Mitsuri sat with her parents in the side room, legs folded neatly beneath her as the sliding door stood half open. From their vantage point, they had an unobstructed view of the scene playing out in the courtyard.
Satoru crouched in the yard, laughing as Nanami balanced on his shoulders. Haruko and Chiyo clung to each of his arms, while Riku had latched onto his haori with surprising strength.
"Up we go!" Satoru says with a smile on his face.
He effortlessly stands to his full height. Four children dangle off of him like ornaments, yet he carried them as if they weighed nothing. Her siblings squealed happily, both in delight and awe, as he spun around slowly they giggled even harder.
Ayame paused mid brush, her hand stilled in Mitsuri's hair. "Ara, ara…" she said with a knowing smile, "he's pretty good with children Mitsuri."
Kaname chuckled, "Strong too, not many people outside our family can do something like that." His eyes warmed as he regarded Mitsuri. "You've really found someone remarkable Mitsuri."
The words landed squarely in Mitsuri's chest making her hands fidget in her lap. 'They keep saying this like that… and I haven't denied any of it… why haven't I denied it?'
Because the truth was, it wasn't so bad. Watching Satoru laugh so easily with her cherished siblings. Seeing the joy on their little faces, the way he seemed to fit in her family so naturally.
It filled her with bubbling warmth she couldn't explain.
Her cheeks burned as she tried to keep still while her mother resumed combing her hair. 'Thank you,' she thought, pressing her palms on her lap. 'Thank you, Kami-sama, for letting me meet someone like him.
She had thought that she'd never find anyone. She joined the Corps in the hopes that she would find someone that wouldn't run from her uniqueness.
'…and then somehow, I met Satoru.' Her heart pounded in her chest, but she welcomed it.
Ayame leaned closer, voice teasing but gentle. "You like him don't you, Mitsuri?"
Mitsuri nearly squeaked, hiding her face in her hands. "Kaasan!"
Her mother only chuckled knowingly, setting the comb aside. "If you do, then be bold, my girl. Men like that… strong, kind, playful, but gentle, don't come around often. If you truly want to be with him, don't let the chance slip by. Pursue him properly. Otherwise…" she smirked faintly, "…someone else surely will."
Mitsuri's ears burned scarlet as she tried to hide her face further in her palms. 'Pursue him… properly?'
Outside, Satoru laughed loud and bright as he chased her siblings around the yard. Nanami still riding on his shoulders. Proclaiming that he was 'the strongest horse in the world'.
Mitsuri peeked between her fingers, her heart thumping away wildly in her chest. 'Strongest… maybe he really is. And he might actually like me.'
[Scene Break]
Mitsuri's siblings eventually went back inside to rest after our game of tag. Not that it was fair — Nanami insisted on teaming up with me against everyone else.
It was fun, though. I always wanted to be an older brother, but growing up I never really had that chance. Playing with them scratched an itch I didn't know I had.
Kaname, Mitsuri's dad, eventually gathered the kids for their lessons. Despite living out here in the countryside, the Kanroji family was surprisingly well off. Private tutors, a tidy home, enough food on the table — they'd built a good life.
"I'll be careful, Kaasan. Don't worry!" Mitsuri reassured her mother.
"…and take care of yourself while you're at it. Your legs are covered in scratches, Mitsuri."
That caught my attention. My gaze dipped before I realized it, taking in her bare legs. Huh. I hadn't even noticed she wasn't wearing those iconic thigh-high socks yet.
'Weren't those supposed to be a gift from Snake Boy? Guess it'll fall to me instead…'
I shelved the thought for now. She already had the haori, and the uniform was the same as canon. As for why her mother didn't comment on how provocative it all looked — eh, anime logic. Not my place to question it.
"Don't worry, Ayame-san. I'll make sure Mitsuri is always safe." I said with an easy smile as we prepared to head out.
Ayame and Kaname waved us off, their expressions warm and trusting. Mitsuri waved back with both hands, practically bouncing as we walked down the darkening street.
The lamps along the road flickered here and there, casting long shadows. A few people passed us, some curious, some wary — my white hair and Mitsuri's pink-and-green were hard to miss. Some eyed our swords uneasily, others… lingered a bit too long on Mitsuri's half-buttoned uniform top. That one irked me more than I'd admit.
Still, Mitsuri was all smiles, humming a little tune under her breath. She seemed light, happy — like the world had gotten just a bit brighter.
"Your family… they're wonderful," I finally said, breaking the quiet.
Mitsuri's cheeks pinked, her voice soft but sure. "They are. I love them very much."
"Do you hope to have a family just as big one day?" I say with a teasing smirk.
"Hmm? Ah… maybe?" Mitsuri responded.
'Huh… she didn't blush. Is she actually getting used to my teasing?'
I put it out of my mind as we continued to walk down the dirt road. Mitsuri's kasugai crow glided lazily over our heads as it guided us towards the next village.
The air cooled significantly as the sun finally set below the horizon. Fireflies began to flicker in the grass around us.
Mitsuri's cheer dimmed the closer we got to the village in the distance. "I'm worried about this mission Satoru."
"Hmm? Why? I'm here so there's no need to worry." I replied with a smile, trying to bring back her cheer.
"No it's not that, the reports… apparently children are disappearing, and it's so close to my village."
"Like I said, don't worry Mitsuri-chan. We'll slay this demon and go visit your family again."
"…okay. I'll be relying on you then." A small smile finally returned to her face.
'Children huh? I'm debating on whether I should just crush this demon or let Mitsuri handle it so she can finally unlock Love Breathing.'
We arrived in the village, and immediately I could feel the wrongness in the air. It was quiet, unnaturally so. Mitsuri and I walked around looking for someone to ask question.
We had the preliminary reports, just missing kids and rumours of a demon. Nothing solid yet, no location, no witnesses, not even conspiracy theories.
Just then, "…AHHHHH! HELP!"
A childish scream filled the air, Mitsuri immediately drew her sword and dashed towards the sound. I followed closely behind her my eyes scanning the buildings behind my sunglasses.
We arrived just in time to see a massive woman trying to drag a young boy away. The young boy was desperately clinging on to a lamp post as he screamed for help again.
Mitsuri jumped into action. I heard her intake of breath as she unleashed an overhead slash towards the demons arms.
The demon screeched and glared hatefully at Mitsuri.
"Po… po… po… filthy Demon Slayer!" It swiped at her, Mitsuri raised her guard but was still sent skidding backwards.
I quickly grabbed the boy and pushed him behind me. The kid was crying, a little bruised but he was out of danger for now.
I narrowed my eyes at the strange demon. It looked like a certain woman from a story I had read in my past life. Hachishakusama, the eight foot tall woman.
She even had the wide brimmed hat and everything. Her long black hair whipped wildly in the air as Mitsuri fought her. I frowned when I saw that Mitsuri's slashes weren't doing much to the demon.
"Po… po… po… sweet boy, come to me…." The demon hissed.
The kid hugging my leg let out another fearful scream and held on even tighter. I continued to watch as Mitsuri pressed onwards. Her attacks seemingly doing nothing against the demons healing factor.
'This bitch has probably eaten countless children. She's strong, more than a normal demon.'
Something inside me stirred, this demon felt strange. Hachishakusama was a popular urban legend back in my old life. Her appearing as a demon here was too much of a coincidence.
Mitsuri let out another slash, nearly severing one of the demons arms. Unfortunately the demon healed too fast. Mitsuri barely dodged a swipe of the demons claws.
I patted the kids head, "Hey kid, go… run on home. We've got this."
The kid stared at me with teary eyes, seemingly reluctant on letting go of my leg. I smiled kindly at him.
"Trust me, I'm the strongest… I won't let that monster get you again."
The kid eventually nodded and let go of my leg. He ran as fast as his little legs could carry him away from the fight. Once I saw that he had thankfully slipped into a house I turned my attention back to the fight.
I took off my sunglasses and cracked my neck. Stepping forward I grinned at the demon as it let out a wail of anger.
"How dare you… how dare you! My prey!!!"
It sidestepped one of Mitsuri's attacks and barreled towards me with a hateful look on its creepy face.
It's clawed hand came screaming down towards my shoulder. Mutsuri's eyes widened as I made no move to block or dodge.
"Satoru!!" She shouted.
BANG
The demons claw slammed into Limitless and froze on the spot. The demon frowned and redoubled its efforts to turn me into Gojo 2.0.
"Ara… performance issues demon-san?" I smiled softly at the demon. "Don't worry, it happens to the best."
I slowly drew my red nichirin blade. It's crimson hue glinting in the light as I slashed forward with a casual flick of my wrist.
"Whatever breathing: first form. Causal slash."
It's arm fell with a flop the the floor. The demon stared, Mitsuri stared, I grinned.
"SCREEEEEEEE!" The demon jumped back.
[Scene Break]
Mitsuri's heart pounded in her chest as she watched the demons claws get closer to Satoru's neck as he made no move to dodge or block.
But then to her surprise the demons claws came to a sudden stop as if colliding with an invisible barrier.
Her surprise turned to awe as Satoru flicked his blade and severed the demons arm with casual elegance. She had all but forgotten that despite his carefree nature, that Satoru had been promoted to Hashira with her mentor Kyojuro weeks ago.
'I need to help… I need to do more…' Her voice echoed in her head.
Her hands trembled as she gripped the hilt of her nichirin blade. Every slash, every stab she landed on the demon barely seemed to affect it. Frustration coiled in her gut, coupled with the knot that had formed in her heart when she had thought that she would be too late to save that child, that Satoru had been in danger.
She swallowed and focused on the battle. Waiting for a moment to open up where she could jump in again. She pondered what form would best suit the situation.
Then she noticed it, Satoru was calm. He was even smiling that smile that made her heart flutter. Every move he made, every flick of that red blade seemed effortless, almost playful.
A calm confidence in his style of fighting, almost toying with the demon.
Then his voice rang out. "Mitsuri-chan, don't think too hard. Flame Breathing doesn't suit you… your style needs to be unique, just like you."
Her head snapped towards him. His words lingering in her head. He was right, Flame Breathing was Kyojuro-san's style. It felt too rigid for her body.
'Unique… me?'
Her blade shook in her hands. She thought about her own movement, the way she swung, the way she followed the patterns she had learned.
Then, almost instinctively she felt it… the rhythm of her own body. The flow of her arms, the dance of her legs… the beats of her heart.
'I need to make it mine. My style. Something beautiful, something powerful…'
Satoru's blade flashed again as he fought the demon. Keeping it locked in combat, preventing it from attacking her or running away.
Her eyes shimmered with resolve as a small determined smile formed on her lips. 'I can do this, no, I will do this!'
She jumped back into the fight, Satoru's grin widened when he saw her flip into motion. Mitsuri felt it, the ease in her movements, the strength in her arms.
Faster, lighter, more fluid. Each step no longer bound by rigid form. The hesitation melted away, giving way to confident movement. She was finding it, her own style, vibrant… alive… full of love.
Mitsuri called out in her heart, 'LOVE BREATHING! FIRST FORM: SHIVERS OF FIRST LOVE!'