Tong Gu carefully seated himself in the sturdiest part of Minai Shinkawa's "secret garden." The young girl sat a little distance away, hugging her knees with a wary look in her eyes.
He could tell she was troubled—likely because she had gone against her parents' wishes by saving him. To lighten the mood, he changed the topic.
"Is everyone in your village a follower of the Paradise Faith?"
Minai froze, then hesitated before shaking her head vigorously.
"I'm not one of them," she said firmly.
"Nanae… she isn't either."
At the mention of Nanae, the girl's expression shifted to one of worry. She glanced at Tong Gu—his tall frame and the large box strapped to his back—and asked tentatively,
"Are you a Demon Slayer?"
Tong Gu was surprised that someone so young would know about the Demon Slayer Corps. Keeping his composure, he nodded slightly. Minai, a mix of hope and nervousness, pressed on,
"Are you… a Hashira?"
This time, Tong Gu was truly taken aback. For her to even know of the Hashira was unusual.
"Why do you ask? How do you know about the Hashira?" he inquired.
Minai's expression darkened. She clutched her knees tighter, her voice dropping to a near whisper.
"It was Sister Maki who told me. She said… only a Hashira can handle what's happening here. Only a Hashira can save Nanae!"
Her hopeful gaze met his, but Tong Gu slowly shook his head. The light in her eyes dimmed entirely.
"I figured as much," she murmured, her voice trembling. "What are the odds I'd be lucky enough to meet a Hashira…?"
Though she tried to hold back, Tong Gu still caught the faint sound of her sobbing. Before he could respond, an eerie voice outside interrupted.
"That Slayer must've fled far by now. What a hassle. Let's just eat a few of the villagers and call it a night."
Minami instinctively shrank back, her face pale. Another deeper voice cut in.
"Idiot. Doma-sama will turn you into an ice sculpture for that."
Tong Gu's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword. As expected, this town was one of Doma's strongholds.
The first voice grumbled in frustration, letting out a feral roar.
Minai's face turned ashen.
"We've searched the whole village—no human scent left. Just this area. Who's the fool that planted wisteria here?"
Tong Gu, ready to strike, felt Minai tug at his hand. She leaned close, her voice trembling but urgent.
"Mr. Swordsman, can I ask you for a favor?"
He turned slightly, seeing her tear-streaked yet determined face.
Minai slipped off a golden bracelet from her wrist, placing it into his hand.
"Please… escape tomorrow at dawn. Find the Hashira and ask them to save Nanae!"
Her voice was hushed, but the tears streaming down her face betrayed her fear. Memories of Sister Maki, the brave black-clad swordswoman who once fought for her sake, flooded her mind. Drawing strength from those memories, Minai wiped her tears and looked at Tong Gu with newfound resolve.
Tong Gu knew deep down that Sister Maki had likely underestimated Doma's strength. Even the Hashira would struggle against Upper Moon Two. Yet, staring into Minami's resolute eyes, he found himself unable to refuse.
To his surprise, the girl suddenly smiled—a bittersweet, tearful smile. Before he could respond, she nimbly climbed down from the tree.
[You have accepted the Hidden Quest: The Maiden's Request]
[Quest Objective: Notify the Demon Slayer Corps and save Minai Shinkawa before Doma devours her.]
[Quest Reward: Significant boost to final evaluation and the item Maiden's Bracelet.]
Tong Gu glanced at the bracelet in his hand, noticing intricate runes etched into its surface.
Maiden's Bracelet (Quest Item, Sealed)
Below the tree, two man-eating demons had already noticed Minai. Tong Gu gripped his sword, ready to strike if anything went awry.
"Hey, aren't you the shrine maiden…?"
Minai's face paled further, but the fact they recognized her gave her hope that her plan might work. Holding up the bracelet on her right hand, she feigned urgency.
"Nanae fainted because she couldn't find this bracelet! I need to return it to her!"
The demons, aware of Nanae's importance to Doma, decided to abandon their search for the swordsman. One grabbed Minai, and with a flash of movement, they disappeared into the night.
Tong Gu, though ready to unsheath his blade, ultimately let out a sigh and sat back down.
The night passed in tense silence. By morning, the great maple tree was empty.
---
The entertainment district, bustling even in this Taisho era, shone with vibrant lights and lively sounds.
Tong Gu, now dressed as a wandering ronin, strode through the streets. His white yukata, loosely draped to reveal his muscular chest, drew the admiring gazes of passing geisha.
His sharp eyes scanned the women as they passed, but none matched the figure he was searching for. Unable to rely on mere luck, he leaned into the persona he had crafted—a wealthy, aloof drifter.
Trailing behind him was a sharp-eyed boy carrying a narrow wooden box. Hired as a servant, the boy, who introduced himself as Hideyoshi, was skilled at reading the moods of others.
His master, this cold yet generous man, seemed difficult to please. Hideyoshi had noticed he ignored all the prostitutes displayed in the shopfronts, not sparing even a glance at the girls showcased behind glass panels.
"Sir… are you looking for an oiran?" Hideyoshi finally ventured to ask.
Tong Gu paused, his voice calm yet curious.
"You know how to arrange that?"
Hideyoshi's eyes lit up, sensing an opportunity. With a bow, he replied,
"Born and raised in this district, sir. If it's an oiran you seek, I can certainly arrange it."
Tong Gu handed him a pouch of coins.
"Then handle it."
Hideyoshi beamed, already calculating the profits he could make. To meet an oiran, one had to undergo three elaborate steps:
1. Hatsuai (First Meeting): A lavish banquet to invite the oiran to make an appearance, though she could leave at any moment if dissatisfied.
2. Nakaai (Second Meeting): Another banquet where the oiran sits closer, indicating a favorable impression.
3. Juuname (Familiarization): If the oiran is pleased, she would personally come to greet her suitor in an elaborate procession called the oiran dōchū.
Tong Gu, however, wasn't interested in the formalities. His only goal was to find Daki.
"Sir," Hideyoshi asked with a hesitant smile, "any preference?"
Tong Gu, uncertain of Daki's current alias, felt his face flush slightly.
"Beautiful, but… not too mild-mannered," he replied.
Hideyoshi blinked in surprise before nodding quickly.
"As you wish, sir."
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