Tanjiro sat down, gazing in the direction Shinobu had disappeared. "Shinobu-san... she must be carrying such a heavy burden," he said softly.
Aoi didn't say a word. She simply watched Tanjiro's profile.
In the cool, pale moonlight, the boy's face held a look of profound compassion—the kind that seemed capable of embracing the whole world. This empathy wasn't a form of condescending pity; it was a deep, peer-to-peer understanding that came straight from the heart.
He hadn't been angered by the attack on his own dream. Instead, he had caught the scent of the heartbreaking grief hidden beneath her rage.
Aoi felt a deep tug at her heartstrings.
She remembered the paralyzing fear and confusion she felt when she first arrived in this world. She remembered training like a madwoman just to satisfy the System's demands. She had always believed that power was merely a tool for self-preservation—the only thing she could rely on to survive this cruel reality.
But Tanjiro had shown her another possibility for that power. It was a strength... that could be used to warm others, to protect them.
"Tanjiro," Aoi spoke up, her voice steadier and more resolute than ever before. "I'll do it with you. We'll finish it together."
Tanjiro turned to her, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Finish what?"
Aoi met his gaze. Under the moonlight, her eyes sparkled with the same clear, bright light as his.
"Your dream," she said, enunciating every word. "To create a world... where people like Shinobu-san can finally smile from the bottom of their hearts."
She was no longer training just for system rewards. She was no longer getting stronger just to save her own skin. In this moment, she had found her true purpose—her own "Way of Breathing" in this merciless world.
Tanjiro froze for a second. Then, a brilliant smile broke across his face, radiating like a sun that could drive away the chill of the night.
"Yeah!" He nodded emphatically. "Together!"
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the Hidden Mission: [Resonating Wills].][Rewards issued. Please check your inventory.]
The sudden chime of the System snapped Aoi out of her emotional resolve. She had almost forgotten she was a woman with a literal "cheat code" in her head.
A hidden mission? [Resonating Wills]?
Aoi was screaming with joy internally. She fought the urge to open the panel immediately, maintaining her look of firm determination while facing Tanjiro.
"What is it, Aoi-chan? Your expression... is a bit strange," Tanjiro asked, catching the subtle shift with his keen senses.
"N-nothing!" Aoi stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly from the excitement. "I just... I got so excited thinking about how hard we're going to work together!"
Tanjiro laughed at her enthusiasm and nodded vigorously. "Me too!"
Looking at his pure, warm smile, Aoi felt that swell of emotion again.
"Tanjiro, let's head back. We have to be up early for training tomorrow." Aoi stood up and brushed the dust off her clothes.
"Right!"
The two walked down from the roof side-by-side and returned to their respective rooms. As soon as she was inside, Aoi bolted the door and whispered in her mind, System, open the panel!
[Host]: Kazama Aoi [Status]: Demon Slayer Corps Member [Stamina]: 100 [Agility]: 70 [Spirit/Mental Power]: 80 [Breathing Style]: Wood Breathing [Held Skills]: Super-Regeneration, Aura Perception (Basic) [System Points]: 1000 [New Reward]: Skill [Aura Perception (Basic)] has been added to the skill bar.
Aoi's eyes locked onto the new skill.
[Aura Perception (Basic)]: Allows the user to vaguely perceive the presence of surrounding lifeforms and roughly distinguish their emotional state (e.g., hostility, friendliness, sadness, joy). Higher proficiency grants wider range and greater precision.
With this, she could sense people's moods in advance. She'd never have to worry about saying the wrong thing again, or accidentally bothering someone when they were already in a foul mood! More importantly, in battle, this skill was invaluable. She could sense a demon's killing intent before they even moved, allowing her to predict and dodge attacks!
A few days later, while passing by the Butterfly Estate, Aoi bumped into Sanemi Shinazugawa, who had just returned from a mission. His body was covered in several new, ugly gashes.
Aoi's first instinct was to take a detour. But then, a new mission notification popped up.
[Mission: Help Sanemi Shinazugawa treat his wounds.][Success Reward: 500 Points, Unlock Skill: Spectral Sight (Allows the user to see spirits/ghosts).]
Aoi took a deep breath. Her survival instinct and her greed for rewards fused together, giving her a sudden surge of courage. She quietly activated [Aura Perception] to gauge his mood first.
Instantly, a chaotic, violent aura flooded her senses. It was a torrent of extreme rage and killing intent, but hidden deep within was a faint, nearly suffocating trace of... exhaustion and loneliness.
Perhaps her gaze lingered too long, or perhaps he sensed her presence.
"What are you looking at?!" Sanemi barked.
Why is it this woman again? The moment he saw her, Sanemi felt his ears begin to burn. He instinctively reached up to touch his lips, then jerked his hand away as if he'd been scalded, looking even angrier than before.
"Shinazugawa-san, you're injured. You need treatment," Aoi said, stepping forward and reaching for his sleeve.
"I don't need it!" Sanemi swung his arm, trying to shake off her touch.
"Your body is a weapon meant to slay demons," Aoi said firmly. "It isn't something for you to just trash and neglect."
Sanemi stared at the girl for a long moment before finally snapping, "Fine! Hurry up, don't waste my time!"
He tossed the words over his shoulder and stomped into the Butterfly Estate, exposing his broad back—crisscrossed with old scars and fresh, seeping wounds—to Aoi.
Aoi stood there, blinking in surprise. He... he actually agreed?
[Ding! Target's emotional state detected as stable. Mission progress is smooth.]
"Bear with me, this might sting a little," Aoi said as she picked up the medicinal ointment and lightly touched a wound on his back.
"Tch—!" Sanemi's body jerked rigid, and he let out a sharp intake of breath.
He wouldn't admit it, but the pain was very real. Aoi paused for a second, then softened her touch, becoming even more gentle. Her fingertips were cool and soft, creating a stark contrast against his burning, scarred skin.
Sanemi shifted uncomfortably. He wanted to bark an insult, but his throat felt tight, and the words wouldn't come out.
This woman... her hands are actually pretty soft.
The moment the thought surfaced, he crushed it. Damn it! What am I thinking?!
Sanemi's ears began to glow a deep red again. He could only bury his head lower, bracing his face against his arms and pretending to rest while he hid his stubbornly involuntary blush.
Once the final bandage was wrapped, Aoi tied a neat knot and whispered, "There. Don't let it get wet for three days. I'll leave the medicine here; remember to change the dressings on time."
Sanemi let out a muffled, incoherent grunt of acknowledgment. He stood up and hurriedly shoved his uniform back on, never looking at Aoi once.
"...Thanks."
He threw out the word so quietly it was almost a whisper. Then, as if he were being hunted by a literal monster, he bolted out of the Butterfly Estate without looking back.
Aoi watched his frantic retreat, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
That guy... is honestly such a handful.