Soma's funeral did not follow the traditional method of burial. Instead, as he had requested while alive, it was carried out through cremation.
According to what he had once said, demons were originally creatures of darkness. Therefore, when their end came, all traces of that darkness should be burned away completely, leaving nothing behind.
On the day of the cremation, a thick fog rose over Mount Sagiri, and a great number of people gathered.
A tall wooden pyre had been built. The man lay quietly upon it, surrounded by countless bouquets of flowers.
Even those who harbored the strongest hatred toward demons would likely set aside their feelings upon seeing this scene. After all, Soma was not like those cruel, evil demons. He had made many contributions to the Demon Slayer Corps, had taught and guided countless people, and it was under his leadership that the source of all evil demons had finally been destroyed.
To every swordsman of the Demon Slayer Corps, Soma was the most respected senior.
More and more people gathered around.
They looked at the demon lying upon the high platform.
At some point, a breeze began to blow, dispersing the thick fog that had enveloped Mount Sagiri. Warm sunlight, no longer obstructed, fell upon everyone — and also upon the man lying on the pyre.
In that moment, within everyone's hearts, it seemed as though light had risen from the man lying there.
Some people die only to be reviled and spat upon, even in death.
Some die in silence, unknown and unremembered by anyone.
And some die in a way that etches their name into the hearts of many — remembered, and carried forward through the ages.
People would remember that during those dark years, when evil demons ran rampant and countless lives and happiness were destroyed by demons, there was one demon who stood up.
He did not, like other demons, rely on his power to forget his former identity as a human, feast upon humans, and destroy their happiness at will.
This demon had suppressed the urges that came with being a demon. He had broken free from Muzan Kibutsuji's control. He had always remembered the bottom line of being human. Together with the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, he stood on the side of the oppressed. Alongside humanity and the Demon Slayer Corps, he fought against Muzan Kibutsuji.
It was under his leadership that Muzan Kibutsuji was slain and the root of all evil demons was eradicated.
Yet he
fell at the very moment when dawn had risen and warmth had begun to fill the world.
Betrayed by the very swordsmen who had once fought alongside him.
This was the Demon Slayer Corps' only shame.
And also its only pain.
...
The wind dispersed the fog that had lingered over Mount Sagiri. As people looked at the man lying on the high platform, about to be cremated, a mist rose in their eyes.
Those who had not known Soma's identity as a demon felt only heartbreak and grief. They were filled with anger toward Yuko Nishimura, who had done this.
As for those swordsmen who had known that Soma was a demon…
At this moment, as they looked at the quiet demon lying above them,
they could no longer truly see him as just another demon.
When the torches were lit and the pyre — along with the wreaths, wood, and paper offerings — was set ablaze,
flames rose high into the air, carrying intense heat. Under the sunlight, everyone watched as the man's body gradually melted away within the fire.
The wind grew stronger as the flames rose.
The crackling sound of burning wood grew louder and louder.
Yet the people standing on Mount Sagiri remained completely silent.
After an unknown amount of time, soft sobs began to rise. Soon, more and more crying voices joined in.
"It's not fair…"
Mitsuri Kanroji watched as the man gradually disappeared within the flames. She cried so hard she nearly collapsed to the ground. She still remembered the gentle expression on his face the first time she met him — how her heart had pounded so violently.
She had thought that he was probably the purpose she had been searching for when she joined the Demon Slayer Corps. It was somewhat shameful to admit, but she hadn't joined to protect humanity or to eradicate evil demons. She had only wanted to find an ideal husband — someone who wouldn't mind how much she ate or how strong she was, someone stronger and more capable than her who could protect her.
That day, when she came to Mount Sagiri and first saw his gentle self, her heart had beaten so fiercely that she felt as though she had finally found what she was looking for.
Later, when they ate together, he had even told her to eat properly and not go hungry. Only then did she realize that this man who made her heart race didn't mind her large appetite or her strength.
And he was truly powerful.
Mitsuri Kanroji had felt that she had found him — the future husband she had always dreamed of.
She had found him.
Yet the beautiful future she had imagined had ended before it could even begin.
It had ended so abruptly.
At this moment, her heart was pounding violently — not with the rapid excitement she used to feel when seeing something beautiful, but with painful, wrenching throbs. Every beat brought a sharp ache.
The flames burned brighter and larger.
The demon lying on the high platform continued to disappear within them.
The fire continued burning for a long time.
Everyone remained standing in place. No one left.
After an unknown amount of time,
the burning flames finally died out.
The demon who had lain upon the high platform had also vanished within the fire.
The wind blew, scattering the ashes.
The high platform stood empty.
And so did everyone's hearts.
...
Hinaki Ubuyashiki stood beneath the high platform without moving an inch from the moment the flames rose until they consumed Soma completely. Everything… gradually disappeared before her eyes.
Her hand unconsciously rose to clutch her head.
A wave of dizziness washed over her.
She stared at the now-empty platform. Everything was gone.
The sunlight was so blinding that Hinaki felt her vision blur. In her haze, she seemed to see Soma's figure stand up once more.
He stood up beneath the dazzling sunlight.
The sky at that moment was so clear and bright.
The wind of Mount Sagiri was so warm and gentle.
It tenderly brushed against her cheeks.
She saw Soma standing quietly on the high platform, looking at her.
The wind stirred the smoke, dispersing the faint mist. Everything vanished before Hinaki's widened eyes.
She reached out, trying to grasp the figure she saw, but her hand closed around nothing.
The gentle wind passed through her palm. Though she could feel its touch, she could never hold onto it.
When the wind wanted to leave,
it seemed impossible to keep it.
Yet Hinaki still felt that Soma had not left. He had not disappeared. He was still in this world. This feeling was so real within her heart.
Amane Ubuyashiki watched her daughter's condition with heartache and pulled her into an embrace.
"I feel like Soma isn't dead. He hasn't left. He's still by our side. He's been watching me this whole time."
The girl buried her head in her mother's arms and cried.
Looking at her daughter in her embrace, Amane gazed at the ashes left on the high platform after the flames had burned everything away.
When she had first learned of Soma's death, she had also felt it wasn't real. But now that she had seen it with her own eyes — now that everyone had witnessed it — now that they had watched him turn to ashes within the fire…
How could any of it be fake?
"Let's go home."
Amane held her daughter tightly, her face full of pain.
"No. I want to stay here. I want to keep staying here. I want to remain here forever."
Hinaki pulled away from her mother, her tone stubborn.