The hot spring steamed, and both of them flushed slightly in the intense heat.
Tetsu no Sosuke unconsciously grabbed another rice ball, shoving it into his mouth and swallowing it mechanically, each bite tasting like wax.
He had envisioned this moment perfectly: soaking in the hot spring, savoring his rations, and soothing his weary body after a long day's work.
But... what was happening now?
Who was this woman who had suddenly emerged from the water?
A hot spring spirit?
Did the world of Demon Slayer even have such a concept?
She wasn't wearing a Fireman Mask, so she couldn't be from the Swordsmith Village!
Besides, he knew almost everyone in the village... Even if he'd never seen them in this state before, he would definitely recognize someone from the village.
'Wait... if that's the case, could she be an outsider?'
'But the village never allowed outsiders, except for members of the Demon Slayer Corps!'
'Was she a Demon Slayer Corps swordsman?'
The answer flashed through Tetsu no Sosuke's mind, and he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He hadn't initially seen anything particularly suggestive about the situation.
A swordsman!
What would these superhuman warriors, capable of battling demons, do in such a situation?
Would she, in a fit of anger, simply cleave him in two?
He stole a glance and found... nothing.
She seemed just as awkward as he was!
And this awkwardness was about to boil over with the hot spring's rising temperature, wasn't it?
No, I have to do something to break the ice.
Tetsu no Sosuke was the kind of man who acted on impulse.
He racked his brain and blurted out without thinking, "You're here for the hot spring too? What a coincidence."
The moment the words left his mouth, he wanted to slap himself.
'What the hell did I just say?!'
'I sound like a total pervert!'
'This is even worse than asking 'Want to eat?' last time!'
Then he heard the woman's soft voice: "Yes, what a coincidence..."
In reality, the woman was dying of embarrassment and indignation, clearly facing the same awkwardness as Tetsu no Sosuke.
Although the hot spring's steam obscured their vision, a man had suddenly appeared in the water and even offered her food. By all appearances, he couldn't be a bad person, right?
But... how long did he plan to soak?
He wore a Fireman Mask, revealing only the lower half of his face, including his mouth, which he used to eat the rice ball.
Could he be from Swordsmith Village?
If they exchanged friendly greetings, what should she do next?
'Should I draw my sword in this situation?'
The problem was, her sword was too worn and had been sent to Tetsu no Sosuke for repairs. She didn't even have a sword with her!
Kocho Kanae, the Flower Pillar of the Nine Pillars, found herself in the most awkward moment of her life.
"I'm done soaking!" Tetsu no Sosuke suddenly announced. "Could you turn around?"
"Oh! Yes, of course!"
Kanae felt like she'd been granted a pardon. Without hesitation, she immediately turned her back.
She heard a splash behind her, followed by the sound of frantic footsteps fleeing.
For some reason, the sound of those panicked footsteps brought a faint, amused smile to her lips.
Resisting the urge to turn around, she couldn't help but wonder how utterly disheveled the fleeing figure must look.
But considering the person's obvious haste, they clearly hadn't had time to dress properly. Turning around now would undoubtedly reveal a sight no proper child should witness.
Just one glance?
The subtle stirring in her heart, like an invisible hand, gently nudged her neck to turn around...
But the person had already vanished without a trace.
Only a small bundle remained by the hot spring, containing several unfinished rice balls.
"Rice balls..."
Licking her lips, she leaned closer. "I didn't even taste them properly earlier."
Picking one up, she took a small bite, her eyes gleaming slightly. "They're actually delicious... such a unique flavor..."
Tetsu no Sosuke felt like a fox fleeing in panic, its tail still trailing behind as he bolted from the mountaintop to the halfway point before frantically pulling on his clothes.
"Holy hell... who was that person just now?"
Upon closer reflection, her appearance was impossibly beautiful.
"Wait... why does she look so familiar? A woman... a swordswoman... familiar... could it be a face I've seen in anime or manga?"
He straightened his clothes and carefully adjusted his mask as he descended the mountain, pondering, "The sword delivered today must belong to a woman. And tonight, I encountered a Demon Slayer Corps woman at the hot spring... She looked so familiar. If she were from the Swordsmith Village, she'd always wear a Fireman Mask, as they do in both the manga and anime. So, she must be a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Wait... could it be her?"
He whipped around, but the mountain slope blocked his view of the summit, preventing him from seeing the hot spring or the woman within.
Finally, he frowned slightly. "She's still alive, huh?"
The Flower Pillar—Kocho Kanae!
The woman who had died at the hands of Upper Moon Two, Douma, was now alive and well.
"And though I don't know the details, that sword must be hers, right?"
As Tetsu no Sosuke walked back, he pondered, a sudden wave of resentment washing over him.
"Why does such a good woman have to die at the hands of that kind of man? Isn't there some way to prevent this from happening?"
But he was just a swordsmith, albeit one who understood Sun Breathing. Still, he was just a swordsmith.
As a swordsmith, how could he possibly influence the battles of the Nine Pillars?
How could he control the outcome of such a battle?
All the way home, he couldn't think of any solutions. After all, the only thing swordsmiths could do was forge Nichirin Swords!
"Forging..."
Setting down his basket, Tetsu no Sosuke stared at the damaged Nichirin sword on the anvil, his eyes suddenly burning with determination.
"That's right! As a swordsmith, there are many things I can't change. But the one thing I can change is... the sword in the swordsman's hand!"
He gazed at the Nichirin Blade before him. "If I can make it even more perfect, could it help her survive that deadly battle? No, she doesn't need to win—just hold out until dawn! Just let her live!"
Taking a deep breath, Sosuke approached the anvil and picked up his forging hammer. "Whether I can do it or not, this is the only thing I can do right now as a swordsmith!"