Another Life (Tokito Muichiro X OC)

~5~

3rd Person POV
'Urokodaki,
Let's hope you're well and strong despite your old age. I'm good I'll tell you that.

The last time we exchanged letters was, when? Three weeks ago? Yeah it's been some time since then. I'll tell you what.
My student, Toshiyo Airi, is going to take part in the final selection that's coming in three days time.

Yep. I've managed to make her a perfect swordsman. Just like I told you. She was supposed to take it 4 months later, that'd be one year but I decided that she was ready right now. It's an instinct. Anyways,

Now it's time for her to go the wisteria covered mountain and slay those demons. And then come back alive. I'll kill her myself if she dies. But pls, tell me when your student's ready to take the final selection.

I'll look forward to your reply.

Yours, Ryouji Toriyama.'

As Urokodaki reads this letter, he's wondering if he shall send young Tanjiro to the next final selection, too.

It seems Toshiyo's master have turned his student into a perfect slayer, ready to behead demons.

Urokodaki's POV
'But what of Tanjiro? Is he ready yet?...no I don't think so...

Toshiyo may be taking the exam three days later, but Tanjiro still needs more practice. He still hasn't perfected all the forms. Maybe in six months or so, I'll send him too.

As I watch Tanjiro practice his swings, I make a silent prayer that Toshiyo passes her exam that's to come in three days.

"Alright, should be enough for now. Go back inside, I'll prepare something." I tell the young man.

Toshiyo's POV
I was practicing my Total Concentration Breathing when my master called for me.

I go to his room and he signals me to sit infront of him. I do as he says and sit, 'Is something going on? He seems serious.'

My mind's going a hundred miles an hour in anticipation to what he's gonna say. Gosh, why does he always take so much time to tell me something if it's serious...!

"Toshio. Why did you think I'd tell you to hunt down an boar or a pig?"

'Finally he said something...!
... ... w h a t ?...THIS IS WHAT HE CALLED ME IN FOR..??!'

"Wait master, how did you...?" Did he read my goddamn mind!?

"Your nervousness and body language gave it off." He said as if it was the most normal thing in the world...

"Is that so...? he he..."

Seriously...!

Then he suddenly got serious. Like, actually serious this time.

"That's not what I called you in for..." He continued, "Final selection's in three days... I was thinking maybe you're prepared to go now."

He said with a sense of seriousness and maybr proudness too. Wait- final selection? Three days??

"Final selection...? I'm ready to go? Master, are you sure? What if I can't pass the test?"
I voice out my unsurity and nervousness.

Maybe I should've been more confident. Because, he smacked me in the head before saying, "You'll do just fine. I didn't train you so long for you to fail. Have some confidence in yourself."

"Yes, master!" I replied, this time with confidence. With this newfound confidence, I was determined to go and pass that test. Whatever they had in store for me, I will go through it all.

"Good, go back to practice, you'll be leaving tomorrow first thing in the morning." My master instructed me before going back to what he was doing before.

I took that as my cue to leave, "Ok then, goodnight master."

I get up to leave. I plan on practicing a little more and-
'OHHH! I see. So that's why my training was harsher today. And he was paying more attention to me today too! I see...

Well, either way, I'd be leaving tomorrow morning anyways.

3rd person POV
With the instructions Toshiyo got from her master, she decided to go and practice a little more on her own and then retire for the night.

She goes down and sits down on the platform, then starts training to master Total Concentration, a breathing technique, taught by her master. It is said to help Breath users master their breaths to perfection.

Toshiyo almost reached that level. With a little more practice and experience, she can be able to do it even in her sleep. Which she's been trying for some time now...

"Total Concentration Breathing." Muttering the name of the technique, she tries to achieve what she's been doing for months now.

A while later, "Okk. I think I'll be able to do do it now!"
Toshiyo assured herself as she got up to go retire for the night. She's got a long day tomorrow...

~(\\{^=^}//)~

Toshiyo's POV
As soon as the sun was up, I was up and running too, "Ok master, I'm heading out then. See you in a week or so." I said to my master as he finished packing my food for the journey. He said it'd take about two days to go there so it's better to move today. If I move today, I won't have to rush and I'd still reach on time.

"You sure you have everything?" He asked with   a sad look glinting in his eyes. Like he was hiding a mountain of sorrow behind those emerald eyes. But it vanished as soon as it appeared.

"Yes master." I replied, not having recalled leaving anything necessary, behind.

Then, suddenly, the master came forward and wrapped his arms around me, hugging me, "Make sure to return. Alive. Or I'll kill you myself."
He said, his arms still wrapped around me. Instinctively, I hugged him back, "I will, master. After all, I wouldn't want to be killed by my own master's hand, right?" I said with a chuckle as I pulled out from the hug.

He looked at me with such admiration, I felt even more determined to come back alive. Then finally I left, waving a quick farewell to my master.

Barely taking three steps, I halted on my spot, "Right. Master, I have finally mastered Total Concentration Breathing! I can now do it even while sleeping!" I announced, turning around. Feeling very proud of myself.

Indeed, I noticed last night that, even while sleeping I could maintain my Total Concentration Breathing state.

For a second his eyes widened but they were back to normal again, "That's right. I knew you'd be able to do it. Go and pass that selection for me Toshiyo. Good luck..."
He said to me before I finally took my leave.

Off to take the final selection, now!

~(\\\{^=^}///)~

•|→|• How do u like this chapter? Do tell me in the comments! And I'm up for criticism! •|←|•

•|→|• Normally, in any other  fanfiction, you don't see the mc's training period's process. Nobody really puts it into words, how the mc trained. So that's where I did something a little different than others. And that's why, I need reassurance. Do tell me if u want more of her upbringing or if u just want me to go straight to the point! •|←|•

Chapter Six's coming out next Tuesday! (iA)

•|→|• Peace, lov u <3 •|←|•

Word count: 1197