Upon hearing the definitive news, Makomo uncharacteristically lost her composure.
Although she was happy that Giyu Tomioka had passed the Final Selection, the failure of Sabito was something Makomo simply could not believe.
If only one of them could pass the Final Selection at Mount Fujikasane, Makomo felt that no matter what, it should have been Sabito.
After all, compared to Sabito, Giyu Tomioka had always seemed far inferior.
In her memory, when Giyu first arrived at Mount Fujikasane, the impression he gave her was that of someone timid, pessimistic, and constantly discouraged.
His older sister had been killed by a demon while protecting him. Giyu had survived only because she shielded him, allowing him to hide and escape.
Because of this, Giyu often blamed himself. He frequently said gloomy things like, "It would have been better if I had died instead."
At one point, Sabito could no longer tolerate it and slapped him.
Makomo still remembered that day.
After slapping Giyu, Sabito placed both hands on his shoulders and said:
"Your life was preserved because your sister gave everything she had. You have the responsibility to carry on the future she entrusted to you. If you keep living with such pessimism, then you're disrespecting your sister's sacrifice."
It was only after Sabito encouraged him like that that Giyu slowly began to regain his spirit.
In terms of mentality, Sabito had always been stronger than the timid Giyu.
And in terms of strength, he was also far superior to him.
Makomo simply could not understand why the stronger Sabito failed to leave Mount Fujikasane alive, while Giyu successfully passed the exam.
Seeing Makomo's condition, Hiroshi Furukawa stepped forward.
He originally wanted to place a hand on her shoulder to comfort her, but remembering she was a girl, he withdrew his hand.
"You still can't accept it, can you?"
"I know Sabito and Giyu's abilities very well," Makomo said softly. "I just can't understand why Giyu passed the exam. It's not that I think poorly of him. I'm happy he passed… but I can't understand why the stronger one…"
"Actually, this kind of thing is quite common," Furukawa said.
He looked at the charred ruins still burning before them.
"Although I've never met Sabito, I can imagine something. If my guess is correct, Sabito was probably like an older brother to Giyu in daily life, and Giyu likely depended on him a lot."
Makomo looked up at him in surprise.
"Looks like I guessed correctly," Furukawa said.
He turned his gaze back to the burning flames, as if picturing a man blazing like fire.
"In fact, this is probably the responsibility that comes with being strong. Sabito was strong, so naturally he carried the responsibility that a strong person should bear. He would take the most dangerous tasks upon himself."
"Lord Kyojuro Rengoku once told me that those who are stronger should take responsibility for the weak and strive to protect them. That is the mindset a true strong person should have. Sabito was probably exactly that kind of strong person."
"But strong people also face stronger enemies and greater risks."
"So death… is also something that happens often."
Makomo looked at Furukawa and fell silent.
Furukawa rubbed his nose awkwardly.
"These were actually words spoken to me by the Flame Hashira. I'm only repeating them to you."
Then he looked at Makomo again.
"You must feel very sad about Sabito's death. You probably want to cry."
"But grit your teeth."
"Even if your grief is so heavy you can barely stand, you must endure it and keep moving forward."
"Time won't wait for you, and it won't lean toward you to share your sorrow."
"As swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, all we can do is straighten our backs and continue forward."
Makomo unconsciously tightened her grip on her Nichirin sword.
"These are the words Lord Rengoku once told me when I was drowning in pain after losing my companions," Furukawa continued.
"They helped me walk out of my grief."
"Now I'm passing Lord Rengoku's words on to you."
"I hope you can walk out of your sorrow as well."
Under the fox mask, Makomo lowered her head.
"The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku? I have heard his name from Sensei."
"Yes, that's him," said Hiroshi Furukawa.
"Lord Rengoku is a very kind and passionate person. After this demon-hunting mission is finished, I must invite Lord Rengoku to a meal. He once promised me he would come. Lord Rengoku wouldn't break his word—and I… won't either."
When Furukawa spoke about Rengoku, his eyes shone brightly. It was obvious that he deeply admired the Flame Hashira. Makomo could clearly see it—just like how she admired her teacher, Sakonji Urokodaki.
"I understand what you said," Makomo replied softly.
"I'll remember it."
She raised her head and looked at the slowly rising sun.
Warm sunlight fell beneath the girl's fox mask, a faint glow outlining her pale chin. A gentle breeze blew, lifting strands of her black hair into the air.
Furukawa happened to glance at that moment.
He quickly turned his head away, suppressing the strange pounding in his chest, silently gripping the hilt of his Nichirin sword.
From the moment they became swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, everyone understood what kind of life awaited them.
Because of that, many swordsmen—even when they met a girl who stirred their hearts—would choose to suppress their feelings.
As Demon Slayer swordsmen whose lives could end at any moment, they could not bring happiness to the girl they loved.
The future they could offer would only bring pain.
...
The campfire burned steadily, its warmth driving away the damp cold of the cave.
After eating her fill, Kanao Tsuyuri leaned against the demon beside her and unknowingly fell asleep.
When she woke up, she realized she was lying on a bed of straw, covered with thick clothing.
Opening her eyes, Kanao saw her uncle sitting beside the campfire. The upper half of his clothes had been removed, revealing his strong and muscular torso.
Looking down, the girl noticed that the clothes covering her included the ones her uncle had been wearing.
Clearly, he had taken them off to keep her warm.
In truth, the clothes she was already wearing were thick enough, and with two more layers over them she was already warm.
But her uncle still took off his own clothes to cover her, as if he was always worried she might get cold.
She sniffed lightly.
There was a familiar scent—one that made her feel safe and that she liked very much.
"You're awake," said Soma as he sensed movement and turned around to look at the girl who had just opened her sleepy eyes.
Kanao rubbed her eyes, gave her uncle a sweet smile, and softly answered, "Mm."
Then she slowly sat up, a little reluctantly.
Perhaps everyone had the habit of wanting to stay in bed a little longer.
For Kanao, something she had never dared imagine before had now gradually become… something she was beginning to get used to.
After lingering a bit longer, she finally stood up from the straw bedding and looked outside.
The sun had already set.
Her pink-purple eyes sparkled with excitement.
"The sun has gone down!"
Kanao turned back with a bright, energetic smile.
"Uncle, let's hurry! Let's go find where the Kamado family lives and find that Spider Lily for you!"
...
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