|•| 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙵𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚕𝚎 𝚂𝚕𝚊𝚢𝚎𝚛 |•| 𝕂𝕟𝕪 𝔽𝕒𝕟𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟

XXXVI

"Kiyomi-san is fine, Oyakata-sama, Amane-sama.", Shinobu stated as she finished checking on Kiyomi, who was still unconscious.

"Thank you, Shinobu.", Kagaya thanked her with a gentle smile as she smiled back.

"But.. if I may ask, what is she doing here?", Shinobu asked, confused as to why Kiyomi was at the Ubuyashiki estate, unconscious.

"It is a secret. Only she can tell you.", he replied. Shinobu just nodded in understanding.

"Come, let us now start the hashira meeting with the other children.", Kagaya said before standing up with the help of his wife. And soon, all of them left and let Kiyomi rest.

--------

"I'm sorry for the wait, my dear swordsmen. Thank you all for coming at the pillar meeting once again.", Kagaya came in the room where the hashiras waited and apologized.

"It is fine, Oyakata-sama. I am glad to see you in good health.", Sanemi said. Then, Gyomei sensed something.

"If I may ask, Oyakata-sama, is your disease.. healing?", Gyomei asked, surprising the other hashiras to hear that their master was suddenly getting better.

"Why do you ask, Gyomei?", Kagaya wondered.

"I mean no offence, Oyakata-sama. I sense that your body no longer has the odor of rotten flesh and are all fine except for the upper-half of your head, unlike the last time.", Gyomei replied.

"Hmm, come to think of it, you look much better, Oyakata-sama, which is so great!", Tengen beamed as he looked at Kagaya, now noticing the difference.

Kagaya chuckled, "Well, a person was able to heal away most of this disease, but couldn't completely heal, since it was too dangerous.", Shinobu perked up to what he said.

"Is the person..?", Shinobu hesitated, not saying the name. Kagaya already know who she was talking about and smiled.

"Yes, but you must keep it a secret unless she agrees to tell.", Kagaya said as Shinobu nodded, confusing the others.

"Who is 'she', Oyakata-sama?", Obanai asked, a little curious.

"It also remains a secret, unless she wants to introduce herself.", he replied.

"Besides that, shall we start the meeting?", Then they started the meeting about new marks and explaining what it does.

Meanwhile...

"Ugh.. My head hurts..", Kiyomi woke up as she grasped her forehead in pain.

'Huh..? Oh, I'm still at the estate.. Must've fainted.', Kiyomi looked around and saw the familiar garden of the Ubuyashiki estate.

She slowly stood up, a little dizzy, and wobbled outside the garden.

'Mmm.. This feels relaxing..', she thought, feeling the gentle breeze of wind.

She walked to the garden to go to the exit since she didn't have to say goodbye to Kagaya and his family, because she knew there was a pillar meeting.

She shouldn't have walked in the garden to get to the exit.

"Those who have manifested the mark must participate. No matter who it has appeared for, and there will be no exceptions.", Kagaya said, which made Kiyomi flinch and trip on the rocks. Luckily, she managed to balance herself back before she could hit the ground.

Silence...

"S-sorry to disturb!! Excuse me!!", Kiyomi shortly bowed as she continued to walk away panickedly, only for Kagaya to stop her by asking her a question.