Made to Measure (Continued)

Kochou Kanae hurriedly turned back. "Did something happen to you?"

"...Yeah, but it's nothing serious." Tetsu no Sosuke shook his head. At least it looked like he didn't have to worry about the Flower Pillar cutting him down.

"But something did happen, didn't it? And you repaired this sword so quickly. You must have worked incredibly hard."

A trace of apology showed in Kochou Kanae's eyes. "It was my fault. If I'd stood by my decision and simply asked you to forge me a Nichirin Blade, you wouldn't have needed to prove yourself by repairing this one. Though I'm very happy you restored it."

"Forge you a Nichirin Blade?" Tetsu no Sosuke seized on that. "You mean I can forge you a new one?"

"Yes." Kochou Kanae nodded. She briefly explained what had happened earlier with the Village Chief.

Only then did Tetsu no Sosuke understand.

He had been wondering how he'd suddenly gotten the chance to repair a Nichirin Blade.

It turned out Kotetsu had brought his sword over just as the Flower Pillar arrived. It had caught her eye, and everything else had followed from there.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say. After a long pause, he muttered, "I guess it was fate that brought us together?"

Kochou Kanae's face immediately reddened. He had no idea what she was thinking.

Seeing that, Tetsu no Sosuke hastily waved his hands. "Wait, I—I didn't mean it like that... It's just such a coincidence, and that night we were both at the hot spring..."

In his panic, the words had slipped out before he could stop them.

He froze before he could finish the sentence.

The Flower Pillar's face had turned as red as the evening sky.

Then came silence...

After a long while, the Flower Pillar said softly, "It really is quite a coincidence."

Tetsu no Sosuke could only nod.

"So you knew it was me before you came? Is that why you deliberately lowered your voice?" Kochou Kanae looked at Tetsu no Sosuke with a curious expression.

There was no point hiding it now. Tetsu no Sosuke nodded. "I was afraid you'd recognize me and cut me down on the spot."

"...Why would I do that?"

Kochou Kanae's eyes widened as she stared at Tetsu no Sosuke in disbelief. Her expression all but said, How could you think that of me?

Tetsu no Sosuke hurriedly said, "Well, I know now that you're kind and would never do that. I let my imagination run away with me."

"Good." Kochou Kanae turned her head aside, a hint of disbelief still in her eyes.

That's right. Why hadn't I felt any urge to draw my sword?

That night, I didn't draw it because I didn't have it with me.

But what about now?

She quickly shook her head, refusing to dwell on the question. Then she looked at Tetsu no Sosuke seriously. "Can we talk about my new Nichirin Blade now?"

"Your new Nichirin Blade... Oh! Of course!"

Tetsu no Sosuke perked up, finally shaking off the helpless awkwardness that had overtaken him.