Let's talk

The fire burned quietly in the brazier, crackling. Urokodaki sat upright in the seat of honor, his Tengu Mask looking particularly solemn in the firelight.

"A month has passed." Urokodaki's voice was low and even, yet it echoed through the small room.

He looked at Rokuya first.

"Rokuya. Your talent is unlike anything I have seen in my life. Although you have altered Water Breathing beyond recognition, turning it into a technique purely for slaughter, there is no denying that you are now qualified to go to Mount Fujikasane and take the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection."

Rokuya leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest. There was no particular pride on his face; he merely gave a flat "Oh."

Urokodaki ignored Rokuya's indifference and turned his gaze to Kanae and Shinobu, who sat upright opposite him. Behind his mask, his eyes grew complicated and regretful.

"As for you two..."

Kanae and Shinobu unconsciously straightened their backs, their palms slick with sweat.

"Water Breathing is not suited to you."

The words landed like a verdict. Shinobu's face instantly turned pale, and Kanae trembled slightly.

"Old man, what do you mean?" Rokuya's brows instantly knitted. He lowered his arms and strode over to the fire. "Are you saying they can't kill demons?"

"Do not interrupt me." Urokodaki gave Rokuya a stern look, then continued speaking to the sisters. "There is more than one Breathing Style. Water Breathing is the foundation. It is the easiest to learn and the most accommodating. But that does not mean it is the only choice."

Urokodaki paused, his gaze settling on Kanae. "Kanae, your movements are too light, and there is an innate compassion and gentleness in your nature. Forcing yourself to practice Water Breathing will only suppress that nature. Your sword should be nimble and magnificent. So I wrote a letter to the current Oyakata-sama."

"A letter?" Kanae froze.

"Yes. Among the Demon Slayer Corps' Cultivators, there is a senior who specializes in Flower Breathing. Flower Breathing is derived from Water Breathing. It removes Water Breathing's heaviness and places greater emphasis on light footwork and consecutive sword strikes. That is the Breathing Style best suited to you."

A flicker of surprise passed through Kanae's eyes, followed by a radiance she could not hide. Flower Breathing... it really did sound well suited to her.

"As for Shinobu." Urokodaki looked at the little girl, who was biting her lip and close to tears. "Your wrist strength is indeed a serious limitation. Even if you trained for another ten years, you might still be unable to cut through a Lower Rank demon's neck. But that does not mean you are useless. Rokuya once told you to become a Poison Master. That was not a joke."

Shinobu jerked her head up, tears glistening in her purple eyes. "Can I really?"

"The Cultivator who teaches Flower Breathing has Japan's most extensive collection of pharmacology books and poison research facilities. Only by going there can you find your own path," Urokodaki said firmly.

A brief silence fell over the room.

This was good news. It meant that the sisters had finally found their own paths to becoming stronger.

But it also meant separation.

"When are they leaving?" Rokuya suddenly asked. His voice was so calm that not a ripple could be heard, but his black eyes were frighteningly deep.

Urokodaki glanced at him and said gravely, "People from the Kakushi Corps will come to collect them tomorrow. That Cultivator's dojo is far to the south of here. As for you, Rokuya, you must remain on Mount Sagiri and hone your swordsmanship to its utmost until the Final Selection begins."

Tomorrow.

The word struck all three of their hearts like a heavy hammer.

"Understood."

Rokuya said nothing more. He turned and walked out of the wooden house. The door curtain fell behind him, blocking out the sunlight.

As she watched Rokuya leave, a sudden, intense ache welled up in Kanae's heart. She instinctively wanted to follow him out, but Urokodaki stopped her.

"Kanae."

"Yes, Master Urokodaki."

"That boy... there is a beast in his heart." Urokodaki sighed. "He is powerful, cold, and even willing to use any means to achieve his goals. But when he looks at you two, it is as though he is looking at the most precious treasures in this world. You are his only chains."

Kanae was briefly taken aback. Then an utterly resolute, beautiful smile bloomed on the face that always wore a gentle smile.

"I know, Master Urokodaki. That is why I have to become stronger."

Night fell.

The nights on Mount Sagiri were always bitterly cold. Moonlight filtered through the clouds and spilled onto the veranda outside the wooden house, forming a thin layer of cold frost.

Rokuya sat at the edge of the veranda with a whetstone in his hand, mechanically sharpening the ordinary Nichirin Blade he had borrowed, stroke after stroke.

"Shh... shh..."

The grating scrape sounded especially clear in the still night.

His gaze was not focused on the blade. Urokodaki's words from earlier that day kept replaying in his mind.

They're leaving tomorrow.

Rokuya set down the whetstone and let out a long breath of white mist.

Habit really was a frightening thing. In his previous life, he had eaten alone, played games alone, and faced life's little troubles alone, never feeling that anything was wrong with it. But now, after just one month, he had actually begun to grow attached to days spent with "someone chattering in his ear."

[System notification: abnormal emotional fluctuations detected in host.]

[Current Gratitude Points balance: 2,350 points.]

[Suggestion: host may spend 1,000 Gratitude Points to redeem a "Bond Tracker" and view the target's coordinates at any time.]

"Shut up. Get lost."

Rokuya replied coldly in his mind. The light panel flickered, then vanished aggrievedly.

He did not need a tracker. He knew where they were going, and he also knew they would live on safely.

It's just... this hollow feeling inside is so damn irritating.

"This is going too far..." Rokuya cursed under his breath, not knowing whether he was cursing the system or this inexplicable feeling of parting.

Just then, soft footsteps came from behind him.

Accompanying those footsteps was a faint, delicate fragrance like wisteria.

"Rokuya-kun, are you still awake?"

Wearing a thin pink kimono with an outer robe draped over her shoulders, Kanae sat down beside Rokuya. Less than a fist's width separated them.

"So are you." Rokuya did not turn around, his gaze still on the dark forest in the distance.

"Because there is so much I want to say to you, Rokuya-kun." Kanae rested her hands on her knees and tilted her head slightly, looking at his profile, which appeared particularly cold and stern in the moonlight.

Rokuya did not answer. He simply listened quietly.