If there was a boy being attacked in the east, I would go and protect him from the demon's grasp.
If there was a girl crying for help in the west, I would go and cut off the demon's neck.
My movements on the first day of the Final Selection were roughly like that. While searching for demons, if I heard screams, I immediately ran to prevent people from dying.
Today's achievement was about twelve demons.
Fortunately, the terrain of Mt. Fujikasane hadn't changed, so this time I also used the same cave as last selection for lodging.
As I did, memories from the last selection, like Lord Goto and Lord Shōjuro, came to mind, calming my heart a little—
"Oh! Great, Kōgetsu! Let me rest here too!"
Thanks to Lord Masachika rolling in, loneliness disappeared in an instant.
"Of course, I'm not asking to rest for free. It's in exchange for freshly picked mushrooms!"
Showing mushrooms overflowing from a towel, Lord Masachika said with his chest puffed out.
"Look, wood ear mushrooms!"
"No, those are black flower oyster mushrooms."
"Huh? They're not wood ear but a type of oyster mushroom?"
"A type of poisonous mushroom."
"……I, I knew it. I thought it was strange because they were unusually black and tattered, and it's not even wood ear season. Ah, how about this? This one has a delicious-looking color, right?"
"That's a yellow hazel cap."
"Huh? Hazel? So it has a nutty flavor? Like chestnuts?"
"Highly toxic."
"Then, this one?! This one?! This mushroom is edible, right?!"
"It's a poisonous mushroom exhibition~"
"Eeeeeek?!"
All the mushrooms Lord Masachika picked were poisonous. Truly a poisonous mushroom paradise.
Lord Masachika's back, as he went to discard the mushrooms he had tearfully gathered, was damp as if mushrooms would sprout any moment.
"Lord Masachika, are you a master of poisonous mushroom collection?"
"Kōgetsu, everyone has failures!"
But Lord Masachika was a man who recovered quickly. When he returned to the cave, he had already regained his bright energy, brimming with vigor to the point of crossing his arms and boasting, "It seems only poisonous mushrooms grow around here!"
"Actually, I wanted to get some game meat, but I didn't see any wild boars, let alone raccoons or rabbits."
"Starving demons cannibalize their own kind and also eat animal meat."
"Ah, now that I think about it, there's a river over there! Fish then... but I don't have a fishing rod..."
Just as Lord Masachika finished speaking, slapping his forehead, a new set of footsteps echoed lightly inside the cave. Appearing was a small, petite girl. It was Makomo-chan.
"Sorry, I heard Lord Masachika's voice... Um, can I stay here too?"
There was no way to refuse Makomo-chan, who asked with her head tilted. We welcomed her happily, saying it's a place with nothing but come on in.
"That's a relief. Thank you~ By the way, have you both eaten? If not, I have mushrooms, so want to eat together?"
Makomo-chan said kindly as she placed a cloth bundle on the ground and unfolded it.
Lord Masachika was the first to react to the word "mushrooms." He coughed lightly, then, with the voice of a man who knows the difference, said,
"Be careful, Makomo. Around here, there are only dangerous ones like poisonous something mushrooms or chestnut mushrooms—"
"Enoki mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and some wild greens."
Interrupting Lord Masachika's words, she listed mushrooms, wild greens, mushrooms, wild greens, mushrooms, fruits, berries.
From the right in order: edible ones, delicious ones, tasty when grilled, ones with a chewy texture that are delicious. Ah, um. This is... .
Lord Masachika looked at me with an unbelieving face. In response, I nodded heavily.
Congratulations. All are edible.
"A, amazing, Makomo. Wasn't it hard to find so much?"
"Not really? There were plenty. If it's not enough, I'll go pick more."
"Lord Masachika..."
"Stop it, Kōgetsu! Don't look at me with those eyes!"
"Why are you both like that?"
Who was it that claimed only poisonous mushrooms grow around here? Leaving Lord Masachika, who covered his face and writhed on the ground, I lit a bonfire with Makomo-chan.
Anything grilled with salt sprinkled on it is delicious. By the way, the salt was provided by Sousuke.
While evenly grilling the mushroom surfaces to a golden brown, Makomo-chan suddenly brought up a topic.
"If we had salt, maybe we should have caught some fish?"
"Makomo, did you bring a fishing rod?"
"No, I didn't?"
"Huh? How do you catch fish without a fishing rod? Bare-handed like a bear?"
To Lord Masachika's genuinely curious question, Makomo-chan seemed momentarily at a loss for words, smiling awkwardly. To Lord Masachika, who blinked, I whispered quietly.
"You can catch fish even without a fishing rod."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. If you hit a big rock in the river hard with another rock, the shock stuns the fish, and they float up."
"But you shouldn't do it too often. Or you can make a trap."
"Heh, Kōgetsu and Makomo are both knowledgeable."
Seeing Lord Masachika express admiration purely and without pretense, Makomo-chan blushed and smiled shyly.
"Urokodaki taught me."
"Probably... Makomo's mentor, right?"
"Yes, Urokodaki taught me many things. Since the selection requires surviving seven days and nights in the mountains, things like how to camp or distinguish edible things."
Makomo-chan puffed out her chest proudly, as if it were her own achievement, clearly respecting Urokodaki sincerely. I know, I know. Urokodaki is strict but kind and good.
"Lord Masachika, didn't you learn from your mentor?"
"I... told them to just teach me the sword and forget about that. My master tried to teach me, but I acted too rudely."
In Lord Masachika's smiling eyes, I didn't miss a momentary flicker of sadness. Probably Makomo-chan felt the same.
To Lord Masachika, who was about to lower his head, we quickly said in bright voices.
"Then, if Lord Masachika passes the selection safely, you can learn from your master again."
"Yeah. Since you never know what might happen, it's not bad to know various things."
"...Yeah, I'll do that. Thank you both."
・
・
・
"What Breathing do you two use?"
During the conversation that continued until dusk after briefly closing our eyes in the cave, Lord Masachika suddenly asked that.
"Ah, for reference, I use Wind."
"I use Water Breathing. Kōgetsu?"
"Umm... that... M, Moon Breathing."
I hesitated for a moment, but it wasn't something to cover up with lies. There's no point in lying since it will be found out soon after joining anyway.
When I honestly said it, both tilted their heads in unison at the unfamiliar name.
"Moon... Somehow it suits Kōgetsu well."
"Is that a Breathing you created yourself?"
"No! So, that is to say... About 20 years ago, there was someone who used Moon Breathing. The person who took me in, that is, Sousuke of the Tsuyuri household, apparently greatly respected that Moon Breathing user. So much so that he memorized the techniques of Moon Breathing by watching, and based on that memory, he taught me... or something like that...?"
"Why suddenly an interrogative tone. You're stammering."
"You're sweating profusely, are you okay?"
It can't be helped! Sousuke strictly told me to answer like that if anyone asks about Moon Breathing!
In Rei's time, it was an expulsion route from the Demon Slayer Corps because the Breathing was learned from a demon, so this lie is to prevent that. Fortunately, neither seemed to have noticed my lie, and they seemed to accept it for now.
"To memorize techniques to that extent... That swordsman must have been truly respected."
"What kind of swordsman was it? I'm getting curious for no reason."
"If it's from about 20 years ago, wouldn't our masters know something?"
"I'll ask Urokodaki when I get back too."
Don't do that.
Especially Makomo-chan! Especially Makomo-chan from Urokodaki's household!! I wanted to beg so earnestly, but if I stop them here and get suspected, it would be troublesome.
Helpless, I could only tremble inside and wish for nothing to happen.
"...Alright, it's almost time. Are you both ready?"
Lord Masachika stood up from his seat, noticing that the sunset light dyeing the cave red meant night was approaching.
We had eaten and rested briefly, so our energy was sufficient. Both Makomo-chan and I nodded vigorously.
"I can't lose to those who look down on Urokodaki. We have to do our best tonight too."
"Makomo-chan, let's stay calm. Shaking in heart means shaking in Breathing."
"Right. Especially Makomo, since you're the youngest, don't overdo it."
The moment Lord Masachika said that nonchalantly.
The air froze. Makomo-chan's smile also stiffened.
With something ominous swirling like a blizzard behind her back, Makomo-chan said with her frozen smile.
"………I'm 14 years old?"
Now, Makomo-chan said she's a Water Breathing user, but perhaps it's actually Ice Breathing. This chilly atmosphere is surely Ice Breathing form 'Thump! Minefield of Eternal Permafrost'.
But without caring about the frozen air, Lord Masachika from the famously carefree Kumeno household did a naked dive into the minefield snowfield, saying, "Lies! You're one year older than me?!"
"I thought you were about ten because you're small!"
Aiming at Lord Masachika, who started swimming in the cold wave in the minefield, Makomo-chan's fist roared. A precise strike to the solar plexus, one of the human body's vital points, with Droplet Thrust (bare-handed). Lord Masachika ended up passionately loving the ground on the spot.
Trembling in fear that stepping one wrong foot would lead to the same fate, I carefully glanced at Makomo-chan.
"What? Kōgetsu, you have a face like you have something to say too."
"S, sorry! Did you dislike being called Makomo-chan? Do you prefer Makomo-san? Um, I'm twelve and younger, so..."
"Makomo-chan is fine too?"
I survived. Makomo-chan, on tiptoe, even gave me the service of patting my head, saying, "Kōgetsu is kind." The resentful gaze from the ground is stinging.
By the way, Lord Masachika is said to be 13 years old.
＊
It was an abnormal situation that shouldn't occur in a typical selection.
"Cawー Cawaaー! Announcement, announcementー!"
On the third day of the selection at Mt. Fujikasane, what suddenly echoed was the cries of crows.
"As of now, the test is terminated! Repeat! The test is terminated!!"
Several crows circled the pale dawn sky.
"All test participants, assemble immediately!!"
To the participants looking up at the sky with wonder or anxiety, the crows repeated the same words.
"All demons on Mt. Fujikasane have been exterminated! Due to inability to continue the test, emergency terminationー!!"
＊
"How many did you kill? I got 15."
"I got 12. Kōgetsu?"
"......39."
I thought they would laugh at me as a liar, but neither Makomo-chan nor Lord Masachika laughed at me. Instead, they had an understanding attitude, saying 'I knew it' or 'I thought so.' How exactly do these two see me?
The ABC boys who picked a fight with us before the selection started were standing dazed, opening and closing their mouths like goldfish, unable to believe this result. They even rushed in, saying, "It's a trick!" "Don't lie!"
But it seemed the Kasugai Crows in the sky were thoroughly tallying how many demons each had slain, as the suspicion against us was quickly cleared.
"Now, do you remember the bet terms?"
Our Makomo-san, with an Ice Breathing, absolute zero smile, approached the ABC boys.
Overwhelmed by her, who shines in first place in the ranking of women not to antagonize (personal statistics), the boys couldn't continue speaking. But—
"T, this bet is invalid!! It's nonsense that we can't join the Demon Slayer Corps because of this!"
"Right! We trained incredibly hard for today. We came here to kill demons!"
"We passed the test! We are chosen swordsmen! We will join the Demon Slayer Corps!!"
The boys, throwing a tantrum like children and shouting, ran towards the pile of ore prepared for sword making. A figure blocked their path.
"......It's not allowed."
A lady in kimono. The same sister who guided at the start of the selection looked at the boys with calm eyes.
"I also saw you making the bet. Then, it is proper to accept the result. And arrogance not backed by skill. Too disrespectful attitude towards Demon Slayer Corps colleagues you would entrust your back to... We cannot accept swordsmen like you into Lord Kagaya's embrace. It would cause discord among members."
She was a woman so delicate she could be mistaken for a fragile fairy, but the spirit in her words was firm.
"There is no ore for disqualified individuals. Please go back."
The opponent is a delicate woman. They could have pushed past by force, but the boys, intimidated by the woman's inexplicable pressure, eventually burst into tears.
It was not tears of fear towards a cold woman, but tears of frustration. They were genuinely resentful that they couldn't become Demon Slayers.
"Hmm, somehow I feel a bit sorry for them."
Lord Masachika scratched his cheek as if embarrassed. Makomo-chan also fidgeted, thinking it might have been a bit much. I felt the same as them. So, I took a step towards them.
"......If you apologize, I can treat the bet as if it never happened."
The boys opened their eyes wide, wet with tears. The kimono-clad lady also showed a slightly surprised look.
"Calling Makomo-chan a brat, looking down on her because she's a girl, insulting her mentor, and mocking my swordsmanship and master. If you apologize for all that, I'll treat the bet as if it never happened."
A moment of silence. And soon, the boys bowed their heads, saying sorry, I'm sorry, I was wrong, in fading voices.
"Yeah. I'm sorry too for suddenly kicking."
Given the situation, it was unavoidable, but my fault in striking first remains. Boy A, the victim of the flying kick, bowed his head again, saying, "...I was wrong too."
Now, with this, the bet is as if it never happened. All that's left is to wait for the kimono-clad lady's lenient judgment, but—
"......Their disqualification is not overturned. Unfortunately."
The lady, still with a calm expression, conveyed the fact plainly. The three boys couldn't even protest, just slumped their shoulders.
After looking at them in turn, the kimono-clad lady continued, "However—"
"I will send a letter to your mentors later. If you promise to change your ways and strive forward, I will permit you to participate in the next selection."
The corner of her mouth lifted ever so slightly. The smile made by the kimono-clad woman was too faint to be called a smile, but definite warmth could be felt within it.
──In a typical selection, surviving seven days and nights on Mt. Fujikasane teeming with demons is recognized as passing.
But this time, it was an unusual situation where all demons were exterminated in just three days, and all survived. While all were treated as passed for now, some additional precautions were added.
"Those who cut down at least one demon, please select your ore. On the other hand, those who couldn't cut down any demons, especially those who cowered or hid in front of demons, please deeply consider whether you can fulfill your duty as a demon hunter.
You may choose ore here, or return to your mentors to build up training for the next selection. And there are paths to contribute to the Demon Slayer Corps other than being a swordsman."
With that, the kimono-clad lady began explaining the position called 'Kakushi'. This situation is particularly special, but preparing various options shows a much more systematic response compared to 'Rei's' time.
By the way, I looked up at the sky. Several crows were circling above the dawn sky.
I heard for the first time that the test is monitored by Kasugai Crows, and they even count the number of demons slain. Was it like that last time? Probably not.
"To prevent cheating during the test, or to manage the demons on Mt. Fujikasane by flying around."
When I voiced my doubt, Lord Masachika explained like that.
For example, they monitor whether there are cowards who sacrifice other participants to survive, or check if any demons have grown excessively.
"In the past, members directly inspected Mt. Fujikasane, but after some problem, it became the crows' jurisdiction, right?"
Ah, too many points hit home... While I was sweating cold inside, the kimono-clad lady seemed to have finished her explanation.
On the spot, participants divided into three groups: children becoming swordsmen, children becoming Kakushi, and children returning to their mentors for more training.
Kasugai Crows were assigned to the swordsman group.
......But.
"I have one~ I have one~ I'm Takechiyo~! Nice to meet you~!"
"Wow! Kōgetsu's crow, it speaks so naturally."
"A crow? Really a crow? I've never seen this color before."
"………"
White hair and red eyes, my crow...
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