Master Blacksmith in Demon Slayer

In the courtyard, the girl's blade spun through the air.

Falling petals scattered, blooming freely with the sword in her hand!

On the veranda, Tetsu no Sosuke sat quietly watching, occasionally adding a few strokes to the paper.

Three days had passed since Kochou Kanae agreed to let him come watch her training every day.

Each day, Tetsu no Sosuke showed up like clockwork, bringing homemade rice balls, sitting down without a word, and staying for two or three hours.

Only when Kochou Kanae finished her practice would they sit together on the veranda, eat the rice balls he'd made, drink tea, chat for a while, and then he'd take his leave.

But for some reason, today Kochou Kanae seemed a bit off.

Not only was her swordplay somewhat erratic, but her expression also looked dazed.

Even after practice ended, as she walked toward him, she seemed weighed down by something.

Worried, Tetsu no Sosuke set aside his paper and brush and went to meet her: "Are you alright?"

Kochou Kanae shook her head, looked at him, and hesitated.

Then her eyes suddenly caught the paper and brush he'd left on the floor, and she froze: "That is..."

Tetsu no Sosuke glanced back, his face changing drastically. He hurried over, snatched up the paper and brush, and hid them behind his back: "It's nothing."

"Let me see."

Kochou Kanae looked at him seriously.

Left with no choice, Tetsu no Sosuke reluctantly pulled out the notebook he'd hidden behind him.

The paper was sketched with lines—a girl practicing swordsmanship.

Graceful posture, agile sword techniques, stirring up drifting petals like a butterfly spirit in the wind.

The brushwork was so delicate that even the butterfly hair ornament among her strands of hair was lifelike.

"Um... I, I just..."

Tetsu no Sosuke didn't know how to explain. Three days had passed, and he'd seen everything he needed to see.

The design for the Nichirin Blade was already mostly complete. Today, he'd only come to see her.

In a moment of foolish impulse, he'd sketched the girl he'd been watching.

This was supposed to be something he'd take home and treasure, but its owner had discovered it.

Kochou Kanae looked at the drawing of herself, an indescribable emotion in her eyes.

She gently bit her lip: "I have to go."

"Oh, okay. Huh, what?"

Tetsu no Sosuke froze, then jerked his head up.

He saw Kochou Kanae looking back at him, her eyes seeming to hold many words, yet her lips were pressed tight, silent.

"So... so soon?"

Tetsu no Sosuke felt a mess inside, like weeds had sprouted in his heart. He wanted to ask her to stay, but he knew it was impossible.

He scratched his head, even though his scalp didn't itch at all, as if not doing so would leave him unable to hide his feelings.

"Mm."

Kochou Kanae nodded: "I've been here about six or seven days, right? Thanks to the hot spring's nourishment, my injuries have fully healed."

"But your Nichirin Blade... isn't finished yet."

Tetsu no Sosuke struggled weakly.

Kochou Kanae smiled, looking at the blade he'd repaired in her hand: "This sword was fixed very well. It can last a long time."

Tetsu no Sosuke sighed: "If only I'd known..."

He stopped himself before finishing the sentence.

"If only you'd known what?" Kochou Kanae smiled at him, took a soft breath, and then said: "But you'll forge me the best Nichirin Blade, won't you?"

Tetsu no Sosuke nodded immediately: "Of course!"

"Mm." Kochou Kanae nodded: "I believe you. You're the most amazing swordsmith I've ever met. You'll definitely give me a tremendous surprise!"

After she said this, they both fell silent.

Kochou Kanae sat down on the veranda, just like the past two days, reached for a rice ball, and took a small bite.

The familiar, special taste rose in her heart: "Delicious."

"I'll make you more. You can take them back and eat them slowly."

Tetsu no Sosuke spoke without thinking.

"Really?" Kochou Kanae looked pleasantly surprised, then nodded: "Then I'll treasure them and savor them slowly."

"Mm."

Tetsu no Sosuke sat down too: "I already have a draft for the new Nichirin Blade. I'll start forging it as soon as possible. Oh, can I ask you for something?"

"Of course." Kochou Kanae nodded. "What do you need?"

"A drop of your blood."

Tetsu no Sosuke spoke these words with caution. He didn't know if they would cause any misunderstanding with this girl, or if he'd be refused.

He'd thought they still had plenty of time, that he could slowly figure out a way.

But he never expected she'd be leaving so soon.

So, he had no choice but to ask directly.

"Sure."

No questions, no hesitation. Her trust was like the sunlight overhead, pouring down without reservation.

Finally, Tetsu no Sosuke asked in a low voice, "When are you leaving?"

"Soon."