"You really slept for a long time!" Kyoujurou said softly, looking at Yoizumi, whom he hadn't seen in ages.
"But... it's wonderful that you woke up!"
"Mhm!" Kyoujurou sat across from Yoizumi, arms crossed over his chest, staring at Yoizumi's appearance, which was exactly the same as a year ago, unchanged. At this moment, Kyoujurou's heart finally settled.
"Kyoujurou, why did you open a dojo?"
Yoizumi nodded towards Senjuro, thanked him, and took the snack. He first handed one to Shinobu, then took small bites of his own while speaking.
"The Demon King is dead, so perhaps Breathing Styles won't be needed anymore in the future."
"However, the legacy of the Rengoku family cannot be broken."
"Flame Breathing has been passed down through our clan for generations, and I want to continue it."
"In a different way."
As he spoke, the light in Kyoujurou's eyes shone intensely like an eternal, unquenchable flame. His dignified and righteous appearance was exactly the same as he had been on the Infinity Train.
Yoizumi looked at Kyoujurou like this and thought... perhaps even when Kyoujurou became an old man... he would always be this kind of person... an unquenchable flame.
"As expected of Mr. Rengoku," Shinobu sighed softly.
"Oh, right! Regarding the thanks and apologies I owe Yoizumi..." Kyoujurou stood up and walked to the door, standing against the light. The sunlight streaming in from outside pierced through his owl-like hair tips, and the bright smile on his face was very reassuring.
"How about I repay both with roasted sweet potatoes?"
"...?"
Roasted... sweet potatoes?
Yoizumi, who had never truly expected Kyoujurou to apologize or thank him, widened his eyes slightly, unable to react immediately.
"Swish, swish..."
After burning some charcoal, Kyoujurou threw a few sweet potatoes inside, gathered fallen leaves with a broom, piled a thick layer of leaves on top, and enthusiastically poked at them with a stick.
"In autumn, you absolutely must eat roasted sweet potatoes!"
"And eating them with friends is the best combination!"
Shinobu watched Kyoujurou with a chuckle. As the Flame Pillar, he was a very reliable and trustworthy comrade... As a friend, Mr. Kyojuro was only a year older than her, a contemporary.
The occasional immature side he displayed truly made it difficult for her to get used to him.
Yoizumi squatted beside Kyoujurou, quietly observing the smile on Kyoujurou's face.
Kyoujurou really liked sweet potatoes... when he was at the Butterfly Mansion, he ate sweet potato rice every day.
"Hmph..." Shinjuro stood not far away, watched the group, gave an irritable snort, and slowly walked away, carrying his sake flask.
"Mhm! They're ready!"
Senjuro looked helplessly at his older brother, who was handling the sweet potato just taken from the scorching charcoal pile with his bare hands, and couldn't help but remind him.
"Brother, it's too hot right now."
"This is nothing!" Kyoujurou broke the sweet potato in half in one go, handing one half to his younger brother. Kyoujurou took a bite while it was hot, and the sweet, soft, and glutinous sweet potato made his eyes sparkle even brighter.
"Mhm!"
Yoizumi stared at the steaming sweet potato in his hand. With a slight effort, he split it in two and brought the sweet potato in his left hand closer to Shinobu's face.
"Thank you~" Shinobu raised her hand to take it, but Yoizumi pulled it back. Seeing her look confused, Yoizumi explained.
"It's hot. I'll hold it for Shinobu."
"I see..."
Smiling at Yoizumi, Shinobu leaned in slightly and said softly.
"Then Yoizumi, please blow on it for me~"
"Okay."
He lowered his gaze and earnestly blew on the sweet potato. Once he felt it had cooled down sufficiently, he offered it back to Shinobu's mouth. Shinobu tucked the strands of hair falling near her ear behind it and lowered her head to take a bite.
It was so sweet... Yoizumi took a bite himself, and the soft, sweet flavor filled his mouth.
He seemed to understand... why Kyoujurou liked sweet potatoes.
"Are you heading back now?" Kyoujurou asked, hands on his hips, watching Yoizumi and Shinobu holding hands.
"Yes, we won't trouble you any longer."
Shinobu nodded slightly. Mr. Kyojuro still needed to handle matters concerning the dojo, and since it was getting late, they should return.
"It's not a bother at all! You are welcome here anytime!"
Raising his hand, Kyoujurou patted Yoizumi's shoulder. His bright orange-red eyes met the sapphire eyes, and Kyoujurou smiled, his booming voice continuing.
"Come to the dojo when you have time; we can have a match."
"You haven't gotten rusty after sleeping for so long, have you?"
"The loser has to treat the other to ramen!"
Yoizumi's lips curved slightly, and he softly hummed his agreement.
"Okay, I won't lose."
"Hahahahaha, excellent! Yoizumi is very confident!" Kyoujurou laughed heartily. "I won't lose either!"
Shinobu watched the two of them, chuckling softly. Her gaze then fell upon Yoizumi's face, her expression gentle.
Yoizumi has changed so much... He is completely different from before.
Yoizumi, realizing Shinobu was looking at him, turned and smiled at her.
Her magnificent purple eyes shimmered with warmth, and Shinobu gripped Yoizumi's hand tightly.
He is gradually approaching the mindset appropriate for his age.
"Well then, we'll be going now. Goodbye, Mr. Kyojuro," Shinobu said.
"Mhm!"
Watching the two of them walk away, a gentle smile appeared on Kyoujurou's face.
Everyone is doing well... Next time, I should invite Uzui too... and Muichiro as well... Everyone can roast sweet potatoes together.
It will definitely be lively!
Kyojuro Rengoku likes excitement.
"Alright! Let's keep up the effort!"
"Set your heart ablaze!"
Brother... is full of enthusiasm... Senjuro thought silently.
"Yoizumi, this isn't the way back to the Butterfly Mansion," Shinobu said, looking at the nearby street.
"Mhm, I have a place I want to go," Yoizumi nodded.
"Where are you taking me, Yoizumi~"
Poking Yoizumi's arm, Shinobu tilted her head slightly and said with a smile.
"A flower shop."
Walking up to the entrance of the flower shop, Yoizumi picked up a few rose bushes, then looked at Shinobu.
"Shinobu, the money."
Shinobu looked at the roses in Yoizumi's hand, then prepared to take coins out of her purse, saying as she did so.
"You don't need to buy them for me."
"Huh...?" Yoizumi paused his movement to reach for the money.
Noticing this, Shinobu immediately put the money away. Narrowing her eyes, she raised her hand and "lightly" placed it on Yoizumi's waist, her tone very flat.
"What? They aren't for me?"
"Then who is Yoizumi giving them to?"
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