He arrived in the forest.
Aoyama waved Tanjiro away, who had been lingering nearby, and stopped in front of Makomo.
"Makomo-chan! You're being unfair. Why didn't you show yourselves in front of me?"
"You…" Makomo blinked, momentarily stunned.
"How am I? I'm unhappy right now! I need…"
He paused. Hugs and kisses and being lifted high?
No, that sounded a little too soft. It didn't fit his handsome, dashing, tough-guy image.
"I need compensation."
Makomo had always been gentle and soft-spoken. Faced with Aoyama's rapid-fire words, she froze again and again before finally managing to respond.
"What could I possibly compensate you with? And besides… it doesn't seem like you need us to guide you…" Her voice grew softer toward the end.
"Just chat with me!" Aoyama grinned.
Makomo was earnest. She truly stayed, sitting atop the large rock beside him.
She was puzzled.
This was their first time appearing. Even Urokodaki-sensei didn't know of their existence, nor had he ever mentioned them to Aoyama.
So how did he know?
And how did he call her name the moment he saw her?
Her clear eyes fixed on him.
Feeling her gaze, Aoyama turned his head.
"Mesmerized by my handsomeness? Makomo-chan, let me tell you—looks aren't the most important thing. The most important thing is ability!"
He added thoughtfully, "But without looks… it's still kind of difficult."
Makomo's face flushed red instantly. Embarrassed, she lowered her gaze, yet the image of him in her heart quietly shifted.
He was different from ordinary people.
At least, that was how she felt.
"Why are you looking down? Look up at the moon! See how big and round it is!"
Nonsense.
Utter nonsense.
The moon wasn't even full.
But that didn't stop him.
"Pfft—"
Makomo couldn't help laughing.
Looking at him again, she said, "You're an interesting person."
Aoyama immediately shook his head. "No. I have other strengths too. You should get to know me better."
The smile on Makomo's face widened, reaching all the way into her eyes.
Then, while he wasn't paying attention, she suddenly took his hand in both of hers and held it close.
Aoyama's heart began pounding wildly.
What was happening?!
Makomo was holding his hand—voluntarily?!
Wasn't this development moving a bit too fast?
No, no.
As a man, he should take initiative. He couldn't let the girl be the bold one.
He raised his other hand, gently holding hers in return, cleared his throat, and said, "Well… Makomo-chan, if you'd like, I wouldn't mind if the two of us talked about… feelings…"
Before he could finish, Makomo spoke first.
"Aoyama… please help us."
"Sabito and the others say you can't be relied on. But I think you are our hope—the hope of avenging us. That demon… it has eaten so many people."
Hope shone in her eyes.
They had all been Urokodaki's disciples.
All of them had died during Final Selection—devoured by that single demon.
Not one had returned alive.
Their resentment anchored them here, their souls lingering on Mount Sagiri.
They understood Urokodaki's pain. He didn't want Tanjiro—or anyone else—to go through Final Selection.
He didn't want to lose another student.
And that demon—targeting those who wore fox masks—was deliberately retaliating against Urokodaki.
There was history between them.
Everything Makomo said, Aoyama already knew.
Even if she hadn't asked, he would have slain that demon.
A flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes before fading just as quickly. His expression returned to its usual relaxed ease.
He gently patted Makomo's hand.
"Don't worry. I'll avenge you… all of you."
Makomo suddenly fell silent.
Then she leaned forward, burying herself in his embrace as tears shimmered in her eyes.
…
Day or night, Tanjiro trained desperately.
Under Sabito and Makomo's guidance, his movements became cleaner, faster, more precise.
From the side, the seemingly lazy Aoyama observed it all quietly.
It was about time for him to act as well.
Ding! Host has slain a demon. Reward: +5 Speed.
Ding! Host has slain a demon. Reward: +50,000 Fist Strength.
Ding! Host has slain a demon. Reward: +70,000 Leg Strength.
Ding! Host has slain a beginner ability-type demon. Reward: +10 Enhanced Smell. Bonus Item: Steel Stone.
…
In recent days, Aoyama hadn't been idle.
Each night, he descended to the villages below Mount Sagiri, hunting demons and farming experience.
The day was approaching.
Tanjiro would soon split the boulder.
Final Selection would follow.
Aoyama understood clearly—though he possessed two Breathing Styles, his physical attributes and overall strength also had to keep up.
At Final Selection, he would crush everything in overwhelming fashion.
And the Hand Demon—
That one would absolutely be his to kill.
Of course, he carried out all of this without Urokodaki or Tanjiro knowing.
In their eyes, he remained the same Aoyama—
The one who would lie down rather than stand.
The one who never trained.
The one who never practiced.