I, Yorii Tsugikuni, Must Do Something Chapter 12

As Sayo sized up Yorii Tsugikuni, Yorii Tsugikuni was also sizing up Sayo.

However, his gaze was more focused on the dog-like creature Sayo was holding.

He had never seen a dog without fur before.

"You don't need to clean anymore, follow me."

Thinking that the older members were bullying the new recruits, Sayo became angry. She looked at the three of them, preparing to demand an explanation for them.

Chapter 21: A Warm-hearted Colleague, New Life in the Imperial Capital

"Don't you think what we're doing is a bit much?"

"New recruits naturally need to be put in their place."

"Exactly, who didn't go through this? We need to let those three new recruits know the rules of the Guard."

Inside the Imperial Capital Guard's office, several older members sat in chairs, smoking.

When they first learned that the new recruits were arranged by Captain Oka, they had planned to give them good rooms.

Later, when they found out the recruits were from the countryside, they lost their reservations.

"Bang!"

Just as they were laughing heartily, the Guard's door was kicked open.

As they were about to question who dared to kick open the Guard's door, the person who walked in caused their expressions to shift from anger to fawning.

"Arrange a clean room for those three."

"Don't let me see you bullying new recruits again next time."

Kicking the door open, Sayo walked into the room, her voice full of anger, "As colleagues, how could you do this?!"

"It was all a misunderstanding. Please, the three of you, come this way."

Seeing Sayo's anger, the previously arrogant older members immediately became much more subdued.

The older member who had guided Yorii Tsugikuni and the others before, with a smile, led the three of them to find another clean and tidy room.

"Thank you, Sister Sayo."

Looking at the bright and clean room, Sayo was like a happy little deer.

She walked around the room and finally came to Sayo's side, thanking her, "If it weren't for you, we would have been busy all day again."

"It's just a small thing."

Sayo smiled with her eyes narrowed. She really liked being thanked.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, she hurriedly bid farewell to Sayo and the other two. Sayo quickly left, her voice echoing from outside the door, "I have something to do. If you need any help in the future, you can always find me..."

"She's really quite busy."

Yorii Tsugikuni looked at Sayo's quickly disappearing back and sighed softly. This spirited girl made a very good impression on him.

Although they hadn't known each other for long, he could feel that Sayo was a very warm-hearted person.

He thought of some of his old friends, the Kamado Tanjiro couple.

That couple had made him feel warmth.

It's time to start a new life.

Sitting down on the chair Sayo had moved, Yorii Tsugikuni looked out the window. The buildings of the distant Imperial Capital were framed by the small window, forming a painting.

Unknowingly, he had arrived in this unfamiliar world quite some time ago.

Scenes from the past flashed through his mind, and then returned to peace.

"Master, what are you thinking about?"

Sayo carefully tidied the documents and miscellaneous items on the desk.

Seeing Yorii Tsugikuni lost in thought, she was a little curious and waved her hand in front of his eyes.

"Some things from the past."

"Even though a lot of time has passed, I still think about them from time to time."

Interrupted by Sayo, Yorii Tsugikuni withdrew his thoughts. He looked at Ieyasu, who was fiddling with a model of a Dangerous Species in the room, "Go and ask about our work arrangements."

"Since we've arrived at this new place, we naturally need to get everything on track."

"Yes, Master."

Ieyasu put down the Dangerous Species model and disappeared in a flash.

"Master always acts so old and mature."

"Even though he's still young."

Sayo picked up a fruit, wiped it a few times, and then held it and took a bite.

Ever since she met Yorii Tsugikuni, she had a feeling that he had experienced many things.

Eating the fruit, she began to tease Yorii Tsugikuni.

"Young man?"

"What you're saying makes some sense."

Righting the wooden carving of a Dangerous Species that Ieyasu had knocked over on the table, Yorii Tsugikuni paused slightly at Sayo's words.

Having lived for over eighty years, he had long grown accustomed to thinking of himself as a young man.

Moreover, his state of mind had long since become that of an old man.

Sayo's words plunged Yorii Tsugikuni into thought. His life had probably begun to age after his wife was killed by a Demon.

Time quietly slipped away.

By evening, Yorii Tsugikuni, Sayo, and Ieyasu's first day with the Imperial Guard had come to an end.

Although the first day had been somewhat busy at the start, it had mostly been a matter of killing time towards the end.

"I wonder how Tatsumi is doing?"

As they slowly walked towards their lodgings, Ieyasu kicked a stone on the ground, bringing up Tatsumi, whom they had left with that morning.

The three of them held different positions in the Guard.

When they had set out that morning, Tatsumi, as Ieyasu had suggested, had gone to Aria's family's estate to seek employment as a guard.

"We'll know once we get home."

"Tatsumi should be back by now."

Sayo followed behind Yorii Tsugikuni, playfully hopping along while stepping on his shadow.

Seeing Ieyasu's somewhat worried expression, she offered a few comforting words with a smile.

"Then let's hurry home."

"Maybe Tatsumi is waiting to tell us some good news."

Ieyasu kicked the stone under his foot away and took the lead, running towards the place they were renting.

He cared deeply for his companions.

"Ieyasu and Tatsumi have such a good relationship."

"He was talking about Tatsumi the whole way here."

Yorii Tsugikuni watched Ieyasu disappear at the end of the street with a hint of envy. He recalled the sincere bond he had shared with his own brother when he was young and hadn't yet shown his talent.

My brother was truly gentle back then.

Walking slowly towards their residence in the warm sunlight, Yorii Tsugikuni felt the warm breeze blowing against him.

He couldn't help but let out a faint smile.

"The two of them have liked being together since they were little."

"I remember once when a Dangerous Species attacked the village, Tatsumi saved Ieyasu's life."

Sayo tugged on Yorii Tsugikuni's long sleeve, slowly recounting the past stories of her two companions.

"Master, wait for me here for a moment."

"That little dog seems to be trapped by a snare."

A weak dog's bark came from an alley. Sayo tilted her ear to listen, quickly locating the source of the sound.

In a patch of grass by the roadside, a small dog had its leg caught in a trap.

"Poor little thing."

"Its leg is bleeding."

Gently removing the trap from the dog's leg, Sayo looked at its bloody leg and hesitantly asked Yorii Tsugikuni, "Its injury is quite serious. Master, can I take it back with me?" Chapter 22: Yorii Tsugikuni's Doubt, The Imperial Capital's Scoundrels

"It is indeed serious."

"If you want to take it back, Sayo, then pick it up."

Yorii Tsugikuni crouched beside Sayo, examining the wound. His brow furrowed slightly.

He casually took the handkerchief he was carrying and gently wrapped the dog's bleeding leg. Yorii Tsugikuni nodded at Sayo. "I'll have to trouble you with taking care of the dog, Sayo."

Although Yorii Tsugikuni possessed exceptional talent in swordsmanship, he considered himself no expert when it came to caring for a dog.

Furthermore, because Yorii Tsugikuni deeply valued and respected life, he had never owned a pet.

It wasn't that he disliked small animals, but rather that he knew their lives were far too short compared to his own.

Yorii Tsugikuni did not wish to witness the passing of life before his eyes.

"Thank you, Master."

Sayo gently took the dog from Yorii Tsugikuni's hands and cradled it in her arms.

Holding the dog, the two of them continued on their way home.

"Sayo, Master, I have good news to tell you both."

"I found a job! I'll be working as a guard for Aria's family starting tomorrow!"

As soon as they rounded the corner, Yorii Tsugikuni and Sayo saw Tatsumi approaching, carrying a bag.

He waved to them from a distance.

"Congratulations."

Yorii Tsugikuni nodded faintly.

The kindness of Aria's family was still deeply impressed upon him.

"Aria's family helped us a lot, Tatsumi. You need to work hard."

"She even brought us food. Let me see what she brought."

Although Sayo and the others had anticipated that Tatsumi would receive help from Aria's family, Sayo only truly felt relieved now that there was a result.

Looking at the food Tatsumi was holding, Sayo smiled and examined it.

"Aria asked me to bring this to everyone when I left."

"She also asked me to send her regards to everyone."

Tatsumi opened the bag, revealing the fragrant food inside.

Today, when he went to Aria's house and mentioned Yorii Tsugikuni's name, he was smoothly hired as a guard for the family.

"Aria really is warm-hearted."

"When we get paid, let's treat her to a big meal."