Objectively, Nezuko was the best woman in Tanjirou's life.
Those were simply the facts. Tanjirou thought when his phone rang early morning and he brought up the screen just to see her name. No one he's ever met has been able to compare to her even a little. If they were women from the multimillion dollar beauty salon down the street, their skin couldn't match the glow of hers.
"Nezuko…! How have you been since your nii-chan last saw you?" He says excitedly into the phone. Elbows rest on his pillows while sleep leaves him behind. With his work mounting in the corner and condo lonely, it felt nice to speak with her again.
Her laugh sounds. "Aw, it's only been a week. Geez, Tanjirou."
At that, he felt relieved. If it was that sweet girl next door, her gentle kindness didn't hold a light to Nezuko's own purity and tenderness as she knit scarves to gift the local orphanage. One of those scarves was the one Tanjirou wore every morning alongside his earrings. The gracefulness of her fingers through the threads mesmerized him way more than any offers of arranged marriage organized by leaders hoping to auction off their daughters in exchange for power.
"You know I can't help it. I just worry that something important will happen in your life and I'll end up missing it."
"That's why you're the best big brother." He could tell that Nezuko meant it.
So yes, Tanjirou was the proudest man on earth to call Nezuko his little sister. He can't imagine ever managing to find someone who was as amazing as her, let alone settling down them. The night that he officially took over his father's coal company at the age of fourteen only came second to the day she and the rest of his brothers and sisters were born.
"Well, actually." This was different from the route their conversations usually took. This alarmed Tanjirou the slightest, enough to leave his blankets behind and face the floor-to-ceiling window where the sun barely rose. Did something happen? Did Nezuko get hurt? Was she struggling with making ends meet? "There's something I want to tell you. I was thinking that you're the first person who should know."
Like always, when there was a big event, Tanjirou and Nezuko always confided in each other first. Whether it be insecurities or something as small as what they had for breakfast, it was exchanged between them like a secret. "Do you… need me to help you get medication again?"
It didn't matter that Nezuko had a scar. It didn't matter that sometimes, there was lingering unimaginable pain radiating from it. She was still beautiful.
"No, no…! It's nothing depressing like that."
It was a leftover burn-mark that spread from the bottom left of her chin and drew a transverse until nearly reaching her right nostril. He found her that way, body shielding Rokuta amidst the house fire that took the lives of everyone in their family but her and Tanjirou himself. Since that day, she made it a habit to wear a muzzle or mask when going out on the guise of having a cold. The fact that she hid her face at all sometimes made him upset.
"What is it then?"
"I'm engaged."
Tanjirou dropped his phone.
-U-U-U-U-U-
"Are you sure that you're okay?"
Tanjirou wrapped another piece of white cloth around the fabric, pinching the sash closed while inspecting his work. "Huh…? Why wouldn't I be- ah! Here is just perfect, Nezuko! Thread the needle now."
The girl- no, woman- did as instructed. Pink eyes concentrated while completing the stitch. Both siblings stepped back in anticipation as they waited for the scallop-creased skirt to fall. It cascaded perfectly into a flower. They both released breaths of relief.
Nezuko was the first to cheer. "We did it!"
"We did!" He ran up to her. She didn't hesitate to practically jump into his arms as he lifted the shorter one up to swing around in a big circle; just like their dad did for them when they were tiny. "We really did!"
"I can't wait to tell Yushiro!"
He chuckled, lowering her back to the floor. "He's going to flip."
"That's the best part. He didn't believe us when I said we could handle the wedding dress by ourselves." Nezuko pulled up her sleeve, covering her bicep with a palm as she jokingly flexed. "Unfortunately for him, we have the city's best sewer and her big brother on the job."
Tanjirou shook his head with a smile. He didn't completely understand their relationship, but he could tell just from the spark in her irises and exasperation in her frame that Nezuko truly loved Yushiro. Although a total tsundere about it, the other man felt the same way. He'd long forgiven who was once the short-tempered boy who called Nezuko bland-looking when they first met. They will be so happy together. Tanijrou just knows it.
"But no more changing the topic, nii-chan…!" At that, Tanjirou found himself on the receiving end of a pretty pink covered nail. Before he could really inquire what she meant, she's dragging him to the couch to rest and pouring him a glass of milk. Seating herself next to him, she fixes her dress and looks to him. "How is your love life?"
Tanjirou couldn't help it. With her serious expression and cliché question, he burst out laughing. It nearly causes him to snort out the milk he gulped down. "What is this, an interrogation…? Or is it a family intervention…?"
"Q-Quiet, you…! I saw it on t-television the other day!" She huffed, crossing her arms. Reality shows were her favourite next to watching abacus tournaments and dramatic war movies. "Again though, you're changing the topic!"
"You've asked me this so many times, Nezuko. I'm sorry…" He rubs the back of his head sheepishly. "My answer is still the same."
That didn't satisfy his sister at all. On the contrary, her pout only intensified. "When was the last time that you went out with friends, on a date, or had fun?"
"Um…" Tanjirou raked his memories. There was that time he attended a dinner at an expensive restaurant but that was because he was meeting with an important business agent. Oh-! What about the party… no, wait. That was a charity event. Genya and Murata went with him but that was because one of them was a bodyguard and the other was tasked with handing out pamphlets. "…Last December?"
"Last December was when we went ice skating together!" Nezuko threw her arms up indignantly. But oh no, she wasn't done yet. Puffing her cheeks out, she lowered her palms on either side of them to give him a judging look and a statement hot enough to burn his entire life. "My nii-chan is a shut-in."
Tanjirou clutched his heart, cringing. "Ouch."
"I'm serious. I'm… I'm worried about you, Tanjirou." By the end of the statement, she averted her eyes to her lap. Fingers played with a stray strand on her dress. "I'm getting married soon. Yushiro and I were thinking of having a baby and moving somewhere closer to the countryside where we can walk them to school every day. Meanwhile, you'll stay in the city like this by yourself. I-… We won't have as much time to do things together."
Tanjirou smiled, ignoring that pang of loneliness in his heart as she laid out the full truth before him. But, he was the eldest brother. It was his job to put her needs above his own and to be responsible. That's what their family, their late father, and their mother would've wanted. He reached out a callused hand to pat her head. "Thank you, Nezuko. You're such a good girl."
"Promise me that you'll at least go out more…? Even if it's just calling some coworkers for lunch or karaoke, it'll mean the world to me." Of course, Tanjirou doing something for himself for once meant the world to her. He nodded, turning away from her to look at the stunning white wedding dress again with a wistful voice.
"I promise."
-U-U-U-U-U-
Staggering himself into the McDonalds wedged between two clothing malls at an intersection between his workplace and his favourite grocery store probably didn't count as going out. But, Tanjirou thought as his stomach rumbled and his next meeting with a client was but an hour away, it was better than nothing, right?
Nope, some voice that sounded like Nezuko reprimanded. It even popped the 'P' in the same way that she did.
He already misses her.
Lamenting about how Nezuko was doing, whether she was eating enough, how her decorating of her new house was going, it's not until Tanjirou is already at the front of the line and facing the cashier that he finally jolts out of his thoughts. There are fingers snapping in front of him. He stares at them first. Following the arm to its owner, the realization that 'oh, he's mad' crosses his mind second. Tanjirou feels like smacking himself when it's followed by 'also cute' third.
"Sir," the voice breathes simmering fire. It matches his eyes that burn golden (they were pretty) in a type of frustrated anger. "I'm sure that the pressures of a fourty hour work week earning minimum wage in our labour force can't be fun. I sympathize with getting through just the challenges involved with putting food on the table and what impact that has on your consciousness. You might blank out once in a while. I understand. But you're holding up the line and this very person standing in front of you who has to deal with that is THIS close to getting fired for it!"
Fries. He has French Fries for hair.
"ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?"
"I'll take a medium fry, please!" Tanjirou blurts out before he can even think. Since when was he this speechless in front of someone?
But the blond only lets out a long-suffering sigh. It rattled his bright red uniform-clad shoulders in a way that had amber red eyes following the motion in fascination. Searching for the nametag, the words 'Zenitsu' flash back at him in an almost gaudy way. Zenitsu, his name was Zenitsu. His face was petite and pale, complete with a button-like nose and bushy eyebrows. Like it's any typical Tuesday for him, he punches in his order looking as pissed as ever.
The man who's working the fryer and with a really feminine face lets out a snort. "Shut up, Inosuke!"
"That never gets old."
Huh…? What never gets old? Did Tanjirou miss something? He doesn't have a chance to ask for the cashier makes it a point to practically yell a "how can I help you, ma'am" to the person behind him just to get him moving along. That's how Tanjirou was forced into the pick-up zone, still speechless and with the image of French fries in his head.
They were delicious. Just the right amount of salt and warmth packed into each bite.
Tanjirou sat. His table was still littered with leftover burger sauce from a previous customer but he barely blinked at it. Zenitsu's bright red shirt combined with his hair made him look like a French fry soaked in ketchup. Dipping his own fries into the ketchup and eyes following the motion of the blond-haired employee, he never felt so starved in his entire life.
His face burned red at the notion. W-What was happening to him?
The feeling wasn't bad though. It intrigued Tanjirou in ways that he couldn't comprehend. Something about this person gave him the inexplicable urge to see that pretty face not turned down in a frown but riddled with happiness. He wondered what it would be like. Maybe those eyebrows would shift up into his forehead, those eyes shining like lightning. Maybe he'd giggle, say Tanjirou's name between those lips and ruffle that yellow hair with his fingers in embarrassment—
Oh. He was finished. Looking down at the empty paper container, Tanjirou barely noticed that he had eaten all of the French fries in one sitting. His eyes trail the spot where his name 'Tanjirou' was in black marker on the cardboard from when Zenitsu had written it to indicate that it was his. When a passing kid swinging her happy meal toy around flinched away from him, Tanjirou realized he was glaring darkly at his food tray.
He softened his expression immediately, voice kind. "I'm sorry. I'm not mad at you."
She nodded. Still shaky, she walks closer to him. "What's wrong, mister?"
"A-Ah, wait…! You shouldn't talk to big and bad strangers like me!"
The girl only tilts her head though. Not affected, she points at his collar where a flash of checkered green hung snugly. "I like your scarf!"
Tanjirou really can't be blamed for forgetting his previous panic at the girl's lack of caution in exchange for gushing about Nezuko. If there was any chance he could get to tell people how awesome she was, he'd take it. "Ah, thank you! I really like it too! My little sister made it for me. She's talented."
Careful and tiny fingers trace a crooked stitch that made the scarf bend awkwardly sideways. "What's this?"
"Ah, that. See, this scarf was actually the first thing that she ever sewed. It's just like in school! Some times when you try something for the first time, it doesn't end up coming out that well. That's why you keep practicing and practicing until you're an expert." When the girl nods her head, he brings a hand out to cup his mouth before whispering. "Between you and me, this scarf is more important to me than my life."
"Wow," her mouth shapes into an 'o', "that's really, REALLY important! Just like Betty." There's an awkward pause that she takes to nearly chuck her happy meal toy or 'Betty' back in the air as if to show him. However, taking in his red cheeks and empty fry container, she decides against it. "Oh! You've met our French fry fairy!"
Tanjirou is caught somewhere between choking and laughing. "French f-fry fairy…?"
"It's an ancient legend at my school." She stood akimbo, looking proud. Gesturing to Zenitsu like he was some ethereal being, she lifts a single finger to explain like a teacher. "If you order French fries from the French fry fairy who lives on seventeenth street right in this very room, you're blessed with good luck and love for life!"
Oh. Oh dear.
Tanjirou can't explain the absurdity at the situation so all he can do is chuckle. It's about one percent of the hysteria he feels but it'll do. Besides, it's not nice to laugh at other people's expense. "I'll be sure to order a ton of French fries so I can get some good fortune then! Thank you, miss."
"It's Koharu!"
His attitude turns one-eighty, taking on a lecturing tone. "And DON'T tell your name to strangers either!"
Keeping his promise or at least half of it, Tanjirou does return to the small but homey McDonalds the very next day. However, instead of doing so out of some obligation to 'go out,' his new goal was to make the cashier smile and possibly laugh. It shouldn't be that difficult, right? Just like with Nezuko's scarf, practice made perfect and the second time around shouldn't be as bad. All he had to do was not order fries. It seemed simple enough to Tanjirou.
Despite earlier experience though, his performance when he's faced with that golden hair that shined like the sun and suspicious eyes that sparkled in the light is abhorrent. Tanjirou isn't sure what happens. The side of his brain that wants to make someone happy clashes and combines with the part that is attracted to this really cute and yellow person. So he blurts out again without thinking.
"I WANT A COCA COLA BECAUSE YOU'RE SO-DA-LICIOUS!"
Just to put the cherry on top, he slips Zenitsu his phone number on a slip of paper. It's a cute string of numbers that he chose because it had Nezuko's birthdate on it. It's embarrassing. Tanjirou hasn't tried to come on to anyone since high school but something tells him that he just can't let this person go without at least seeing a smile. But unlike others in the past, the cashier only looks at the paper in deadpan.
The next thing Tanjirou knows, he's handed a soda with Nezuko's birthday written on it in marker rather than his normal name. He wonders where he went wrong.
The next day is the same.
"CAN I SEE THE MENU? It has me-and-you in it."
"What."
"I-I want to take you out."
Tanjirou is not sure what happens when all he gets is the exact same thing he ordered yesterday but in a take-out bag.
So is the next.
"We should get a coffee together since I LIKE YOU A LATTE!"
Finally snapping, Zenitsu screeches. He just screeches in the middle of McDonalds, attracting stares from every toddler and mother in the establishment.
That could've gone better.
Correction: that could've gone way better. If the fact that the one to call out Nezuko's birthdate and hand him the order on his fourth try wasn't the cashier but instead the guy who was working the fryer was any indication, the blond-haired beauty was avoiding him. Instead of sunflower gardens and the scent of citrus, he's faced with a green-eyed death stare.
"Inosuke, right…?" Tanjirou peered down. It seemed that for some reason, this McDonalds didn't stock nametags for all of their employees so he felt the need to elaborate. "I heard your name the other day."
Inosuke frowned, narrowing his eyes.
"I-I'm sorry about offending your friend." He really was. If he was making anyone uncomfortable, he'd stop coming right away. He thought he might've been doing some good but everything was just getting worse. Zenitsu avoiding him might've been the last straw for him. "It's just that he looks so upset all the time and I thought I could cheer him up-"
"What's your game here?" Tanjirou lets himself be cut off, tilting his head the slightest bit so hanafuda earrings jingle against his neck. For a second, it doesn't look like Inosuke is going to say much else but right after handing the drink over, he does. "You're not some second-rate business guy who works in the office all day filing taxes or some shit. That's for sure."
"How do you know?"
"I just have a gut feeling." The man snatches a stray piece of ham, stuffing it in the corner of his mouth. "You've been places. Yet you're here in the middle of rush hour, waiting fifteen minutes in line to order a one dollar coffee at a run-down fast food joint that you could've just gotten from a vending machine, all because you want to make my dickwad of a coworker smile? I don't buy it."
"Oh…" He wasn't aware. So caught up in his feelings, Tanjirou supposed it was weird. Maybe it was even creepy or stalker-like. "Should I stop…? Do you think he wants me to stop?" The thought wasn't pleasant. It was the first time that he genuinely wanted to see someone outside of Nezuko and for another reason other than just because he knew his sister wanted him to. The past few days were hectic but… they weren't lonely.
So the response comes as both a relief and surprise. "Nah."
Still, just because Tanjirou got approval (?) from a coworker doesn't mean that what he's doing would exactly be okay with the blond himself. Tanjirou wants to ask more, he really does, but Inosuke suddenly belts out another name from deep within his voice box that has a middle-aged man with glasses practically shoving him aside. "For fuck's sake, I've been waiting ten minutes. What kind of place do you run here?!"
"A place not centered around you, asshole!" Inosuke doesn't hesitate to snap back at the same time that Tanjirou hears a squeak from his peripheral. This only makes the addressed face steam in anger. Before it can get out of hand though, the employee who smelt like peaches and had hair of dandelions holds an arm up to push Inosuke back.
"I-Inosuke…! Don't yell at customers like that, especially scary-looking ones!" The boar-like guy lets out a humph and that's the end of that for him. Unfortunately, they can't say the same about their client, not even as the more docile of the two hurries to reassure him. "We're very sorry, mister! As employees and representatives of this establishment, we do our best to deliver the service but I insist that you understand that mistakes like this can happen-"
"And what about this guy…?" The man with glasses gestured to Tanjirou who was still clutching his coffee. He was beginning to get violent; swinging his muscled arms which way and that to emphasize his point. "He was THREE people after me yet still got his order before!"
Zenitsu squeaks again, cowering back with sweat building on his brow. There's an awkward moment where the man looks to the employee for further justification but gets none. Instead, the target of his displeasure blinked back tears and jumped to hide behind Inosuke.
Tanjirou decides to step in. "With all due respect, I had only ordered a coffee. They already apologized so please calm down." Gold makes eye contact with amber for the briefest moment. That one single second is enough to make Tanjirou's heart beat faster.
He doesn't have time to enjoy it though when a fist suddenly makes contact with his cheek. It stings. It hurts. But if it was him and not Inosuke or the blond-haired angel, then Tanjirou was fine with it.
No one else is though. The effect is immediate. A lady screams which causes her children to cry. Another teen yells about getting security while both employees rush out from behind the counter, Inosuke in particular ready to throw hands. The taller of the two makes to bring his phone out to dial for help but stops when he notices the man swing out at Tanjirou again, this time aiming for the boiling hot coffee held within callused fingers.
Zenitsu moves without thinking.
Like lightning, he rushes past everyone to reach Tanjirou. Before the burning drink can make contact with him, he reaches out a pale arm to slap the cup away, scalding his own wrist in the process. He yelps back in pain.
And Tanjirou, Tanjirou stares. He stares like a moron who couldn't do anything to protect people. He watches as the skin of that strong yet delicate arm burns red. It scars. Just like Nezuko's chin and mouth. It burns, just like Takeo and Hanako's faces when their bodies were recovered from the wreckage. And all he could do was stare.
"WHAT THE FUCK…?!"
Inosuke's roar is what snaps him out of it. The boar-man is feral, tackling the man with glasses to the ground and forcing him in a headlock. Tanjirou doesn't waste a second in grabbing the blond in worry. Inspecting the burn, he doesn't care when his briefcase spills out on the ground as he pulls out a water bottle. He douses the bruise in the still ice-cold drink.
"Sorry."
Tanjirou isn't sure why Zenitsu is apologizing. Something else on his mind overrides any desire to address it. "Why, Zenitsu…?" He asks this one question. "I have a thick jacket. It wouldn't have burned me right away. Why did you do that?"
The blond recoils from the liquid but that doesn't stop him from using his free hand to point at the green checkered cloth wrapped around his neck. "You said that scarf was more important to you than your life so… I protected it."
Suddenly, Tanjirou feels choked up. He protected… what? Just like Nezuko had tried to protect Rokuta.
Who does that?
"Thank you." He gets out past the lump in his throat. "But it's not worth more than yours. Please don't do that again."
From that point forward, Tanjirou decided that there was no more reason to deny. He definitely has a crush.
Way to go, nii-chan…! The little mental Nezuko in his head cheers.
And Tanjirou was a man of action.
This time, he makes sure to wait an extra day before venturing back to that tiny run-down fast-food place. He plans a bit better this time, not showing up in the middle of rush-hour but instead opting to make his presence known when there's a lull in customers. It's quiet by then. There's no one but an old man asleep with his face in a newspaper near the washrooms.
This time, Inosuke was nowhere to be seen. Wiping a counter, Zenitsu looks up at the sound of the bell only to let out a sigh at the sight of him. Tanjirou can make out utters of "are you kidding me" and "don't I suffer enough in this place already" breathed between complaints and musters up all of his courage to walk up to the cash register. The employee meets him there.
They have bandages adorning their cheek and arm respectively—matching in stupidity.
For all that was good in the world, Zenitsu looked so done with Tanjirou. "What can I get for you, sir?"
"A…" Don't say fries. Don't say menu! DO NOT say coca cola! "…water."
Graceful fingers freeze on the buttons. They're just like Nezuko's. He sends Tanjirou a look. "A water…? What, no remarks about my hair this time? No jokes making fun of my job or where I made it in life?"
"M-Making fun of you…?! I wasn't doing that, I promise—wait." Tanjirou stifled a gasp, he was that shocked. Upon closer inspection, he realized with mounting dismay that his words totally could've been taken like that. "AH…!"
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY 'AH'?! You just realized it! Are you an IDIOT?!"
"I'M SO SORRY, ZENITSU!" And there Tanjirou went, holding both hands up in genuine apology and guilt. He's suddenly blabbering, finding his mind running away from him in front of this person. "I just wanted to cheer you up because everyone kept teasing you about your hair. I think your hair is really pretty—pretty like my little sister's."
The cash register slams. "A-Are you okay in the head? Are your EYES working properly?! That's such a weird thing to say! It's not. It's choppy and ugly. Your name is Tanjirou, right? TANJIROU, I'm not a doctor but I insist that YOU need to get your vision checked!"
Tanjirou straightens up again, fueling the need to compliment from within him by sending Zenitsu his most earnest stare. "I'm not lying. It looks like French fries but also dandelions and it shimmers in this mesmerizing way in the light-!" With each word, his face ignited further. The gravity of the truth finally spilling out left him winded but Tanjirou was nothing if not stubborn. "You also protected me and what means a lot to me without any question. You're a really kind and strong person."
The response is quick, almost as if Zenitsu was well equipped to shoot it down. "Oi, did you forget? I also cowered and ran away from that guy so he ended up punching you instead!" As if to emphasize, erratic fingers point to where he guessed his healing bruise was from under the cotton on his face.
"Th-That's…" There wasn't a good refute for that.
"SEE…?! You agree with me, right? I'm DEFINITELY weak! I don't know what you're saying about me protecting anything."
"…It's true that you ran away. You should apologize." Tanjirou huffs. "Which you did- so it shouldn't be a problem anymore."
"That's not for you to decide, Tanjirou." Seeing the brunet's dejected expression, Zenitsu gulps. "L-Look, I really appreciate what you did the past few days but there's nothing likeable about me. I'm not even good at this job, see? I only got hired because I'm a walking McDonald's advertisement. That's literally it."
Despite the blond's seething demeanor, some part of him was hurt by the treatment he got while working here. Tanjirou could tell the very first moment they met and he exuded a scent of ache beneath the gall.
"…Can I please have my water now?" A pause. "And a medium fry."
Zenitsu seems a little disoriented by the change in subject but doesn't object. He makes the order in no time, handing Tanjirou the ice cold drink and bag without bothering to switch to the pick-up counter. With the lack of crowd, it wasn't even necessary to write his name on the products.
Rather than leave though, Tanjirou stares at the offered food. It takes Zenitsu a moment to realize that the look on his face was blooming into a smile. He lets out an anguished sigh. "What…? What is it now?"
"Zenitsu, I think I've figured it out. When people call you the French fry fairy, it's not just because they're making fun of you. It's because you're warm, like having a full stomach after a hard day of work. You look unique. You're special and people are recognizing that. You smell sweet, comforting, and kind. That's why they think ordering from you blesses them with good luck. If it has to be French fries… I don't think it's the worst thing to be compared to."
Silence.
Zenitsu drops the food. The clatter of the tray echoes in the restaurant.
"It- It- WHAT…?! Y-You- that's impossible! Did you just use FRENCH FRIES of all things to- HUH…?!" The target of the compliments recoils back one moment but as the praise slowly registers, his cheeks burn a passionate red while that smile- the smile that Tanjirou wanted so much to see- finally breaks out on pink lips. Zenitsu giggles. "Th-That's too much, definitely too much for me…! Did you think that would make me happy, you moron? It didn't work, you know. I won't take you seriously, okay?"
To think, it was French fries which brought them together.
Not able to hold back that feeling in his stomach, Tanjirou blurts out for the last time.
"Will you go out with me on a date?"
Objectively, Nezuko was the best woman in Tanjirou's life.
But when the blond shrieks, nearly fainting on the spot, Tanjirou can't help but feel that his life won't feel so bland without her around all the time anymore.
When they go on their first date, Tanjirou picking Zenitsu up at his workplace just for the blond to shove a bouquet of sunflowers at him—an expensive batch at peak bloom that the McDonalds employee had purchased himself despite Tanjirou being more financially well-off, he thinks that maybe someone's gentle kindness could hold a light to hers.
When they share their first kiss, it tastes of peaches and warmth. Tanjirou doesn't want to step back but barely does so in order to get that once-in-a-lifetime look at Zenitsu, a hair's width separating their lips. He takes the way the moonlight reflects off of pale skin. A blush the colour of peach blossoms draws alluring patterns on his cheek. Golden eyes are dazed and utterly devoid of any thought other than Tanjirou. And he decides then and there that someone can glow more than she can.
So yes, Tanjirou was the proudest man on earth to call Nezuko his little sister.
But he may have finally found someone who was just as amazing as her to settle down with.