The following evening.
Shinobu Kocho had been sent to the backyard by Kanae to gather the dried medicinal herbs.
Kanae herself, meanwhile, enjoyed a rare moment alone with Xia Xi.
Carrying the tea set out to the veranda, she happened to glance over Xia Xi's haori.
And at the assorted little things he wore or used as decorations beneath it.
Of course, what she mainly looked at was the pale purple object among them.
Kanae's gaze lingered.
A scented sachet. She recognized it.
It was Shinobu's favorite color.
"Xia Xi." The girl sat down nonchalantly and poured him some tea. "What's the Northern Region like? Have you gotten used to living there lately?"
"It's all right." Xia Xi accepted the teacup. "Just a bit too much snow. I have to clear it away every few days."
Kanae chuckled, then leaned forward slightly and pointed at the scented sachet beneath his haori.
"I didn't see that when we parted last time."
"I never expected you to like such dainty little accessories."
Xia Xi said, "Oh, this? Someone gave it to me."
Kanae's smile remained unchanged, but she imperceptibly drew out the end of her sentence. "It seems our Dawn Hashira is quite popular with the other girls."
Xia Xi sipped his tea, and before long, he saw Shinobu Kocho hurrying back with a large gourd in her arms.
The large gourd was nearly as tall as she was, meant to be blown apart with her breathing.
This was the Butterfly Mansion lineage's method of [Constant Training], passed down from the First Flower Hashira.
At Kanae's words.
Xia Xi instinctively squeezed the little gift, its stitches fine and close, clearly made with considerable care, though the embroidery was still somewhat misshapen.
How many female swordsmen did the Demon Slayer Corps even have?