Chapter 8: Parting is Imminent

Shinobu Kocho had already prepared herself. If Hatsune lost control, she would rescue Aoi at the critical moment, but it seemed that it was not necessary.

Hatsune also sensed the change in Aoi's mental state. Since she had lost the will to fight, there was no need to continue.

Hatsune dispersed the cold air around her, and her wooden sword deflected Aoi's sword tip and slashed to the ground.

Hatsune stood up and walked towards the porch without looking back.

Aoi watched Hatsune's back, her eyes hot with tears. She dropped her wooden sword and ran away. She couldn't explain her emotions at that moment—aggrieved or perhaps something else.

She had lost, not to the boy in front of her, but to herself. She had never won before, and now was no different.

The three girls from the Butterfly Mansion watching from the porch didn't understand what had happened. They had been fighting well, so why did it stop? Who won? And why did Aoi run away?

"Big Sister Aoi…"

The three girls put down their snacks and tried to catch up with her, but Shinobu Kocho stopped them.

"Enough, you three don't need to go. Let her be alone for a while."

Hearing this, the three looked at each other, vaguely guessing that the boy in front of them might have won the duel. They looked at Hatsune again, with no trace of their previous disdain.

Hatsune handed the wooden sword to Shinobu Kocho.

Shinobu took the wooden sword and handed it to Kiyo.

"You three clean up, and then go rest."

"Yes, Miss Shinobu."

One of them ran to the center of the yard to pick up Aoi's discarded wooden sword, while the other two began cleaning up the trash on the porch.

Shinobu gently stroked Kanao's hair. "Kanao, help Kiyo and the others clean up, then go rest too."

Kanao glanced at her, picked up the fruit platter from the floor, and ran into the house.

"Hatsune, come with me."

Shinobu led Hatsune back to the infirmary in the backyard and put on a white coat.

"Take off your shirt."

"What?" Hatsune thought she had misheard.

Shinobu turned around, smiling at the wary Hatsune, thinking he was indeed still a child.

"What are you thinking, kid? You have a few wounds that have reopened. I'll re-bandage them for you."

Oh... that's what she meant. Looking at the painful areas on his body, he saw the white bandages on his right arm soaked with crimson blood.

Hatsune felt relieved and began unbuttoning his patient gown.

Suddenly, Shinobu leaned down, her delicate face close to Hatsune's.

Startled, Hatsune instinctively backed away, accidentally bumping into the bed behind him, making a strange "creak" sound.

Facing those captivating purple eyes, Hatsune's mind went blank, everything in front of him occupied by this strange purple light, feeling as if he was being drawn in.

"What's there to be shy about? When you first arrived, there wasn't a single uninjured spot on you. I personally bandaged you up, kid. And now you're feeling shy?" Shinobu teased, lifting Hatsune's chin with her slender fingers before turning to prepare the medicine.

"Undress and sit on the bed. Do you need anesthesia?"

As the purple light faded, Hatsune felt like he could breathe again, his pale face flushing red.

"No... no need."

"You're a brave child. I guessed as much."

Hatsune took off his patient gown and obediently sat by the bed.

His body was covered in bandages, his shoulder area stained with blood. Earlier, being in a fighting state, he hadn't noticed any discomfort, but now, relaxed, he felt an indescribable fatigue and pain all over.

Shinobu stood in front of Hatsune, finding the previous knot and unwrapping the bandages layer by layer.

Hatsune's body looked like a doll pieced together with patches of torn cloth, covered in wounds. Some stitches had already come undone, fresh blood seeping from the wounds, especially on the arm he used to hold the sword, which was in worse condition.

"This... it's so serious?"

Seeing Hatsune's condition, Shinobu was genuinely shocked, feeling a bit guilty. "This is my fault. I was too eager to see your breathing technique and neglected your physical state. Your body is in such a condition, and you don't feel any pain? It was just a spar, why push yourself so hard?"

Shinobu spoke while cleaning Hatsune's wounds.

They were so close that Hatsune could even feel Shinobu's warm breath.

The scent of wisteria flowers was so familiar, reminding him of his sister. Every time he got hurt, his sister would half-concerned, half-scoldingly bandage his wounds like this.

"I wasn't pushing myself. If I had really pushed, I wouldn't have given her any chance."

Shinobu looked up and gave him a sharp glance, flicking his forehead with her fingers, smiling without saying a word.

Hatsune didn't understand what she meant by that, but he didn't care either.

"Will you take me to see that stone hashira tomorrow?"

"Why are you in such a hurry? What, you don't like staying here? Is it me you don't like, or is it Aoi and the others?" Shinobu teased, leaning closer again.

Hatsune, flustered, looked away, stammering, "No... it's not that. You said before that you'd take me to see the stone hashira after seeing my skills."

Shinobu laughed, finished cleaning the wound, and took a bandage from the table. "Raise your arm."

Hatsune obediently raised his arm.

Shinobu began wrapping the new bandage in an almost hugging manner.

Hatsune's cheeks flushed.

"With your current physical condition, even if Himejima-san is willing to take you, can you start training immediately? Moreover, to become Himejima-san's disciple, you first need to become a Demon Slayer Corps member. If you don't even qualify to become a Corps member, how can you talk about becoming his disciple? Before that, you need to undergo training by a cultivator and complete the trial on Mount Fujikasane to become a true Corps member."

"Then... then wouldn't it take a long time?" Hatsune wasn't in the mood to take things step by step. He only wanted to get stronger quickly to rescue his sister.

"I know you want to rescue your sister quickly, but this can't be rushed. Besides, you can't rescue your sister with just your strength. Stay here for a few days, heal your wounds, and I'll arrange for your training. You don't know anything now, so how will you save her? But rest assured, I've distributed your sister's photo to Demon Slayer Corps members everywhere. They'll notify us immediately if they find any news."

After thinking it over, Hatsune realized that this was the best course of action. With their help, it was better than running around like a headless fly on his own. Plus, he indeed needed systematic training, such as the breathing techniques they mentioned.

By the time Shinobu finished bandaging him, it was late at night. Saying goodbye to Shinobu, Hatsune returned to his room alone.

For the next three days, Hatsune had nothing to do. Shinobu lent him some books about demons and breathing techniques.

Through reading, he gained a basic understanding of the journey he was about to undertake.

On the third night, Shinobu informed Hatsune that he should pack his things the next morning. She would take him to a place where he would receive guidance from a cultivator.