→ An interlude that you don't have to read
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Urokodaki Rei is a kind person.
I can say that proudly now, but in fact, at first, I was only scared of him.
"Maeda, this is the final warning. Can you really just behave properly?"
"I, I won't surrender! I won't surrender! This level of violence can't extinguish the flames of my passion!"
"Shall I turn you into ashes first?"
"Aaah, I'm sorryyyy!! I think I'll do it again, but I'm sorryyyy!!! It feels like fear is being instilled from below, so please don't get angry anymooore!!!"
Because when I first saw him, he was grabbing the Kakushi by the collar and shaking him vigorously.
I, who had just become a member not long ago, screamed at that sight. I thought Urokodaki Rei was a violent person who used force against Kakushi.
But later, when I heard the circumstances, it was the Kakushi who was at fault. He had sent an unbearably lewd uniform to a new female member.
The outfit was so blatant that just looking at it would make one's face burn, and no woman with aspirations to become a Demon Slayer could hold back tears, and it seemed Rei-senpai was furious because of that.
This wasn't the first time the Kakushi (whose real name is Maeda, said to be in charge of sewing) caused such an incident.
Every time news came that female members received unreasonable outfits, Rei-senpai would mercilessly beat Maeda, regardless of whether they cried or not.
Because he reacted like a father dealing with a man who messes with his daughter, Rei-senpai is secretly called 'father' among female members. Even though Rei-senpai is still in his teens.
And that kindness is not limited to women. Whether woman or man, superior or subordinate, even Kakushi, he is kind to everyone. Except, he is a bit cold only to Lord Myouju.
Even on the battlefield, he does not abandon his kindness. He never leaves an injured member behind.
There are those who scoff at that, calling it foolish, but many members have been saved by Rei-senpai's strength accompanied by that kindness. I am also one of them.
Once, I made a big mistake in a battle with a demon. When it was decided that my junior would go to the selection, in my eagerness to be a role model for that kid, I disobeyed the standby order and recklessly charged forward.
On the battlefield, one who disobeys a superior's command has no right to complain even if they die. Moreover, since a subordinate disobeyed, Rei-senpai couldn't have been pleased. Despite that, he saved me.
Of course, I was severely scolded afterward. Coordination is a matter of life and death, so don't disrupt the formation.
Yes, it wasn't anger, but proper scolding. I vaguely understood why female members call Rei-senpai 'father'. To the point where I inadvertently called him "Father……".
But immediately after, what was with him exploding, "Who's your father, I won't give Ume!!"? Who is Ume, Rei-senpai? A younger sister? Surely not a daughter. Rei-senpai is still in his teens, after all.
Anyway, after that incident, all my respect as a swordsman turned towards Rei-senpai, and my goal became clear.
Until then, I had charged ahead without thinking, driven only by the vague idea that I had to be a model for my junior, but once I had a goal, my training gradually became systematic. Efficiency improved, achievements piled up, and I was able to rise swiftly to the Ki rank.
One day, I thought…… if I become stronger, perhaps when Rei-senpai becomes a Pillar, he'll take me as his tsuguko…… Ah, but I use Thunder Breathing, so I probably won't match with Rei-senpai……
Recently, my efforts were recognized, and I received a direct proposal from Lord Myouju to become a tsuguko.
My master and my junior were both overjoyed, saying "Well done." "As expected of you!" I was naturally happy too.
I was happy that my skills were recognized, and I believed that if I trained under the Pillar, I could get a little closer to Rei-senpai.
My heart swelled with the expectation that perhaps in the future, I might be able to fight shoulder to shoulder with Rei-senpai.
However, the future I envisioned never came to be.
During a demon slaying mission, I lost my leg.
My bones were crushed and my internal organs were severely damaged, so now I can no longer fight as a swordsman. Even ordinary life has become difficult.
It was a mission conducted by two people forming a team. But our coordination was completely off. The other person was an Otsu rank member, so I trusted them without thinking, but that guy acted as if I didn't exist.
Because of that, I couldn't even get a proper chance to behead the demon, and eventually, unable to avoid the attack, I fell.
When I came to my senses, I was on a bed in a convalescent facility. Only when I saw my leg gone below the knee did it sink in.
Ah, I guess I can't fight alongside Rei-senpai anymore.
Tears didn't come. Was it because my junior was crying buckets on my behalf? Or because despair had surpassed sadness?
Lord Myouju came to visit me. I was sorry.
My master also came to visit me. I was sorry.
Rei-senpai also came to visit me. At that time, I pretended to be asleep. Because if I saw his face, I thought I would cry.
"I'm sorry."
To me, pretending to sleep, Rei-senpai muttered that.
"No, perhaps 'sorry' isn't the right word. ……Ah, but still, that's the only word that comes to mind."
He apologized in a low, subdued voice, completely different from his usual bright tone.
"I'm sorry. Sorry. With just these words, nothing will change…… it's just my self-satisfaction, but still, sorry."
This person has no reason to blame himself, so what is he apologizing for so much?
Towards me who lost my leg? Towards Lord Myouju who lost a tsuguko? Probably both.
"If I had been stronger. If I had been faster."
What are you talking about? You're already strong enough.
The rumor that you fought all night against Upper Rank 3 has already reached here. Your speed is such that Lord Myouju himself pointed it out and praised you as faster than anyone.
Rather, I should have become stronger. I should have become faster.
If I had, I could have gone to help Rei-senpai. Even if I couldn't defeat an Upper Rank, at least I could have been his shield. I could have prevented his mask from breaking and his bare face from being revealed.
I know from rumors.
That your hair is as white as death, and your eyes are as red as blood. That rumor reaches even here, far from the corps.
That there are those who say your appearance is eerie, like a monster.
It must be painful to go outside, to be seen by others. This isn't the time for you to stay in a place like this.
So please don't worry about me. Please don't bear the suffering alone. Please don't make me your concern.
Kind person. Kind person. Rei-senpai.
"I'm truly sorry, Lord Tsuyuri."
……I worry that you, who bear everything with that kindness, might someday be crushed under that weight.
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