The table was filled with delicious food, no different from the night the old man first brought her here. It seemed that every time a new student arrived, he would bring out his finest cooking.
Perhaps, to Kuwajima, these weren't just students—
They were family.
Sui withdrew her thoughts and turned toward Gyomei Himejima. He didn't seem to have any intention of staying for the meal.
"Won't you sit for a while?"
"I have… matters to attend to."
The man pressed his palms together.
"This humble monk has fulfilled his duty by entrusting Kaigaku to Mr. Kuwajima."
…He was crying?
Sui sensed two streams of hot tears running down the man's stone-like face. For someone so imposing, shedding tears over something like this felt strangely out of place to her.
"It is merely an ailment of the eyes. Please do not mind it."
He shook his head, then added,
"Speaking of which, your eyes seem perfectly healthy. Why choose to close them and experience the world in darkness?"
"Sometimes, what we see isn't the truth either, isn't that so?"
Sui smiled faintly.
"Well said."
He murmured a Buddhist chant once more.
"I shall take my leave."
"I'll see you off."
Sui set down her chopsticks.
"I'll also stop by town and find the old man a better cane."
"Mm."
Kuwajima responded briefly, though he noticed something—
From beginning to end, Sui hadn't looked at Kaigaku even once.
As if the boy didn't exist.
That wasn't normal.
At a glance, he could tell Kaigaku was proud and sharp-edged. Being completely ignored like this—he hadn't reacted only because he was new and restrained. And Sui left the table so quickly… Was it because of him?
Did she dislike the boy that much?
Kuwajima couldn't tell.
Her expression hadn't changed at all—no disgust, no fondness.
He decided to wait for her explanation when she returned.
"Old man, I'm heading out with Mr. Himejima."
She waved.
"Mm. Stay safe."
That was nonsense, Kuwajima thought as he took a sip of strong liquor. With those two together, what danger could there possibly be?
Unless they ran into the Demon King himself.
…
Walking together, Sui felt an unusual sense of calm.
Being near this Hashira felt like standing beside an immovable rock—nothing could shake it.
"Can you tell me about the boy, Kaigaku?"
she asked.
The man remained silent for a long time.
Only when they reached the edge of the peach grove did he finally speak.
"Kaigaku is a child I once took in when I was still a monk. He had no family and lived a miserable life. I brought him to my temple, where many children like him lived."
"So you took in many orphans?"
"Yes."
"But then you became a demon slayer."
Sui's clear voice cut like a blade, reopening an old wound without hesitation.
"…Yes."
He paused.
"That night, the wisteria incense went out for unknown reasons. A demon entered the temple."
"My children… tried to protect me. They took up weapons and fought. But even grown men are no match for demons—how could children possibly resist?"
"In the end, only Kaigaku and another girl survived."
"Kaigaku wasn't there that night. As for the girl… I would rather not speak of her. It is enough that she now lives a happy life."
"Kaigaku wants to become a demon slayer?"
"He has suffered since childhood. To him, survival is everything. After witnessing demons and slayers, he believes strength is the foundation of survival."
"I agree with that."
Sui nodded slightly.
"But there's something you should add, Mr. Himejima."
"What is it?"
"That he would abandon even his dignity for it."
Her voice was soft—
Yet it unsettled him.
He studied the girl before him for a long moment. The wind stirred, scattering peach blossoms onto her shoulders. She brushed them off casually.
Only then did he recover.
Her perception of people was far too sharp.
Like a sage who saw through the world—
Or a demon who saw through hearts.
Even with her eyes closed, her smile made one feel completely exposed.
"So you don't like him?"
Gyomei asked.
"Not exactly."
Sui shook her head.
"I'm just worried he might stray down the wrong path."
"It doesn't matter to me. If he does, I'll give him a gift called death."
"But the old man wouldn't see it that way. He'd blame himself—for failing as a teacher."
"But that hasn't happened yet."
"True."
She smiled, a hint of mischief in it.
"And even if it does, I have ways to deal with the old man."
…Impressive.
Gyomei silently thought.
That blend of calm and danger within her—it was almost lethal.
"It's time we part ways, Mr. Himejima."
Sui stopped at the fork in the road and waved.
The man lowered his head, palms together.
"Amitabha."
"When we meet again, you will likely stand as a Hashira in your own right."
"I'll take that blessing."
Sui smiled as she watched him leave.
Well then—
With that done, it was time to get Kuwajima a new cane.
With Kaigaku around, that cane probably wouldn't be hitting her head anymore.
Just as she was thinking that—
"Hey! Sui-chan! Over here!"
A girl in a white apron waved at her from the roadside.
It was Ayumiya Aka—the flower shop owner's daughter.
Spring was the peak season for peach blossoms, and visitors flocked to Mount Momoyama. Their once quiet shop had become busy, and she was helping her parents.
They had met when Sui went up the mountain to gather flowers.
Since then, something… strange had awakened in her. She frequently used "flower picking" as an excuse to visit.
The Demon Slayer Corps didn't mind civilians knowing of its existence—but visiting so often was too much even for Kuwajima. He had scolded her harshly:
"Stop wasting your days!"
"Obsessed with appearances!"
"Sui is my student—you're interfering with her training!"
Thankfully, Sui later explained that the old man was harsh in words but kind at heart.
Still…
Sui had once wondered—
What did he mean by "obsessed with appearances"?
The woman who raised her used to joke that her beauty was irresistible.
But girls too?
She hadn't understood before.
Now she did.
"Sui-chan! I haven't seen you for a whole week! I've lost all motivation—no energy to pick flowers, no will to earn money! Every night when I count my earnings, I ask myself—what's the point? I can't even buy your love!"
Before Sui could get close, the girl rushed forward, teary-eyed.
…So yes.
Girls really would fixate on her.
Sui calmly stepped aside.
The girl missed completely.
She had no intention of getting her clothes dirty with tears and snot.
"Sui-chan… you don't love me anymore…"
The girl escalated dramatically.
"Stop. You're loud."
Sui remained expressionless.
"…Tch. Heartbreaker."
The girl muttered under her breath.
Sui heard it—but didn't bother pointing it out.
"I came down the mountain to take care of something."
"What is it? I'll do it for you!"
The girl's eyes lit up instantly.