CHAPTER 10

"Please sit down, Issei-kun."

"Thank you."

Issei went to the corner of the wooden traditional table and sat down in a seiza position while facing Kanae.

"Do you like it here, Ise?"

"It's comfortable."

"Is that so? Then, would be it be alright if I ask you something?"

"Of course."

Kanae had a gentle smile on her face as she placed the cup of tea that was in her hands back on the table.

"Was there someone else in that forest aside from that demon with you?"

Issei felt that this was a rather casual question which anyone would ask. It wasn't to that much of an unexpected question.

Just as when Issei was about to reply, Ddraig interrupted him

[[Don't say anything that would lead to any suspicions. This girl seems quite observant, Be careful!]]

[Got it.]

"I didn't see anyone else."

Issei replied with an half assured tone. This was the best reply he could think of at the moment.

By not being entirely sure, he could avoid unnecessary trouble that would arise with questions like 'How he was able to survive for so long in front of demon?'

"Are you sure?"

Issei nodded his head in agreement with an earnest expression.

"Is that right? Fine! you can go now!"

The smile didn't left her face during the whole conversation. Issei stood up and walked out of the room in a steady pace.

Issei walked in the corridor and arrived in a room with a door leading to the courtyard.

He treaded forward and sat down at the side of the entrance of the room through the courtyard. The sun was shining with a warm light with a clear blue sky.

He noticed several butterflies flying around the trees nearby while sparrows were chirping.

But even in this type of peaceful environment, Issei felt strange for some reason. He felt that the place was too foreign for him.

Along with it, there was this slight restlessness in his chest that urged him to do something.

…

"Sister! Did you find out something?"

"Not anything in particular. But I am certain that he was lying about something."

Kanae replied with a carefree tone as if she wasn't bothered at all.

"Heh? Then why are you letting him stay here? It is dangerous!"

Shinobu asked loudly with a worried expression. Kanae smiled and started patting her shoulders heavily

"Don't worry, Don't worry. He won't do anything to harm us."

"how can you be so sure about that?"

"He's just a small child. Moreover... isn't he adorable?"

"That's not a good reason!!"

"now now, don't be so cold to your sister. I promise to buy a new kimono for you."

Kanae said with a reassuring tone while waving her hand in a nonchalant manner.

"I can buy a kimono for myself!"

"Ara ara, I didn't even realize when you grew up so much. Now you don't even need your sister anymore." Kanae said with a hurt tone and a pitiful expression on her face.

"What?… no, it's not like that… I was just…"

"And here I thought you loved your sister."

Seeing her pitiful face, Shinobu had a worried expression. But a look of realization dawned upon her face as she shouted

"But that is not the point here!"

Seeing her like this, Kanae sighed a little and asked

"Shinobu, do you trust your sister?"

Shinobu paused at her question and grouted her teeth while looking down, but still replied

"yes…"

"In that case, let him stay here.…"

Shinobu looked up at Kanae with the same worried expression, but before she could say anything, She was inturrepted by Kanae

"Shinobu, do you remember why we both decided to become demon slayers?"

Shinobu was puzzled by her question, with an unsure voice, she replied

''After our family was massacred by the demons, when we were saved by that man, we decided to become demon slayers, so that no other children has to see their family's death.''

As she spoke, she realized something as her eyes widened a little.

Kanae saw that shinobu had realized what she wanted to make her understand. She placed a hand on Shinobu's head and stroked it gently while she said in a soothing tone

"You realized it now?…. I believe that it is our duty to help children like him."

Shinobu looked down while refusing to meet her sister's gaze. She was feeling ashamed of herself. Even though Kanae's tone was anything but angry, Shinobu still felt like she made a big mistake.

Kanae seemed to have already predicted her thoughts as she brought down her hand in a light achop.

"Sister! It hurts!"

Shinobu stated while rubbing her forehead with her hands.

"Now don't go on about blaming yourself..."

"…If you are really sorry, then take care of him. He's only a year younger than you, after all."

"Yes..."

Shinobu replied with a discourage tone at being reprimanded by her sister.

…

[What do you think about this world, Ddraig?]

[[It feels familiar as well as totally different at the same time…]]

{But the world laws here are completely different.}

[[Yes! It almost feels like they are being suppressed!]]

{Agreed. It is to the point that it feels unnatural.}

[Would you both mind letting me in the conversation?]

[[I was talking about the world laws!]]

{The world laws are certain rules which revolve around the atmosphere. The world has to abide by the rules no matter what!}

[[ A common example would be the force of gravity. It is also a world law which dictates that the world will attract any matter to itself...]]

[But some supernatural beings can also fly. Then wouldn't it mean that they can defy the world laws?]

[[Yes. That is why they are called 'supernatural' beings.]]

{Some world laws are comparatively stronger than others. The one with gravity was a very weak one which can be breached by almost every supernatural being, no matter their strength...}

{Aside from that, very few have the capability to break superior laws…}

[I see… then what about this world?]

{This world has exceptionally strong world laws, I think even I will have trouble with them...}

[So basically, the powers of the people in this world is being suppressed by the laws?]

[[ Correct! That girl would be a feared individual if she ever entered our world.]]

[Does that mean the laws in our world are weak?]

[[Naturally...]]

{Just think of it like this, 'Stronger the laws, lower the strength of people', 'Weaker the laws, higher the strength'.}

Issei gazed at the empty space in front of him with a thoughtful expression.

He didn't even knew why he was here yet?

Was it to just train and become stronger? Or was he expected to complete some task.

"The door of destiny…." He mumbled.

"I wish I had some sort of clue or any explanation…"

[[Life doesn't always gives you a straight path. To tread the path of life, you have to also take turns at some points.]]

"What are you doing? Sitting here all alone..."

Shinobu asked from the back as she saw him sitting all alone in the courtyard.

Without looking back, Issei asked: "Do you don't want me to be here?"

Shinobu flashed out to Issei's side making him flinch a little in surprise. Looking at him with those large purple eyes, she replied

"Yes. I wanted to kick you out as soon as possible."

Instead of getting disheartened, Issei raised an eyebrow at her reply. 'wanted'? So she didn't want him to leave anymore?

"But…"

"…..I realized that we were also just like you a few years ago."

"I guess I'm not entitled to listening to what happened yet?"

"Correct! But you might, in the future." Shinobu replied as she unsheathed her sword and started cleaning it with a cloth.

"How did Kocho-san defeat that demon in the forest? She doesn't look that strong…" Issei asked with a genuinely confused expression.

If possible, he wouldn't mind learning that technique. It doesn't hurt to have as many Trump cards as possible. Especially when he knew how strong Vali will be in the future.

"It is a breathing technique."

"Breathing technique?"

"It's a special way of breathing which empowers a Human's body to match the physical capabilities of a demon."

Shinobu explained while making sure to clean the blade thoroughly. Her face partially reflected on the shiny blade as she continued

"Different people practice different breath styles. The breath style is basically the representation of one's personality. I assume that Sister already told you about the demon slayers?"

"Yeah, I think it is very cool!"

"Cool? Do you think being a demon Slayer is fun?"

Her movements halted as the air around her turned a little heavier. Issei immediately realized that he has probably stepped on a massive landline.

It's not like he really thought it was fun or cool, but he still had to play the part of a 12 year old.

"Do you think risking your own life for others is fun? Or fighting a life form genetically stronger than you cool?"

She asked as her tone changed from a friendly to strict one in a second.

This really seems to be a sore spot for her!

Issei was a little unprepared for this turn of events. His thoughts raced to think of some answer.

"No, It's not. But..."

"…After completing the mission, when you know that you have probably saved multiple lives, having that feeling would be truly fun."

He replied with a straight face and an earnest tone.

The intimidating aura around her disappeared while she suddenly seemed to be someone you could easily approach for any help.

Issei released a relieved sigh mentally. What he said was, without a doubt, a big piece of bull crap.

He didn't even think hard about the meaning behind it, before spitting it out. Just because it sounded justifiable in the current situation.

"Like I thought…."

Issei cut his thoughts short as he heard her voice. Looking at her, she has already sheathed her sword again.

"….You don't sound like your age, at all."

"Is that a compliment?"

"That is."

"…"

"…"

This was awkward. Everyone has this moment in their life at some point, when you are having a conversation with someone and suddenly their is an awkward silence when you can't find any topic to speak.

"You know…"

Shinobu stood up and locked both of her hands behind her back as she smiled a little

"…It wouldn't be too bad to make you my little brother."