Shinjuro was in a tough spot.
The person standing in front of him was a Hashira sent by Oyakata-sama. Kicking them out right away would be way too disrespectful. Even if he didn't want anything to do with the Corps anymore, he still had history with them.
So, he turned and looked at Itsuki.
"Hey. Didn't you say you wanted to hear more of my stories? Great timing—walk these two out for me."
He glanced over with the side of his eye, but when Itsuki didn't get the message, Shinjuro stared straight at him.
The Butterfly Sisters both looked at Itsuki too now. The way he'd been acting with Shinjuro made it clear there was something off—or at least not normal—about their relationship.
Kanao, who had been quietly standing off to the side, looked up at her "Itsuki" blankly. Everyone's attention was suddenly on him.
The whole room just… paused.
Itsuki, who had been quietly thinking about something else, suddenly realized everyone was staring at him.
"…What's going on?"
Shinjuro let out a sigh. This idiot. He didn't get it at all.
"Do you have something you want to say, Itsuki?" he said, now blunt.
"Please just say you want to spar or hear some story—make something up and get them out of here," Shinjuro thought.
But Itsuki looked surprised. "Oh, so you noticed, Master? Hehe… well, yeah, I've been thinking about something, but I wasn't sure if I should bring it up."
"Just spit it out," Shinjuro grunted. Finally. Took him long enough to catch on.
"Okay, then I'll be honest." Itsuki sat up a little straighter. "Flower Hashira.... I'd like to ask you to teach Kanao your Breathing Style please." and bowed a little
Shinjuro almost choked. He even yanked a piece of beard out.
WHAT?! I told him to get rid of them, and he… he goes and gives them a reason to stay?! Did he just completely miss the point?
Kanae blinked in surprise. That… wasn't what she expected at all.
Shinobu tilted her head slightly. Kanao didn't even react—she just stood there like she was still processing the words.
Itsuki rubbed the back of his neck. Okay, maybe this did come out of nowhere. But this was the best shot they had. There was no way Kanao would just randomly bump into Kanae again after today.
That was the thing. From the second Itsuki saw Kanae, this idea had been forming in his head.
Kanao had been practicing Flame Breathing for months now. She'd already picked up the first two forms. That was impressive for anyone—but for Kanao, it didn't feel right.
Itsuki had read about how crazy talented she was supposed to be. In the original timeline, she'd mastered Flower Breathing basically from memory and just by watching Kanae and Shinobu, even passed the Final Selection with no teacher.
If she had that much talent, why wasn't she picking up Flame Breathing faster?
Simple. She wasn't built for it. Not the way he was.
Itsuki saw it every day. Kanao pushed herself. She never complained, but he could tell the breathing felt wrong for her—too hot, too aggressive. She kept going just to keep up with him, but it wasn't a good match.
He hated seeing her force herself. But what else could they do? Most people never got the chance to learn even one Breathing Style. She'd made it this far, and he was proud of her. But if she had a shot at something better—something that actually fit her—then he had to go for that opportunity.
Kanao didn't know any of this. But Itsuki couldn't just stand by anymore.
In the manga, Kanao had played a huge role in taking down Douma. Her Flower Breathing wasn't weak—it was exactly what gave her an edge. If Kanae trained her personally now, she could reach that level even faster.
So, when Shinjuro tossed him the unexpected assist, Itsuki just went for it.
Kanae looked a little confused. "Sorry, you're saying the girl beside you… Kanao, right? She's already using Flame Breathing, isn't she?"
Itsuki nodded. "Yeah. She's picked up two forms already. She's definitely talented."
"Then why switch?"
"Because it doesn't suit her," Itsuki said, not sugarcoating anything. "The way Flame Breathing hits your body—Kanao's not built for that kind of heat. If she keeps forcing it, she's gonna hurt herself, I don't want her to hurt herself."
He reached out and gently took Kanao's small hand.
She stiffened a little, worried. "Itsuki… are you saying I'm not good enough?"
"No, Kanao," Itsuki said, squeezing her hand. "It's not about that. I've been watching you work harder than anyone. I'm proud of you. But it doesn't matter how hard you push if the fit isn't right."
He turned back to Kanae. "That's why I asked. As a girl yourself, and someone who's mastered Flower Breathing—it'd suit her way more. I just… I want to give her a better path."
Then he bowed deeply.
Kanae stood quickly and helped him up.
"No need to bow," she said warmly. "I understand. You really care about her."
There was something soft in her voice when she said it. Like she meant it.
She glanced over at Shinjuro, hesitant. "Shinuro-san, about Kanao…"
Shinjuro cut her off with a grunt. "Don't look at me. I've never taught her anything. Everything she knows came from that kid."
"Oh?" Kanae tilted her head slightly, impressed. "She's self-taught?"
She looked at Kanao again. The more she stared, the more she felt drawn to her. This girl had so much potential.
"Well then, Kanao," she said gently, "what do you think?"
Kanao's eyes moved to Itsuki's. She nodded quietly. "I… I'll do what Itsuki thinks is best."
Itsuki felt relief rush through him.
Yes. That's it. This is gonna work!
But then—
"Hold on a second!"
Shinobu finally spoke up, her voice sharp. "Sister, you really don't have to say yes to this."
Of course. Itsuki let out a slow breath. This wasn't gonna be easy.
"I get it," he said calmly. "I know this is all super sudden. But if it helps—maybe just let her study the basic forms? You can even give us conditions. She can self-learn. Just the chance to start would mean everything."
Kanae hesitated. "…This…"