Yoriichi lived to over eighty years old, far shattering the curse that marked swordsmen couldn't live past twenty-five.
But if you asked how he did it, even Yoriichi himself would respond with a confused, uncomprehending expression.
I thought perhaps it was because he was born with the mark, unlike ordinary people.
Those limits ordinary people needed to burn through their lives to cross—in Yoriichi's life, these were abilities he possessed from birth.
When I discussed this with him, Yoriichi showed no joy. Only shook his head silently.
Even if he lived past twenty-five, so what?
He spent the rest of his life searching for Muzan and Michikatsu's whereabouts. Unfortunately, without results.
Therefore, Yoriichi didn't return home.
Uta raised Koe alone. With the money Yoriichi left her, plus my watchful care, life wasn't too difficult.
She always smiled on the surface, but I knew she wasn't necessarily happy inside.
Counting the days—on Yoriichi's twenty-fifth birthday, I saw her holding Koe, sitting on the veranda, gazing wistfully at the sun in the sky. Sat there the entire day.
Not until Koe's tenth birthday did Yoriichi return to visit them.
Discovering he hadn't died, both Uta and I were very happy. Even if we couldn't see him often, knowing he was alive and well somewhere was already tremendous comfort.
But we'd overlooked Koe's perspective.
In her memory, that was the first time she'd seen her father. Only one meeting, then he immediately vanished from her life again.
In the days that followed, she kept asking Uta: "Where did Father go? Why doesn't Father come back to be with us? Does he not like Koe?"
Koe's physical condition was just as I'd worried—not very healthy. Frail and sickly, couldn't withstand cold or sun exposure.
Even with careful care, she'd inevitably fall ill every change of season.
She was a kind and sensitive child. Always felt guilty toward Uta because of her body. And Yoriichi being away from home—she misunderstood this as her fault too.
No matter how Uta explained, Koe stubbornly believed... if she were a healthy boy who could possess outstanding talent like her father's—
Then Yoriichi would definitely come home, stay by her and her mother's side.
Because of this, she began secretly forcing herself. When Uta and I weren't paying attention, she'd try picking up a wooden sword, clumsily attempting to train.
One year when I was away on business, I returned to hear she'd developed a high fever, been unconscious for three days and nights. Nearly scared my soul out of my body.
After Koe recovered, I searched everywhere for Yoriichi. Finally found him in a remote little village, dragged him back to visit his daughter.
Koe burst into tears facing the father she hadn't seen in so long. Her questioning voice was heartbreaking to hear.
Yoriichi didn't know how much pressure he'd put on his daughter. Clumsily tried to wipe away her tears, stammered explanations:
"That's not true, Koe... I have my reasons, so I can't come home... I'm very sorry..."
After he finally coaxed Koe to sleep, Uta—rarely furious—gave him a thorough scolding.
After she finished, I pulled him aside for a private talk, sternly condemning his actions.
If he wanted to punish himself over Michikatsu's matter, fine... but he wasn't allowed to use that bastard to punish Koe. Besides his responsibility as a demon slayer, didn't he have duties as a father?!
I ordered him to come back at least once every six months, and write letters home every month. If he dared break his promise, no matter where he ran, I'd personally go drag him back.
Yoriichi solemnly agreed. From then until his death, he never broke that promise.
Koe smiled more, but I knew she still harbored resentment in her heart. Always minded that she hadn't inherited Yoriichi's talent. Even her children showed not a trace of their grandfather's abilities.
So if she knew that four hundred years later, a child so like Yoriichi had appeared again, she'd surely show a genuine smile.
But this bloodline inherited from their ancestor was the spark that destroyed Ritsuka's family. For her, probably not a blessing.
I thought whether Yoriichi or Uta—if they knew their descendants encountered misfortune for such reasons, they'd surely feel guilty.
Since they were gone, I'd apologize on their behalf.
After hearing me finish the past events, Ritsuka's face still showed little expression. Her eyes were like translucent black crystal, hair color dark black tinged with red. Though her features bore no resemblance to those old friends—
Just looking at her made me think of Yoriichi and Uta.
She quietly contemplated for a long time before speaking: "I heard from Father that our ancestors weren't wealthy, and experienced many wars and natural disasters. Many times reached dead ends, but miraculously, each time we turned misfortune to fortune..."
Those calm eyes turned toward me. "You've been helping us all along for our ancestors' sake, haven't you?"
Not really. After all, I had too many old friends—how could I look after them all one by one? Only when they faced particularly thorny troubles would I lend a hand.
That they survived so many disasters was entirely their own effort.
But Ritsuka was truly as Gyomei said—very single-minded. She insisted: "Without your secret assistance, my family's bloodline couldn't have continued to today. Since I've lived well until now thanks to my ancestors' kindness, how could I blame them for encountering misfortune?"
She was also a good child. At such a young age, her perspective on things was as calm as an adult's.
After saying this, she turned to look at me again. "I heard from my master that you've mastered the techniques of Sun Breathing. May I presume to ask for your instruction?"
Of course she could. This was something Yoriichi taught me originally. Returning it to her hands couldn't be better.
Besides, I had a premonition—if it was Ritsuka, she should be able to master Sun Breathing.
But I didn't agree so easily. Looked at that old sword at her waist with considerable wear marks, then at her dusty little face. Obviously she'd been sleeping rough, hadn't rested properly.
I'd promised Gyomei to bring her back. Couldn't let her run around outside alone.
So I started coaxing her, saying Breathing Styles were the Demon Slayer Corps' closely guarded secrets. Absolutely no reason to casually teach outsiders.
Since her goal aligned with the Corps'—both aiming to eliminate all demons under heaven—why stick to conventions? What shame or no shame? Constantly strengthening herself was the only way she might kill Kokushibo. So joining the Corps was obviously better than not joining.
Single-minded children were so easy to fool. I dangled Sun Breathing in front of her. After thinking a while, Ritsuka nodded in agreement.
Ritsuka had wandered alone outside for over a year, slaying countless demons. Probably enough to advance to Kinoe rank.
But I felt the proper procedures should still be followed. Only by passing Final Selection could one become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Most importantly—take this chance to make new companions. For swordsmen who were always alone, this was quite important too.
In my experience, swordsmen from the same cohort most easily became friends.
Hopefully she could make new friends at Final Selection.
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