80. Insecure Kotaro

"Yes, you're not a kid. You're Kotetsu. I know that."

Kotaro's words only made Kotetsu angrier, but unlike his usual self, who would shout back, Kotetsu took a deep breath and controlled himself. Now, he couldn't afford to be angered. But his behavior only made Kotaro more suspicious.

'Hmm? Is he really alright?'

Now, Kotaro was genuinely worried. Why isn't this kid reacting as usual?

"Cough! I heard that you're leaving today?"

To avoid appearing concerned, Kotetsu coughed and then said what he had meant to say. Even though he didn't like this guy, somewhere inside, Kotetsu considered him a friend. When he heard the news about Kotaro leaving the village, Kotetsu felt a bit sad. There weren't many people his age around, and while Kotaro was indeed much older, he was the closest to it. 

Maybe it was the age factor, or maybe Kotaro's affinity with kids as a teacher. Something worked, and despite the two, one having the role of the bully and the other the bullied, there was friendship between them.

And because of it, Kotetsu was late, unable to find the nerve to bid his friend goodbye. And of course, he didn't dare admit it. 

Friend? Who's his friend?

This guy is the one who broke his heirloom! 

He's just using this guy to learn more about the doll!

"What? Are you sad?"

"Huh? Why would I be sad? It's good that you're gone! No one will break my heirloom again!"

Damn! He knew this man would bully him if he appeared sad.

Kotaro just smiled, knowing everything. He never thought his teacher instincts would come in handy in moments like this.

"Then, isn't it better?"

Kotaro left his bully persona behind. He grabbed Kotetsu's head firmly, rubbing it roughly.

"W-What are you doing?!"

"Kotetsu."

Hearing Kotaro call him by name for the first time made Kotetsu look at him. Kotaro smiled warmly and spoke his farewell.

"Take care."

Kotetsu just lowered his head and nodded.

"Um."

Then, unable to hold back his sadness, his tears started to flow. He turned and looked at Kotaro's figure as he walked out of the forest.

With all his might, he shouted, "I'll learn all about the doll and will definitely repair it!"

Kotaro's steps halted, and all he did was raise his hand in a thumbs-up before continuing to leave, slowly vanishing from Kotetsu's sight.

…

"Are you sure you don't want to meet Kotetsu?"

"Hmm. I've said my farewell to him."

Kotaro smiled, feeling a bit melancholic about the time he'd spent here. He had to admit, being a bit of a bully felt good.

"Thank you, Gozo, for making me such a weapon."

"No need for such praise, Kotaro-san. It's our duty to make a fitting weapon for the Demon Slayers."

Chief Tecchin, the tiny man with the same odd mask as the others, nodded at Gozo's words.

"Thank you, Chief Tecchin, for letting me stay here."

"It's alright. I am the smallest and most respectable person in this village, after all."

At this, Kotaro just smiled and nodded. Soon, a Kakushi arrived and handed him a blindfold, ready for departure.

"Kotaro-sama."

"Hmm. I got it."

And thus, Kotaro finally left the Swordsmith Village.

…

Twitch! Twitch!

"What is this?"

Kotaro's eyes twitched as he took in the scene. His rage was boiling, ready to erupt.

Motherf*#@^%!

He went over and grabbed the head of the man standing beside Mitsuri. His sudden presence startled Mitsuri, but as soon as she saw him, her face lit up.

"Kotaro-sama! You're back!"

"Hmm. I'm back. But…"

His grip on the man's head tightened, and Kotaro glared at him intensely, filled with killing intent.

"You… Who are you?"

A wrong answer, and this man would be dead.

The man grabbed his wrist and tried to move his hand. To Kotaro's surprise, there was quite a bit of strength behind that grip. 

But… he's the man who tore his muscles and healed them again. How could he lose to this guy?!

The man groaned in pain, and Mitsuri quickly introduced him to Kotaro.

"Kotaro-sama, this is a friend I made not long ago! His name is Obanai Iguro."

Obanai Iguro?! The Serpent Hashira?

But despite everything, Kotaro's gaze turned even more menacing at hearing that name. This man here—he's the one who loved Mitsuri in the original story!

As confident as Kotaro was in his own love, he couldn't help feeling a bit insecure. All men are like this!

Moreover, that look on Iguro's face when he looked at Mitsuri… Kotaro was sure this man came here with bad intentions!

'Damn! Should I nip this in the bud?'

Even the silent and composed Obanai trembled, feeling Kotaro's killing intent, and his pet serpent trembled as well.

"Kotaro-sama, don't do that to Iguro-san!"

"But Mitsuri, I'm telling you, this man is here with suspicious intentions. I believe he's some sort of spy!"

Spy? Who would send him as a spy? The demons?

It was nothing but fantasy. But Kotaro was ready to cook up any story to kill this man right here!

Obanai Iguro, you're dead!

How dare you look at Mitsuri like that?!

Die!

===

A/N:

Let's admit it. Everyone feels a bit insecure at some point of their life.