Arriving at the foot of Mount Sagiri, a small wooden house caught Mizuki's attention.
She sensed around and detected faint breathing sounds coming from inside, steady and relaxed, as if someone was sleeping.
She approached the door and found it locked. Although she could open it, it would be impolite.
She circled the house to the back and peered through a narrow window. In a spot where the sunlight couldn't reach, Nezuko was sound asleep on the bed.
Mizuki realized it instantly.
After humans transform into demons, they consume a lot of physical strength, which needs to be replenished by eating.
Nezuko is different from her and Tamayo; she hasn't even consumed human blood and can only rely on sleep to replenish her energy.
She could also replenish her stamina through rest, but she wouldn't fall into a deep sleep like Nezuko.
Is this some kind of evolution?
Mizuki couldn't help but ponder this.
She averted her gaze and walked back around to the front of the wooden house.
This was undoubtedly the residence of the Water Hashira's master, Urokodaki Sakonji, and the aura of two people still lingered around the house.
At this time of day, however, the two were likely still training on the mountain.
Mizuki looked thoughtfully at the large mountain behind the wooden house.
It seems I'll have to wait here.
Mizuki found a log stool to sit on, drew the Nichirin Blade from her waist, and began wiping it gently.
Maintaining one's blade is a habit, just like brushing one's teeth or eating.
"Grumble~"
Although she hadn't eaten in many years.
Sometimes, a sudden feeling of hunger would appear like this, but if she endured it for a bit longer, the hunger would slowly dissipate again.
The sun passed over the mountaintop; it was afternoon.
Subtle footsteps came from the woods behind her, very subtle... almost inaudible.
Mizuki turned her head to look. From the dense forest emerged an old man wearing a Tengu Mask.
He stopped not far from Mizuki.
Very strong.
She knew just from experience—the person before her... was formidable.
Is he a newly appointed Hashira?
No... there was a strange aura... hidden within the scent of wisteria flower... In silence, Mizuki took off her straw hat, pulled down the white cloth covering her face, and introduced herself: "Hello, Teacher Urokodaki. I am Tanjirou's friend, and I came to visit him."
As she spoke, Mizuki took a letter out of her sleeve.
"This is a letter of recommendation from the Ubuyashiki family head."
A letter of recommendation?
Urokodaki Sakonji paused slightly. He didn't think he had anything to teach the person before him.
Out of politeness, he accepted the letter.
Although it was called a letter of recommendation, it wasn't actually asking him to teach anything, but rather informing him that the person before him was trustworthy and not someone of unknown origin.
With the Ubuyashiki guarantee, much of the suspicion in Urokodaki Sakonji's heart dissipated.
"Tanjirou is still on his way down the mountain. If you want to see him, you'll probably have to wait a little longer."
Mizuki nodded lightly: "It's alright."
She had plenty of time.
During the two years Tanjirou is training, nothing major should happen.
The main character hasn't even made his debut yet, so what big moves could there be?
"If you don't mind, you may rest temporarily in my humble abode."
"Then I apologize for the imposition."
Having been treated by Urokodaki Sakonji, Mizuki sat in the house all afternoon until dusk... when heavy panting sounds came from outside. Tanjirou, covered in dirt and looking ragged, pushed open the large door and gasped:
"Master Urokodaki, I..."
Before he finished speaking, he noticed the figure sitting properly to the side, and his stunned expression instantly turned to joy.
"Miss Mizuki! Long time no see!"
"I truly didn't expect to meet you here."
Mizuki smiled: "Long time no see."
Tanjirou looked very happy. Of course, Mizuki had saved the lives of his whole family.
But... if he knew that Nezuko had become this way because of her, what would he think?
Although she felt that given Tanjirou's kindness, he wouldn't blame her, she felt disgusted with herself deep down.
Tanjirou, who had only exchanged a few pleasantries with Mizuki, suddenly seemed to remember something, and his previously cheerful expression turned anxious.
"Oh, Miss Mizuki, Nezuko has been unconscious for a long time. Could I trouble you to take a look?"
Mizuki shook her head and said, "Don't worry, Nezuko is just recovering her strength."
"Recovering her strength?"
Mizuki explained the principle to him, and Tanjirou's anxious heart finally settled.
He patted his chest: "You scared me to death! So that's what it is."
He was truly terrified that something might happen to Nezuko.
"Dinner is ready. Young lady, please eat with us too." Urokodaki Sakonji brought out a lavish dinner.
Mizuki reacted belatedly: "Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. Master Urokodaki, just call me Mizuki."
Looking at the table full of delicious food, Tanjirou was moved to tears.
"It's so lavish..."
"...Ha." Mizuki's mouth twitched slightly. She could tell they had been through some tough times.
To allow Tanjirou to eat more, Mizuki only picked up a few symbolic bites with her chopsticks... well, actually, it was because the food was too awful, and pretending to enjoy it was difficult.
Urokodaki Sakonji was old and ate little, so most of the food ended up in Tanjirou's stomach.
The slow-to-realize Tanjirou rubbed his full stomach, scratched his head, and looked embarrassed: "Sorry, I ate too much."
Mizuki laughed: "It's alright. You're at the age where you're growing, so eating more is good for you."
Urokodaki Sakonji drank his after-dinner tea and said flatly, "Tomorrow's training volume will be doubled."
Tanjirou, who hadn't even had time to feel moved, instantly turned to stone.
Because the wooden house lacked rooms, Mizuki was temporarily settled in Nezuko's room.
She briefly examined Nezuko's physical condition; almost all of her bodily functions had entered a dormant state.
If she relies on sleep to replenish energy, that's too exaggerated.
This is... some kind of change at a more microscopic level. Is it the cells?
Nezuko is evolving.
Mizuki did not interfere with Nezuko's sleep. Replenishing lost stamina is not difficult; it can be quickly restored with the aid of human blood.
But Nezuko has never consumed human blood. Unlike them, she is a good Demon in the truest sense.
There is no need to make her consume human blood.
Human blood is not without drawbacks. Any raw food, especially parts involving humans, can easily trigger the instinct of an Evil Demon.
That is, the instinct to eat humans.
Like drug addiction, the temptation will only grow... The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, Tanjirou went up the mountain with Urokodaki Sakonji.
Mizuki had no intention of following them. While Urokodaki Sakonji was on the mountain, she drew the Demon Blade [Shura], forged from her own flesh and blood, and cut down a patch of trees.
She was a little reluctant to use the Nichirin Blade for cutting.
Mizuki set up a simple hut next to the wooden house, planning to stay here for a while.
It wasn't quite appropriate to squeeze in with a few grown men.
When she and Tamayo were wandering outside, she often did things herself, so she was quite experienced.
---------------------------------
If you'd like to read the next 40 chapters in advance, you can support me on Patreon.
I regularly post chapter previews there, so you'll always be up-to-date and won't have to wait too long.
patreon.com/SolyuraMT
And if you enjoy the story, don't forget to give me a Power Stone. Your support really motivates me to continue translating!