Chapter 12 — Total Concentration Breathing
"Haaah…"
A ragged breath echoed through the dimly lit training dojo.
Sweat dripped from Hikaru's forehead, splattering softly against the wooden floor and forming a dark, spreading stain beneath his feet.
His black hair clung wetly to the sides of his face. Outside the window, the sun was slowly sinking, casting golden streaks across the fading horizon—marking the end of yet another day.
In the middle of the empty training hall, Hikaru finally came to a halt.
His body looked nothing like when he had started. He was completely worn out—his form disheveled and unsteady.
His clothes were soaked through, clinging to his slender frame. The outline of his lean muscles showed faintly beneath the fabric, slick with effort and exhaustion.
"That's enough for today."
Shinobu Kocho landed softly nearby, her steps light and unhurried. Though her signature smile remained, there was a subtle hint of regret in her voice.
"Unfortunately… it seems you still didn't succeed."
Hikaru steadied his breathing and stood upright, trying to push away the fatigue weighing down his limbs.
At the edge of the hall, a single figure watched silently—Kanao Tsuyuri.
This wasn't their first session.
It had been seven days since the special training began. For nearly a full week, Hikaru had thrown himself into the regimen with unwavering determination. But no matter how hard he pushed himself… the result remained the same.
He could feel it now—that advanced form of breathing technique…
Total Concentration Breathing: Constant.
But feeling it wasn't enough.
Knowing how a technique should function… was not the same as mastering it.
Even with the assistance of his unique system—the Heroic Spirit Accomplishment System—some things simply couldn't be achieved without personal effort.
In the end, everything came down to his own ability.
And maybe…
He just wasn't born with the talent for it.
No matter how far he pushed himself, there were limits he couldn't seem to overcome.
"…It seems you truly lack the talent."
Shinobu's words were gentle—but carried the harshness of undeniable truth.
Without talent—
One would never reach it.
Rather than raise his hopes only to have them shattered later, it was better to be honest from the start. Better he knew now, so he could shift his focus instead of endlessly crashing into an unbreakable wall.
Besides, there were other ways to contribute to the Demon Slayer Corps.
As a researcher, a strategist, a developer of techniques like the Hikaru Style—even that alone was enough to earn him a rightful place and protection within the Corps.
It was a safe path.
But—
That wasn't what Hikaru wanted anymore.
"…Maybe the method's just wrong."
Despite Shinobu's assessment, Hikaru's expression didn't falter.
This wasn't the first time they'd had this conversation over the past week. And his answer hadn't changed.
"…I see."
Shinobu bit her lip slightly, deciding not to press further.
This boy—so stubborn, so resolute.
Each day, he gave it his all. He never gave up, never yielded to pain or fatigue.
But…
Was effort alone truly enough?
Shinobu herself had relied on intelligence and cunning to overcome her physical shortcomings. She had concealed her limitations behind strategy and technique—and reached the rank of Hashira.
But Constant Breathing… required more than willpower.
It demanded something deeper.
A threshold that couldn't simply be crossed through sheer determination.
Every year, countless hopefuls failed the Corps' initial trials for this very reason. Only a handful ever made it through.
Only nine stood at the summit.
And Hikaru… understood that.
But even so, he wasn't giving up.
"…I'll try again. I'll think it through."
With a quiet voice, Hikaru gave a polite bow before leaving the dojo.
"…What a shame."
Shinobu whispered, watching his retreating back.
Because until he grasped Total Concentration Breathing: Constant, Hikaru would never truly step into the realm of real power.
The Hikaru Style could help optimize what one already had—but in a world where the gap in strength could be immense…
Technique alone sometimes wasn't enough.
"He'll succeed."
The voice came unexpectedly.
Shinobu turned, eyes widening slightly.
It was Kanao Tsuyuri.
Her expression, as always, was unreadable—still and composed.
But her eyes… were clear and unwavering.
"He can do it."
For the first time in seven days, Kanao had spoken.
Was it truly impossible?
Maybe the Hikaru of the past would've given up long ago.
But now…
He had changed.
Outside the dojo, standing beneath the orange hues of dusk, Hikaru gazed up at the sky.
The summer air was warm, and even the wind carried heat with it.
Yet his body felt steady.
Something inside him was… shifting.
[Focused Serenity]
His evolved skill calmed his thoughts like still water.
He could keep moving.
He could advance without fear—even when the path ahead was uncertain.
And yet—
Despite how composed he had seemed in front of Shinobu, the truth was…
He was completely lost.
"…Where should I even start?"
Hikaru ran a hand through his damp black hair. The last rays of sunlight shone against his back, like a soft golden haori.
He let out a long breath.
He'd tried again and again.
He felt like he was so close to touching it—that sensation.
He knew what he had to do… but it kept slipping through his fingers before he could grasp it.
If only…
If only he could succeed just once.
Even once—
That would be enough to trigger the system. Enough to solidify the sensation into true strength.
But he hadn't even managed one success.
"Why the gloomy face?"
A loud voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
Hikaru turned around.
Marching up to him with firm steps was a girl with twin ponytails—sharp-eyed, confident.
Aoi Kanzaki.
Even in the fading light, her expression was bold as ever—but behind those sharp eyes…
There was something else.
Something like…
Empathy.
"If you're stuck," Aoi said, coming to stand beside him, "then say something. Bottling it up's just gonna give you a headache."
Her voice was loud and direct.
But to Hikaru, it felt like it pierced straight through him.
"Seriously… you really don't think about anyone else, do you?"
Aoi glared at him.
Hikaru didn't respond.
He looked down at the small girl beside him—shorter than his shoulder, delicate and seemingly fragile.
"…What is it?"
Aoi crossed her arms at her waist, like she was scolding a stubborn patient.
"You keep shutting people out. Like…"
"Like you don't think you even belong in this world."
Shutting yourself off…
From this world…
Hikaru looked up.
The last rays of sunlight vanished behind the horizon.
Darkness began creeping across the sky.
But in his eyes—
A new light had only just begun to shine.
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