Kochou Shinobu, as a physician, and especially as a physician for the Demon Slayer Corps, was naturally interested in techniques that could help the Demon Slayer Corps.
This was a medical art that could save lives.
However, such things were like martial arts manuals and could not be easily taught to outsiders, which was why Kochou Shinobu had her reservations.
Sure enough, as soon as she spoke, Yushiro, who had just put down his large and small bags of luggage, jumped up.
"Lady Tamayo's medical skills are not something you..."
Tamayo interrupted, "Yushiro, do not be rude."
Yushiro immediately wilted, subconsciously casting an annoyed glance at Mizuki. Ever since meeting this woman, Lady Tamayo seemed to have lost her senses, even coming to a place like the Demon Slayer Corps without hesitation.
Mizuki noticed Yushiro's resentful gaze and returned a speechless look.
Just as Yushiro was about to break down and question Mizuki, he heard Mizuki speak first: "I know Mr. Yushiro is a cold-faced but warm-hearted person."
"But if you always act like a child, no girls will like you, you know."
When he heard the first half of the sentence, Yushiro still had an indifferent expression, but when he heard the latter half, his tsundere expression immediately stiffened.
"Girls would definitely prefer someone with a calm personality, right?" Mizuki continued to twist the knife, "If you don't believe me, you can ask Tamayo."
"Th-this kind of thing, how can..." Yushiro's old face flushed red, and he stammered. A person who was several hundred years old had nowhere to put his pride.
Tamayo was quite helpless: "Alright, you two. Yushiro and Miss Kochou, please stay and help. Mizuki and Miss Yae, I'm afraid you'll have to wait outside."
Kochou Shinobu's face lit up with joy: "Thank you, Miss Tamayo."
Mizuki rolled her eyes. Well, this was her being kicked out.
Mizuki, knowing that she couldn't even name all the medical equipment, left the operating room with Yae.
These days, even doing odd jobs requires skill.
"Let's sit by the door. I don't think you can sleep either," Mizuki greeted the pensive Yae and sat down in the corridor by the door.
Yae sat down next to her, somewhat worried: "Mm, to be honest, I'm very nervous right now."
"Tamayo isn't someone who talks big. If she says it's fine, she definitely has it under control, so don't worry," Mizuki comforted her, then looked up at the stars in the sky.
At night, she liked to stare at the sky.
The starry sky of this era had not yet suffered any pollution.
The stars twinkled, dreamlike and illusory.
"Hello, would you two like some tea?" Kanzaki Aoi, with her twin ponytails, saw Mizuki sitting alone in the corridor and walked over with tea.
Two years ago, when Mizuki was a guest at the Demon Slayer Corps, she had a few brief conversations with this young girl.
Mizuki asked, "Aren't you going to rest at this hour?"
Kanzaki Aoi sat down next to Mizuki, sandwiching Mizuki between herself and Yae like a two-sided cheese sandwich: "Miss Shinobu is busy, and I want to see if there's anything I can help with."
Mizuki, seeing the girl's effort, didn't say anything like 'You should go rest,' but nodded: "That's thoughtful of you."
"Miss Yae, please."
"Ah, thank you."
The three sat idly by the door, conversing in low voices so as not to disturb the people inside.
Yae seemed to have long adapted to night shifts, and her energy was still quite good. Kanzaki Aoi, however, couldn't hold on much longer. Her head nodded repeatedly, and she eventually fell asleep leaning on Mizuki's shoulder.
It wasn't until dawn was breaking that the door to the corridor suddenly slid open.
Kanzaki Aoi woke up with a start, and the three of them turned around in unison. It was Kochou Shinobu.
Yae impatiently stood up: "Is my dad okay?"
Kochou Shinobu took off her mask, looking a bit tired: "It went smoothly enough. You can go in."
She moved aside, making space.
"Aoi, please go in and look after them. If Miss Tamayo needs anything, tell me immediately."
"Yes, Miss Shinobu." Kanzaki Aoi quickly stood up.
What a young person full of initiative.
Mizuki saw the dark circles under her eyes and couldn't help but ask, "Are you alright, Shinobu? You don't look too good."
"Mm, a little tired." Kochou Shinobu rubbed her temples and sat down next to Mizuki.
"Miss Tamayo is too amazing; I couldn't keep up without full concentration."
"You've been working all night. Go rest for a bit."
Kochou Shinobu shook her head: "No need, I can still hold on."
Mizuki smiled: "Tamayo's stamina is much better than that of ordinary people."
As demons, purely in terms of physical stamina, few humans could compare to them. High-intensity mental exertion like surgery was no big deal.
Speaking of stamina, Kochou Shinobu suddenly remembered something from last night and couldn't help but ask, "That..."
"Hm?" Mizuki looked at her questioningly.
"The Demon Slayer Mark Mizuki mentioned, I want to know what it is."
"The Demon Slayer Mark?"
"It's an ability that enhances physical capabilities in exchange for lifespan."
Kochou Shinobu: "Then, can I also awaken the Demon Slayer Mark?"
"Of course, awakening the Demon Slayer Mark isn't difficult." Among the 'three-piece set,' the Demon Slayer Mark should be the simplest.
It only requires reaching one's limit.
"But as I said, those who awaken the Demon Slayer Mark usually don't live past twenty-five."
"If I hadn't been turned into a demon, I would probably have died from the Demon Slayer Mark as well." Mizuki stroked her cheek, a hint of memory in her eyes.
She didn't believe she was as special as Yoriichi.
Kochou Shinobu had originally intended to ask about the Demon Slayer Mark, but hearing Mizuki's murmur, she couldn't help but ask, "How did Mizuki become a demon?"
After speaking, she suddenly felt a bit impolite.
"Um, is my question a bit difficult?"
Mizuki was silent for a moment: "I guess so."
Kochou Shinobu was a bit dumbfounded, her ears turning red with embarrassment.
"I was... turned into a demon by my own brother."
Mizuki had forgotten many things, but the memories of Yoriichi and Michikatsu were still perfectly preserved.
If... if that cut she made back then had been a little deeper.
If she had been more careful back then... Kochou Shinobu's eyes trembled slightly, and her lips pursed: "I'm sorry..."
Mizuki smiled faintly: "It's alright. After becoming a demon, my legs don't feel weak, my throat doesn't cough, and my body has improved a lot."
What she said was true.
Mizuki's main reason for not wanting to become a demon was not wanting Muzan to know her memories.
Of course, later, when Yoriichi gradually grew old, she was also melancholic for a while.
But what Kochou Shinobu heard was nothing but a bitter smile.
Mizuki... must have had it tough.
Kochou Shinobu's purple eyes showed a hint of gentle sadness.
Mizuki's expression was a bit stiff.
What kind of expression is that... she looks as if she thinks I'm pitiful.
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