o(*≧▽≦)ツ Many Thanks to Vick, Fan Edge, and Hunter Hartjen for becoming new members!♥♥
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The Flame Hashira and the Love Hashira were inside the house discussing official business.
Since neither Senjuro nor Takeo were official members of the Demon Slayer Corps, they didn't go in. Instead, they waited outside for the conversation to end.
But Takeo had fairly sharp hearing, and he could faintly catch parts of their conversation.
It seemed… there was some kind of mission that required the Flame Hashira's attention. And since the Love Hashira happened to be nearby, she had come to deliver the details in person.
"…My brother's rarely home. This has been his longest stay in a while."
Senjuro, clearly aware that Kyojuro would be leaving again soon, quietly explained the situation to Takeo.
As one of the Hashira, Kyojuro almost never had free time. If he wasn't slaying demons, he was on his way to slay demons.
The only reason he'd come home this time was because he'd just finished eliminating a demon nearly as strong as one of the Twelve Kizuki—and since the mission site was close by, he'd been granted a short leave.
But even then, after just three days at home, he was already scheduled to head out again.
After all, he was a Hashira—the very pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Uh, I know this might not be the right time to ask, but… what about my training?"
Takeo didn't particularly mind that Kyojuro was leaving—but what did concern him was that once Kyojuro was gone, he wouldn't have a sparring partner for combat training.
Shinjuro didn't seem like the type to train anyone.
That damn drunk had completely gone back on his word—he'd spent the past few days holed up in his room, drinking non-stop and refusing to come out.
What happened to "If you beat me using Flame Breathing, I'll personally train you"?
Stupid drunkard!
Takeo was full of resentment toward Shinjuro—and had no fondness for him whatsoever. That's why he much preferred to be trained by Kyojuro.
As harsh as Kyojuro's training was, it was undeniably effective.
Right now, Takeo felt like he could take on five Yoshizuru Asatos at once!
Five-Asato-level strength!!
"You don't need to continue training anymore!"
Just as Takeo finished speaking, the door to the house opened. Kyojuro stepped out and said to him:
"You truly are talented! I've already taught you everything you need to know! You're fully qualified to participate in the Final Selection!"
"That fast…? But didn't you say I had to master a personalized Breathing Technique…?"
Takeo looked at Kyojuro in surprise.
Kyojuro, still wearing his trademark cheerful smile, declared loudly: "That was the requirement for a tsuguko! You're not my tsuguko yet!"
"…Uh, didn't you say I couldn't become your tsuguko until I officially joined the Demon Slayer Corps…"
"Exactly!"
"And now you're saying you won't hold me to those standards because I'm not your tsuguko…"
"Precisely!"
"..."
I don't get it. I just don't get this man's logic!!
Even though Takeo felt like he'd slowly started to keep up with Kyojuro's way of thinking over the past few days, apparently he was still one step behind.
At the very least, he had absolutely no idea what Kyojuro was trying to say right now.
Just as he was about to give up asking, Kyojuro suddenly added: "Because you have great talent!"
"…Huh?"
"You have incredible talent! And an enviable recovery ability! That's why I wanted to set higher expectations for you! If it's you, I'm certain you'll become a Hashira—and quickly at that! So I had hoped you could create a personalized Breathing Technique before the Final Selection!"
"But even if you don't manage to, that's perfectly fine! Becoming an official member of the Demon Slayer Corps and fighting demons directly will help you grow stronger!"
Kyojuro spoke to Takeo with genuine conviction.
And finally, Takeo understood. Kyojuro did want to take him in as his tsuguko, and he did hope Takeo would one day create his own Breathing Technique.
But more than that, he wanted Takeo to join the Demon Slayer Corps as soon as possible—so they could stand side by side in battle.
That was the hope and trust Kyojuro was placing in him.
"…I understand."
Now grasping what Kyojuro truly meant, Takeo replied seriously, "In that case, I'll go participate in the Final Selection."
As for developing his own Breathing Technique… Takeo honestly had no clue where to begin.
But since his strength had already reached—and possibly surpassed—the base requirement, there was no point in delaying further.
Takeo wanted a Nichirin Sword of his own. Only with one could he inflict truly fatal wounds on demons. That meant becoming a full-fledged member of the Corps as soon as possible.
"Excellent! Then you'll set out tomorrow!"
After hearing Takeo's decision, Kyojuro suddenly spoke up:
Takeo: "?"
Seeing Takeo frozen in confusion, the Love Hashira, Kanroji Mitsuri, couldn't bear to watch and stepped in to explain:
"Um… the Final Selection for this quarter is in two weeks. And the selection site, Mount Fujikasane, is… a bit far from here. So it'd be best if you depart tomorrow to make it in time."
"Only two weeks left?! That's way too soon!!"
Only now did Takeo understand why Kyojuro had been in such a rush to push him toward the Final Selection.
There just wasn't enough time!!
"Hahaha! I completely forgot when the selection was being held!"
Kyojuro let out his usual hearty, cheerful laugh as he said it.
"..."
You're a Hashira. You're the Flame Hashira!!! HOW do you forget something this important about your own organization?!
Takeo had an entire monologue of frustrated internal screaming—but no way to let it out. The suffering was real.
At his side, Kanroji Mitsuri gave him a sympathetic smile and said:
"Kyojuro-san is always like this. Once you become his tsuguko, you'll get used to it… Oh! I haven't introduced myself yet—I'm Kanroji Mitsuri! Pleased to meet you!"
"Kamado Takeo… pleased to meet you."
After exchanging greetings with Kanroji Mitsuri, Takeo finally took a moment to observe the current Love Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps more closely.
Her smile was bright and cheerful—much like Kyojuro's.
No wonder she had once been his tsuguko; that trait was clearly something they shared.
She looked energetic, and she didn't seem all that old… though one thing was especially attention-grabbing—her chest.
Wait… why was her uniform open like that?
A large portion of her chest was exposed…
Was this a female-only version of the uniform?
It didn't really match the serious tone of the Demon Slayer Corps… but honestly?
Gulp...
Approved by Takeo.
Combined with her uniquely colored hair, she radiated a charm all her own—though that hair color must've stood out even more in this era.
"You're so young. Even younger than I was when I joined the Demon Slayer Corps. Youth is such a wonderful thing… makes it easier to find a sweetheart…"
After the introductions, for some reason, Mitsuri suddenly started sighing wistfully as she looked at Takeo.
Takeo had no idea how to respond to that, so he just gave her a polite smile.
When you don't know how to respond, just smile. At the very least, it'll never come off as rude.
"By the way!" Kyojuro suddenly shouted—well, to be fair, he always spoke in a shout, but this time it was even louder than usual.
Takeo turned to look at him and heard Kyojuro say:
"To participate in the Final Selection, you'll need a suitable sword! As it happens—Mitsuri's practice sword from her Final Selection is still here! If you don't mind, you can use that one!"
"Eh?! Kyojuro-san still has my sword?"
Hearing this, Mitsuri looked genuinely surprised—her cheeks even turned a bit red with embarrassment.
Kyojuro replied, full of pride: "Of course! It was the sword used by my one and only tsuguko! There's no way I'd throw it away!"
"Ah! That's so touching!"
Mitsuri's eyes sparkled as she looked at Kyojuro with admiration.
Takeo, watching the exchange, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the way she was looking at him.
The Flame Hashira and the Love Hashira… wait a second—Are they a couple or something…?
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o(*^＠^*)oRead 12 chaps ahead—P@treon/HornyFBI