"Eh? You've seen a demon too?"
The only reason Kochou Kanae was even outside so soon after her surgery was Nightingale's advice—walking outdoors would aid her recovery, and the fresh air was good for her lungs.
If your doctor and savior makes a suggestion, of course you listen. Besides, who would choose to stay in bed and turn into a mummy when you could go outside?
Hearing that Kanae needed fresh air, Afune led her to a small stream near the village.
The air by the creek was cool and moist. Warm golden sunlight scattered over the moving water, making it look like sparkling pearls were resting quietly along the current.
"Yes! A vicious demon suddenly broke into my house, so I had to run into the forest with Tasuke. Just when we were about to be caught, we ran into Nightingale onee-san."
Afune had rolled her pants up above her knees, feet dangling in the stream. She wiggled her toes in the water, enjoying the chill as she told Kanae about her experience.
"Nightingale onee-san is really amazing. At the time, I was just hoping I wouldn't slow her down—I even wanted Nightingale onee-san to take Tasuke and run, leave me behind. But then—bam! Bam! Pow!—she took care of that scary demon just like that."
Afune waved her hands dramatically, determined to show just how cool Nightingale had been, looking both animated and a little silly.
"Really, really? Afune, you're so mature for your age."
Kanae's gaze grew softer, the tenderness in her eyes as gentle as sunlight on water.
She was an older sister herself, so it was easy for her to empathize with Afune—she could see where that premature maturity came from, and her heart ached a little at the thought.
"Nightingale-san really is strong," Kanae agreed with a nod. "When I saw her beat that powerful demon right in front of me, I was shocked."
"Nightingale onee-san is a little scary when she fights…"
With a splash, Afune lifted her foot, the water droplets catching the sun and glittering as they flew.
Then Afune's lips pouted, her tone tinged with frustration.
"But nobody in the village believes me… They say man-eating demons are just old legends, something stubborn elders made up to scare kids…"
If ordinary people really were quick to believe in demons, Kanae and the others would actually have a headache.
For humans used to thinking of themselves as the top of the food chain, the existence of predators like demons—creatures that hunted people—was a truth that would shatter society's peace. The ripple effects would be enormous.
Not just the Ubuyashiki family, but every upper-class group that knew the truth about demons had made a conscious effort to hide it from the public, so as not to disrupt society.
And demons had always been few in number. Kibutsuji Muzan himself was paranoid about making too many, and the Demon Slayer Corps had spent a thousand years hunting them down. The number of people who had ever seen a demon was extremely small.
Even though Afune had witnessed Nightingale's mind-blowing battle with her own eyes, since no one else believed demons existed, she had no one to share her story with. The frustration had been bottled up in her chest for days.
"Grandpa Yutaro always said, 'Once the sun sets, man-eating demons will appear—and demon slayers will hunt them to protect us.'"
Afune's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Now that I think about it, Nightingale onee-san really is a demon slayer, right? That must be why she appeared in the forest to save me and Tasuke!"
Kanae: "???"
When she first met Nightingale, Kanae had also assumed she was a backup from the Demon Slayer Corps.
But Nightingale didn't know any Breathing Styles, nor did she wear the Corps' uniform.
And with power like that, if she were actually a Corps member, she would definitely be one of the Hashira.
More importantly—after waking up, Kanae had sent her kasugai crow to headquarters to report her survival and ask for information about Nightingale. The answer was clear: for all her overwhelming strength, Nightingale was nothing more than an "ordinary person" who had never learned any Breathing Technique.
So this is what people mean when they say "masters are hidden among the people"… I wonder how powerful Nightingale-san would become if she learned a Breathing Style?
Kanae actually knew of someone similar—Stone Hashira Himejima Gyomei. Even before joining the Corps, he could pulverize a demon with his bare hands, and when it regenerated, he'd just keep pounding it until sunrise.
But back then, Gyomei's opponent was just a weak demon with no blood demon art. Nightingale had taken down Upper Moon Two. That was an entirely different league.
So if Nightingale-san did learn a Breathing Style, would she be even stronger than Himejima-san?
Though the thought lingered in her mind, Kanae knew her first priority was to clear up Afune's misunderstanding.
"Afune, have you considered… maybe—"
Kanae was met with Afune's bright, expectant eyes, and the awkwardness caught in her throat.
"Maybe I'm the demon slayer, and Nightingale-san is… just a regular doctor? Or, well, a nurse?"
Afune, ever direct and innocent, blurted out her doubts as she caught Kanae's evasive gaze.
"But Kanae onee-san, weren't you almost killed by the demon?"
"..."
Your words are a little too sharp.
Watching the clouds drift and listening to the symphony of water and wind, Kanae felt a rare sense of relaxation.
I'm banned from using Flower Breathing and have to breathe like a normal person… Can't she go easy on me? Does she know how hard I worked to master [Total Concentration Constant]…
Recalling Nightingale's instructions, Kanae felt the urge to sigh.
The full name of the technique was [Total Concentration Breathing]. By using a special rhythm, swordsmen could strengthen their bodies. But shifting breathing patterns in battle caused stress and made the effects less consistent, so the best swordsmen strove for [Total Concentration Constant]—maintaining the special breathing all day, even while sleeping.
Compared to ordinary [Total Concentration Breathing], "Constant" provided a bigger, more lasting boost. Every Hashira mastered it—Kanae, as the Flower Hashira, was no exception.
Keeping up the technique even while asleep was grueling, but Nightingale had forbidden her from using it.
What's wrong with your body? Besides the part of your lungs and trachea I had to remove because of necrosis, all your other organs and systems have hidden injuries too. I fixed them all.
Remember this—if you don't know how to care for your body, I'll teach you myself, in a way you'll never forget!
And that special breathing technique? You're not allowed to use it. Your freshly-healed respiratory system can't take the strain. For at least three years, you absolutely can't use that breathing method! Even after that, you're not allowed to use the corresponding sword techniques! Those reckless moves just trade your future for a little power right now. I really want to ask: what kind of idiot came up with such a dangerous style? Did he think everyone else was a monster like him?
Nightingale's advice was pure medical logic—save your life first, never mind if you can't fight anymore. Kanae understood it in her head… but the idea of never fighting again made her panic.
"No, Nightingale-san! I'm the Flower Hashira—I can't be out of commission…"
"That has nothing to do with me! I'm just a nurse. My duty is to save lives, and I'll punish anyone who gets in the way, even if it's the patient! When I pull someone back from death's door, it's not so they can throw themselves back onto the battlefield!"
Kanae's attempt to negotiate was doomed from the start. She'd thought she could reason with Nightingale, but even as an Archer, Nightingale still had her EX rank [Madness Enhancement] skill. It was only out of concern for Kanae's health after surgery that Nightingale limited herself to verbal warnings instead of "physical persuasion." Kanae really should count her blessings.
…
"Uwahhh—"
Early that morning, Kanae yawned hugely as she sprawled on a deck chair outside, even squeezing out a few sleepy tears.
"Good morning, Kanae onee-san! Isn't the weather beautiful today?"
"Morning, Afune. This sunshine feels so good… I could just fall asleep right here…"
Afune heard the fatigue in Kanae's lazy voice and asked, puzzled, "Onee-san, haven't you been sleeping well these days?"
"Ugh… How could I be sleeping well?"
Normally, as a Hashira, Kanae was used to acting at night, hunting demons. Bad sleep should have been rare—but here she was, more tired than ever.
And the culprit was, at that very moment, stepping outside with her travel bag, looking perfectly nonchalant.
"Nightingale onee-san, good morning! Are you making house calls today?"
Afune greeted her with a sunny smile.
"Yes. There are a few patients I need to check up on today. It's time for their regular exams, so I want to confirm their condition hasn't worsened."
Compared to Afune's cheer, Nightingale sounded a bit frosty, but the gentle smile on her lips showed she wasn't really unapproachable.
Then Nightingale glanced at Kanae—because Kanae had been staring at her ever since she came out.
"What is it? Why are you staring? Is there something on my face?"
Faced with Nightingale's innocent, questioning gaze, Kanae narrowed her eyes.
"You're really energetic, aren't you, Nightingale-san."
"Naturally. I still have to keep working to protect everyone's health. I know exactly where my battlefield is."
"..."
Looking at the smile on Nightingale's face, Kanae suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
The reason she was so tired was none other than Nightingale.
Nightingale had warned her repeatedly not to use her Breathing Technique—but something that deeply ingrained isn't so easy to quit. During the day, Kanae could manage, but at night, while sleeping, she'd unconsciously slip back into [Total Concentration Breathing].
And then, Nightingale would wake her up.
Nightingale: "Wake up! Start over!"
Kanae: "Why?!"
Nightingale: "Your breathing rhythm's wrong!"
This had been the routine for days. The only reason Kanae wasn't completely falling apart from exhaustion was that years of slaying demons at night had built up her stamina.
Every time Kanae even started using her breathing, Nightingale would be there to wake her.
After one such awakening, Kanae finally couldn't take it anymore and blurted out her confusion.
"Nightingale-san, you've been watching me every night… Don't you need to sleep? You're busy treating people during the day too, aren't you?"
Nightingale answered calmly.
"Your concern is unnecessary, Kochou-san. My sleep quality is excellent—I can fall asleep in one second, and even monitor your breathing while I sleep. If I detect a problem, I'll wake myself up within a second to wake you. So there's no need to worry about my rest."
Kanae's jaw dropped.
Wait, what? Is that even possible?
Is she even human?
"Don't be late coming home…"
Kanae flopped back onto the chair, suddenly feeling ridiculous for being so worked up.
If I remember right, my little sister should be arriving to pick me up in a day or two. I'll introduce you all… But don't be too shocked by how cute my sister is, okay?
At the mention of her sister, Kanae's tone grew proud.
The moment she finished, Nightingale froze for a split second, then turned back and shot her a stern, piercing look.
"Your sister… she's not using that terrible Breathing Technique too, is she?"
"..."
Kanae's proud smile instantly froze on her face.
Looks like there will be even more patients needing Nightingale's hospital bed…
---
T/N: LMAOOOOO the entire corps will become patients...