Seeing Sam Miller's encouragement to Giyu and Tsutako Tomioka, Kanae Kocho looked at Sam with more admiration.
"Is this really a demon?" She couldn't help but fall into self-doubt.
Compared to the demon in front of them, some people in the world seemed more like demons.
Shaking her head, Kanae didn't dwell on it, she patted her sister's head, touched the ground lightly with her toes, and departed gracefully.
...
Giyu went to ask Sakonji Urokodaki to accept him as an apprentice, and Tsutako followed.
Shinobu Kocho didn't go; she stayed by Sam's side according to her sister's wishes, but it seemed that this girl didn't like Sam very much, as she always looked at him with 'fierce' eyes.
Sam touched his nose, realizing he might have offended Shinobu before.
But...
She could be a good sparring partner.
After all, actual combat is always the best way to improve.
Involuntarily, he smiled.
Although Shinobu couldn't see Sam's expression because of his bamboo hat, she still felt a chill from the bottom of her heart, as if... this demon was planning something mischievous for her.
"Oh... hey~ Do you want to fight?" He pointed a finger at Shinobu.
Shinobu jumped at such a contemptuous gesture.
Shinobu didn't know why she was so sensitive to Sam. Sometimes it was a simple action, or a casual remark, but it easily aroused her.
She even had an intuition that this demon, Sam, might be her nemesis or lifelong rival.
"Annoying demon, don't provoke Miss Shinobu, or Miss Shinobu will make you pay," Shinobu bared her white teeth and threatened Sam angrily.
Sam was unmoved. In his opinion, Shinobu's behavior was a sign of acceptance.
He pulled Kanao Tsuyuri behind him, asking her to stay on the sidelines obediently.
Then he started to face Shinobu.
Bowing down, bending over.
"Boom."
His feet slammed on the ground, and his whole body launched toward Shinobu like a cannonball.
Shinobu's pretty face showed slight annoyance.
"You jerk! Miss Shinobu didn't agree to spar with you."
Just as soon as the words fell, the wind of his thunderous punch hit her head-on.
That punch was thrown with such force, it was conceivable that if it hit, it would really cause damage.
"You jerk, daring to bully me."
Shinobu was really out of breath.
This jerk, as soon as her sister left, he started to bully her. If her sister were here, this jerk wouldn't dare to touch even a hair of hers.
But at this moment, she could only be forced to fight back.
...
The soft moonlight fell on the setting, a boy wearing a bamboo hat and a girl in the standard uniform of the Demon Slayer Corps, their figures moved back and forth in the wide square.
During this period, Sam's strength had improved rapidly, almost forcing Shinobu into a disadvantage.
Compared to the first time the two fought, this time, Shinobu was almost overwhelmed.
"You jerk, jerk!" Shinobu cursed angrily while dodging Sam's punches.
"Boom..."
Another punch came, and the strong wind almost brushed past the girl's fair face. Behind her, a big tree was blown by the strong wind, directly breaking in the middle.
"Damn it, I hate this..." Shinobu gritted her teeth, but there was nothing she could do against Sam, she could only dodge with her super agile steps.
Initially, Shinobu was able to dodge Sam's attacks, but as time passed and her stamina depleted, she finally failed to evade one.
A swinging fist stopped in front of the girl, and the strong wind blew her short black hair.
Her beautiful purple eyes involuntarily closed under the force of the strong wind.
After a while, she didn't feel the expected severe pain.
She opened her eyes involuntarily, and the little troublemaker seemed to shake his head in disappointment.
"It seems... the distance between us is getting farther and farther," he said softly.
Compared to the first time they met, when he and Shinobu were almost evenly matched, now, he had surpassed her.
Even though Shinobu might not be at her full potential, neither was he.
Unknowingly, there was now a little distance between them.
"Miss Shinobu, don't keep standing still!" He grinned and withdrew his fists.
"Damn it, I hate this..." Shinobu clenched her small fists, her chest, which had begun to develop, rising and falling.
"I won't let you underestimate me," Shinobu declared, throwing her fist away angrily.
Seeing Shinobu's back as she left, Sam shook his head slightly. In fighting demons, Shinobu's strength wasn't enough.
There couldn't be a moment of relaxation.