After agreeing to visit again once he had made enough space marks, Aoki said goodbye to Kagaya Ubuyashiki and left the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
He returned to the Butterfly Mansion. Before he could enter, he saw Shinobu Kocho walking out with a huge package on her back.
"What are you doing?"
"Going on a mission," Shinobu said simply.
"A mission?" Aoki looked at her and the huge package doubtfully.
Shinobu glared at him. "This mission happens to pass by a friend's house. These are gifts for my friend!"
"Friend?" Aoki was interested. "What friend?"
"A friend I met by chance," Shinobu smiled. "Oh, and my friend's last name is Aomura too."
"It really is Takina!"
Aoki looked dazed.
Shinobu waved her hand in front of his face. "Hey, what are you thinking about?"
"Nothing!" Aoki came to his senses, saying casually, "That's quite a coincidence. Introduce me sometime if you have the chance!"
"Maybe someday!" Shinobu's dismissive tone was clear. She waved. "I'm leaving!"
"Be careful!"
Aoki watched Shinobu go, then turned and went into the courtyard.
Kanae Kocho hurried over a moment later.
"Mr. Aomura, you're back! Did your talk with Master go well?"
She had been planning to go with him today.
But a badly injured member had arrived just as they were leaving. She had to stay.
She knew Master and Mr. Aomura weren't impulsive, but she worried something might happen and ruin their good relationship.
"It went well!"
Aoki said, "Miss Kanae, you're here at the right time. I was about to tell you I'm leaving."
Kanae Kocho looked surprised. "You're leaving already?"
"I don't need to heal," Aoki joked, then said, "Now that I've agreed with Master Ubuyashiki, I need to prepare."
He had told Kanae Kocho and Shinobu Kocho about Space Mark Traverse before meeting Kagaya Ubuyashiki. They knew about it.
Kanae Kocho smiled gently. "It's wonderful that you're here, Mr. Aomura!"
"Don't!" Aoki waved. He couldn't take such praise. "I kill demons for myself. You're different. You protect the world."
Kanae Kocho said, "It's the result that matters, not the motive..."
"I'm leaving, I'm leaving!"
Aoki walked out. He touched Kanao's hair as he passed her, then left the Butterfly Mansion.
Kanae Kocho hugged Kanao. "Mr. Aomura is amazing!"
Kanao blinked, watching Aoki go, saying nothing.
Black wings flapped gently. Aoki flew forward like an arrow, catching up to Shinobu quickly.
She was small, but she carried a huge package. It looked funny.
Aoki flew high in the sky. Shinobu didn't notice him watching her in the darkness.
Dawn was breaking.
Shinobu reached Shiroi. She knew the way to Takina's house and raised her hand.
Tap tap tap.
In the courtyard, Takina looked up, puzzled.
Who could it be so early?
Tap tap tap.
The knocking sounded again.
"Just a moment!"
Takina dried her hands and opened the door.
First, she saw a huge package. Then, she noticed the small figure below it. She said happily, "Shinobu? What are you doing here?"
Shinobu walked into the courtyard.
"I'm on a mission. I was passing by. I thought I'd visit you and Aunt Rie."
"What's this?"
Takina looked at the package on her back, curious.
"Clothes, food, everything!"
Shinobu put down the package with a thud.
Takina glanced at it, then looked back. "When are you leaving, Shinobu? Do you want to go shopping?"
Shinobu shook her head sadly.
"I have to leave soon."
"So soon?" Takina's smile faded.
Shinobu said seriously, "One day later, and there might be another victim!"
Takina knew what was important. She didn't argue. "Do you want breakfast before you go?"
"No! I'll visit again when I have time after the mission!"
Shinobu said goodbye and left.
Aomura Rie walked out of the house. "Takina, who were you talking to?"
"It was Shinobu."
"Shinobu came? Where is she? I didn't see her."
"She left already."
"Oh?!"
"She's efficient," Aoki said to himself.
He jumped down from the tree and walked towards Shiroi.
It was getting brighter. More people were on the streets.
A little girl, about six or seven, skipped past. Aoki waved. "Hey!"
"What is it?"
The little girl wasn't shy. She looked at him with wide eyes.
Aoki took out a letter and a hundred coins. He pointed to the house where Takina and Teacher's Wife lived. "Give this letter to the lady who lives there. You can keep the hundred coins!"
The little girl said seriously, "Takina already has a fiancé. She won't take your letter!"
Aoki looked surprised.
He wasn't surprised the little girl knew Takina.
She was playing here so early. She probably lived nearby. It was normal to know Takina.
But the little girl knew Takina had a fiancé. Everyone on this street probably knew.
"It's okay. Tell Takina the letter is from Aoki," Aoki said.
The little girl blinked and took the letter and money. "If Takina doesn't take it, I won't give the money back!"
Aoki said, "You can keep the money whether Takina takes it or not!"
"Thank you, Aoki!"
The little girl bowed quickly and ran towards Takina's house.
"She's smart!" Aoki shook his head, smiling.
Tap tap tap tap.
Knocking sounded again, faster than before. The person was impatient.
Takina opened the door. She didn't see anyone. She looked down.
The little girl held up the letter. "Takina, a letter for you!"
"A letter?"
Takina looked hesitant.
The little girl shouted, "A big brother named Aoki asked me to deliver it!"
"Aoki?"
Takina's face changed.
Many people knew she had a fiancé, but she and her mother had never mentioned "Aoki" to anyone.
She took the letter quickly and looked down.
"Aoki" was written on the envelope in a familiar hand.
"It really is Aoki!"
Takina turned to the little girl, asking anxiously, "Where's Aoki? Take me to him!"
"Come with me, Takina!"
The little girl pulled Takina to the alley, but Aoki wasn't there.
Takina looked around, but she couldn't find Aoki. She left sadly.
She returned home. Aomura Rie saw her expression. "Takina, where did you go? What happened?"
Takina held up the letter, looking lost. "Aoki was here, but he just sent a letter."
"Aoki?"
Aomura Rie wasn't as shocked as Takina. She was calmer. "Let's see what the letter says."
Takina came to her senses and opened the envelope.
There were two things inside.
A letter and a beautiful pendant with a complex silver diamond pattern.
"Teacher's Wife, Takina, I'm sorry I haven't contacted you for so long.
I've made a terrible enemy. I need to stay away from you for now.
Please keep everything about me a secret.
I made this pendant myself. It's a charm with magical power. Break it if you're in danger.
I'll come find you when I've dealt with the enemy and the danger.
Please take care."
They couldn't calm down after reading the letter.
It had been almost a year since that disaster. This was the first time they had heard from Aoki.
---
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