"Hahahahahahaha!"
Just like half a month ago, Shinjuro laughed again—but this time, it wasn't mocking. It felt real. Loud and rough, but warm.
And Itsuki, still half-squished in Kanao's arms, laughed too. He'd lost the fight, sure. But this time? It meant something.
Last time, Shinjuro didn't even need to draw his blade. This time, he'd been pushed back twice, had to pull his sword, and even used Flame Breathing. That was a win in Itsuki's book—even if he was still the one getting caught mid-air like a sack of potatoes.
He looked up at Kanao, who was still holding him. "You always catch me like this, huh?"
She smiled faintly and said nothing, but her grip tightened just a little before she gently set him down.
Shinjuro finally stopped laughing and walked up to him with a grin. "Hah! That was one hell of a surprise. Did you have some sort of breakthrough?"
Itsuki dusted himself off, trying to think of something smart to say, but before he could, Shinjuro smacked him hard on the shoulder. His whole body tensed like it got hit with a lightning bolt.
"Was that revenge?" Itsuki muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
The two of them jumped right back into sparring. Kanao cheered them on, standing off to the side again.
Meanwhile, outside the martial Dojo...
Two women walked up the road. Graceful, elegant—clearly not locals.
"Sister, are you sure this is the right place? This looks like some run-down training spot."
"They say the Flame Pillar's been coming here lately," Kanae said, voice soft but certain. "Apparently, he's been teaching again."
"He's teaching?" Shinobu raised an eyebrow. "Didn't he quit all that after…?"
Kanae nodded, understanding what her sister meant without needing her to finish.
"Let's find the Dojo master first," she said. "Master Kagaya asked us to check in, see how he's doing."
"You know the Dojo master?"
"He used to use Flame Breathing too. Helped the Corps a lot, even if he wasn't a Pillar."
"Alright, alright… I'll be polite."
"Good."
The sisters entered the hall, greeted Master with their token, and settled in for some small talk. Kanae was polite and calm as always. Shinobu… mostly stayed quiet. But even she perked up when the conversation changed from formalities to stories.
The master started talking about Itsuki, and suddenly the room didn't feel so stiff anymore.
"He's the Flame Pillar's new disciple?" Kanae asked.
"Yeah. That kid's got guts," Marume chuckled. "You should've seen him the first time Shinjuro knocked him into the dirt—came back the next day with more Sake like nothing happened."
Shinobu cracked a small smile. "Sounds like an idiot."
"Maybe. But he's a determined one."
The conversation lasted a while, and by the end of it, everyone was in much better spirits. When they finally stood to leave, Kanae smiled at her sister.
"Hey, Shinobu. Want to go shopping after this?"
"I'm not a kid, Sister."
"You've been frowning a lot lately. I thought it might help."
"I was just thinking." Shinobu's voice was softer now.
"About what?"
Shinobu looked ahead. "That Itsuki kid… you think someone like him can actually change the Flame Pillar?"
Kanae thought for a moment. "Hard to say. But maybe. Sometimes, all it takes is one person who doesn't give up."
"Hmph. Or maybe he just learned how to drink. I bet they're just two drunk idiots by now."
Kanae giggled. "What, are you interested in him?"
"What?! No!"
"Shinobu's got a crush already? ~"
"I do not! Stop saying weird things!"
Shinobu marched ahead, red-faced. "We're here. I'm knocking."
Back inside the courtyard, Itsuki and Shinjuro were taking a break. Kanao was sweeping up the aftermath—again—and listening to Shinjuro go on about some old demon mission.
Itsuki, muscles aching and bruises forming, poured Sake into his master's cup.
"Thump-thump-thump!"
Knocking echoed from the front gate.
"Kanao, can you get that? Probably Senjuro."
"Okay!"
She set her broom down and skipped off.
"Anyway, what kind of Blood Demon Art was it?" Itsuki asked.
"Hmph. Lost the mood. Next time."
Itsuki just chuckled and poured more sake. "Alright, alright. Here, have another drink."
Shinjuro narrowed his eyes. "So that's your plan again, huh? Get me tipsy so I'll spill stories?"
"I would never," Itsuki said, grinning as he lifted the full cup.
"You think I don't see through you?"
Shinjuro glanced at the cup, tempted. His pride wrestled with his cravings. He turned his head away dramatically.
"I said I'm not drinking! I'm quitting today."
Itsuki blinked. "Wait, seriously?"
Something was definitely off.
He held the cup up to Shinjuro's mouth anyway. "It's fresh and warm! You know it tastes better that way!"
Shinjuro clenched his jaw. If it was money, or food, or anything else, he'd shove it away. But sake?
After a long pause, he snapped his head to the side again.
"You… you brat! I'm not drinking! I mean it this time!"
Itsuki stared, stunned. "Whoa… who are you and what have you done with my master?"
And right then—
Kanao's voice rang out from the gate.
"Um… Master! Itsuki! You've got guests!"
Shinjuro stood. Itsuki tilted his head.
"Who is it?"
"You'll see," Shinjuro said, brushing off his clothes. "Try not to embarrass me."
"Don't worry, I already did that last week."
Shinjuro chuckled, despite himself. "Fair."
They walked to the gate—and Itsuki froze when he saw who was waiting.
Kanae and Shinobu Kocho.
Two Pillars. Sisters. And one of them… was staring straight at him.
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Uh. Hi."
Shinobu narrowed her eyes. "So, you're the disciple?"
Itsuki nodded. "Yep. That's me."
"…Hmph."
She looked away quickly, arms crossed.
Kanae, standing beside her with a soft smile, nudged her sister.
"ara ara. I think he's kind of cute."
"Sister!"
And just like that, Itsuki realized something worse than getting thrown by the Flame Pillar... dealing with girls was way harder.