When Yōsuke returned inside, he found the Kochō sisters still awake, their faces flushed as they continued practicing their Breathing techniques.
"Why aren't you two asleep yet?"
Shinobu quickly answered, "Sister and I… we want to get stronger as soon as possible!"
"Training isn't something achieved overnight," Yōsuke said calmly. "You must balance work and rest. Only by resting well will you have the energy to train properly the next day."
At his insistence, Kanae and Shinobu reluctantly lay down on their futons. Yōsuke extinguished the candle, plunging the room from warm light into complete darkness.
Ever since that night when the demon attacked and their parents were slain, the sisters had developed a fear of the dark. Sleep came to them only with great difficulty.
Shinobu's trembling voice whispered into the blackness:
"Master… are you still there?"
"Sleep peacefully," Yōsuke replied softly. "I'm right here."
Reassured by his voice, the sisters finally relaxed and drifted into slumber.
Leaning against the window, Yōsuke gazed up at the moon while listening to their quiet breathing.
I wonder… how are Hakuji and the others faring now?
In the days that followed, the sisters would rise at dawn to practice their Breathing techniques.
Because Yōsuke could not step into sunlight, he guided them from within the shelter of the house.
Their talent was impressive. In just half a month, the two had already mastered the basics of Breathing, and their physical abilities had grown noticeably stronger. When the time was right, Yōsuke entrusted them with the two Nichirin Blades he had acquired, and began instructing them in Water Breathing and its accompanying sword forms.
Seasons passed—spring into autumn, then around again. Two full years went by.
Kanae and Shinobu had blossomed into graceful young maidens.
The shadow left in their hearts from that night of blood and loss had gradually lifted.
Kanae now often wore a gentle smile. She was refined and talented, skilled in koto, flower arranging, and the tea ceremony. Their home overflowed with blossoms she had cultivated, both in the garden and indoors.
Because Yōsuke frequently drank from a sake gourd, Kanae—insisting alcohol was bad for his health—confiscated it, despite his protests that liquor had no effect on a demon. Stubborn as ever, she replaced it with a teapot, and brewed fresh tea for him each day.
Over time, Yōsuke's habit of drinking faded. He now carried a teacup instead, savoring tea at leisure. Kanae would often play the koto for him, filling their days with tranquility.
Shinobu, meanwhile, was completely different from the cool-headed Hashira she would one day become. Cheerful, energetic, and competitive to a fault, she had a touch of airheaded innocence about her. She even raised a goldfish, which she amusingly named Fugu—hoping it would grow as round and plump as a pufferfish.
In terms of swordsmanship, Kanae had already mastered the forms of Water Breathing. Shinobu's progress lagged slightly behind: while she had learned Water Breathing itself, she simply could not grasp the Tenth Form, Constant Flux.
Even so, under Yōsuke's guidance, the sisters had slain many demons and gained valuable real combat experience.
"Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux!"
From outside came Shinobu's spirited voice.
Spinning as she leapt and twisted, she summoned the shape of a water dragon to coil around her blade. Yet just as the dragon was about to fully manifest, it dissipated, and Shinobu fell hard to the ground—her attempt failed again.
Frustrated, she stomped inside.
"Master! Why can't I ever complete this last form?"
Kanae soon returned from her own training and added softly,
"Master… I can use the forms fluently, but something about them always feels… off."
Yōsuke explained patiently:
"All Breathing Styles were derived from Sun Breathing. But techniques created by others may not necessarily suit you. That's why each swordsman must eventually shape their own style—a derivative that matches their spirit. That is something I cannot do for you. You must discover it yourselves."
Kanae's eyes flickered thoughtfully; the seed of inspiration had taken root in her mind.
Shinobu, however, clenched her fists, stubborn as ever.
"Then I'll prove it! Master, just watch—I will master the Tenth Form of Water Breathing!"
Yōsuke smiled faintly. "Then do your best, little Shinobu."
Bolstered by his encouragement, she dashed outside once more to resume practice.
Kanae, ever gentle, noticed the teapot on the table was empty. With quiet care, she brewed another pot of tea for Yōsuke.
He lifted the steaming cup, took a sip, and savored it slowly.
"Bitter at first… but the aftertaste is incomparably sweet. An excellent tea."
Kanae's smile was warm.
"Two years have passed. At last, Master can appreciate its true flavor."
Inhaling the fragrant steam, Yōsuke murmured, almost to himself:
"Yes… two years already. I wonder if you'll come to regret the choice you made that day.
Kanae, with your skill, you could open a teahouse or a flower shop and flourish.
And Shinobu—though impatient—has real talent for medicine. She could easily inherit her family's clinic."
Kanae refilled his cup and answered gently:
"Neither of us has ever regretted our decision. On the contrary—if we had missed that chance to meet you, that would have been the true regret."
Yōsuke studied her face seriously.
"To be honest, Kanae… you are not suited to be a demon slayer. You're far too kind—even to demons, you harbor compassion, wishing for humans and demons to coexist. It makes me question whether training you to be a slayer was the right decision."
Kanae smiled, bright yet resolute.
"When Shinobu and I swore to fight demons together, we had already prepared ourselves to sacrifice everything for the sake of others' happiness. Demon slaying isn't only about killing—it's about releasing demons from the chains of their sorrowful fate. Besides, haven't we gotten along wonderfully with you, Master?"
Yōsuke sighed helplessly.
"You… You seem so gentle, yet inside you are stubborn beyond measure."
"Then I must have learned it from you, Master. Aren't you just the same?
You healed the wounds in Shinobu's and my hearts.
Even though you lived as a wanderer, you chose to settle here for our sake, to guide us.
You know we fear the dark, so you always wait until we've fallen asleep before slipping away.
You can't cook, and yet clumsily you still prepare food, taking care of our needs.
And whenever we hunt demons alone, you secretly follow us to watch over us. Even if I can't see you, I can feel it—Master, you've never once left us."
From behind, Kanae suddenly embraced him, resting her cheek against his shoulder, her voice soft and earnest:
"I… love you most of all, Master."
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