Shinazugawa's style was completely different from Obanai's.
He seemed like he didn't know what rest was.
Daifuku flew over to find his crow. Came back chirping to tell me... the Wind Hashira went to patrol his territory. The Wind Hashira patrolled his territory once! Twice! Three times!
Anyway, he just wouldn't go home to rest. When he had no missions, he'd walk through his entire territory lap after lap.
Rest a bit. Then keep walking.
I figured even oxen plowing fields would bow down in defeat seeing him.
Because he was always constantly walking, walking, walking. Made me have to solve a math problem before going to find him.
Calculate the speed difference between him and me, and where I should go to find him to meet him just right.
I hate math.
With an attitude of learning more and seeing more, I'd worked hard to understand various knowledge transmitted from the West.
But some subjects—if you're not good at them, you're just not good at them.
So when I found Shinazugawa, I was very unhappy. Probably showed a bit of emotion on my face too.
Shinazugawa glanced at me. Silently walked away. Headed straight to the shop across the street.
After a while, he came back with a fizzing bottle of soda and a pack of jujube cakes. Put them beside me. Still didn't speak.
Honestly, wherever I went, I mooched food and drink. Everyone would treat me to delicious things.
But this was the first time someone ran to buy me soda, with a pack of sweets kids loved most.
I didn't know if he was coaxing me like a child, or if this was just his limited experience with hospitality.
But since he'd already expressed his apology, I still popped open the soda bottle cap and started drinking.
Drinking and drinking, I habitually started chatting again. Asked him: "How have you been lately? It's already very hot now. Be careful of heatstroke when going out."
Shinazugawa glanced at me again. Uncomfortably mumbled a response: "Yes, thank you for your concern."
I asked him again—running around outside every day, what about his three meals, could he adapt to his daily routine.
Though there were Wisteria Houses everywhere that could provide help, sleeping at others' homes and your own home were definitely different.
Perhaps I asked too much. After Shinazugawa reluctantly answered a few sentences, before I could throw out the next question, he said he was preparing to return to his estate to rest for a while.
That's right.
When it's time to rest, you need to learn to rest.
Actually, I also came with a mission.
Heard I'd be guiding each Hashira's training. Though Genya was still somewhat hesitant and timid, he still asked me to send his regards to his older brother.
As a warm-hearted old lady, I of course agreed without hesitation. Very enthusiastically relayed Genya's greetings to him.
Sanemi didn't darken his face. Didn't immediately fly into a rage saying "I don't have that brother" or anything like that.
He just very calmly acknowledged. Then as if casually asked: "That kid... must have caused Himejima-san quite a bit of trouble, right?"
"Not really trouble. Gyomei really likes children. With Genya added, the mountain is livelier too."
Watching him pretend not to care while perking up his ears—so amusing.
I told him in detail about Genya's training at Gyomei's place. Said he'd grown taller, more solid. Never gotten sick. Ritsuka also took very careful care of him.
Shinazugawa said nothing. His shoulders alternately relaxed and tensed. Could see how much he struggled inside.
When I finished speaking, seeing him quiet as a statue, I couldn't help asking: "Are you going to keep pretending to be the villain?"
Not only did I know this—Ritsuka, who was keenly perceptive of others' emotions, also knew.
If she truly hated Shinazugawa, she would've already teamed up with Sabito and the others to secretly ambush him with a sack at night.
Though last meeting was unpleasant, ultimately it was just because of his tone.
Shinazugawa didn't stubbornly deny it. He just lowered his head and thought. Honestly said: "My mother and younger siblings are all gone. Now my only remaining family is Genya. I only hope he lives well. Don't wish for more."
This reason was about what I guessed. Unless like the Rengoku family—generations of inheritance, already tightly bound to the Demon Slayer Corps.
I figured most Corps members didn't want their remaining relatives to suffer alongside them.
But since they were family, that also meant he couldn't act unilaterally.
"Have you been to the Butterfly Estate?"
Shinazugawa seemed to know what I wanted to say. Mm-hmmed: "Kanae's younger sister is also a Corps member. Last time we sparred. Though her body is petite, her combat skills are quite formidable."
"Genya... is completely different. Himejima-san said he has no talent for learning Breathing Styles. Can't even master Breathing Styles—staying in the Demon Slayer Corps, isn't that seeking death?"
When did he even go ask Gyomei about Genya? Gyomei too, really. Was it necessary to hide this from me?
"Shinazugawa, I've lived far longer than you. So I've seen more things." I said. "Want to hear an old person's advice?"
He seemed surprised. But also seemed to guess what I might say. After brief silence, I saw him nod lightly.
"Yes, please enlighten me."
"If you insist on using this method to drive Genya away, you'll definitely regret it in the future. Might even leave irreparable regrets."
I said very seriously. Many scenes flipped through the memories in my mind.
You know, the saddest things in this world are missing out and being too late.
"You treasure Genya. Would he not treasure you as his older brother?"
"Clearly having no talent yet still shamelessly staying in the Demon Slayer Corps—his only wish is just to share your burdens."
Humans are such fragile lives.
Never know whether accidents or tomorrow will arrive first.
Ordinary swordsmen encountering strong enemies can still hope for stronger comrades to help.
But Hashira rarely have that chance. They often can't hold out until reinforcements arrive.
I asked him: If one day you'll be separated forever, will you leave quarrels and disgust in the last meeting you give him?
Shinazugawa's silence lasted far longer than before. All the way until returning to his estate, he finally opened his mouth to thank me.
"Thank you for your guidance. Before this, I seemed to have fallen into a dead end." He said very politely and guiltily. "Also, at our first meeting, not knowing the truth, I rashly attacked you. I'm very sorry."
Up to here it was still fairly normal. But the next second, he held out his sword. Sincerely said he'd cut off my hand back then.
As compensation, I could stab that blade back. Even stabbing a few more times would be fine.
What do you mean "fine"! This person is so scary!
You're telling me—a proper, law-abiding old lady—to commit assault!
But he insisted on making amends and apologizing. No matter what I said, he wanted me to return that blade. Really annoying.
Pushed beyond endurance, I finally kicked him over. Stormed out angrily to buy snacks. And didn't plan to buy him any.
This is what you get for offending me. Hmph.
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