87. Everyone Has Their Time

Pant! Pant!

In the trashed dojo, both figures, Kotaro and Obanai, lay sprawled on the floor—Obanai with his hands resting on his head, and Kotaro with his three-section staff lying beside him.

This guy is pretty good.

Panting heavily, Kotaro glanced at Obanai out of the corner of his eye, once again affirming his potential to become a Hashira. He had thought that after sustaining such heavy damage, the snakey guy would struggle, but instead, he seemed even stronger.

Isn't this unfair?

But considering that this was a world where people unleashed extraordinary powers in moments of crisis, Kotaro couldn't complain. After all, he too had benefited from this bizarre law.

Didn't I awaken my Intent Sense in a time of crisis as well? Who am I to complain?

Even so, he was happy. The proof of his hits was there, plain as day, all over Obanai's face. Many areas were swollen, making him look like a pig. Kotaro wanted to laugh, but exhaustion held him back. During those strikes, he had infused Hamon to avoid causing serious injuries, ensuring only enough pain to make the fight worthwhile.

This method… it's perfect for painful but injury-free beatings!

At that moment, Kotaro felt he had finally found a practical use for Hamon against humans. How satisfying it was to beat someone up, heal them, and then beat them again!

If Kotaro was too tired to laugh, then Obanai was too exhausted to rage. His swollen, pig-like face should have left him fuming with anger.

Good thing he can hide it with his bandages. Or else he wouldn't dare step outside otherwise!

Damn! He's really strong!

Obanai glanced at Kotaro. Other than a few minor bruises from his attacks, Kotaro was perfectly fine. At the beginning, Obanai had held back, but as the fight went on, he had gotten serious.

He even fought with the intent to kill. Yet the more he tried, the more easily Kotaro handled him.

He moved like he could predict me. He completely read me.

Obanai had lost and felt defeated many times before, but never had he felt as humiliated as he did now. Deep down, he believed he could surpass Kotaro—at least in combat. He had wanted to prove it.

But…

"Kenshin-san."

"Huh? What is it, Obanai?"

Hearing Kotaro call him so casually by his first name caught Obanai off guard, but since it wasn't the first time, he let it go. He didn't care much whether people called him Obanai or Iguro.

"I don't want to admit it, but…"

Kaburamaru hissed softly as a self-deprecating smile appeared on Obanai's face. He turned toward Kotaro and said the words.

"…Kenshin-san is indeed the husband of Mitsuri-san."

Kotaro's eyes widened in surprise before a smile spread across his face.

"Of course—Pfft!"

He turned to Obanai, ready to boast, but his words were cut off by sudden laughter. What Obanai said was cool—if only his pig-like face didn't ruin it.

"Sorry, your face… Hahahaha!"

Twitch.

Obanai's veins throbbed with irritation as he cursed himself for saying those words. Damn it! This man is the worst! Does he even realize how much courage it took for him to say that?!

He had swallowed his pride to admit the truth.

Kotaro finally stopped laughing and wiped the tears from his eyes. When he looked at Obanai again, the latter saw something that stunned him.

It was the smile. That warm, radiant smile.

"Thank you for that, Obanai."

Obanai's eyes widened. That smile… it reminded him of Mitsuri's. But while Mitsuri's smile was full of boundless energy and joy, Kotaro's was different. His radiated warmth—a kind, comforting warmth.

It was the smile Mitsuri had fallen in love with. The smile that had saved her during her lowest moments. It was that smile.

"But still, you'd better stay away from Mitsuri, you snakey bastard!"

Sigh…

As expected, I was imagining it.

Obanai stared at Kotaro with dull eyes, wondering how someone could ruin their image so quickly. That warm, radiant smile—it had definitely been an illusion.

And with that spar, Obanai gained... a new friend?

...

"Kotaro-sama, you beat Iguro-san so badly!"

"Wha? Mitsuri, it's normal! As a Demon Slayer, don't you think this much is necessary?!"

"But still… Iguro-san, wait a second! I'll bring some medicine!"

Mitsuri dashed off to fetch supplies while Kotaro stood there with a scowl, and Obanai lay there, smiling faintly.

Kotaro was cursing inwardly. Wasn't I the one who beat him? Why does it feel like he's the winner and I'm the loser?!

It didn't take long for Mitsuri to return with bandages, cold water, and disinfectant. But before she could start, Kotaro snatched the box from her hands.

"Kotaro-sama?"

"Don't worry, Mitsuri. You're busy cooking. I can't let you do everything. I'll tend to Obanai's injuries. You take a break."

"Well… yes."

Mitsuri chuckled, understanding the underlying meaning behind his words. Kotaro-sama was jealous over something so trivial.

Despite all the fighting, if there was a winner, it wasn't Kotaro or Obanai. It was Mitsuri Kanroji, who got to witness her husband's jealous expressions, which always made her smile.

For someone constantly teased by Kotaro-sama, this was a delightful treat.

As expected, everyone has their time.

Mitsuri left them alone but peeked back to see Kotaro and Obanai bickering while pouring disinfectant on each other's wounds.