Morning. It had been a year of training with Muichiro, and now, that night, was the Final Selection.

Winter day's morning, clouds were high up covering the sun. You made sure to wake up somewhat early and have the biggest breakfast possible, since your master had woken up earlier than you and made your favorite foods. When you two sat down to eat, he kept staring at the plate but didn't take a bite. You figured that he wasn't hungry, but it still made you worry.

Muichiro was always quiet. He began speaking more as the months with you passed, but he remained being a boy of few words. That's why you wouldn't question his silence or lack of eating at that moment, he would eat strawberries later at noon.

But, just in case, you told Shinobu to check on him twice that week to make sure he's fine. You just needed reassurance that he wouldn't be alone in that long time.

When you finished your food, you went towards the mist estate's entrance, being closely followed by Muichiro. You adjusted your clothes, taking in a deep breath of the mint and fresh basil fragrance before showing a huge smile to him.

"I'm going now, master"

You adjusted your sword on your hip, securing it. You had put on the light blue fluffy hakama pants and white kosode that Shinobu had given you as a gift, and although you felt a bit sad that it'd get a bit dirty during the selection, you felt comfortable and ready to slay as many demons as possible. Your hair was tied in a high ponytail with a white ribbon instead of being loose as usual, it'd be easier to fight that way.

Muichiro simply nodded, his eyes as empty as ever.

"Yes. Goodbye."

And with that, making sure his face engraved on your memories to last not only the week of the selection, but also a lifetime, you turned on your sandals to run towards the Fujikasane Mountain, considering that it was eight hours away if you took breaks.

When you were far enough for your back to be just a blur, Muichiro, standing on the door frame as if his feet were glued, muttered under his breath, "Please come back safe, [Y/N]"

『 °*• ❈ •*°』

The bright violet wisteria flowers gently tickled your nose as a smile bloomed on your face. Following the the stairs up the mountain's peak, hopping on each step, you cheered when both of your legs landed gracefully on the last one, revealing the adorned place in which at least a dozen people stood. Swallowing your nerves, you back away towards a corner, examining the people around you.

Two children, looking just like dolls, stood out of the crowd. One with black hair and the other one with white; you recognized them as two of Ubuyashiki Kagaya's kids.

"Greetings, everyone. Thank you all for joining the Final Selection"

You felt your stomach squirm, nerves fluttered inside. You clenched your sleeves, feeling determined, just when they finished explaining and everyone else rushed deeper into the place were no wisteria trees grew.

You sprinted in, remembering the fact that once you got home, Muichiro would be there to greet you with open arms.

I can do this. I have a home to return to.

Not allowing yourself to tremble, you searched for any demons. They came flying, and like moths to a flame, they fell to the ground with a single slash of your sword. No need to move an inch more than needed, because though they were enhanced and atrocious beings, you were faster, stronger, smarter. Outright above them.

Five days in, it was all the same. The cycle repeated, even when you were done with all the demons of the south part and went into the east to see if they were stronger or if someone needed help.

One, two, three demons came at once, at yet your body did not flinch.

"Mist breathing, fourth form: Shifting Flow Slash"

Their heads rolled to your feet, their limp bodies dropped dead. Other people taking the selection stopped and stared at the ashes that rose and vanished with the air, surrounding your figure.

The attention was unwanted, you had to hold yourself from running away and hiding on the bushes out of pure anxiety.

Walk steadily, [Y/N]. Don't let their inquisitive eyes intimidate you.

You simply walked away, attempting to control your legs from trembling. Behind you, their eyes became stars as they complimented you for being so strong, but you were too nervous to listen to outside voices, the one inside your head was already too loud.

Alright, I'm far enough. Let's continue.

Now that you had changed the area in which you were going to fight, you had to secure a source for water, food, and a safe place under a tree to rest. Thanks to Muichiro's training, you were able to stay awake and fully alert for four days straight, but it wasn't healthy and it lowered your performance, so you decided that sleeping a couple hours would be enough. The biggest issue was actually falling asleep, because it'd be too sad to wake up with half of your body eaten by a demon.

The sound of bushes rubbing against each other startled you, your hand taking hold of your sword's handle in instinct.

A beautiful young girl hopped from the bushes. She took a second to pat her long skirt's dust away, before looking directly into your eyes with her large pink ones. You blushed, recognizing that gentle smile and butterfly hairpin.

"Hi" you awkwardly waved your hand at her "S-Shinobu-san told me about you... you, er, you're her tsuguko, right?"

She took a coin from inside her kosode and flipped it in the air. When she looked at the result, she looked up and closed her eyes smiling. "Yes. My name is Tsuyuri Kanao, it's nice to officially meet you, [Y/N]-san"

The blush on your cheeks deepened and you cupped your face and stared at her with wide eyes.

"Oh... you know my name?"

She nodded.

And then it was all silence. Like last time, her eyes were deep and set on yours, it was difficult to even breathe in front of her, but eventually, you found enough willpower to look away to the pile of blueberries that you'd collected. Coming closer to her, you extended your hands full of them towards her, shyly smiling. "Do you want some?"

Kanao flipped her coin again, this time you leaned in to check the result with her. With a nod, you shared half of the blueberries and took the other half for yourself. You both sat down beneath the tree, it was morning, but the sun was a bit hidden so the possibility of demons crawling up to you was still there.

Kanao's presence, now that you sorta knew her, was as peaceful as standing in the middle of a flower valley, with a gentle breeze swaying your hair, taking in the scent of all the different kinds of blossoms, from daisies to lilies and even peonies. She felt calm, and you couldn't help but feel sleepy.

Kanao jolted up a little bit when extra weight fell on her shoulder. She looked at you, sleeping soundly resting on her, and her smile grew. Once again, she flipped the coin, and got tails. A couple minutes after, she flipped it again, and when she got heads, she gently placed your head on her lap. She closed her eyes as well, to rest a little bit, although she stayed alert in case a demon appeared out of nowhere.

She would leave when the moon rose that night, and keep fighting her own way through the selection, but right then, fate told her to rest.