Mizuki's forehead was beaded with cold sweat, her back ramrod straight, sitting rigidly upright to the side, the infant still in swaddling clothes held stiffly in her arms.
Soft and fragrant, it felt like holding a delicious piece of fried chicken.
But she didn't dare to move.
Because the two people conversing not far in front of her occasionally cast their gazes her way.
Tankichi might have had some trust in Mizuki, but the previous scene of Mizuki drooling had certainly diminished his good impression, coupled with his responsibilities as a father.
Even if he deliberately restrained his gaze, he couldn't help but turn his head from time to time.
As for Yoriichi, he simply looked over when he saw Tankichi turn his head.
Mizuki only felt that what she held in her arms was not a child, but some expensive, fragile item on display in a museum.
If she showed even the slightest abnormality, the security guards nearby would rush over and pin her down.
Sitting on pins and needles was probably what this felt like.
Not to mention, it had an effect; at least her appetite had decreased significantly.
"Everyone, I'm back!" Sumiko returned with a large basin of chestnuts. "Look, this year's chestnuts are this big!"
When she returned to the room and saw Mizuki stiffly holding the child, she couldn't help but laugh.
"Miss Mizuki, that's not how you hold a baby," Sumiko said, smiling as she took the child from Mizuki's arms.
Mizuki's body immediately relaxed, and she let out a long breath, wiping the cold sweat from her forehead.
Taking care of a child was harder than forcing herself to fight Michikatsu.
Seeing her look of relief, Sumiko couldn't help but tease, "It's time you learned how to take care of a child, isn't it?"
"Miss Mizuki won't be a qualified mother like this."
Mizuki's mouth twitched, feeling a sense of powerlessness that made it impossible to retort.
This caused the two knowing individuals nearby to secretly chuckle... Tankichi's family's usual warmth made it difficult for the two to refuse, so they accepted the hospitality of Tankichi's family and stayed for a few days.
One afternoon, Sumiko was napping in the house.
Mizuki sat stiffly, holding Tankichi's youngest son, while Yoriichi played leisurely with Sumirei.
"The tea is ready," Tankichi said, bringing over the tea.
"I'm truly sorry to have guests help with the child."
Yoriichi's voice sounded faintly: "Don't worry about it. She must be tired; raising a child is hard work."
She does worry!
Mizuki immediately cast a pleading look.
After setting down the tea, Tankichi quickly stepped forward and took the child.
Tankichi said, embarrassed, "Thank you for your hard work, Miss Mizuki."
After Sumiko mentioned that Mizuki didn't know how to take care of children, she intentionally or unintentionally entrusted the child to Mizuki.
Under the guise of, cultivating Miss Mizuki's ability to care for children.
Even though Mizuki very seriously said that she wouldn't get married, she still couldn't resist Sumiko's enthusiasm.
These past few days, Mizuki had never eaten in front of them, so Sumiko naturally learned about Mizuki's situation from the others.
Even after knowing her identity, she still trusted her and was willing to let her take care of the child.
How could Mizuki refuse?
"No, children... are fine," Mizuki said, wiping away cold sweat and forcing a smile.
Tankichi broke into a sweat; it seemed like a difficult battle.
Yoriichi looked at the sky, took a shallow sip of tea, and said faintly, "After this cup of tea, we will leave."
Tankichi paused for a moment.
Mizuki smiled slightly: "Staying here and eating for free all the time, my brother would feel bad, wouldn't he?"
Tankichi, holding the sleeping child, quickly said, "How could that be? You two are our family's saviors. If it weren't for your help, let alone us, even this child wouldn't have had the chance to be born."
...Only silence answered him.
"I understand," Tankichi said after some hesitation. "Then at least let me pass on your deeds."
Yoriichi simply replied calmly, "No need."
Tankichi looked at him worriedly: "But you must also be troubled by having no successor, right?"
"Even if I, a humble charcoal seller, cannot inherit it."
"One day, someone surely will..."
..."No need," Yoriichi's calm voice sounded. He picked up his teacup, turned to Tankichi, and said calmly, "Those who reach the end of their path, arrive at the same place."
"No matter how the era changes, or how different the paths taken may be."
"Ultimately, they will all reach the same destination."
"You seem to regard me as someone special, but that is not the case."
"I couldn't protect anything important. In my life, I failed to do a single thing I should have. I am a worthless man."
Tankichi looked at this calm man with concern, words welling up inside him, ready to burst out.
Please don't... "Please don't say that," Mizuki's calm voice echoed in the room. She sat inside the house, her back to the two on the veranda.
"Even if other Pillars were present at the time, they wouldn't have been able to kill Muzan."
"No one demanded that you must defeat Muzan. What one cannot do oneself should not be forced upon others."
"Brother is not at fault."
Yoriichi was a person who seemed emotionally detached but was actually very kind-hearted. While he said that those who reach the end of their path arrive at the same place, seemingly indifferent to other matters, he still felt guilty for not being able to kill Muzan.
This was also the reason he genuinely felt useless.
He possessed such immense power, yet accomplished nothing.
Yoriichi's eyes flickered slightly, showing a hint of emotion.
With Mizuki's opening, Tankichi immediately chimed in, "That's right! Mr. Yoriichi! It's wrong to take all the responsibility upon yourself!"
Yoriichi pursed his lips, saying nothing more. He watched the sun set from the horizon and drank the tea by his hand.
Yoriichi stood up and put away the nichirin blade by his side: "Mizuki, let's go."
Tankichi seemed to want them to stay: "Are you leaving already?"
"Yes."
When guests leave, the hosts should certainly see them off.
Tankichi woke Sumiko to see the two off.
Tankichi's daughter, Sumirei, found two periwinkle flowers from somewhere and gave them to the two.
Pink periwinkles, whose flower language is gentle remembrance, and white periwinkles, representing friendship?
Mizuki held the pink flower in her hand and smiled as she picked up Sumirei.
The child might not understand flower language, but her affection for the two was undeniable.
At the time of departure, Sumiko lively waved her arms, pestering Yoriichi to see his Sword Forms and techniques.
Having been warmly treated by Tankichi's family, how could Yoriichi refuse... The desolate night descended, and the chirping of insects that had just begun in the forest suddenly seemed to be cut off.
In the hazy night, a scorching sun rose in front of Tankichi's house.
Blazing orange-red flames surged from the pitch-black blade, the fierce flames dancing in mid-air like magnificent silk, and roaring like a mighty fire dragon.