If it was wilderness survival he could learn about, he would certainly ask for advice with an open mind.
He really was no good at it. Compared with Inosuke, they were worlds apart.
The next time he went out exploring, it wouldn't be quite so miserable.
He and Yuichiro could live a little better, too.
But before he could ask, Inosuke left... Did he think Tetsu no Sosuke was beyond teaching?
Tetsu no Sosuke looked puzzled, but Kanae said with a smile, "Do you think he said it backward?"
Tetsu no Sosuke considered that, then answered uncertainly, "Surely not?"
He still thought Inosuke might have gone to find teaching materials... After all, talking about some things was pointless. You needed props to teach them properly...
But did Inosuke know any of that?
Tetsu no Sosuke began to doubt his own guess.
When evening came and Inosuke still hadn't returned, Tetsu no Sosuke finally knew he had overthought it.
The kid... had simply run off.
Which meant Kanae might really be right: Inosuke had said it backward.
Tetsu no Sosuke didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. How nervous did someone have to be to say the exact opposite of what he meant?
Then he wondered what would happen if he taught Inosuke instead.
After some thought, he felt he probably wouldn't make a very good teacher for him.
Inosuke had a fighting style all his own, unlike anyone else's.
Tetsu no Sosuke might seem to fight with sweeping, forceful moves, but there was care beneath them. He relied on his wits, not instinct.
Inosuke, on the other hand, fought on pure instinct. His moves were bold and unrestrained, with the savage ferocity of a beast tearing into its prey.
That was something Tetsu no Sosuke lacked entirely.
After thinking it