I'll Tell You Next Time

To be honest, he had lived two lives. Whether things were bitter or difficult, he could always encourage himself and claw his way out of the mire.

But what had happened just now was different. It had come out of nowhere, beyond his control, as though a Demon had taken hold of his mind. He had no idea how to deal with it.

Fortunately, the Flower Pillar had broken the deadlock!

Then again, she was one of the Nine Pillars. What else should he have expected?

Tetsu no Sosuke's thoughts wandered. When he noticed Kochou Kanae watching him again with those big eyes, he finally came back to himself. He coughed and said, "So, what would you want from a new weapon, Flower Pillar? I think I should start with your strengths and preferences. That's how I can forge a weapon that suits you best."

Kochou Kanae nodded. "Above all, it needs to be light. I'm a woman, so even as a Swordsman, I have much less stamina than a man. A weapon that's too heavy would put a far greater strain on me."

Tetsu no Sosuke nodded. "And?"

"...And sharp enough?" Kochou Kanae shook her head. "Can I really ask for that much from a weapon?"

"Of course," Tetsu no Sosuke said. "If I'm making it specifically for you, I should consider everything. Let's see. Stamina is one concern, and it has to be sharp. Then there's your Swordsmanship and Breathing Technique. Your weapon is what gives form to the Swordsmanship you unleash through your Breathing Technique. If I put some thought into that, I might be able to change the speed and force of your strikes, perhaps even the way they take shape."

"A Nichirin Blade can kill Demons because of its special material. But relying on that alone falls far short of bringing out everything the weapon itself could do."

As Tetsu no Sosuke spoke, he might not even have noticed the extraordinary light gathering in his eyes.

Kochou Kanae was drawn to it. Just looking at him made her feel as though she were being pulled in.

It was as if that light could sear itself into her soul, leaving her shaken and unable to forget it!

Only when Tetsu no Sosuke finished speaking and turned toward her did she come back to herself.

"I actually... without even realizing..."

She murmured to herself, then took a deep breath and composed her expression. Smiling at Tetsu no Sosuke, she said, "You make a good point. But wouldn't forging a Nichirin Blade like that be difficult?"

"Not necessarily. I just need to think it through carefully. I'll also need some help from you."

Tetsu no Sosuke said awkwardly, "I don't know if this is rude to ask a Swordsman, but if possible, I'd like to see your Swordsmanship properly."

"My Swordsmanship?"

Kochou Kanae blinked.

"If you'd rather not, forget I asked!"

Tetsu no Sosuke hurriedly added, "I didn't mean to offend you."

"You don't have to be so careful."

Kochou Kanae touched a finger to her chin and thought for a moment. "But would I need to demonstrate it just for you? That would cut into my usual training. If you have time, you could come and watch while I practice."

"Watch? I really can?" Tetsu no Sosuke was surprised. A demonstration would let him see it once, twice at most. She was a Swordsman, not a dancer. She had no reason to perform for him every day.

But she had to train every day, didn't she?

And he could watch that training every day!

Wouldn't that mean he could see her every day?

No... He was missing the point. He could see the Swordsmanship of the Breath of the Flower every day!

Chapter 11: I'll Tell You Next Time