Faced with Sashiko's request, Kuguruma Natsunishi did not agree immediately.
He put down his chopsticks and focused his gaze on the nervous girl before him. That mixture of shyness and unease, yet underpinned by an extraordinary firmness, clearly indicated that this was no impulsive whim.
"Why do you want me to guide your training?" he asked seriously. "While I am indeed gifted and possess limitless potential... compared to dedicated cultivators, I am not a professional teacher after all."
"I might not necessarily make you stronger; you might even end up taking the long way around."
"Because Kuguruma Natsunishi-kun is strong!"
Sashiko shook her head, interrupting him, and spoke with absolute earnestness. "I've felt this way ever since the Final Selection!"
"Whether it was the way you decapitated those demons with such ease..."
"Or later, when you faced that Blood Demon Art that left everyone else helpless."
The girl's voice gradually rose, and a small flame seemed to ignite in her eyes.
"Kuguruma Natsunishi-kun's strength is beyond doubt. Your swordsmanship, your caliber, and that resolve and will to grow stronger—all of it!"
"Back then, I could still see your back. I thought to myself, 'Ah, that person is so amazing, I have to work hard to keep up,' or 'I want to become an excellent swordsman like him,' but..."
Kuguruma Natsunishi blinked.
Suddenly, the grilled meat in his bowl didn't taste quite as good.
Wait, did I accidentally max out my faction favorability? Why does everyone have such a high opinion of me? Could it be that I really have the potential to be a big shot?!
The girl paused, her tone tinged with a hint of bitterness and self-deprecation.
"But now, I can barely even see your back anymore, Kuguruma Natsunishi-kun."
"Even though I practiced hard according to the methods taught by my cultivator, and even though I prepared myself to face death..."
"I just can't do it."
"I really can't do it. No matter how much I train or how hard I try, I can only watch as Kuguruma Natsunishi-kun pulls further and further away."
The air in the private booth grew quiet. Aside from the girl's cathartic lament, there was only the sound of meat slices sizzling on the charcoal fire.
"Senior's progress is too fast—it's like you're flying."
"I... I don't want to be left behind like this. I don't want to end up as a weakling who has to rely on others just to slay a demon."
The methods her cultivator taught her were no longer enough to support her growth. They produced "qualified" swordsmen, not "exceptional" ones who could consistently slay demons, win, and evolve.
In Sashiko's heart, whether it was to avoid being a burden, to achieve revenge with her own hands, or simply to keep pace with Kuguruma Natsunishi, her current weak self found it impossible.
Reuniting with Kuguruma Natsunishi now made this gap feel particularly vivid. She even had a faint inkling that the current Kuga Kuguruma Natsunishi might already be more powerful than her own cultivator.
Faced with Yukiziri Sashiko's request, the young man was also thinking. A new side quest prompt had already popped up in his system.
[Side Quest: Master of Men! The Path of Instruction!]
[Description: Through teaching, guidance, and other means, raise Yukiziri Sashiko's power level to 80 or above.]
[Reward: 800 Breathing Style Experience (Adaptive) Proficiency.]
So this counts as triggering a special master-disciple event.
It was also a good opportunity to grind proficiency for life skills like [Medicine] and [Instruction]. Speaking of which, if the "means were unlimited," if he knew some Astartes or Android modification technology, could he just upgrade her to meet the quest requirements?
While Kuguruma Natsunishi's mind was wandering, Sashiko, seeing his silence, anxiously added:
"And lately, the missions... I feel like they're getting harder and harder for me to handle."
"This time I was lucky to run into Kuguruma Natsunishi-kun."
"But if I encounter a powerful demon like that next time, I'm afraid... I'm afraid I'll be powerless."
She didn't finish, but her clenched fists and slightly pale knuckles said it all. Sashiko didn't fear death much; she had made her peace with that the moment she decided to join the Demon Slayer Corps. She was simply unwilling—unwilling to die before all demons were eradicated. Or perhaps she was afraid—afraid that, just like in the past, she would only be able to watch helplessly as someone she wanted to protect died before her eyes.
Kuguruma Natsunishi could sense her resolve from her expression and words. But there was one thing Sashiko hadn't said out loud: she wanted to be near him. Even if it was as a disciple or a junior. As long as she could briefly enjoy the time spent together, the sense of security and relaxation that came with his presence.
Kuguruma Natsunishi nodded, his expression maintaining its usual calm.
"I can do that."
"Really?!" Sashiko's eyes lit up instantly.
Kuguruma Natsunishi continued, "I'll be staying in Yokohama for a while to study under my senior brother. During this time, when you're not on a mission, you can come find me."
"Mhm..."
Kuguruma Natsunishi recalled his experience "guiding" the Water Breathing duo at Mount Sagiri. The prototype of a training plan was already forming in his mind. He chose his words carefully and continued:
"However, my methods might be a bit... direct."
After all, he had more than one life skill to grind.
"I'm not afraid," Sashiko tilted her head up and said very seriously. "Please, feel free to whip me into shape, Kuguruma Natsunishi-kun."
Kuguruma Natsunishi: "?"
What kind of suggestive phrasing is that?
"An-anyway, as long as you're prepared."
As Kuguruma Natsunishi spoke, he picked up a rib he didn't particularly like and naturally placed it on Sashiko's plate. This subconscious gesture made the girl's cheeks flush with heat.
"Kuguruma Natsunishi-kun..."
Kuguruma Natsunishi: "By the way, if you're going to be training during this period, you'll need a place to stay, right?"
"A... a place to stay?"
Sashiko froze, her face turning beet red in an instant. Her mind immediately flashed through the plots of various stories and Western operas she had heard. Is... isn't it a bit early to ask that?! Is he inviting me to live at his senior brother's estate? Does this... does this count as meeting the family?! I'm not ready yet! Well, if Kuguruma Natsunishi-kun insists, I suppose I have no choice...
Looking at her suddenly exploding blush and panicked eyes, Kuguruma Natsunishi was confused.
"I mean, if you're going to receive long-term training here, you need a fixed residence, right?"
"You can't just keep troubling the people at the Wisteria House."
"I can help you ask the Kakushi or a middleman in Yokohama to see if there are any suitable vacant rooms for rent nearby."
Sashiko: (////▽////)
"Ah... s-so that's what you meant!"
Sashiko abruptly lowered her head and began eating voraciously. Shame! How shameful! What on earth was I just imagining?!
Then, she accidentally bit her tongue.
After a soft cry of pain, she looked at Kuguruma Natsunishi and mumbled hurriedly, "I... I'll contact them myself! No need to trouble Kuguruma Natsunishi-kun!"
Kuguruma Natsunishi looked at the girl with some doubt. He felt like Sashiko had just been thinking about some very scandalous things. He picked up another piece of beef and put it in his mouth.
Hmm? Spent too much time talking; the meat is burnt.
...
Soon, Sashiko settled down briefly in a simple but tidy house in Yokohama. The next day, she packed up early and, wearing her Nichirin Sword, arrived at the residence of the Storm Hashira.
It was also the place where Kuguruma Natsunishi was currently studying. It was a Western-style building where red brick met white stone, with some window frames inlaid with colored glass. Standing quietly in the morning light, it was a pleasing sight to behold.
"As expected of Lord Storm Hashira's estate, it's quite grand," the girl whispered in admiration.
Then, as if remembering something, she quietly raised her wrist and sniffed. Good, no strange smells. She had taken a special bath and groomed herself this morning.
After a light knock, a neatly dressed servant led her through the corridor toward the training ground Kuguruma Natsunishi had mentioned—a spacious small garden. The garden was planted with orderly cherry trees and beautifully trimmed pines and cypresses, while several expensive stone lanterns stood by the pond.
And several people she was familiar with were already there.
Kuguruma Natsunishi raised a hand to greet her. "Oi, you're here early, Sashiko."
But what shocked and bothered the girl more was...
"Why are you two here?!"
Kondo and Dojima, who were currently swinging their swords, paused simultaneously. The Kanoe-ranked swordsman scratched his head sheepishly, while the Kanoe-ranked swordsman, after a brief hesitation, pretended not to hear and continued swinging his wooden sword.
Dammit! My private time with Kuguruma Natsunishi-kun! Give it back to me!
Yukiziri Sashiko felt... her fists clenching.
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