Since the Sumiyoshi family now knew about Hiru's true identity, he moved about freely in his puppet form, even chatting openly with Sumiyoshi's wife, Suyako, about Yoriichi.
"Is Mr. Yoriichi really that amazing?"
"Of course! My brother's sword techniques are absolutely beautiful!!" Hiru sat atop the low table, looking up at Suyako before sighing. "But my brother has no intention of taking on apprentices. It would be such a shame if such brilliant sword techniques weren't passed down—"
"Oh my, I really want to see them!" Stars seemed to sparkle in Suyako's eyes as she jumped up and ran outside, calling out excitedly, "Mr. Yoriichi! Mr. Yoriichi!"
"Yes?" Yoriichi, crouched beside Sumiyoshi helping him tend the fire, turned his head at the sound.
"Mr. Hiru said your sword techniques are incredibly powerful—radiant like the sun itself!" Suyako beamed with anticipation. "Could I see them too? Please?"
"I'm not as good as Hiru makes me sound..."
"Hey, I want to see too!" Sumiyoshi turned around, his eager expression matching his wife's. "Are your sword techniques really as bright as the sun?"
Yoriichi sighed helplessly, glancing toward Hiru standing in the house's shadow. "Don't exaggerate, Hiru."
"It's just that you're too modest, Brother." Hiru grinned, swinging his legs cheerfully. "If you don't plan to find a successor, then at least let more people witness them, right? If nothing is left behind in the end, wouldn't that be lonely?"
Yoriichi exhaled softly. Facing their expectant gazes, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. "Alright. But I'll show you after everything's done."
"Yay!" Suyako cheered. "Come on, Sumiyoshi, let's finish this batch of charcoal! Once it's done, we can see Mr. Yoriichi's sword techniques!"
"Oh! Leave it to me!"
...
That night, Yoriichi kept his word.
As he began, a brilliant flame enveloped him—radiant yet gentle, warm rather than searing. As he deliberately slowed his sword swings, his movements turned graceful and fluid. The paper earrings swayed with each step, his long hair streamed behind him, and the flame-like mark on his forehead glowed vividly in the firelight, dazzling enough to make one's eyes sting.
When Yoriichi finally stopped, Suyako was the first to break into applause, her face alight with awe. "What beautiful swordsmanship! I can't believe something so incredible truly exists! Mr. Yoriichi, you're like a spirit! That was amazing!"
Faced with her enthusiasm, Yoriichi averted his gaze slightly. "No, it's really nothing special."
"Hey, Sumiyoshi!" Suyako's excitement didn't fade. "Didn't you say you couldn't find anyone to perform the Hinokami Kagura for New Year's? What if we asked Mr. Yoriichi?"
Sumiyoshi blinked in surprise, then nodded quickly. "Oh, you're right!"
"Huh? What's this Hinokami Kagura?" Hiru looked up from his sketching, distracted. "Why do you need to perform it?"
"Ah, that's because our work involves fire," Sumiyoshi explained, sounding a little embarrassed. "To ensure safety, we have to pray to the fire god during the New Year. But since we live up in the mountains, shrine maidens and priests rarely come, so we thought we might as well perform the dance ourselves.
The problem is, without a proper Kagura dance, it feels like we might offend the gods. When we tried to learn from the priests, they actually chased us away."
"After seeing Mr. Yoriichi's sword techniques, I was so moved," Suyako said, her hands clasped earnestly. "If you don't mind, could we borrow your sword movements and adapt them? I'm sure the gods would forgive us if we used such beautiful swordplay for the dance!"
Yoriichi gave a faint, resigned smile. "If you don't mind."
"How could we mind? We're honored!" Sumiyoshi said, though a flicker of concern crossed his face. "Mr. Yoriichi, why do you always speak so harshly of yourself?"
"Probably because I'm a failure—a worthless man."
Hiru frowned immediately, about to speak, but Sumiyoshi's urgent voice cut him off.
"How can you think of yourself like that!" Sumiyoshi's tone held genuine anger. "You are not worthless! Please don't ever say that!
You're strong, yet so gentle, even enduring criticism silently for the sake of those you love. I can't allow anyone to insult you like that—not even yourself!
Constantly denying yourself only leads to deeper loneliness. But you're not alone! You have Hiru, and you have us! So please, value yourself more!"
[Well said, Mr. Sumiyoshi!]
If it weren't so inappropriate at the moment, Hiru would have clapped right then and there.
For that speech alone, every single demon-slaying elixir in my box—no matter how expensive—is yours!
Hiru turned to Yoriichi. [See, Brother? Even others besides me see how warm and radiant you are. So please, face your own light a little more.]
Yoriichi froze for a moment, then smiled softly, his voice low. "Thank you."
...
When it came time to leave, Hiru, as promised, left all his exorcism and demon-repelling medicines with the Sumiyoshi family. What surprised him, however, was that Yoriichi also gave Sumiyoshi the paper earrings their mother had once made for him.
Because Hiru had told them everything about Yoriichi, Sumiyoshi knew just how precious those earrings were.
"Wait, Mr. Yoriichi—you can't!" Sumiyoshi said, holding the earrings carefully. "Aren't these extremely important to you?"
Standing in the early morning sunlight, Yoriichi smiled faintly. "Yes. They protected me as I grew up."
"Then why—"
"I likely won't be coming back," Yoriichi said quietly, looking down at him. "So I want them to protect you in my place."
"Mr. Yoriichi…"
"Then, farewell." Yoriichi bowed slightly, turned, and began descending the mountain.
"Mr. Yoriichi! I'll treasure these earrings! I'll pass them down along with your Breathing Style! I'll never forget you!"
Yoriichi's steps faltered for just a moment. He turned, offered the Sumiyoshi family a gentle smile, waved, and then turned back toward the path ahead.
This time, he didn't look back.