Infinity With You | T. Muichiro

20

Chapter 20
ALSTROEMERIA

After a few days, the slayers could already move and fight with weight cuffs around them.

And now, it was time for the second stage of the training.

To hone their reflexes and synergy, You tasked them to pass through a forest near the Star Estate. Standing before them, you explained the rules in detail.

"You will have 100 seconds to get ready. Once I finish counting, I'll come after you. Your goal is to avoid being knocked down by me. You can team up with each other if you wish as well!"

Everyone nodded in unison, determination etched on their faces.

"Start!"

You announced with a clap, and everyone immediately scrambled towards the deep forest, their footsteps echoing through the trees.

You started counting quietly, hearing the ruffled sound of bushes and footsteps around you.

"100.."    "99..."

"98.."      "97..."        "..."        "...."

"65..."       "..."        "...."

"12..."       "...."

"3...2..1...!"

'Here I come!!'

After you had finished counting, you took a wooden sword from the training ground, holding it in an reversed grip. With a flash blur of movement, you immediately disappeared into the forest.

You jumped and twirled gracefully from tree to tree, spotting a few groups nearby. Observing a group of three cautiously looking around, you felt a hint of satisfaction. "That's good, they decided to listen and team up." you mused quietly to yourself.

You looked around once more, also seeing some slayers decided to be dumb or arrogant enough to stay alone. 'I shouldn't be too harsh.. They might have a plan, who knows.' you tried to be hopeful.

They did not have a plan.

Staring at their defeated state, you sighed inwardly.

"You left a lot of openings for me to ambush you so easily. Be more cautious of your surroundings. We are training, not playing hide and seek." You started lecturing the young man, pointing out his weaknesses, hoping that it would help him improve.

"Yes!! I apologise, Lady Tokito!"

You nod with a smile at his words, satisfied. "Let us try again."

With that, he took off. You hoped he'd improve a little after hearing your lecture.

Deciding not to hang around anymore, you took off as well. Just then, you saw another group of slayers hanging near a tree you were on.

"They teamed up, but they still leave too many openings to attack." You frowned and shared your head with an exasperated sigh. 'If I was a demon instead, they will be dead in seconds.'

'Well, experience will teach them I guess.'

With a swift, silent movement, you charged at them. The group reacted too slowly as expected, and in seconds, they were down with just a strike from your sword, caught off guard.

'She took out all six of us with just one strike!' One of them exclaimed in his head as he dropped down to the ground, his sword already flew away because of his weak grip and collided with a nearby tree trunk. His expression was a mix of shock and grimace.

"You all died, let's try again!" you retracted your wooden sword, trying to sound encouraging. The six of them let out a sound of affirmation before quickly scrambling back into the forest.

You smiled cheekily, a glint of excitement in your eyes. "Alright, I wonder who's next?" you murmured to yourself. Jumping onto a tree branch, you scanned the area, spotting Kanao with Tanjiro. You blinked in surprise.

'Kanao and Tanjiro-kun...the two of them teamed up... this will be interesting!' you smiled, feeling amused for some odd reason.

With that, you charged at them. Kanao was the first to react, immediately blocking your attack. Her boots dragged backward a bit from the impact. She seemed surprised at the impact of your strike but then smiled softly, recognizing how much you had improved, to the point of surpassing her in strength. Just a few months ago, you were still learning the basics from her.

Using the momentum of the blocked attack, you dragged your sword toward Tanjiro. He wasted no time in blocking, but both of them were pushed back from the violent force of your strike. You jumped back a bit to create a safe distance before holding out your wooden blade towards them.

"Mind a spar?" you asked, a challenging smile in your lips.

"Of course not," Tanjiro replied, as both of them charged at you. You blocked their strikes before focusing on Tanjiro. Kanao jumped out of the way as you repeatedly struck at Tanjiro, who struggled to hold his ground. Just then, Kanao struck from behind, but you blocked the attack and pushed her back. Tanjiro wasted no time and charged again. You, however, kicked his stomach, sending him flying.

Boosting yourself up, you quickly thrust your sword at Kanao, disarming her and sending her sword flying.

You beamed brightly; it had been a while since you had to put effort into fighting. It was a refreshing feeling.

"You two did well! Go rest for today!" you said, your voice filled with genuine praise.

"Thank you, (Name)!" With a bow, Tanjiro thanked you. Kanao gave you a smile and a slight bow. She then looks at you.

"Let's...hang out when we have a chance."

She hesitantly blurt out, feeling a bit shy for some reason. You blink in surprise, it was the first time Kanao initiated it. Tanjiro smiled brightly beside the two of you, seeing her follow her heart, just as he hoped.

"Sure thing!" You named at the girl. Kanao smiled back in return, seemingly happy. With that, you send them off with a wave and a happy smile.

"Tanjiro..I did it." Kanao expectantly looks at him with a small blush. Tanjiro beamed at her, nodding. "Yes, you did it, Kanao. Let's go eat dinner together to celebrate it."

"Wh...—really? ..... ..."

"Of....urse!"

"Then...    ...."

"Yes..  ..."

You watched Tanjiro and Kanao's figures getting smaller, and the voice of their conversation faded away.

Staring at them, you smiled a little.

"They seem close. Kanao seems much more lively lately, I wonder if Tanjiro was the cause of it. If so, I should thank him properly."

Making a mental note to thank Tanjiro for helping your best friend out, you took off again to continue the training with everyone.

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Taisho Rumors

(Name) once almost destroyed her room while trying to catch a cockroach.

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Author Notes

Tanjiro is such a green flag 😭💖 Kanao is a lucky girl ☺️

Everyone needs a Tanjiro irl