A Notch Below

"Yes, but the temperature is still a bit high in the summer, so it's not really suitable for soaking in hot springs!"

Teiichi, with his eyes closed and a slight smile playing on his lips, replied.

His voice carried a hint of languor, as if he were about to fall into a deep sleep at any moment. The sweltering heat of summer seemed amplified by the steam from the hot spring, making him slightly uncomfortable.

Tengen Uzui nodded, his signature long hair swaying slightly with his movement.

"Maybe we can come back in winter next time."

"Hmm, that's good!" Teiichi agreed, already picturing the beautiful scene of a winter hot spring in his mind, snowflakes falling, the steam from the hot spring mingling with the snowflakes.

Tengen Uzui said, "I'll call Suma and the others, and you call Butterfly!"

"Okay!" Teiichi replied, his voice sounding somewhat ethereal in the steam.

A silence gradually settled over the hot spring pool, as white steam rose above it, enveloping the two of them.

Tengen Uzui suddenly broke the silence, his gaze fixed intently on Teiichi, and said:

"Kato, what's your relationship with Kanroji?"

"What relationship?" Teiichi replied absentmindedly, his thoughts still immersed in his reverie about the winter hot springs. At this moment, his brain was like a rusty machine, running slowly.

The intense multitasking training every day would leave Teiichi feeling extremely exhausted.

It felt like countless ropes were pulling at his nerves, making every cell in his body cry out for rest.

During this rare moment of rest, his mind would unconsciously relax, as if freed from its reins, not thinking about too many complicated things, but simply enjoying this moment of tranquility.

"How long have you been staying together in the Swordsmith Village?" Tengen Uzui asked, his eyes revealing a hint of inquiry, his body leaning slightly forward, seemingly very concerned about the answer to this question.

Teiichi moment, his mind blank, like an old computer struggling to search for information, before finally answering:

"About a month!"

"Have you been staying together for over a month?" Tengen Uzui asked.

"Well, I guess so!" Teiichi replied casually, splashing some hot spring water with his hand, the water droplets shimmering in the moonlight.

"So what do you think of her?" Tengen Uzui asked, his gaze fixed on Teiichi, not missing any subtle change in his expression.

Having said that, even if Teiichi had no time to think, he would know what Tengen Uzui was asking.

He slightly opened his tightly closed eyes, a glint of clarity flashing within them, and glanced in the direction of Tengen Uzui before closing them again.

"I don't have anything against her, you're overthinking it!"

Upon hearing this, Tengen Uzui leaned closer, somewhat excited.

"Hey, are you really not planning on being with Kanroji too?"

Teiichi replied helplessly, "I already have Kanae, why would I be with her?"

"But I think that girl seems to have a crush on you! When I got there today, I saw her staring at you blankly!" Tengen Uzui said.

Teiichi, opened his eyes again, lifted his head from the rock, and looked at Tengen Uzui, asking:

"Really? You must be mistaken?"

Tengen Uzui said excitedly, "It's true! Based on my many years of experience with relationships, I can tell you it's absolutely true!"

"You're overthinking it, aren't you? Besides, everyone knows about me and Kanae, right? How could she possibly like me?" Teiichi retorted.

"As long as you have something about you that can attract girls, that's enough!" said Tengen Uzui.

"Yeah, do I have anything that attracts girls?" Teiichi countered.

Tengen Uzui clicked his tongue, unsure Teiichi genuinely slow-witted or feigning it, so he spoke up himself:

"Strength even greater than mine!"

Teiichi, his expression becoming more settled.

Tengen Uzui said, "Someone whose looks are slightly inferior to mine!"

"..."

Tengen Uzui continued, "These two points alone are enough for you to be unstoppable in the Demon Slayer Corps!"

"..." Teiichi retorted, "Then why haven't I seen you finding another wife!"

"I have three wives, that's enough!"

"Then having Kanae is enough for me!"

Tengen Uzui gasped, looking at Teiichi disappointed expression:

Don't you really feel that she likes you?

Teiichi shook his head. "No, you're overthinking it!"

Tengen Uzui asked, "Then why has she been following you?"

Teiichi laughed and said, "You're just using this to say she likes me?"

"Otherwise what?" Tengen Uzui retorted.

Teiichi laughed and said, "You're overthinking it. In this Swordsmith Village, the only person she knows is me. Where else could she go besides following me?"

"But we can't keep following them for this long, can we?" Tengen Uzui said.

"Starting today, won't you be doing this for the rest of the time? Or are you planning to run around on your own during this period?" Teiichi said helplessly.

"Uh... this..."

Tengen Uzui was speechless for a moment, then thought about it and realized it was true.

Am I just overthinking things?

Thinking of this, Tengen Uzui could only lean against the hot spring wall again and quietly enjoy the experience.

On the other side, Teiichi slightly opened her eyes to glance at Tengen Uzui, then slowly closed them again.

Is it true that those involved are often blinded while bystanders see things clearly?

Should I keep my distance from Mitsuri from now on?

Time flowed slowly, and several days passed in the blink of an eye.

The arrival of Tengen Uzui did not significantly change Teiichi's life.

In other words, the two people who used to hang out together every day became three.

Teiichi's life still consisted of training during the day, eating dinner in the evening, and occasionally going to a hot spring.

The peaceful days continued until a Kasugai Crow flew to the Swordsmith Village.

"Is something the matter?" Mitsuri asked, looking at Teiichi, who was taking the letter from under the Kasugai Crow's feet and reading it.

Teiichi slightly. "Hmm, I might have to go out and check things out first! There might be some traces of the Upper Rank that I need to confirm!"

"Upper Rank? Which Upper Rank?" Tengen Uzui asked curiously.

"Doma!" Teiichi replied succinctly.

Upon hearing this, Tengen Uzui's lips curled into a wide grin. "Want me to come with you?"

Teiichi hearing this, Dingyi looked at Mitsuri and saw that Mitsuri had an expectant look on her face, as if she would go along if Teiichi agreed to Tengen Uzui's request.

"No need, I can go by myself. I have all the basic information. I just need to confirm if it's Doma!" Teiichi shook his head.

"Alright!" Tengen Uzui nodded.

"But your Nichirin Blade isn't finished being forged yet, is it?" Mitsuri asked with concern.

"It's alright, we have a spare Nichirin Blade!" Teiichi replied.

Seeing that Teiichi Yi seemed ready, Mitsuri had no choice but to nod.

"Then... be careful on the road!"