Mitsuri Kanroji had been troubled lately.
She was nearing marriageable age. Girls her age were getting engaged, one after another. But she... Nothing.
She'd been different since she was a child.
She ate a lot. She was strong. Her body was terrifying.
As a child, she'd been proud. But as she grew older, her special nature became a burden.
She was stronger than any man. It seemed no one dared to love her.
She was a girl. She wanted a husband stronger than her. That wish, too, seemed impossible.
Her parents didn't mind. They told her it was okay if she didn't marry. But a girl had to marry! Didn't she?
She longed for love. She yearned for it.
Lost in her worries, Mitsuri walked out of town, into a forest.
The light faded. The shadows deepened. Then, she realized how far she'd walked.
"Oh, dear! I walked too far! I need to go back!"
Mitsuri covered her mouth, turned to leave.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
A strange sound came from the woods. She stopped, looked inside, curious.
"What's that?"
The trees were thick. The shadows were deep. She couldn't see anything.
"What should I do?"
Mitsuri blinked. Curiosity warred with caution.
"Maybe... I should look?"
She glanced around, nervous. She tiptoed inside.
She wasn't worried about her safety.
Her strength was a burden, but it had its perks. Safety was one.
She was a good fighter!
Even sumo wrestlers were no match for her.
The sound grew louder as she walked deeper into the woods.
She climbed a small hill. The trees opened. Mitsuri looked ahead, curious.
Then, her eyes widened.
Aoki stood before a boulder, in an Aoki Style stance.
"Aoki Style, Death's Grip!"
He moved.
A jab, a low kick, a sweeping strike. The moves seemed random, not fast. But they flowed together, a strange rhythm. Like the ocean, wave after wave, endless, relentless, choking.
"Aoki Style, Tempest!"
Aoki's moves changed.
Fists, elbows, knees, feet... Every part of his body became a weapon. He struck the boulder with a wild, complex rhythm.
Thump, thump, thump!
The sound of drums exploded in the air.
The boulder cracked, chipped. More cracks appeared.
Boom!
The boulder shattered. Pieces flew everywhere.
"Yes!"
Aoki's eyes shone with joy.
He'd created two killing moves. He'd mastered the basics of Aoki Style. His fighting style was taking shape.
"The rock... It broke?"
Mitsuri covered her mouth. She was shocked, thrilled.
Her muscles were eight times denser than a normal person's. She'd been stronger than sumo wrestlers since she was a child. She'd never seen anyone stronger than her.
But she couldn't have broken that rock.
Was this real?
Was there someone that strong?
She wanted to see better. She leaned forward, then stumbled. Thump! Her face hit the ground.
"Ouch!"
"Who's there?" Aoki whirled.
"Oh, dear! I'm caught!"
Mitsuri stepped out, a little embarrassed.
"Hello! It's you again! I didn't mean to spy. I heard a strange noise. I wanted to look."
"It's you!"
Aoki rubbed his forehead.
Careless!
Mitsuri had gotten too close. He hadn't noticed.
If she'd been an enemy... The thought made him shiver.
He'd been too focused on Death's Grip and Tempest. He'd let his guard down.
This world was full of enemies. He had to stay alert.
He pushed the thoughts away. He spoke to Mitsuri. "Hello, Miss Kanroji. It's good to see you."
Mitsuri's eyes lit up. "Oh? You know me?"
"I've heard of you," Aoki said.
The Kanroji house wasn't far from Aoki Dojo. Mitsuri was famous in the area. Everyone knew the big eater, the strong girl.
Mitsuri's face fell. "It's those bad rumors, isn't it?"
"Bad rumors?"
Aoki picked up the Demon Brew Gourd and the Sun-Blocking Hat. He spoke casually. "Miss Kanroji, strength isn't bad. People envy and fear you. That's why they say those things.
You have a great gift. You're blessed."
"Really?"
Mitsuri looked at him, wide-eyed. "What's the gift for? Will anyone love me like this?"
Aoki looked at Mitsuri. He smiled, a small, genuine smile. "You should be more confident. Compared to you, most people are just ordinary.
What's the gift for? So many things. You could earn more doing hard labor than most people make in a lifetime!"
He hadn't wanted to get close to Mitsuri.
If she joined the Demon Slayer Corps, they might become enemies.
It would be a mess.
But he wouldn't act like she was a monster. He wouldn't be cold.
Worrying about what might happen was foolish.
Giggle!
Mitsuri laughed, her eyes crinkling. "Then, compared to you, I'm ordinary!"
Aoki shook his head. "It's different. Most strong people get strong through training. You were born strong."
"Training? Can ordinary people train to be as strong as you?" Mitsuri touched her chin, curious.
"Call me Aomura," Aoki said.
He added, "It takes talent to train, too. Some people are stronger than me."
Breathing Styles took talent. Few people became Pillars.
"There are people that strong!"
Mitsuri's world seemed brighter. She was excited. "Aomura, are you going to train more? Can I watch?"
"No, I'm done for today," Aoki said, shaking his head.
"Then, let's walk back together!"
Mitsuri didn't seem disappointed. She smiled, bright and warm.
"I've been worried about my body lately. I came here today because of that. But I'm glad I did..."
They walked back. Mitsuri was excited. She'd met someone like her. She talked about herself, a torrent of words tumbling out.
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