Zenitsu Agatsuma wilted under that gaze. At last, with no other choice, he took a deep breath and told Tetsu no Sosuke, "I won't let him down. I'll work hard to keep my word. I'll... face this world with more courage!"
His face went bright red as soon as he finished.
Tetsu no Sosuke paused, then suddenly chuckled. "I look forward to seeing what you become."
His laughter had only made Zenitsu Agatsuma more embarrassed, but those words left him stunned. Then his face lit up. "Yeah!!"
The two of them said goodbye to Tamayo and Yushiro. Hidden in the shadows of the house, she and Yushiro waved to the two young men.
They watched the pair disappear into the distance.
Tetsu no Sosuke drew his gaze back from them, then turned to Tamayo and Yushiro. "Well, we should be going too."
Shinobu Kocho stood behind him and bowed slightly.
"Take care on your journey, Hammer Pillar," Tamayo said. "Things have been changing very quickly lately. You've probably caught that man's attention by now. Whatever you do, I hope you'll think it through before making a decision."
Tetsu no Sosuke nodded. He glanced at Yushiro one last time and smiled. "You keep at it too."
"Huh?" Yushiro looked baffled. What on earth was he supposed to keep at?
He wanted to ask, but Tetsu no Sosuke had already left with Shinobu Kocho.
"That guy... can't he ever finish a sentence?"
Yushiro pursed his lips, then glanced at Tamayo beside him. He paused, a thoughtful look crossing his face.
"What is it?" Tamayo asked.
"Nothing. Let's go back inside." Yushiro took a step back.
"All right."
"Why did you tell Yushiro to keep at it?" Shinobu Kocho asked. "As long as he doesn't say anything, things can stay peaceful.