Chapter 3: The Butterfly Sisters
Spring had arrived with blooming flowers, the season when all things revived. The cold winter had passed, and it was during this winter that Miyamizu Ichiyuki had fully mastered Water Breathing, though the issue of incompatibility still persisted.
Having learned a Breathing Technique and possessing a robust physique and talent, Miyamizu Ichiyuki naturally intended to participate in this year's Final Selection.
The night before his departure.
"Issetsu, this is for you." Yuuya Kazami handed the haori from the box to Miyamizu Ichiyuki.
"Master... Thank you for your teachings all these years."
"You can say those words when you return." Yuuya Kazami patted Miyamizu Ichiyuki's shoulder. "Put it on and see if it fits."
"Yes."
With that, Miyamizu Ichiyuki put on the haori, stood up, and turned around once in front of his master.
"Hmm, good. It looks quite fitting."
At that moment, Miyamizu Ichiyuki suddenly knelt down and kowtowed to Yuuya Kazami before him.
"Master, four years ago, you saved me from the demon's hands and raised me. A teacher for a day is a father for life. Please accept my bow."
Seeing this, Yuuya Kazami quickly helped him up. "Good, I accept your bow. But you must promise me, come back alive, okay?"
"Yes, I promise."
"Remember, if you truly encounter a demon you cannot defeat, run. Even if it means withdrawing from the selection, it's okay. Just make sure you survive."
"Yes, I remember."
"Alright, it's getting late. Go to bed early. You have a journey ahead tomorrow."
"Yes, Master, you should rest early too."
Yuuya Kazami nodded and said nothing more. Seeing this, Miyamizu Ichiyuki returned to his room, took off the haori, changed into his pajamas, and went to bed.
...
The next morning.
Miyamizu Ichiyuki woke up early, only to find that Yuuya Kazami had risen even earlier. Miyamizu Ichiyuki greeted him.
Yuuya Kazami handed him a box of rice balls, saying, "Take these as provisions for the road."
Miyamizu Ichiyuki nodded.
Seeing this, Yuuya Kazami brought out his own nichirin blade from the room and handed it to Miyamizu Ichiyuki.
"To kill demons, you need a nichirin blade made of special material. Use this for now."
"Thank you, Master."
Yuuya Kazami did not respond. Instead, he took out a pouch of money and gave it to him.
"Injuries are unavoidable during the Final Selection. If you pass by a pharmacy on the way, buy some bandages and medicine for bruises and sprains."
"Master... I understand." Miyamizu Ichiyuki accepted the money pouch from his hand.
"Alright, I said all I needed to last night. Be on your way."
"Yes..."
Miyamizu Ichiyuki walked to the door, pushed it open, and just as he was about to step out, he suddenly turned around and bowed deeply to Yuuya Kazami.
Watching Miyamizu Ichiyuki, Yuuya Kazami spoke, "Remember, you must survive."
Leaving the house he had lived in for four years, Miyamizu Ichiyuki descended the mountain path and headed towards Fujikasane Mountain, the site of the Final Selection.
...
At dusk, still some distance from his destination, Miyamizu Ichiyuki arrived at a small town. He decided to rest there for the night before continuing.
So, Miyamizu Ichiyuki went to an inn in the town and requested an ordinary room.
After securing the room, Miyamizu Ichiyuki strolled around the town. Having not left the mountains for four years, he was filled with curiosity about everything in the small town.
Passing by a pharmacy, Miyamizu Ichiyuki was stopped by a girl who was young but looked somewhat familiar.
"Excuse me, sir, have you seen my younger sister?"
Hearing this, Miyamizu Ichiyuki turned to look at the somewhat familiar girl.
"Your sister? Who is she?"
"I'm sorry. My sister is Shinobu Kocho. She looks a lot like me and has her hair tied up with a purple butterfly-shaped hairpin."
Miyamizu Ichiyuki looked at the somewhat familiar girl before him and, combined with her words, realized she was Kocho Kanae, not yet fully grown.
Miyamizu Ichiyuki glanced at the setting sun. "I haven't seen your sister, but if you can tell me where she went, perhaps I can help look for her."
"Is that so? Then thank you very much, sir. If it weren't for urgent matters at our family's pharmacy, I wouldn't trouble you."
"It's no trouble. Could you tell me, then?"
"My sister said this afternoon she was going to the mountain ahead to gather herbs. That's all I know." Kocho Kanae pointed to a small hill not far away.
"I understand. I'll go look for her."
With that, Miyamizu Ichiyuki prepared to head towards the hill, but Kanae called him back in time.
"Sir, if you find my sister, please show her this. Then she'll know I asked you to help."
Kanae took the butterfly ornament from the left side of her hair and handed it to Miyamizu Ichiyuki.
"Yes, I understand."
Kanae watched Miyamizu Ichiyuki's departing figure and said, "Please be careful, sir. I've heard there are man-eating monsters at night."
Miyamizu Ichiyuki did not reply, merely raising his left hand and waving to show he understood.
...
The hill was not high. Relying on years of mountain-climbing experience, Miyamizu Ichiyuki reached the summit in ten minutes. He planned to follow the muddy footprints on the ground, searching as he descended.
Thinking it, he did it. Miyamizu Ichiyuki began searching from the top down along the only set of footprints. At the halfway point, on a tree branch, he found a torn piece of purple cloth.
Finding the purple cloth piece further confirmed the direction he needed to search, so he continued following the footprints downward.
Finally, near the foot of the mountain, he saw a girl in purple clothes, carrying a basket on her back and leaning on a wooden stick.
Miyamizu Ichiyuki hurried towards the girl not far away. The girl, limping down the mountain, also noticed the movement behind her and immediately turned, raising her stick towards the man before her.
"Who are you? Why are you following me?"
"Your sister sent me to find you." Seeing the girl's misunderstanding, Miyamizu Ichiyuki quickly explained.
"My sister? You know who my sister is? Proof?" Shinobu Kocho looked at the White-Haired Youth before her, her eyes full of suspicion.
Hearing this, Miyamizu Ichiyuki hurriedly took out the butterfly ornament Kanae had given him.
"Your sister gave me this. She said if you didn't believe me, to show it to you."
Shinobu Kocho took the butterfly ornament from Miyamizu Ichiyuki's hand and examined it carefully. Only after confirming it was genuine did she lower the stick.
"This is indeed my sister's. Alright, I'll believe you for now."
"Then... shall we go?"
Shinobu Kocho had no intention of engaging further with the man. She continued limping down the mountain with her stick.
"What happened to your foot?"
"Sprained."
"Is it serious?"
"Moderate."
"Do you need..."
"No."
Shinobu Kocho cut off what Miyamizu Ichiyuki was about to say. Miyamizu Ichiyuki, looking at Shinobu Kocho who was a head shorter than him, continued asking, "Do you need me to carry you?"
"Didn't I just say no?"
"But the sun is about to set. Before I came, your sister told me there are man-eating monsters here at night."
At these words, Shinobu Kocho stopped in her tracks, not moving forward. Miyamizu Ichiyuki also stopped and looked back at her.
"Um... sorry to trouble you."
Hearing this, Miyamizu Ichiyuki crouched down. Seeing this, Shinobu Kocho reluctantly climbed onto his back.
"What's your name?" Shinobu Kocho asked from his back.
"Miyamizu Ichiyuki."
"Shinobu Kocho."
"I know. Your sister told me."
"I see. You're not from our town, are you?"
"No, I'm just passing through."
"Where are you going?"
"Secret."
"..."
"Are you scared of the monsters my sister mentioned?"
"You're really annoying..."
Miyamizu Ichiyuki simply smiled it off, completely unaware that Shinobu Kocho on his back was blushing.
...
Miyamizu Ichiyuki carried Shinobu Kocho to the pharmacy entrance, where Kanae happened to be waiting.
Miyamizu Ichiyuki set Shinobu Kocho down. Kanae rushed over to check on her sister, asking, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, sister."
"That's good."
After asking Shinobu Kocho, Kanae turned to Miyamizu Ichiyuki and said, "Thank you very much for today, sir. A small token of our gratitude."
With that, Kanae took out a small pouch and handed it to Miyamizu Ichiyuki.
Miyamizu Ichiyuki accepted the pouch and said, "It was nothing."
"Not at all. I don't even know your name yet."
"Miyamizu Ichiyuki."
"Kocho Kanae. Pleased to meet you..."
"If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."
"Take care."
Seeing that the Butterfly Sisters were fine, Miyamizu Ichiyuki turned and headed towards the inn, unaware that Shinobu Kocho behind him was watching his retreating figure.
"Alright, Shinobu, come with me. I'll apply some medicine for you."
"Yes, sister."