After the distribution of the Demon Slayer Corps uniforms and the selection of ore was over, the participants were each assigned a Kasugai Crow and dispersed. I also placed the Kasugai Crow Takechiyo on my shoulder and set off on the way back.
"Please take care of me from now on~ Let's be friends~ I'll work hard~!"
Takechiyo was a crow that chattered very well. Unlike the childish speech, it seemed to have undergone considerable training with smooth and precise pronunciation. It was not inferior even compared to humans.
Hanachiyo-chan had a bit of a forced feeling when speaking, and the crows assigned to Lord Masachika and Makomo-chan were similar. But why is Takechiyo like this?
"Kōgetsu, you've been keeping your mouth shut tight since earlier. Am I noisy? Do you prefer quiet?"
"No. I was just thinking, Takechiyo's pronunciation is really clear, wondering why."
Honestly, that wasn't all I was thinking about. I was also concerned about why this crow with white feathers and red eyes was assigned to me specifically.
Could it be that my appearance has been discovered? Is the upper echelon subtly pressuring me in a way like 'we already see through your true identity'?
Unlike my heart, which was filled with such anxiety, Takechiyo cried out happily, "I was praised~!" as if very pleased.
So cute… Ah, no, I mustn't fall for it… but cuteness is justice.
"Actually, you know, I'm from the Ubuyashiki direct subordinate crow family!"
Come to think of it, in the past… yes, during Lord Kagaya's era in Edo. I had heard such a story.
Apart from the general Kasugai Crows assigned to Demon Slayers, there is a story that Ubuyashiki family direct subordinate crows are raised separately.
Those crows are said to be elites among crows, special beings with good intelligence and the ability to speak clearly. The crows that flew to Shabana were exactly that type.
"I wanted to be helpful to Lord Ubuyashiki, you know~ I practiced speaking hard~ I really practiced a lot~!"
As if boasting about how much effort he had put in, Takechiyo spread his snow-white wings wide. The tips of the wings touched my cheek, making it itchy. So fluffy.
But Takechiyo soon folded his wings and hunched his body as if dejected. I don't know if the expression 'shoulders slumped' applies to crows, but it was that kind of gloominess.
"But because of my conspicuous color, I was told no, I couldn't get any work."
When Ubuyashiki's crows move, it's mostly for secret missions. A crow with white feathers and red eyes too easily attracted people's attention.
It was easily noticeable not only to humans but also to demons, so due to the danger, he couldn't be entrusted with even the smallest tasks.
"I was so lonely and sad~ I cried every day~ Then Grandma said, 'How about becoming a Demon Slayer exclusive Kasugai Crow?'~!"
For a Ubuyashiki direct subordinate crow to become a Demon Slayer's Kasugai Crow was unprecedented, but Takechiyo's grandmother had personally pleaded with Lord Kagaya.
That grandmother was originally a Demon Slayer exclusive Kasugai Crow, not a Ubuyashiki direct subordinate.
"Grandma loved me the most~! She always praised my white feathers and red eyes as beautiful~! I love Grandma the most in the family~!"
With Lord Kagaya's permission, Takechiyo made a splendid career change from Ubuyashiki direct subordinate to Demon Slayer exclusive Kasugai Crow, thus arriving at his current position.
After finishing the story, Takechiyo flapped his wings and laughed, his voice filled with happiness and excitement.
"So, you know~ So, you know~ I'm happy to be able to work~! I'm so glad to become Kōgetsu's Kasugai Crow like this!"
"I will definitely make you happy!!!!!"
"Please take care of me~!"
"Yes!!!! Let's be together forever!!!!!"
To harbor such strange suspicions towards this admirable child, I am truly trash!!
Holding Takechiyo, the embodiment of innocence, in my arms, I swore with great sobbing.
・
・
・
After learning that Takechiyo, with his white feathers and red eyes, was assigned to me purely by coincidence, I was leisurely enjoying my daily life.
Of course, since I would have to go on missions as soon as my sword arrived, I didn't neglect my training.
I wanted to become a Pillar as quickly as possible, in the shortest time. So I decided to use a trick to manifest the Demon Slayer Mark early, but even practicing as I learned from my teacher in my past life, it hardly worked.
Perhaps it's because my body hasn't fully grown yet. The probability of the mark appearing is about half even when tried in the bamboo forest, and almost impossible outside.
I'll have to postpone manifesting the mark until my body grows a bit more. I'll give up on mark doping and just steadily build achievements.
I also practiced sword techniques from Forms 1 to 6, as well as the techniques beyond Form 7 that I learned in my past life. But this wasn't easy either. The swordsmanship wielded with a demon's strength was too much for my current body.
Among the techniques beyond Form 7, there were some that required parallel use of demon arts, so it was impossible from the start with human, and moreover, a child's arm strength.
First, the slashes don't fly. Moon Dragon Ring Tail like a lizard's tail. The empty Ten Thousand Crescent Moons. The effects are just effects, not slashes. The crescent moon that doesn't cut is just a crescent moon.
Still, I couldn't give up. After struggling and pondering, my gray brain cells flashed.
If I can't use demon arts, what if I engrave the sword? For example, engraving the blade surface plausibly so that when swung, fine slashes are produced... Yes, that's it!
Great, decided! I'll have to consult with the swordsmith who will bring my sword.
Even if they overturn the table saying, 'Don't be ridiculous! How could that be possible!', let's go without giving up!
"I've brought the Nichirin Blade. I am the swordsmith Tetsuido."
"Please take care of me." (feigned voice)
Did I expect or anticipate that the assigned swordsmith would be the same as in my past life?
With the sword on my back, I acted as meekly as a possum playing dead in front of a fox towards Mr. Tetsuido who came to visit.
When I answered with all my might in a feigned voice, Mr. Sousuke made a puzzled expression, but I pushed through by saying, "I can't stop being nervous thinking that I'll receive my sword." (feigned voice)
I thought I wouldn't be discovered since I wore a hunting cap deeply and changed my hair color, but since Mr. Tetsuido is someone who knows my face, it was better to be cautious.
"Here, this is your sword."
"Thank you."
"Good, draw it."
"Huh?"
...I'm done for. My original voice came out.
"What's wrong? Is there some problem?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
"Then, do it."
Urged by the chin gesture of Mr. Tetsuido wearing a red Hyottoko mask, I steeled myself.
Feeling the same touch as in my past life, overwhelmed by nostalgia and moved by that craftsmanship, I draw the blade from the scabbard.
The steel-colored blade slowly begins to color. A vivid light purple, like a color holding wisteria flowers.
When the color reached the tip of the sword, Mr. Sousuke let out an exclamation. Mr. Tetsuido also let out a short sigh.
"Still... it's a color that makes one fascinated."
I was the only one who felt a sense of incongruity at that line.
"I heard about your performance in the selection. A tremendous performance across various aspects, I was told. For a swordsman of that level to wield my sword, as a swordsmith, it's an unmatched honor."
Mr. Tetsuido in my memory wasn't someone who talked this much. But today, he's talking unusually much. I cautiously looked towards the red Hyottoko mask.
"For a swordsman like you, if I had a granddaughter, I'd want to ask you to take her as a wife. Coincidentally, I'm a lonely bachelor, so I can't do that."
That voice— it sounded like slowly reciting familiar lines.
"...I forged it with my soul. Please strive not to break it."
The red mask, who said that with a faint smile in his eyes, left without a goodbye.
I sat in seiza for a while. There was too much to think about, so nothing came to mind. Eventually, with tangled thoughts still unresolved, I rushed out of the house.
"Mr. Tetsuido!!"
At the end of the lone path lined with bamboo forests on both sides, I shouted towards his retreating back.
I no longer hid my voice. Because I knew hiding it would be useless.
The Hyottoko mask slowly turned. Beyond that mask, unchanged from the past, I met Mr. Tetsuido's eyes. Eyes older than that day stared straight at me.
Ah, so you had seen through everything from the beginning.
"Why...!"
That was the only word I could squeeze out.
"...I had a premonition. Enough to make my body tremble."
The wind blew.
"I've devoted decades to the work of a swordsmith. During that time, I've hammered hundreds of pieces of iron, but until now, I've never once made the same sword."
Overlapping his voice with the sound of bamboo leaves clashing, Mr. Tetsuido spoke as if singing.
"The moment I saw the ore you chose, I remembered. Rei's ore was exactly this color."
When choosing ore at the test site, I didn't particularly think anything. Both when I was Rei and this time, I just chose as my hand moved.
"After doing this work for many years, you can vaguely envision the completed form even before making the sword. But this time was different. What came to mind then was a premonition. Ah, it might be better to call it fate."
Mr. Tetsuido's arm slowly stretched out. His extended index finger pointed at what I was holding in my arms.
"This ore will become Rei's sword."
He laughed with just his breath. More faintly than the sound of bamboo leaves brushing.
And he said. Like a joke, yet as if it were natural. Playfully but seriously. In a mischievous yet sincere manner.
"Then, the one to wield that sword can only be you."
Even before meeting me, Mr. Tetsuido had already seen through the sword's owner.
There was no scientific basis, no logic, no theory.
For a reason as dreamlike as allowed only to Mr. Tetsuido, who was a craftsman to his soul.
・
・
・
Mr. Tetsuido didn't press for the reason I became like this. "If you don't want to talk, you don't have to. As long as you're healthy, that's enough." He smoothly passed it over, and I was grateful.
He also noticed that I was hiding my identity and promised not to disclose this matter to anyone, so my gratitude was about to explode.
Ha~ such a good person, why doesn't he have a wife yet? Probably because as a swordsmith dedicated to his path, he skipped all matchmaking meetings. That must be it.
"Actually, I have something to earnestly request from Mr. Tetsuido...!"
"What is it? For you to make a request, this must be something special."
Since I've known him for a long time, including my past life, it seemed easy to talk. So I explained the requirements for the sword I wanted him to make.
"Hmm. A sword that produces multiple fine slashes with one swing..."
"Is it difficult?"
"That kind of engraving is Lord Tetchin's specialty..."
Lord Tetchin. Ah, is that the chief of the swordsmith village? I remember greeting him when I went to the village in my past life.
...Huh? Is he still active? Even during Rei's time, he was already quite old.
"But for a general Demon Slayer, it's difficult to directly request sword making from the village chief. I could convey it, but for a Demon Slayer of your rank, it would be tough."
"So I need to become a Pillar?"
"Yes. ...Lord Tetchin likes young ladies, so if you were a girl, the story would have been quicker."
"In other words, now is the time for my feigned voice skills and cross-dressing ability to be tested? I have no experience with the latter, but for the sword, I have no choice."
"You have to have a choice. Don't easily discard a man's pride. The sword would cry."
"Sacrifice is inevitable on the path of the sword. My teacher would surely understand."
The brilliant idea of the cross-dressing operation was thwarted by Mr. Tetsuido's strong objection.
I thought it was a good idea. Compared to girls my age, I'm muscular, but since it's before secondary sexual characteristics, I thought cross-dressing might be possible.
＊
The more hurried, the more you should go around.
To become a Pillar and research the medicine to turn demons back into humans, and to get a sword that can realize effects as slashes, I devoted myself to missions day and night.
I hadn't encountered the Twelve Kizuki yet, but the number of demons I slayed quickly exceeded 50, and my rank rose rapidly.
"I heard, Kōgetsu! You've already reached Kinoe rank?"
"Amazing. It hasn't even been a year since you joined."
After finishing a mission, I was having a meal with Makomo-chan and Lord Masachika at a restaurant we stopped by.
Perhaps because we are comrades who passed the selection together, we often gather when time matches. Today, at Lord Masachika's suggestion, we were sharing a beef hotpot amiably.
"At this rate, you'll become a Pillar soon, right? Besides, two Pillar positions are vacant now, aren't they?"
──The Pillars, which should originally be nine, were already eight when we joined. Because the current Flame Pillar had laid down his sword as if alternating with us. It must be Lord Shinjuro.
And a few days ago, another one retired due to injury. It's undecided who will fill the two vacant positions, but rumors are circulating that it will be decided before the next Hashira meeting.
"That would be nice."
"It'll be fine. Kōgetsu is working harder than anyone."
"Yeah, Makomo is right. I also believe the next Pillar will be Kōgetsu! In that sense, I'll leave today's bill to you, future Pillar-sama."
"I think it's a bit much to mooch off a younger person, Lord Masachika."
"Just kidding~ I'll pay properly."
Laughing like that, Lord Masachika put well-cooked beef on my personal plate. The beef with well-absorbed seasoning was really delicious with rice. The large bowl of rice was emptied quickly.
"...But if Kōgetsu becomes a Pillar, it'll be hard to meet as casually as now, right?"
"That's right. Pillars are super busy, aren't they? Our missions have increased compared to before as our ranks went up."
"When new kids come in, we'll have to guide juniors too, so we'll get even busier. Speaking of which, Makomo-chan's disciples are participating in the next selection, right? Their names are..."
"Yes, Sabito and Giyu. If it's those two, they'll surely pass, so I hope you take good care of them if you meet."
The Water Breathing school, precisely the Urokodaki school, has many disciples. Makomo-chan has over ten senior and junior disciples besides two disciples, she said. They all wear fox masks, so the Urokodaki school can be recognized at a glance.
Lord Masachika sighed enviously with sincerity.
"Disciples! How nice. I wish I had disciples too."
"Masachika's trainer is the former Wind Pillar, right? There must be many people who want to become disciples..."
To Makomo-chan, who tilted her head, Lord Masachika waved his hand with a bitter expression.
"What's lacking instead?"
"Common sense!"
"No wonder no disciples come."
"Ah~~ I wish one disciple with ample guts who won't run away even seeing my teacher would come~~"
Listening to Lord Masachika's grumbling, the day's meal gathering concluded.
・
・
・
No one decided it first, but after filling our stomachs, it had become like a promise to chat while walking through the streets.
Both know my skin is sensitive, so on sunny days we go to shaded places, but today was fortunately cloudy, so we continued on the walking course.
Passersby look at us, children in uniforms too young to be considered scenery, with strange eyes.
No wonder. One wears a hunting cap instead of a military cap, Lord Masachika's cheek scar is noticeable, and above all, Makomo-chan's appearance attracts the most attention.
The Demon Slayer Corps uniform issued to her had a short skirt hem that exposed her knees.
When I first saw that uniform, I almost went berserk, thinking "Okay, so I just have to storm into the sewing department?" but since Makomo-chan herself liked it, I let it go.
Thinking back, the length wasn't much different from during the selection, and moreover, this wasn't a skirt but culottes.
"By the way, do you both know there's a Demon Slayer who joined by a different method than us?"
"Different method?"
To Makomo-chan who asked back, Lord Masachika nodded.
"I heard he was directly brought into the Demon Slayer Corps by Lord Kagaya without participating in the final selection."
"Really? Being directly brought in, he must be quite strong."
"Yes, super strong. A Stone Breathing user, and rumors say he's bigger than a bear with muscles no joke! That person is also one of the next Pillar candidates."
Lord Masachika has a personality that gets along with everyone, so he picks up such rumors well.
Since I packed my schedule with missions to become a Pillar, I would have fallen behind in such information without Lord Masachika.
"Masachika, what's that person's name?"
"A feeling of Gyaak... no, Hieek, Gyoek or something?"
"What kind of scream-like name is that."
"Umm... I forgot! I'll tell you when I remember!"
Right when Lord Masachika was laughing carefreely. A crow with fluent pronunciation, seemingly Ubuyashiki direct subordinate, delivered a letter to me.
With the Hashira meeting approaching, a direct letter from Ubuyashiki—there's only one thing that comes to mind.
Unable to resist the urging of Lord Masachika and Makomo-chan, who were more excited than me, I opened the letter, and inside——.
"The following individuals are appointed as Pillars. Moon Pillar Tsuyuri Kōgetsu... You did it!"
"Amazing! Truly amazing! Well done, Kōgetsu!"
I was hugged tightly by Lord Masachika, who read the content first. Makomo-chan also rushed in, so I had no time to even read the rest of the letter, being jostled by the two.
"Great, now that this happened, we must celebrate! Let's go to a confectionery shop!"
"Kōgetsu, order whatever you want to eat to your heart's content!"
"No, but the Hashira meeting is tomorrow, so I have a lot to prepare..."
""Just for a while!""
Pushed by the two, I was dragged to a nearby confectionery shop and suffered snack attacks until evening. I don't want to look at red bean paste for a while. After that, a mission notification came immediately, so I never finished reading the letter I put in my pocket.
So I didn't know.
The phrase written right next to 'Moon Pillar Tsuyuri Kōgetsu', the line 'Stone Pillar Himejima Gyomei'.
Unaware of that fact, the day of the Hashira meeting arrived.
・
・
・
"I am pleased that the long-vacant Pillar positions have been filled again. I hope both of you, as new Pillars, will lead the Demon Slayer Corps well."
Guided by the Kakushi, we arrived at the Ubuyashiki mansion. Lord Kagaya welcomed us kneeling on the gravel with a kind smile.
Without even time to be surprised by that face, which resembles Lord Muzan more than Lord Kagaya, my consciousness was fixed solely on one person.
"I swear. This Himejima Gyomei swears not to stop until this life ends to exterminate demons from this world..."
"...Tsuyuri Kōgetsu. I will do my best with all my strength."
I couldn't understand why this person was here. My voice, barely squeezed out, was so hoarse it was hard to understand.
The slightly older-looking Lord Kagaya was looking at me with worried eyes.
"What's wrong, Kōgetsu? Are you nervous?"
"Ah, no. Please don't mind me and continue the meeting."
Even though I said that, none of the meeting content entered my ears afterwards. I observed Mr. Himejima on my left, with one person between us.
The motion of clasping his hands was unchanged from the past, but the palms wrapped in prayer beads had thickened as if having learned to wield weapons. They were not the gentle hands distant from the fights in my memory.
The Mr. Himejima I knew was tall but very thin, not such a robust build. He always smiled as if weak-hearted... he wasn't a person with such a stony face.
Something must have happened that changed his life completely.
And unfortunately, I didn't have the courage to pretend not to know what happened to him.
Comments (0)
Please log in to leave a comment. Login or Register