After listening to Mizuki's words, Tomioka Giyu's expression visibly softened considerably.
"I believe that if I could have Mr. Giyu's help, it would provide great assistance to my cultivation." Mizuki's words were devoid of any pretense or falsehood, filled with sincerity.
Living longer doesn't necessarily mean being superior to others; everyone's talent is unique.
Perhaps the 'Nagi' Move isn't as good as her Moves, but there might still be something worth learning from it.
Only by absorbing the strengths of others can one become stronger.
Facing Mizuki's sincere eyes, Tomioka Giyu stated frankly, "Just call me Giyuu."
*Click*~
Tanjirou's mouth dropped open.
He was won over!
Mr. Giyu was won over!
Even that indifferent expression looked much kinder in Tanjirou's eyes.
If he had to describe it in one sentence, he felt it was a bit like the puppy in town that used to bare its teeth at him, but after he fed it twice, its eyes became clear.
Mizuki smiled subtly, "Alright, then I'll leave it to Giyuu."
Her choice of address usually depended on the degree of acquaintance and the personality of the other party.
For polite and steady people she wasn't very familiar with, like Tomioka Giyu and Kochou Kanae, she was happy to use the honorifics Mr. or Young Miss.
For lively and enthusiastic people like Kanroji Mitsuri and Rengoku Kyojuro, she preferred to call them by their names.
As for someone explosive like Sanemi Shinazugawa, she would impolitely call him 'brat' or 'kid'.
In any case, judging by age, she certainly had the right to say that.
This was one of the few things Mizuki was satisfied with regarding her age.
"Wait a moment." Tomioka Giyu bowed slightly and left the training hall with a slightly cheerful pace.
Tanjirou seized the opportunity to ask, "Young Miss Mizuki, is this what you meant?"
At this moment, he finally understood what Mizuki meant when she said Mr. Giyu's words should be interpreted in reverse.
"Yes, Tanjirou, you should be able to sense it too, right?" Mizuki raised her index finger and said with a smile, "Giyuu is actually cold on the outside but warm on the inside."
"Logically speaking, people with this kind of personality might seem difficult to get along with initially, but you'll grow to like them once you interact with them."
Tanjirou chimed in, "But Mr. Giyu doesn't seem to have a very good relationship with the others."
Mizuki laughed, "Because he isn't very good at speaking. What he intends to express is often the exact opposite of what he actually says."
"Combined with that expressionless face, it looks like he's mocking people."
"Uh..." Tanjirou sweated a little, involuntarily recalling what Mr. Giyu had said yesterday at the Hashira Meeting.
'I am different from you.'
Paired with that face, it really wasn't surprising that Mr. Shinazugawa got angry.
Nezuko pumped her fist encouragingly, "Brother! Let's become friends with Mr. Giyu!"
"We can definitely establish a friendly relationship with him."
Tanjirou's spirits lifted, "Oh! Nezuko! You got this!"
"Oh oh!!" Nezuko copied him, cheering twice.
Mizuki: "..."
Are you guys monkeys?
While the three of them were talking, Tomioka Giyu returned holding a booklet.
Giyuu handed the booklet to Mizuki and said flatly, "I can't teach you. This contains notes I've written down; just take a look."
Tanjirou: It sounds like, 'I can't teach a useless person like you, just take these notes and read them.'
Mizuki replied with a smile, "Thank you. I'll bring it back to you when we meet for the special training."
Giyuu frowned slightly and said plainly, "I won't be participating in the special training."
"Is that so? Then I won't disturb you." Mizuki stood up, preparing to leave now that she had the item, and bowed slightly toward Tomioka Giyu to express her gratitude.
Mizuki wasn't surprised. If he were that easy to persuade, she wouldn't have needed to bring Tanjirou along.
Compared to her, Tanjirou, who had interacted with Giyuu more and left a deeper impression on him, had a greater chance of persuading him.
No, not a chance—a certainty.
Other things aside, the protagonist's Talk no Jutsu is definitely the most effective.
But when Tomioka Giyu heard it... "won't disturb"?
She means they are leaving, right?
Tomioka Giyu's eyes brightened.
Although he still wanted to talk to this person a bit more, it was indeed better to not be disturbed.
Go on, all of you, leave.
"Ah, goodbye, Young Miss Mizuki." Tanjirou smiled and waved goodbye to Mizuki.
Nezuko waved, "Goodbye, Yuko-san~"
..."Eh?" Tomioka Giyu was stunned for a moment, "...You guys aren't leaving?"
After watching Mizuki leave the training hall, Tanjirou turned around, smiling, "We're not leaving~"
"I still want to invite Mr. Giyu to participate in the special training."
Tomioka Giyu:...This is truly bothersome.
"Also, Nezuko wants to thank you for what happened that day." Tanjirou patted Nezuko's shoulder.
Nezuko bowed, "Mr. Giyu, thank you very much..."
"No..." Tomioka Giyu subconsciously raised his hand, but stopped it mid-air, "You guys want to thank me, right?"
He actually didn't want to accept gratitude from others.
But this time was an exception.
Tanjirou replied cheerfully, "Yes!"
Nezuko held both fists to her chest, "Mr. Giyu, just say the word! We will definitely do our best..."
*Bang!*
went the sound.
Tomioka Giyu slammed the door shut fiercely.
The siblings stood alone in front of the door... *Whoosh*~
A wisp of breeze swept past, carrying away the dust in front of the house.
The siblings turned their heads toward each other, left and right, their dot-like eyes meeting. They both saw confusion and numbness in the other's gaze.
Were they... kicked out?
..."Nani?! Tanjirou gets to attend the special training later because he has to invite the Water Hashira?" Zenitsu showed a shocked expression after hearing about this.
Tanjirou, holding his rice bowl, nodded and said, "Yeah, because Mr. Giyu still seems very..."
Before he could finish, Zenitsu grabbed his hand with an enthusiastic expression.
Zenitsu patted the back of Tanjirou's hand solemnly and said, "Leave it to me."
"I shall be the one to persuade Mr. Giyu."
"Eh? Zenitsu, do you know Mr. Giyu?" Tanjirou asked in surprise.
Zenitsu paused for a moment, "Uh... Yes, I do!"
Kochou Shinobu said expressionlessly, "He just doesn't want to go to the special training, right?"
Mizuki's eye twitched slightly. If Zenitsu went, she wasn't sure what the others would think, but Giyuu would probably be very pleased.
Because this guy Zenitsu just wants to slack off, he definitely won't genuinely try to convince Giyuu to go to the special training.
Zenitsu argued, "Young Miss Shinobu! You are insulting my character!"
"Do you even have a character?" Kochou Shinobu asked with a fake smile.
Zenitsu waved his hand righteously, "It doesn't matter if you insult my character, but it would be terrible if it caused little Nezuko to misunderstand me."
"Is that so? Then why don't I leave the task of persuading Giyuu to you?" Mizuki said expressionlessly.
Zenitsu's eyes lit up, but before he could rejoice, he heard Mizuki say plainly again.
"It doesn't matter if you miss the special training; I can just give you one-on-one instruction."
Zenitsu's face froze, "No need. I think it's better to leave such a good opportunity to Tanjirou."
Compared to being beaten up by a group of Hashira, he felt Young Miss Mizuki was more dangerous.
At least, the former definitely wouldn't be life-threatening.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
Check it out if you're curious.