𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐋 ll セレスティアル

三十九

    “Huh? There’s a hut here.” (Name) murmured to herself, as she had stumbled upon a hut that stood in front of her.

She was trying to find her way back to Tanjiro, but for some reason, her sense of direction wasn't working. No matter how many times she rushed to the place of the explosion, she found herself somewhere else. Maybe it was the number of times she was sent flying or got her mind wasted from alcohol, that her direction sense wasn't working.

(Name) was about to leave until she heard some sounds coming from inside. Raising an eyebrow, she opened the door, only to be met with a fast shadow holding an ax, coming straight at her. With quick reflexes, (Name) punched the man in the stomach, causing him to choke out saliva and his hold on the weapon loosened. 

He fell to the ground and that’s when (Name) noticed the familiar person.

“Kanamori?” (Name) tested his name, as the man flinched when he had tried to attack the emotionally constipated girl, “what were you doing?”           

“I thought you were the demon! Please forgive me!” Kanamori bowed his head, praying that she wouldn’t kick his dick or something, “I didn’t mean to attack you! There were just some attacks from a Blood Demon Art and I was trying to fend them off!”

“What’s going on here? And Upper Moon 5 is dead so you don’t need to worry about that.” (Name) looked back, to see another familiar man.

“Hagenezuka is in his blissful state.” Kanamori informed her.

Hagenezuka’s back was directed in front of (Name), but his headset and mask that used to cover his face was removed. (Name) had honestly expected him to look like a degenerate or wasted old man based on how immature he acts. 

What she didn’t expect was the sight of a youthful man with long black hair that dangled around his frame, and large black eyes. Hagenezuka was busily rubbing the blade onto the wood, as scars and blood covered his form.

“Even when he was attacked, Hagenezuka continued to forge the blade.” Kanamori told (Name), “he didn’t flinch at all! I can’t believe he’s so devoted to that blade!”

 “Incredible! What an incredible blade!” Hagenezuka bellowed, “I didn’t know why he didn’t put his name on such a refined blade! Just a single letter! When he forged this katana, he infused all of his determination into it!”

“He forged this weapon with a single purpose!”

“Wow! Can’t believe they’re the same person.” (Name) huffed, “I thought he would look like a roach or something.”

Kanamori winced at how blunt her words were but since Hagenezuka was occupied with forging the blade, he didn’t mind (Name). The swordsmith continued to work, until he felt a cool dab on his forehead. He ignored it, but the cloth ended up covering his eyes and he lashed out at the person.

“What are you doing?! Can’t you see I’m busy?” he screeched, only to be taken back when he was met with (Name)’s cold look.

“Uh…” Hagenezuka trailed off as (Name) wasn’t affected by his scream and continued to wipe his face for him.

“It’s good that you’re devoted to your duty but make sure to take care of yourself.” she scolded him, “you’re bleeding quite heavily so you should stop it first. You won’t be able to make any more katanas if you drop dead from blood loss.”

“Y-you! T-the child of omen!” Hagenezuka turned red and dashed to the wall, trying to convince himself that a beautiful woman touched someone like him.

“I need to go now. My friends need me.” (Name) gave him a side smile and threw the cloth onto his face, “see you.”

“S-she touched me!” Hagenezuka blurted out as he flipped around in the air with pure joy, while Kanamori calmed him down.