu? — hashira called out to the boy cautiously. Child bowed his head over two gravestones. One, overgrown with moss, seems to have been lying there for quite a long time, the other is quite fresh. Hearing his name, the young blacksmith was alarmed. — U-uh? Tokito-san? What are you doing here? I thought you'd already gone on your mission, you, pillars, are so busy, aren't you? — he waved his arms vigorously and almost screamed in fright. "I forgot that he is so noisy ," — Muichiro thought. He exhaled, trying to show his displeasure. Kotetsu's face could not be seen from behind the mask, but his voice betrayed everything. The boy is confused and worried. Unable to think of anything better, the mist pillar made a dash to meet him, and the bizarre red mask was in the hands of the nimble demon slayer in the next moment. At the corners of Kotetsu's eyes, small transparent drops glistened from the morning sun. He's clearly upset about something, just as Muichiro expected. Belatedly reacting, the young blacksmith, as if at the snap of his fingers, switched to shouting again and began to demand the return of his mask. How restless he is! Unbearable! — Do you have relatives here? — the mist pillar deftly translated the subject. This seems to have helped, as Kotetsu was no longer screaming. — I hardly remember my mother. She died when I was three. And my father died recently. — as soon as he finished his thought, saying the last word more quietly than the others, the fingers of his hands, clenched into a fist, paled visibly. Apparently, this was how he tried to calm the trembling and tears that had already come. Finding the strength to do so, he continued. — He seems to have had kidney problems, or something. I learned this from Uncle Tetsuhiro, during the funeral. Father never told me anything. — feeling insecure without his mask, the young blacksmith covered his face with his hands. The sleeves of the yellow yukata were soaked. Only now did Muichiro think about how similar he and Kotetsu were. — I wanted to ask you something. — the boy changed the subject and stared unabashedly into the green abyss of Tokito's eyes. — M? — Muichiro cocked his head to one side in interest. — When you passed out, you started raving near the hut. You called your mother, father, brother... Before the young blacksmith could finish his thought, Muichiro interrupted him. — My parents also died when I was ten. And later the older brother. He protected me from the demon and... The air suddenly became unbearably heavy and stifling. Muichiro wanted to support the boy, but in the end he would cry like a little child. What a pillar he is in this case? And this is the strongest swordsman, recognized by the leader of the Demon Slayers. — Tokito-san, — Kotetsu timidly and carefully touched the pads of his fingers to the back of Muichiro's hand. He didn't resist, and the boy was a little bolder, intertwining his fingers with those of the swordsman. — Although I didn't like you at first, and your hair is disgusting, and you always walk around with a sour face, — Kotetsu wouldn't be himself without his habit of swearing. — But you're actually good. — it sounded so childishly naïve that Muichiro couldn't stop laughing. — Thank you, you're not as bad as you might think at first glance too. And your face isn't as funny as the village blacksmiths say. — What?! Hang in there, Tokito! — Kotetsu pounced on the poor wounded demon slayer, and they both fell to the soft grass. While the boy carried out a mock execution, Muichiro did not resist in the slightest. He kept thinking about the events of the previous unrealistically long night. He couldn't believe it! He was surrounded by so many good and kind people, but he never noticed it. And now he understands everything and thanks these people for their kindness. Some people are no longer alive, while others are still close to Muichiro and walk shoulder to shoulder with him. The main thing is not to miss the chance and do everything in his power to make these people feel important next to him, to feel his gratitude. By chance, a memory from his childhood popped up in his mind. Yuichiro always took care of his younger brother. As a thank  to him, Muichiro always kissed him on the forehead. It was so amusing to watch how embarrassed the elder brother was, trying to keep a straight face. The habit came from Dad. This is how this sign of gratitude was born in the family. Muichiro didn't notice the moment his lips touched young Kotetsu's forehead. He froze in silent shock and intuitively reached for his mask to hide his flushed face. But it was not possible to get it because of the difference in height and strength. This foul fight ended with Kotetsu trailing behind, embarrassed and dissatisfied, while Muichiro proudly walked forward into the village, enjoying the consequences of his unfailing reception, as if made for such bad boys with a sharp tongue. — Before you're gone, can you stay here a little longer? You've got to check out our hot springs, and I know a good tavern, it's not far from here. — Kotetsu's cheeks were still flushed. Is it because he's embarrassed or still angry? — I wouldn't mind taking a break for a while. — Muichiro smiled broadly as he put his hand on the boy's shoulder. Damn! This visit to the blacksmiths' village was exhausting for the mist pillar. — Mission! Mission! Demons! South-southeast! South-southeast! — Ginko, the raven of Tokito's bonds, crackled disgustingly. The boys listened in confusion to the announcement of the new mission, and Muichiro even sighed in annoyance and rolled his eyes. — So you're leaving? — Kotetsu was visibly upset by the news. — The demons won't wait for me to rest here. — the mist pillar adjusted his sheathed katana, returned the blacksmith's mask, and immediately rushed out of the village, shouting that he would visit the place again. Soon, Tokito seemed to disappear into the fog, as if he had never been there. Kotetsu didn't say anything at parting, just slowly lowered himself to the ground and touched his forehead in embarrassment, not yet fully accepting what had just happened.