This day's meeting, Giyuu arrived latest.
Almost the moment before Kagaya came over, climbed over the wall. Plopped down into the courtyard.
Drew everyone's attention.
He also looked travel-worn. Face stained with some dust. At a glance had rushed here. Never stopped to rest.
Seeing everyone's gazes fall on him, Giyuu uncomfortably turned his head away. Patted mud spots and fallen snow from his body. Walked over to stand in his usual position.
During the meeting, finally no one stared at him anymore. But after the meeting ended, Sabito and Ritsuka still came over. Seemed to be asking what accident happened on the road.
According to custom, after meetings everyone ate a meal together. Also a rare day in the year when everyone gathered.
I was originally helping Amane prepare lunch. But Ritsuka suddenly snuck in furtively. Tugged my sleeve.
"Miss Chihaya, Giyuu has something to tell you."
I felt somewhat strange. Didn't know what matter—he didn't mention it during the meeting just now, yet had to secretly find Ritsuka to pass a message.
Followed her into a quiet side room. Inside sat not only Giyuu and Sabito, but also Muichiro.
Though he sat there, he only played with a paper crane. Expression on his face still cold. Looked completely indifferent to what was happening before him.
Ritsuka obviously didn't worry about Muichiro having any special reaction. After entering, pushed Giyuu once. Sat down beside Muichiro.
Sabito said: "Lady Chihaya has already come. Whatever the matter, just speak up, Giyuu."
Giyuu nodded slightly at me in greeting. Then spoke: "Some time ago in a certain mountain, I saved a pair of siblings. The older brother is human. The younger sister was turned into a demon."
Hearing this, even the carelessness on Ritsuka's face disappeared. She and Muichiro, who caught the keyword, both looked up. Expressions like wolves spotting prey.
Giyuu remained motionless. Continued speaking: "She's different from those few I know. Never received Lady Chihaya's blood... But when she had a chance to attack her own brother, instead stood to protect him."
Sabito reacted very quickly. Under Ritsuka's wolf-like gaze, said rapidly: "Where are those siblings? Don't tell me you let them go?"
Giyuu slowly nodded. Ritsuka stood up at once. Gaze became cold: "Releasing a demon created by Muzan is a serious violation of Corps rules. You voluntarily confessed—are you prepared to be punished?"
Sabito tried pulling her arm. Didn't budge her. Could only stand up and block between them. Act as a buffer.
"Calm down. Giyuu doing this must have his reasons. And Giyuu, this is also your fault. Such an important matter—how could you act on your own?"
Ritsuka still looked very angry: "How do you know she won't eat people? What if only her brother is the exception? She'll still eat others! It's not like there haven't been such examples! You're the Water Hashira—is your brain filled with water?!"
Sabito turned his head back. Also dissatisfied, started clamoring: "If you're scolding him, scold him. Why insult the name of Water Breathing?"
If not for the wrong occasion, I'd want to stroke my chin and click my tongue. Couldn't tell these three would have a day of role reversal.
Fortunately they didn't fight. Also remembered there was still me in the room. After bickering a few lines, stopped. Together turned to look at me.
I thought before asking: "Where did those siblings go? Do you know?"
Without seeing with my own eyes, I also couldn't easily affirm either side's viewpoint. Best to go look myself.
If there really was a demon who overcame bloodlust through their own power alone, that would truly be... a miracle.
Giyuu's face still showed no expression. But after being scolded by Ritsuka, his air pressure clearly dropped. Appeared very dejected.
"I guided that young man to Sagiri Mountain to visit Master Urokodaki... If there are no accidents, should be accepted as a disciple by Master Urokodaki."
Sabito was incredulous: "Such an important matter—you even hid it from me!"
Giyuu raised his head. Looked at him with grievance: "Didn't I tell you all now?"
Never mind how Giyuu would be denounced by his two good friends... Since he pointed out the direction, as long as that young man's heart was pure, he should go to Sagiri Mountain.
And after so long, Urokodaki hadn't sent word of anything wrong. So what Giyuu said did have some merit.
"I'll make a trip to Sagiri Mountain. Before then, don't spread this matter."
Those three were fine. Ritsuka angry or not, still couldn't possibly watch Giyuu go receive punishment.
The only problem was Muichiro.
I asked him: "This matter—could you please not tell Kagaya for now?"
Muichiro had been very quiet throughout. Eyes like glass beads gently turned. After a long while, finally nodded once.
I handed him the gift box: "Heard you became the Mist Hashira. This is a gift someone asked me to pass along. Congratulations."
Muichiro's face showed an expression mixing surprise and confusion...
But still took the box. Examined it carefully for a moment. Then said slowly: "Thank you."
This matter was temporarily set aside. I wrote a letter for Daifuku to take back. Told those at home I had business and needed to go out. Might not make it back for New Year's Eve.
If they didn't want to go to the Ubuyashiki estate for New Year's, celebrate themselves. But Ume wasn't allowed to bully Koyuki and Yuichiro.
Regardless of how Ume would squawk after receiving this letter, after leaving the Ubuyashiki estate, I headed for Sagiri Mountain.
Arrived there at midnight. Sagiri Mountain was named for its heavy night fog. Whenever fog rose, couldn't see your hand before your face. Ordinary people unfamiliar with mountain paths didn't dare go up at this time.
This mountain had no special products. Aside from chopping firewood, villagers wouldn't go into the mountains... So Urokodaki used it to design a training ground. To temper his disciples.
Speaking of how Urokodaki trained them, whether Sabito or Giyuu, both would show expressions beyond words. Clearly the past was unbearable to recall.
Since Urokodaki retired, I hadn't seen him again. This was my first time coming to his secluded place.
Sagiri Mountain's night fog truly lived up to its reputation. Whether human or demon, treated all equally.
Fine. Though I didn't want to admit it, I had shamefully gotten lost.
After all, I'd never been here before. Getting lost was also quite normal, right?!
I wandered east and west in the mountains. Didn't know where I'd walked to. Could only take it step by step.
When I reached an open hilltop, I was considering whether to keep going forward. Suddenly heard a shout behind me: "Watch out! That's a cliff ahead!"
I stepped back several paces. Turned to look. In the fog appeared a boy. Running over panting.
He raised his head. Eyes bright and brilliant like burning fire. On his left temple was a conspicuous scar. Made my brow jump involuntarily.
Seemed I'd seen him somewhere?
I thought about it. Probably during those two years when I wasn't lucid. I couldn't remember what people I'd seen looked like. But his scent was very familiar.
This familiarity not only came from having met before. But had deeper origins.
Especially after he approached. I saw those hanafuda earrings. Involuntarily reached out my hand.
Ah. Already three hundred years. To think there'd be a day to see them again.
The boy was flustered by my action. I quickly withdrew my hand and asked him: "What's your name?"
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