We sat around a round table, all three of us, the Tsugikuni brothers and myself.
Now that it was clear I wasn't a spy, just a random passerby with no knowledge of any ongoing war, I could relax a bit.
How did I convince them?
Well, I made good use of the situation. With a touch of truth and some added lies, I proved my innocence. And it was simple.
The truth was, I am a demon slayer. As for the lie, I told them I'd been dispatched to slay a demon lurking in the area.
At first, Yoriichi thought I was lying, but then I mentioned the name of the current leader. I even mentioned Ms. Ayuma. After that, he believed me, Yoriichi knew of Ms. Ayuma. But it didn't end there.
He told me something I hadn't expected, something I hadn't even thought about, although I should have, considering the world I was reborn in. According to Yoriichi, Ms. Ayuma had died on duty two years ago.
The news hit hard. Even if I had only spent weeks with her, she felt like a mother figure and a great teacher.
I was so caught up in training that I'd forgotten how casually death comes in this world. I wished I'd spent more time with her, even if it had only been a few days. I wished I'd gotten to know her better. I miss her.
"Yoriichi, we haven't seen each other in years. How are you holding up?" Michikatsu asked, his face showing a glint of concern.
"I have been doing well, elder brother," Yoriichi answered, staring at the table in front of us.
Michikatsu glanced at the blade strapped to Yoriichi's waist. "I see you've become a slayer yourself."
"Yes, elder brother. There are some shortcomings, but it's all for the future of humanity."
"Is that so."
The conversation between them felt heavy, as if both had something to say but couldn't. I wondered how I'd ended up in the middle of this discussion.
"What is the plan with the Himori clan, elder brother?" Yoriichi asked.
"The plan hasn't changed. We shall slay their fighters and assimilate them into our clan. That way, our numbers will grow stronger, and we'll become an empire."
As they talked, I noticed Yoriichi never looked Michikatsu in the eyes. He stared at the table, and after hearing Michikatsu answer to his question, Yoriichi lowered his gaze even further.
The air grew thick, and I sensed the conversation was about to take a strange turn.
"Why don't you forfeit this war, elder brother? Start a new life, settle down. Better yet, become a slayer and help humanity rather than destroy it. Surely you know our common enemies are demons, not other humans. So, let us—"
"Yoriichi! The decisions I make as the war chief are not for myself but for the clan. Furthermore, I can't go against the clan elder."
"Is that what you truly believe?"
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"Do you find pleasure in killing your fellow humans?"
"I don't understand where you're going with this, Yoriichi."
Michikatsu squinted his eyes.
"Forgive me, elder brother. That was a disrespectful question. I should take my leave now."
Yoriichi stood up.
"Wait a minute, brother. We've only just met after so many years. I still have questions for you. I heard you got married, how about your wife? Any children?"
Yoriichi looked away, avoiding Michikatsu's gaze. "They are at rest. They passed not too long ago."
"Oh, that's..."
"Well then, if you have no other questions, I'll take my leave."
"Wait! At least stay for the night. You can leave tomorrow. What do you say? I'll have my men prepare two tents for you both—"
"One will be fine, thank you."
Yoriichi left the tent, leaving me alone with Michikatsu.
Michikatsu suddenly slammed his fist on the table. "After all these years, he hasn't changed one bit."
It became clear then, the usually stoic Michikatsu in front of me was filled with pure rage. I couldn't blame him; Yoriichi had a presence that felt almost elder-like, and I'm sure that must've stung him deeply given that he was the older one
***
I entered the tent and found Yoriichi sitting cross-legged on the ground, his eyes closed, body stiff. I laid down on the futon and stayed quiet. I noticed his breathing was uneven. He'd take a deep breath and release it sharply. That's when it hit me—he was practicing.
Should I join him? I know the basics of breathing, but I don't know… It's not like breathing alone will be everything I need to learn. I'll need to practice it in combat too.
But what's the harm? I should join him.
"What are you doing?"
I jerked up. Damn, that was sudden.
"Why are you copying what I'm doing?"
"Well, um…it's nothing, actually. The thing is…yes, I wanted to ask you something."
"Go on."
"You said you knew Ms. Ayuma, right?"
"Yes, we went on some missions together."
"Ohh! Did she become a Hashira? Are you a Hashira?"
"Hashira…what does that mean? Perhaps is it a nickname?"
Eh? He doesn't know what a Hashira is? But he's able to use breathing forms in combat and even practise total concentration, yet he doesn't know what a Hashira is.
"No, it's not a nickname. Please, just forget I asked."
I can't remember vividly but I was certain that Yoriichi thought the hashira total concentration, or was it after teaching
"If you say so. But I have a question for you. You claim to be a slayer, yet you don't have your Nichirin sword. Why is that?"
"Oh, well, the thing is…I lost it."
"Lost it?" He leaned closer. "That's very careless of you… Are you even a slayer, or maybe you are a spy after all."
"Come on, dude, I'm not a fucking spy!"