This Pillar who kept neglecting his duties had finally recovered from ninety percent of his injuries. He could recuperate from the rest anywhere, so he was leaving today.
Kanae saw him all the way to the gate, with Big Hammer and Yuichiro beside her.
One look at her, and Tetsu no Sosuke almost didn't want to leave.
The days had flown by, but the happiness he had found in them had only deepened.
When he thought about it, all he really wanted was to stay with his wife and do what he loved, day after day. A simple, happy life.
Everything he was doing now was for that.
Not long after the three of them set out, the Rock Pillar parted ways with them, leaving only Tetsu no Sosuke and Shinobu Kocho.
Things were a little awkward between them now.
Tetsu no Sosuke behaved as he always had, but Shinobu Kocho seemed to find fault with him no matter how she looked at him. Picking on him had become part of her daily routine.
So neither of them spoke to the other.
Only when it was time for Shinobu Kocho to go her own way did Tetsu no Sosuke say, "Take care of your injuries when you get back. For the next little while, stay in if you can."
Shinobu Kocho rolled her eyes at him and said nothing.
Tetsu no Sosuke added, "Once I get back, I'll forge you a new Nichirin Blade."
His forging techniques had improved, so naturally Shinobu Kocho's Nichirin Blade needed an upgrade too.
Shinobu Kocho fell silent for a moment, then said, "You'd better be careful yourself."
After all, he was the one with that uncanny knack for running into Upper Moons. How could anyone not worry about him?
Tetsu no Sosuke was so