This time, when guiding Kanao's Flower Breathing, Aoyama made several precise adjustments.
He refined her forms—sharper transitions, cleaner cuts, more decisive finishing angles. He also strengthened the impact of certain strikes, ensuring that each move carried greater lethality without sacrificing elegance.
Kanao listened carefully, her violet eyes shimmering faintly with light.
After explaining everything he needed to, Aoyama looked at her face. His expression gradually turned serious.
"Can you promise me something?"
The moment the words left his mouth, he corrected himself.
"No. You must promise me."
Kanao tilted her head slightly, confusion flickering in her eyes.
"Even if it comes to a last resort… just protect yourself. No matter what, do not use Flower Breathing Final Form—Equinoctial Vermilion Eye."
For the first time, an unfamiliar emotion crossed Kanao's face.
Equinoctial Vermilion Eye.
That was her trump card.
By increasing pressure in her eyeballs, she could push her dynamic vision to its absolute limit. Everything in her field of view would slow down—allowing her to read attacks perfectly.
But the cost—
Overloading her eyes until blood stained the whites crimson.
With a very real risk of permanent blindness.
That was what Aoyama feared.
Given Kanao's personality, if she ever found herself outmatched—
She would absolutely use it.
He stood still, eyes locked onto hers.
He would not force her in most matters.
But this—
This was something she had to promise.
It was for her own sake.
Time passed quietly.
Kanao neither nodded nor shook her head.
Seeing her hesitation, Aoyama took out her coin and placed it in his palm.
"This is the coin you've always relied on," he said softly. "Heads or tails. I'll toss it. If it lands on heads, you agree to my request. Is that okay?"
For someone who struggled to make decisions, this was a fair solution.
Kanao nodded gently.
The coin flipped into the air.
It spun, catching the sunlight—
Then landed in his palm.
Kanao's gaze was fixed entirely on his hand as he slowly lifted it.
The coin showed—
Heads.
"You promised," Aoyama said quietly. "In a worst-case situation, just protect yourself. Leave everything else to me. Don't use Equinoctial Vermilion Eye."
Her clear eyes trembled slightly as she stared at the coin.
"…Okay."
A soft whisper.
Aoyama returned the coin to her.
It had been given to her by Kanae.
It meant everything.
He reached out and gently patted the top of her head.
"Remember what I said. Protect yourself. And if anything happens—come find me."
Kanao clenched the coin tightly in her palm.
Then—
Unexpectedly—
She rose lightly onto her toes.
And pressed a soft kiss against Aoyama's cheek.
"Eh—"
His pupils widened instantly.
Before he could react, Kanao turned, leapt lightly onto the courtyard wall, and disappeared beyond it.
Zenitsu, who had been running along that very wall—
Slipped.
And crashed to the ground.
Aoyama turned his head.
The courtyard was empty now.
Tanjiro had gone to carry Inosuke back.
Shinobu had already left for other matters.
Only he—
And Zenitsu—
Had witnessed what just happened.
"AAAAAHHH!!!"
Zenitsu scrambled up from the ground, eyes bulging, face filled with pure envy.
Aoyama walked toward him slowly, raising a fist casually in front of his face.
"Another scream," he said lightly, "and you can try this."
Zenitsu immediately clamped both hands over his mouth.
"Mmmph! Mmmph!"
"Speak properly," Aoyama said flatly.
Zenitsu lowered his hands slightly, trembling.
"Q-Q-Aoyama-senpai… you—you were kissed by cute Miss Kanao!!!"
He quickly covered his mouth again to avoid shrieking.
Aoyama's gaze deepened slightly.
"…Mm."
Zenitsu suddenly grabbed Aoyama's arm, tears streaming down his face.
"Teach me! Teach me, senpai! I also want cute girls to kiss my face!"
His imagination had already taken flight.
Aoyama grabbed him by the collar and pulled him off.
"If you want that," he said calmly, "master Total Concentration Breathing first. Then talk."
He turned and walked away.
Truthfully—
He still hadn't figured out why Kanao suddenly kissed him.
Zenitsu rushed after him again.
"Really?! If I master Total Concentration Breathing, cute girls will kiss me too?! Right, senpai?!"
Looking at Zenitsu's overly hopeful face, Aoyama felt a tiny bit of pity.
He nodded vaguely.
Let him dream a little.
Instantly, Zenitsu exploded with motivation.
Earlier he could barely drag two stones.
Now he hauled four.
Tanjiro, returning from the infirmary—
Nearly dropped his jaw.
"Ze… Zenitsu?"
He stared at Aoyama.
What had senpai done?
Why was Zenitsu suddenly this fired up?
Aoyama curved his lips slightly and looked back at him.
Tanjiro felt a chill run down his spine.
"YES!"
He shouted instinctively and immediately joined Zenitsu in training.
Just then, a crow descended and landed on the bucket by the well.
"Message! Message! Tanjiro! Inosuke! Your swords have been reforged! The swordsmith will arrive shortly!"
Tanjiro's eyes lit up.
His blade—
He could wield it again.
But guilt surfaced in his heart.
He had broken the sword Haganezuka painstakingly forged for him.
It was proof of his own lack of strength.
Aoyama noticed immediately and patted his shoulder.
"Guilt solves nothing. Making your blade reach its fullest potential—that's the best repayment you can give your swordsmith."
Tanjiro steadied himself.
He nodded firmly.
Aoyama-senpai was right.
He would make his blade shine—
At its absolute limit.
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