Will he dodge again with First Form: Unknowing Fire?
No—he couldn't. His legs were still aching from using it earlier. They needed a break, even if he didn't want to admit it.
Same thing with Fifth Form: Flame Tiger and Ninth Form. Both needed that big leg burst, and right now, his legs just weren't up for it after all that training.
If only I could use them back-to-back...
Itsuki felt frustrated with himself. Yeah, he was stronger than most guys his age. But that didn't mean much when he couldn't use his best moves when it mattered.
Whatever. I'll figure that out later. Right now—calm down and focus!
He steadied his breathing. Heat started building in his chest again, focused and sharp. Flame Breathing wasn't just for attack—it helped him think too.
Wait. I've still got one more move...
Up above, Shinobu looked down from mid-air, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Itsuki hadn't moved.
Was he frozen? Was he actually scared?
She could already see it—the perfect landing, her sword hitting clean. This whole spar would be over in seconds.
She shifted her aim slightly, her blade now heading straight for his shoulder.
And then—
A flash of red lit up the courtyard.
Kanae let out a soft breath, lowering her hand from her sword. He pulled it off again...
"Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!"
A spiral of flame bloomed around Itsuki like a shield, flaring upward. Shinobu's blade hit the swirling force—and twisted off course.
It didn't just stop her—it spun her.
"Ah—!"
Thrown off balance mid-air, Shinobu's graceful attack turned into an awkward spiral. She flailed, trying to correct her position, but it was too late.
Itsuki watched carefully. This was the exact moment he needed.
He remembered something important just then: Shinobu didn't have much raw strength.
Her speed and technique were top-tier, sure. But when it came to pure force? Not great. It was part of why she used poison—her blade couldn't decapitate demons on its own.
It also meant that when a move like Blooming Flame Undulation hit her, it really hit her.
The image of a jacked, muscle-bound Shinobu briefly flashed through his mind. He shook it off instantly oh hell nah.
Focus!
He grit his teeth through the soreness and sprinted toward her landing spot.
Finish it.
Up above, Shinobu twisted her body again, trying to fix her posture mid-air. Even now, she refused to give up.
Her body curved like a falling petal—light and sharp, but not really in control.
By the time she'd leveled herself out, her feet were pointed down and she was about to land. But she didn't look relieved.
She felt something behind her.
A sudden gust of wind. The sound of a blade cutting air.
He's right behind me.
And she couldn't even see him.
Itsuki didn't go for a fancy move. Just a clean, strong downward slash with the blunt blade. He didn't need anything else—one hit would decide this.
Even if the weapon was dull, a hit to the back would be enough.
At the last second, though—he pulled his strength.
He didn't want to hurt her. He respected her too much for that plus her sister is watching, it might ruin the chance for kanao to learn.
Kanae noticed.
A kind kid. But... that's a mistake.
Just as the blade was about to land, something flickered in the light.
A glint of steel.
Then—wham—a small foot kicked backwards, fast and sharp.
Out from the sole of Shinobu's shoe popped a hidden blade. And it was headed straight for Itsuki's stomach.
She'd been baiting him.
The moment she'd been knocked into the air, she started planning her counter. She wanted him to go easy on her.
She'd counted on it.
And now, it was working.
Itsuki blinked. Damn! I really did forget she did this in the original timeline...like who the hell puts a hidden blade in their shoe!
The blade was about to hit. He had no time to think. No time to really act.
Unless—
"Itsuki watch out!" Kanao shouted, already moving forward.
But Kanae got there first.
She bolted toward them, ready to break the fight up. That foot blade's real—he could get hurt badly if it hits.
But before she could take another step, she saw something that made her stop.
Itsuki twisted his katana just in time.
Clang!
The blunt edge slammed into the short blade on Shinobu's foot. It wasn't a clean block, but it was enough.
The impact rang through the air.
Her kick was stopped—and then her heel got smacked by the thick part of his sword.
Pain shot up Shinobu's leg. She staggered as her left foot went numb.
She was still standing—but barely.
Itsuki was untouched. She wasn't.
It should've been over.
But Shinobu didn't want to surrender.
Even hurt, she kept moving.
She spun using her good leg and landed, pivoting off one foot like a dancer mid-performance. Her body twisted a full 180 degrees—and now she was facing Itsuki head-on.
Her eyes locked on him.
Last chance.
"Dance of the Bee Sting: True Charm!"
She lunged with her good foot, thrusting the sword forward in a brutal angle. Her eyes were wild with focus.
She wasn't even thinking about how this was just a spar. This wasn't about practice anymore.
This was all about her pride.
Kanae tensed again.
You're always like this, Shinobu... why are you so stubborn?
But then—
A glow.
Fire again.
Itsuki didn't have time to think. He couldn't dodge like last time—the distance was too close.
He'd only dodged the last Bee Sting with that dramatic backbend. But now?
No time.
Only one choice.
"First Form: Unknowing Fire!"
Flame surged through his body. His legs, sore and heavy, pushed off with everything they had left.
The ground cracked under his foot as he launched back diagonally.
Shinobu's eyes lit up. Too slow! I've got you!
She chased.
And overshot him.
Itsuki didn't just backpedal. He slipped to the side—barely. Her blade whiffed past his shoulder.
Shinobu almost screamed in frustration.
This guy... why does he keep running away using an attack technique!?
She spun again, ignoring the pain in her foot. Her grip tightened.
Dammit NO more games!
"Dance of the Dragonfly: Compound Eye Hexagon!"
She darted forward, jabbing six times in rapid bursts. This was her fastest combo. Meant to overwhelm—meant to end things.
But ahead of her, she saw fire.
A tiger, made of flame.
"Oh no..."
"Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!"
Itsuki's sword carved the air. A fiery beast roared forward, pushing heat through the courtyard like a wave.
Shinobu tried to hold her ground. She was already mid-attack—no going back.
I can block it. I can...!
But she couldn't.
The fire crashed into her.
She tried to push through, gritting her teeth, but her steps slowed. The flames wrapped around her—too hot, too much.
Her blade shook.
Clang!
It flew from her hand.
When the fire cleared, Itsuki stood there.
Still holding his weapon.
Still standing.
It was over.
Shinobu looked down at her empty hands. Then at him.
She felt like she was going to explode.
She'd given it everything. All her techniques, all her speed. She'd pulled tricks, feints, gambles—
And she still lost.
This was supposed to be just for fun... so why did I take it so seriously?
A sharp pain shot through her foot again. She hissed, sucking in air.
Still, she forced herself to stand upright.
"I lost," she said, straightening her shoulders. "I underestimated you."
Itsuki scratched the back of his neck. "I got lucky... it was really close."
He meant it. If he'd messed up even one thing in the second half of that fight, he would've lost. No question.
But Shinobu didn't let him off the hook.
"No. You were stronger. I accept that. Based on that performance... you could join the Demon Slayer Corps right now."
She stared at him, serious. "After you pass Final Selection and get your Nichirin blade, let's fight again. A real one."
"Uh... let's wait on that. I've still got stuff to work on first," Itsuki said, smiling awkwardly.
He wasn't lying. The last thing he wanted was to run into an Upper Rank demon when he wasn't ready. He needed time to train more. Get stronger. Safer.
That was always the goal.
"Shinobu," Kanae said, walking up to them now. "You should also apologize."
"Huh? Why?" Shinobu blinked.
"You used your hidden blade. What if you'd actually stabbed him? Sparring doesn't mean kill your opponent."
Shinobu froze. The thought of actually injuring Itsuki... made her stomach twist.
"I'm sorry," she said quietly, bowing low. "I was reckless. I got too into it."
Then she added, without Kanae prompting her:
"As an apology... I'll grant you one wish."
Itsuki blinked.
...What?
Kanae giggled. "Well, that's a rare offer."
Both girls stared at him. One curious, one serious.
Itsuki suddenly felt very, very cornered.
He immediately threw away all the dumb thoughts that popped into his head. No. Don't be that guy. Don't be that guy.
Still, if he was going to ask for something real... it'd probably be more money.
Not for anything weird. Just... better food, better ingredients. He needed to train faster. Recover faster even though he has money.
He couldn't get stronger if he was still stuck eating basic stuff he need stuff that was rare or hard to find in the taisho era.
So yeah—he didn't need a kiss or anything.
He needed a sponsor.