What's going on?
Did I go into the wrong hot spring pool?
Teiichi's body froze on the spot, and the memories in his mind flipped rapidly.
I came up the mountain path by myself, and then I chose the men's bath instead of the men's bath.
I didn't go to the wrong place!
Did she go to the wrong place?
So what should we do now?
Having lived two lifetimes and decades, this was the first time Teiichi had experienced something like this.
The tension was no less than when they first encountered Kokushibo.
The fog is obscuring the view, so it's probably not clear.
So, should I pretend I know nothing and just lie here like nothing happened?
Or did they get up and sneak away?
"De de de, la la la..."
Mitsuri Kanroji tilted her head slightly, her eyes sparkling with joy as she hummed her favorite tune.
She hummed as she gently raised her hand to scoop up the warm spring water.
The spring water gathered into a small stream in her hand, then poured down from her fingertips, flowing along the curve of her arm like a shimmering brook.
The thought of the delicious food to enjoy after her hot spring bath brought an even brighter smile to Mitsuri Kanroji's face.
"This place Swordsmith Village, is truly wonderful!" Mitsuri Kanroji couldn't help but laugh out loud.
She quickened her pace, scooping water to wash herself, wanting to get clean as soon as possible so she could eat earlier.
Suddenly, a calm voice rang out.
"The women's bathhouse is next door!"
Mitsuri Kanroji froze on the spot, remaining motionless in the hot spring for several seconds.
The next moment, a hint of panic flashed in Mitsuri Kanroji's bright eyes. Her right hand swung like lightning, accurately grabbing the clothes that were placed not far away beside her.
Then, like a light and graceful bird, he leaped swiftly out of the water.
The clothes in her hands seemed to come alive the moment she leaped out of the water, sliding down her body's curves and quickly covering her shapely figure completely.
She hurriedly slipped her feet into the wooden clogs, the straps tangling haphazardly around her ankles.
At that moment, she was completely lost and her mind was blank. She simply ran outside on instinct.
As she ran frantically outside, she shouted in a voice trembling with tears:
"Sumimasen!!!"
A voice filled with regret and embarrassment echoed around the hot spring pool.
Mitsuri Kanroji ran along the stone path and soon arrived at the hot spring pool on the other side.
With a loud "splash," she dove into the water once again, like a startled fish.
A deep sense of shyness, like a rising tide, filled Mitsuri Kanroji's mind, making it almost impossible for her to think.
Only at this moment did Mitsuri Kanroji regain her composure.
She could clearly feel her cheeks burning like flames and her heart pounding like a war drum.
Ah!! It's all my fault for being too happy and not paying attention; I ran over there!
And who was that over there just now?
I couldn't see it at all!
Anyway, he must be a member of the Demon Slayer Corps!!
After all, these two hot spring pools are exclusively for the use of Demon Slayer Corps members who come to the Swordsmith Village.
The villagers in Swordsmith Village all use knives from other places.
"Ugh, how embarrassing!!!"
Mitsuri Kanroji called out, thinking she was being quiet.
Then, her body slid down a little more, and the warm hot spring water submerged her mouth.
She kept exhaling into the water, and tiny, crystal-clear bubbles rose from the bottom to the surface, just like her irrepressible shyness spreading through the hot spring water.
On the other side.
Teiichi remained slumped on the rock, letting out a soft sigh.
Pretending not to know is too dangerous; if they accidentally find out later, we're doomed.
If they sneak out, and there's no water, Teiichi still have a chance.
Soaking in the hot spring, it's inevitable that there will be water noise when you go out, making it extremely difficult to avoid the Pillar's eyes and ears.
Therefore, this was the only option left.
Teiichi raised her hand and removed the towel covering her face.
Fortunately, aside from a slightly awkward situation, nothing unexpected happened.
Teiichi slowly stood up from the hot spring. The warm water slid down his strong body and dripped back into the pool, creating small ripples.
He felt he had soaked long enough and needed to get out of the water first, otherwise it would be too awkward if he ran into Mitsuri Kanroji later.
Teiichi raised her hand and used a towel to wipe the water off her body, then wrapped herself in the clean clothes she had brought.
The fabric of his clothes clung to his body, giving him a dry and comfortable feeling.
After walking around most of the hot spring pool, Teiichi paused briefly when he arrived at the hot spring pool near the intersection.
"Ugh, how embarrassing!!!"
Words of shame and indignation drifted from afar. Looking at the robe lying on the ground, Teiichi sighed softly.
He picked it up and then walked away.
At the fork in the road separating the men's and women's bathhouses, he placed the robe on the sign for the women's bathhouse.
They then headed towards their accommodation.
We returned to our accommodation without any major incidents.
The villagers of Swordsmith Village, who had been waiting for a long time, greeted Teiichi:
" Lord Kato, you're back! How was your bath today? Did you enjoy it?"
Teiichi nodded and said, "Mmm! It's very comfortable. I really envy you guys, having a hot spring right next to your village!"
"Haha... then you can move in here in the future!" the villager laughed.
"Yes, that's definitely worth considering!" Teiichi said thoughtfully.
"Oh, right, Lady Love Hashira came over before evening, and she's gone to the hot springs now!" a villager reminded them.
"Okay, I understand!" Teiichi nodded.
"You know?" the villager asked, somewhat puzzled.
Teiichi's smile froze for a moment before he finally spoke, "I ran into her when I came out of the hot spring!"
"Oh, I see!" The villager nodded in understanding, then said, "The food is ready. Would you like to eat first, or wait for Love Hashira to eat together?"
"What is she here for?" Teiichi asked.
If Mitsuri Kanroji's stay is short, Teiichi plans to avoid her for now and give her some breathing room.
What just happened was really embarrassing.
Although it has nothing to do with me and there's no real problem.
But this isn't so friendly to young girls!
" Lady Kanroji is here to forge swords too!" the villager replied.
"Forging swords?" Teiichi eyebrow slightly.
"Yes!" the villager nodded in confirmation.
Teiichi asked, "Did they say how long we have to stay?"
The villager thought for a moment and replied, "She didn't say how long, but I saw she brought some luggage with her, so she'll probably stay until the Nichirin Blade is finished being forged."