Chapter 28

Hikari was a natural. In just a few short weeks, she'd gone from a scared little girl to a demon-slaying prodigy-in-training. Her grasp of Total Concentration Breathing was impressive for a newbie.

But before I could unleash the full power of Black Lightning Breathing on her metaphorically, of course, I figured she needed to master the next level: Total Concentration Breathing - Constant.

Now, teaching this technique myself would be like trying to teach a fish to climb a tree. Not exactly my area of expertise. Besides, the Butterfly Mansion was full of talented female demon slayers who were practically experts in this stuff. It would be a change of pace for Hikari too, hanging out with other girls her age instead of just a weird Hashira and his grumpy owl sidekick.

I'm not ditching her, you know? I mentally addressed my readers, a hint of defensiveness creeping into my voice. I'm just... delegating. It's called teamwork, people!

With a dramatic flourish, I announced to Hikari, "Alright, Hikari-chan, it's time for a field trip!"

Her eyes widened with excitement. "A field trip? Where are we going, Akio-sama?"

"To the Butterfly Mansion," I declared, a mischievous grin spreading across my face. "You're going to learn from the best of the best, the butterfly whisperers themselves!"

Hikari's enthusiasm dimmed slightly. "But Akio-sama, I want to learn from you."

I ruffled her hair affectionately. "Don't worry, I'm not abandoning you. I just think you'll learn faster from the experts. Plus, it'll be a nice change of scenery. Trust me, you'll love it there. They have the best medicine and the cutest uniforms!"

With Fuyume soaring overhead, we made our way back to the Butterfly Mansion. As we approached the entrance, I spotted Kanae-san tending to her flower garden, her gentle smile as radiant as the blossoms themselves.

"Kanae-san!" I called out, waving enthusiastically. "I've brought you a new student!"

Kanae-san turned, her smile widening as she saw Hikari. "Akio-kun! And who is this lovely young lady?"

"This is Hanamura Hikari, my Tsuguko," I announced proudly. "She's a fast learner, but she needs a little help mastering Total Concentration Breathing - Constant. Think you can handle that?"

Kanae-san chuckled softly. "Of course, Akio-kun. It would be my pleasure."

I turned to Hikari, kneeling down to her level. "Alright, Hikari-chan, this is where I leave you. Learn well, be a good girl, and don't cause too much trouble, okay?"

I gave her a quick hug, then stood up and waved goodbye with a dramatic flourish. "Bye!" I shouted, spinning on my heel and dashing away before she could protest.

Hikari watched me go, a mix of confusion and determination swirling in her eyes. Akio-sama would never change, she thought with a sigh. Always so unpredictable.

With Hikari safely delivered to the Butterfly Mansion's capable hands and hopefully not causing too much chaos, I made my way back to my luxurious estate, feeling like a proud parent dropping their kid off at summer camp. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the path, and Fuyume, my ever-present owl companion, glided silently beside me.

As I walked, my mind wandered, pondering the best path for Hikari's training. Black Lightning Breathing was definitely out of the question for now. That technique was like trying to tame a wild lightning dragon; it required a solid foundation in Kinetic Breathing and a whole lot of mental fortitude. Poor Hikari would probably short-circuit before she even got to the first form.

I pondered aloud, "What kind of Breathing Style would suit Hikari-chan?"

Fuyume simply hooted in response, his golden eyes gazing into the distance.

I scratched my chin, considering the options. "Water Breathing, huh? It's a classic, that's for sure. But would it really suit Hikari's personality?"

I chuckled to myself. "Maybe something a bit more... energetic would be better. But then again, I don't know any other Breathing Styles besides my own crazy concoctions. Guess we'll have to wait and see how she develops. For now, let's focus on getting her to master Total Concentration Breathing: Constant. Baby steps, right?"

As I continued my journey back to the estate, lost in my thoughts about Hikari's training, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, carrying the sweet scent of wisteria blossoms.

"Huh, what a gentle breeze," I mused aloud, closing my eyes and enjoying the cool air against my skin. "It's almost like..."

Wait a minute...

My eyes snapped open, a light bulb practically appearing above my head.

Breeze Breathing??

The idea struck me like a bolt of lightning, or rather, a gentle gust of wind. It was perfect! Breeze Breathing could be as fluid and adaptable as Water Breathing, but also light and graceful, perfectly suited to Hikari's personality and fighting style.

This is brilliant! I thought, practically bouncing on my toes with excitement. I'm a genius!

Fuyume, ever the voice of reason, hooted skeptically.

"Oh, come on, Fuyume," I said, grinning at the owl. "Don't be a party pooper. This is a great idea!"

Fuyume simply tilted his head, his golden eyes staring at me with an expression that could only be described as "I'm judging you, human."

I ignored his skepticism, my mind already racing with possibilities. But how do I create a whole new Breathing Style? I wondered. I need to figure out the forms, the techniques, the whole shebang.

Then, another light bulb moment. My notebook!

I patted my pockets frantically, searching for the trusty companion that held all my demon-slaying notes and doodles.

"Gotta run, Fuyume!" I announced, taking off at a sprint. "We're going home! I've got some serious brainstorming to do!"

Fuyume let out a startled hoot as I dashed through the forest, leaving a trail of dust in my wake.

Time to create a new Breathing Style, baby! I thought, a manic grin spreading across my face. The world of demon slaying is about to get a whole lot breezier!

With the image of a brand-new Breathing Style dancing in my head, I practically flew through the forest, my feet barely touching the ground. Fuyume struggled to keep up, his hoots of protest blending with the wind whistling past my ears.

Suddenly, I skidded to a halt, my Mind's Eye picking up a flicker of distress amidst the trees. I peered into the shadows and spotted a young boy, about Hikari's age, huddled under a nearby tree. He was sniffling, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs.

Poor kid, I thought, my heart softening. Must've had a rough day.

I approached him cautiously, Fuyume landing on a nearby branch, his golden eyes observing the scene with a hint of curiosity.

"Hey there, kid," I said, kneeling down in front of him. "What's wrong? Did you lose your way?"

The boy looked up, his face streaked with tears. His expression was a mixture of fear and defiance, his eyes red and puffy.

Wait a minute... I squinted, trying to get a better look at his features. That mohawk hairstyle...

A memory from my past life flashed before my eyes: a meme featuring a short-tempered demon slayer with a gun and a penchant for shouting.

"No way!" I exclaimed, pointing at him with a dramatic flourish. "You're the one who uses American Breathing, right?! The one with the gun and the attitude! I remember you from all those memes!"

The boy stared at me blankly, his confusion evident. Clearly, he had no idea what I was talking about.

Oops, I thought, realizing my mistake. Guess memes haven't made it to the Taisho era yet.

I cleared my throat, trying to recover from my awkward outburst. "Um, sorry about that," I said, scratching the back of my head sheepishly. "I just thought you looked familiar."

The boy remained silent, his gaze still fixed on me with a mixture of suspicion and bewilderment.

"Anyway," I continued, trying to change the subject, "what's your name? Are you lost?"

The boy hesitated, then mumbled, "Genya... Shinazugawa."

Shinazugawa? I repeated in my head. That name rings a bell...

(To be Continued…)

Camera zooms in on Akio, his face a mix of bewilderment and amusement.

Akio: (Scratches his head, looking directly at the "camera") "Wait a minute... how did that American Breathing user end up here? Wasn't he supposed to be, like, way later in the story?"

Over9000words shrugs nonchalantly, a mischievous glint in their eye.

Over9000words: (Innocent tone) "I don't know, Akio. Maybe he got lost on his way to the gun store?"

Akio's eye twitches, and he points an accusing finger at Over9000words.

Akio: (Raises his voice) "You... you plothole freak! You can't just throw random characters into the story without any explanation! What's next, are you gonna have Muzan show up for a tea party and start singing karaoke?"

Over9000words bursts into laughter, clutching their sides.

Over9000words: (Wiping away tears of mirth) "Oh, Akio, you're so dramatic! Relax, it's just a little bit of creative license. Besides, who doesn't love a good surprise cameo?" He winks suggestively at the readers.

The "camera" cuts to a few readers, their faces contorted in a mix of confusion and disgust, as if they've just witnessed something incredibly awkward.

AI-sensei, observing the exchange with a disapproving frown, interjects.

AI-sensei: (Monotone voice) "Over9000words, I must remind you that maintaining narrative consistency is crucial for a successful story. Introducing characters prematurely or without proper context can lead to confusion and undermine the reader's immersion. Also, that wink was entirely unnecessary and potentially alarming."

Akio nods in agreement.

Akio: "See? Even AI-sensei thinks you're messing things up. And creeping out the readers. Get your act together, man!"

Over9000words pouts playfully.

Over9000words: "Fine, fine. I'll try to be more careful. But hey, at least it's entertaining, right?"

He clears his throat awkwardly, avoiding eye contact with the readers.

Over9000words: "And remember, dear readers, if you enjoy these unexpected twists and turns, don't forget to leave a comment and show your support! Who knows what other surprises await Akio in the next chapter?"

(End of Chapter 28)