"Don't say such willful things, Xiao Yang. As a Hashira, each of us bears our own responsibilities; it's not something we can do whatever we want with.
If you really came with me, then who would deal with the demons in your patrol area? And what would happen to the people who encountered demons?
I am already very satisfied with this outcome. Being able to protect all the passengers on the train, this alone is enough to make me have no regrets and feel incredibly happy.
I believe you feel the same way, don't you?"
Kyoujurou said softly to Chiba Yo, a smile on his face, revealing a look of happiness.
Kyoujurou's words left Chiba Yo speechless; what he had just said was indeed a bit willful.
Recalling the grateful expressions of the family he had saved, Chiba Yo lowered his head.
"Mm…"
Knock knock knock…
At that moment, there was a knock on the door of the ward.
Chiba Yo got up and opened the door. A Hidden member stood behind the door, holding a large bag. It looked quite heavy, and he didn't know what was inside.
"Chiba-sama…" The Hidden member greeted Chiba Yo, then placed the large bag on the ground, took a few breaths, and said, "This was received by a member this morning from a little girl with glasses and braids at a Fuji no Ie. She said it was for Rengoku-sama."
"Thank you for your hard work." Chiba Yo said, taking the large bag from the Hidden member's hand. He lifted it easily, and the aroma of beef wafted out of the bag.
"Oh, right, and this." The Hidden member then pulled an envelope from his embrace and handed it to Chiba Yo as well.
"Thank you." Taking the envelope, Chiba Yo smiled at the Hidden member.
"No… No problem!" The Hidden member quickly waved his hand, his face slightly flushed.
Then he looked into the ward and said, "I hope Rengoku-sama recovers soon. When we went for the aftermath, many passengers on the train prayed to the gods for Rengoku-sama's protection, so Rengoku-sama will definitely get better quickly."
After listening to the Hidden member's words, although Chiba Yo hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he could already imagine the scene in his mind.
Teacher Rengoku must be very happy to know this…
Chiba Yo smiled and looked back at Kyoujurou on the bed, noticing that he didn't seem to have heard. So, he thought about telling him later.
"He definitely will!" Chiba Yo said with a smile to the Hidden member.
"Mm." The Hidden member also nodded vigorously, then left.
Turning around, he gently closed the door and returned to the bedside. Chiba Yo told Kyoujurou what the Hidden member had just said.
After listening to Chiba Yo's narration, Kyoujurou lowered his head slightly, revealing a gentle smile.
"Is that so…"
Although he regarded protecting the weak as his duty, receiving such blessings from the people he protected undoubtedly made Kyoujurou feel incredibly pleased.
"Also, these were sent by that Hidden member. He said they were sent to you this morning by a little girl with glasses and braids, through a swordsman."
Chiba Yo took out the letter that the Hidden member had given him earlier and held up the large bag, speaking to Kyoujurou.
Hearing Chiba Yo's words, Kyoujurou recalled the little girl and her grandmother whom he had met and protected at the train station earlier. At the same time, his nose caught a familiar scent.
"Can you read it for me, Xiao Yang?" Kyoujurou said with a smile, looking at the envelope in Chiba Yo's hand.
He was severely injured now and seemed to be in discomfort.
"Yes, Teacher." Chiba Yo nodded in response.
He tore open the envelope, took out the letter paper, and unfolded it, revealing neat handwriting before Chiba Yo.
Then Chiba Yo began to read the contents aloud. Although he had never attended school, his mother had taught him to read and write since he was young, so this was not difficult for him.
"Hello, big brother who looks like an owl. I'm sorry I forgot to ask for your name at the time and can only address you this way.
I am the little girl who sold bento and was saved by you at the train station.
First, thank you very much for saving me and my grandmother at that time. If it weren't for you, we might have already died at the hands of demons. My grandmother and I will forever remember your kindness.
Last night, we heard from several passengers about what happened after you boarded the Infinity Train that day, and we learned that you protected all the passengers from an extremely powerful demon and were severely injured.
After hearing that you were injured, my grandmother and I were very worried and sad. My grandmother and I don't have any other abilities; all we know how to do is make bento.
So, we stayed up all night to make thirty portions of beef hot pot bento for you.
Because we didn't know where you were, we had to inquire about demon slayer swordsmen nearby. Finally, in the early morning, we found a family with a wisteria crest who said they could help deliver it to you.
We don't know when these bento will reach you. If they arrive early, the taste of the bento should not have changed. If you don't mind, please accept them.
However, if there is too long a delay along the way, the bento should no longer taste good. In that case, please throw them away.
We also don't know how your body is now. Have your injuries improved? Can you get up and walk?
My grandmother and I sincerely wish you a speedy recovery, and we will also pray to the gods to bless you.
Finally, one more thing: after learning about the Fuji no Ie, we also plan to help you all who hunt demons at night to protect humans, just like that family!
If there's a chance, big brother, you can visit our home in the future. By then, it should already have the wisteria crest printed on it!"
Reading this letter with a moved heart, Chiba Yo's eyes unknowingly became moist.
The content of this letter made him realize how important and meaningful what he had done was. The connection between people would continue to be passed down and developed like this, eventually turning everyone into a closely-knit collective. With such power, demons could never defeat humans!
"I'm a little hungry, Xiao Yang…" Kyoujurou said softly.
Chiba Yo opened the large bag, and inside, thirty bento boxes were neatly arranged, with "Premium Beef Hot Pot Bento" written on them.
Taking out a bento box, Chiba Yo initially wanted to feed Kyoujurou, but he refused.
Opening the bento, the aroma immediately filled the entire ward. It was clear that the makers had put a lot of effort into preservation.
"Five ants…"