Higashikuze Akiho's very existence was thought to be taboo among demons and humans alike: she was a half-demon, the first of her kind. But being taken in and rasied by a former pillar with a strong sense of justice and a hatred for Kibutsuji Muzan...
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第三话
Dangos are good...
Fourteen days later, Akiho was sitting in the shade and savoring the sweet and tangy treat on a stick. Musashi had gone into the nearby village very early in the morning and brought back a few dangos. Despite her body only been able to palate meat (anything else was repulsive to the taste), she curiously loved the rice flour confection. It was the little joy she had and the former pillar happily indulged this human side of her.
I want another one...
She could stay here forever and not worry about a thing, but that was not possible as long as demon slayers still had to fight demons. As she was getting back up, she noticed a man wearing a hyottoko mask walking slowly towards hers and Musashi's cabin. He was carrying a large, wrapped rectangular parcel on his back.
"My name is Saionji Mochitake, from the Swordsmiths Village. I have come to deliver the nichirin sword I forged for Higashikuze Akiho."
"Oh," she blinked with a growing excitement, the thought of dango forgotten as she looked over the peculiar swordsmith. "I am Higashikuze Akiho. Would you like to come in?"
"I will show you the sword," Saionji said as he unwrapped his parcel, completely ignoring the girl's offer. "Here it is."
Not knowing what say, Akiho reached out gingerly to receive the sheathed sword. The handle was a deep purple with alabaster white accents going down towards the petal-shaped guard, and the sheath was a stark black with a gold line running down its length. She marveled at the intricate design with wonder as Saionji spoke again.
"You're the former Stone Pillar Higashikuze Musashi's disciple?"
"Yes," Akiho replied before thinking about it further. "He took me in when I was an infant."
"Are you a Breath of Stone user as well, then? I wonder if the blade will change into that lovely dark gray!"
"She does not know any Breath Styles, Saionji."
Musashi came out of the cabin after hearing the exchange. His arms were crossed inside his black haori. Saionji let out a disappointed noise and peered at Akiho once more behind the mask, giving the girl no indication what his expression was.
"No Breaths? Pity... Still, nichirin swords change color depending on the bearer, so child, let's see it!"
With the swordsmith's insistent ushering, she slowly pulled out the blade. The blade was a reflective silver, clean cut and very sharp. Akiho, along with the swordsmith and Musashi, stared at the blade intently to see the color changing take effect. However, nothing happened after a few seconds.
