Master Blacksmith in Demon Slayer

"Thank you..." The woman took the rice ball blankly, unsure whether to eat it or not.

Chapter 7: Kochou Kanae

Steam rose from the hot spring, and under the scorching heat, both of their faces were clearly flushed.

Tetsu no Sosuke instinctively grabbed another rice ball, shoving it into his mouth while chewing mechanically, swallowing it down like tasteless wax.

He'd planned it out well enough—soak in the hot spring, munch on some dry rations, and relax his tired body after a long day's work.

But... what was happening now?

Who was this woman who'd suddenly emerged from the water?

A hot spring spirit?

Was there even such a thing in the world of Demon Slayer?

She wasn't wearing a Fireman Mask, so she probably wasn't from the Swordsmith Village!

And besides, he basically knew everyone in the Swordsmith Village... sure, he'd never seen them in this state, but if she were a villager, he'd definitely recognize her.

Wait... thinking that way, could she be an outsider?

But the village was absolutely closed to outsiders except for the Demon Slayer Corps!

Was she a swordsman from the Demon Slayer Corps?

Once the answer surfaced in his mind, Tetsu no Sosuke, who hadn't felt anything romantic to begin with, suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

A swordsman!

What would these inhuman fighters who could battle demons do in a situation like this?

Would she get angry and slice him up?

He stole a glance and found she hadn't...

She seemed just as awkward!

And this awkward atmosphere was about to boil over along with the hot spring water, wasn't it?

No, he had to do something to break the deadlock.

Think and act—that was the kind of man Tetsu no Sosuke was!

Then he racked his brain, and words slipped out without thinking: "You're soaking in the hot spring too. What a coincidence."

As soon as he said it, he wanted to slap himself twice!

What the hell was that?!

It sounded just like a pervert!!

This was even worse than his earlier 'Want some?' wasn't it?

Then he heard the woman's low voice: "Yeah, what a coincidence..."

In truth, the woman was almost dying of shame. She was clearly facing the same awkwardness as Tetsu no Sosuke.

Though the hot spring water blocked their view of each other, so nothing could be seen.

But a man suddenly appearing in the hot spring, and offering her food... he couldn't be a bad guy, right?

Still... how long was this guy planning to soak?

He was wearing a Fireman Mask, only revealing the lower half of his face with his mouth, which he used to eat the rice ball.

So, was he from the Swordsmith Village?

After exchanging friendly greetings, what should they do next?

In this state, should she draw her sword?

The problem was, her blade was too worn out and had been handed over to that guy named Tetsu no Sosuke for repairs—she didn't have a sword right now!

One of the Nine Pillars, the Flower Pillar—Kochou Kanae—was facing the most awkward moment of her entire life!

"Um, I'm done soaking!"

Tetsu no Sosuke suddenly spoke up: "Can you turn around?"

"Oh! Sure!"

Kochou Kanae felt like she'd been granted a pardon and turned around without a second thought.

She heard the sound of water splashing behind her, followed by the frantic footsteps of someone fleeing.

For no reason, just hearing those panicked steps stirred a faint, ridiculous amusement in her heart.

Fighting the urge to turn back, she kind of wanted to see how pathetic that fleeing figure looked.

But considering how rushed he was, he clearly hadn't had time to get dressed. If she turned around now, she'd definitely see something no good kid should see.

"Just one look?"

A tiny ripple stirred in her heart, like an invisible hand gently guiding her neck to turn back...

But he was already gone without a trace.

Only by the hot spring, a small bundle still held a few uneaten rice balls.

"Rice balls, huh..."

She licked her lips and moved closer. "I couldn't even taste what they were like earlier."

She picked one up and took a small bite, her eyes glinting faintly. "It's... actually really good. A very special flavor..."

Tetsu no Sosuke felt like a fox fleeing in panic, not even having time to tuck its tail away. He ran from the mountaintop all the way to the midslope in one breath before hurriedly pulling on his clothes.

"Damn it... who was that person just now?"

Thinking back carefully, that face was so beautiful it didn't seem real!

"Wait, why does it feel familiar? A woman... a swordsman... familiar... an anime or manga face I've seen before?"