Born into the illustrious Kanroji family, she was none other than Mitsuri's younger sister. As she journeyed through life's trials, she embraced the mantle of a demon slayer, her path ultimately converging with that of the one she had long yearned f...
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Meiko woke up and changed into her hakama, feeling the weight of the day ahead settling on her shoulders. Today was the day she'd prove herself to be a worthy slayer after months of rigorous training. Her final selection loomed before her, just two months after her older sister, Mitsuri. Nervousness gripped her, but determination fueled her steps as she tied her hair into a ponytail, keeping her bangs framing her face. With a yawn and a stretch, she emerged from her room, ready to face the challenges ahead.
As Meiko walked out, Rengoku greeted her with a warm smile, handing her a sword. "It is now your time, Meiko. I wish you great luck on the battlefield!" he exclaimed proudly, his tone brimming with encouragement. His hand gently patted the top of her head, a chuckle escaping his lips.
A tear welled up in Meiko's eye as she buried her face in Rengoku's chest, overwhelmed with worry. "WAAAHAAAAaa! I'm SOO worried! What— what if I mess up? What if I'm too weak to kill a demon, or I can't measure my breathing— or I–"
"You won't," Rengoku interrupted firmly.
"WHAAT?"
"I know you won't," he affirmed with a proud smile, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I've watched you for 8 months on end, and I've seen your growth. Even as you failed, your determination to become a slayer always turned failure into success. You are a worthy swordsman. You will make it. I believe in you. Believe in yourself, Meiko," he reassured her, his words instilling newfound confidence in her heart.
Meiko took a few deep breaths, using the calming technique she had learned from her training. She nodded resolutely, her gaze shifting to Senjuro who smiled and offered her a thumbs up of support. With Mitsuri away on a mission in another city, Meiko knew she had to step up for the ones she loved.
Following Rengoku outside the estate, Meiko's footsteps felt heavy with worry. Her brow furrowed, a bead of sweat trickling down her face as she struggled to contain her emotions. Despite her focused expression, her mind was clouded with a mix of determination and fear. Though she trembled inwardly, she refused to back down, her determination unwavering even as her face flushed with anxiety.
In the distance, Meiko spotted a grove of beautiful wisteria trees, their blooms captivating her gaze. 'Is this where I should be?' she wondered, drawn to the serene beauty of the scene.
Approaching the grove, Meiko's eyes widened as she realized she was surrounded by a group of swordsmen, all men who stared at her with intense curiosity. Feeling overwhelmed, Meiko trembled and sought refuge by a nearby tree, her shyness momentarily overcoming her as she stood hesitantly among the unfamiliar faces.
One of the men, a friendly-looking individual with short, spiky black hair and a prominent scar from his cheek to his eye, stepped forward with a warm smile. "Hi, my name is Ryota, or Ryo. What's yours?" he greeted Meiko kindly, offering his hand in greeting.
"Oh... my name is Meiko," she replied softly, shaking Ryo's hand politely. She couldn't help but notice the roughness of his hand, a testament to years of rigorous training to reach this point.
Ryo's cheerful smile tugged at Meiko's heartstrings as she observed his hakama, which bore the colors of black, gray, and white, indicating his dedication to his craft as a swordsman.
Meiko smiled as the twins began to speak in unison.
"Good evening. Tonight, you've come to enter the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection. Thank you all for being here."
The white-haired girl continued,
"There are demons imprisoned here on Mt. Fujikasane, captured alive by Demon Slayer swordsmen, and unable to leave."
Then, the black-haired girl added,
"That is because wisteria, which demons despise, blooms even out of season from the base to halfway up the mountain."
"However," the white-haired girl resumed, "there is no wisteria from this point onward, and demons roam freely."
"To complete the Final Selection, you must survive here for seven days."
The two girls bowed. "Now, your trial begins."
Meiko sprinted down the hill, her hand poised on her sword's guard. A rustle froze her in place, eyes scanning the surroundings until three demons hurtled towards her from above. Gripping her sword tightly, she yelled, "KYAAAAAA! Stay back!" In a swift motion, she dispatched all three, surprising even herself with her prowess.
Exhausted, Meiko stumbled upon a sanctuary among fellow demon slayers, where she overheard their weary banter. "I'm wiped out," one man sighed. "How will we survive this?" another pondered aloud. Meiko yawned; it had been a challenging first day. Finally able to rest, she sighed contentedly.
In her slumber, a scream jolted Meiko awake as a demon attacked one of the men. Swiftly reacting, she shouted, "Spring Breathing, First Form: Sakura Blossom Gale!" Her strikes, as precise as cherry blossoms in the wind, overwhelmed the demon, saving the man but lamenting the dirt on her favorite hakama. Gratefully, he thanked her, bowing deeply, to which Meiko bashfully replied, "Oh, um... You're welcome."
Days passed with relentless battles against demons, each encounter leaving Meiko increasingly fatigued and dirtied. Eventually, she stumbled upon a gathering near some wisteria where the leaders awaited her alongside her fellow demon slayers, including the twins and Ryu. The twins from previously, started to speak in unison.
"Congratulations, you have all passed the Final Selection. Now, you will be assigned a crow. Kusagai crows will be used in forms of communication."
A small crow perched gently on Meiko's arm, smaller than most of the other crows that she saw. The crow's name was Eiko, and she was a girl. As the twins continued to speak, they assigned them their uniform and allowed them to pick their own ores for their blade.
After packing up her uniform, Meiko made her way back to the Rengoku estate, her legs throbbing with exhaustion, each step a struggle. Time seemed to blur, and before she knew it, night had descended by the time she was three-quarters of the way there. She was on the verge of collapse when Mitsuri spotted her and rushed to her side, catching her just in time.
"MEIKO?! MEIKOOOO!" Mitsuri cried out, rushing to her and enveloping her in a tight embrace, tears streaming down her face.
"I'M SO HAPPY YOU SURVIVED, MEIKO!! MY BABY SISTERRRRR!!" She sniffled, lifting Meiko onto her back and carrying her the rest of the way home.
Meiko hid her face in Mitsuri's back, a smile on her face, "It's great to see you again.. nee-san." she murmured.
Once they made their way back home, Rengoku smiled, embracing the two with tears in his eyes. After their sentimental moment, he sat down, waiting to discuss things with Meiko.
"As you can see, you've now became a demon slayer. You might have to face those with something special called, a blood demon art. These demons will most likely be those who consist of the twelze kizuki, the twelve most strongest demons. They use these techniques to manipulate their blood, and to kill their opponeny much easier. If you encounter these types of demons, whatever you do, do not panic and please fight till the very end."
"I believe in you, a lot, Meiko. I wish nothing but the best for you." He smiled warmly, putting his hand on her shoulder as she collapsed with her head to the floor, "Thank you Rengoku-san!" She cried.
"You ought to get rest, Meiko. Your sword will come in 2 weeks by now, best be enjoying them! Now, go sleep!" Rengoku encouraged, a bright smile on his face as Meiko walked to her room.
'I'm so grateful for Rengoku-san,' Meiko thought as she lay down in her futon, a thankful smile spreading across her face. With that comforting thought, she succumbed to the whispers of sleep.
