Kanzaki Aoi still thought the captain was joking. She clenched her fist and waved it at Cold Cry, clearly warning him to watch his words.
"Hey, hey, Cold Cry," Kochou Shinobu said with a curious smile, "have you ever trained in any martial arts? Do you use any breathing techniques?"
As she spoke, she gently unwound the bandages layer by layer, revealing a pale face that contrasted sharply with his snow-white hair.
"Oh my… what a handsome face," Shinobu mused softly. "It's almost a shame to see someone like you mixed up in the Demon Slayer Corps."
She cupped his cheeks lightly, her violet eyes studying him as though he were a delicate piece of art.
The warmth of her hands, the faint fragrance of wisteria, and her gentle voice made Cold Cry momentarily lose focus.
Aoi, standing nearby, frowned deeply. Without hesitation, she raised her hand and smacked the back of his head.
This time, Cold Cry had enough.
He shot up from the chair and turned to face her. "You crazy woman! What is wrong with you? Are you looking for a fight?"
Seeing his face clearly, Aoi froze for a brief moment. Just as Shinobu had said… he was undeniably handsome. Fragile, almost like a snowflake that might melt at the slightest touch.
Realizing how close they were, Aoi's face flushed slightly. She quickly stepped back.
"W-Why are you standing so close?! What, are you trying to intimidate me?" she snapped, regaining her composure. "A fight? You? I think you just want me to beat you half to death so you can stay here longer!"
"Who wants to stay here?" Cold Cry shot back.
Shinobu gently pulled him back into the chair and continued removing the bandages around his neck.
"Now, now," she said lightly, "you still haven't answered me. Do you use any breathing techniques?"
"Breathing Technique?" Cold Cry frowned. "What… is that supposed to mean?"
Ever since arriving at the Butterfly Mansion, everything had felt surreal. Demon Slayer Corps, Hashira… and now even breathing had techniques?
Aoi crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. "You don't even know what Breathing Techniques are, yet you want to fight? And join the Corps? Don't make me laugh."
Cold Cry clenched his jaw, irritation flashing across his face.
Shinobu, however, remained patient.
"A Breathing Technique is a specialized way of controlling your дыхание to enhance your physical abilities," she explained gently. "It allows demon slayers to fight on par with demons."
"I see…" Cold Cry muttered, thinking for a moment before replying, "If that's the case… then what I use might be similar. My power is ice."
"Ice?" Shinobu's eyes lit up with interest. "A derivative, perhaps? Most Breathing Techniques stem from Water or Sun Breathing… but I've never heard of Ice before."
Aoi scoffed. "Sounds made up."
Cold Cry ignored her.
Suddenly, Shinobu clapped her hands together.
"Why don't we test it?" she said brightly. "Not a real fight, of course—just a spar."
Both of them stared at her.
"Captain… you're serious?" Aoi asked cautiously.
"Of course," Shinobu replied with a smile. "We'll keep it safe. Wooden swords only."
Aoi hesitated. "But he just recovered—"
Before she could finish, Shinobu turned to Cold Cry.
"If you do well," she said, voice soft but persuasive, "I can arrange for you to meet Gyomei Himejima tomorrow."
Cold Cry's eyes lit up instantly. "Really?"
"Of course," Shinobu nodded. "But I need to understand your abilities first."
Aoi sighed, rubbing her temple. She could already tell—Shinobu was just curious.
"…Fine," Aoi muttered. "But don't expect me to go easy on you."
---
The Courtyard
Moments later, they stood in the open courtyard of the Butterfly Mansion.
On the veranda, Shinobu sat beside Kanao Tsuyuri, along with the three young girls, snacks laid out as if they were watching a show.
The night was calm, the courtyard illuminated by soft moonlight.
Aoi and Cold Cry stood facing each other, wooden swords in hand, about ten meters apart.
"Remember," Shinobu called gently, "this is only a spar."
Aoi took a steady breath, gripping her wooden sword firmly. Though she was not a combatant of the Corps, her basic training was far from lacking.
"I'll show you," she said firmly, "that even support members of the Demon Slayer Corps aren't weak."
She lowered her stance and dashed forward—not with a formal Breathing Form, but with disciplined, practiced footwork.
Her movements were quick and precise, closing the distance in an instant.
Cold Cry's eyes narrowed.
The air around him seemed to drop in temperature—
And the match began.