"…Thank you, everyone, for joining the Final Selection tonight." Kagaya's gentle voice drifted across the gathered participants. Only then did Kanae tear her gaze away from the quiet young man and return her attention to their host.
No matter how curious she was about him, Kagaya's words came first.
"There are many demons held captive on this mountain," Kagaya continued, his tone as calm as ever, "but they are unable to escape. Because from the foot of the mountain to midway up, wisteria flowers bloom all year round, repelling them. However…" his eyes moved across the group "…from here on, there will be no wisteria. Only demons"
A quiet tension spread through the air as his words sank in.
"Survive for seven days," he said finally, "and you will pass the Final Selection. Now… let it begin"
At his command, the participants began to move into the forest. Kanae cast one last glance toward the young man.
He still hadn't moved.
For a moment, she wondered if he even intended to. Then she turned away, letting the darkness of the mountain swallow her steps.
--------
The young man in question, Kagerou, didn't seem in any hurry to join the others at the Final Selection.
He walked leisurely, his kiseru between his fingers, dragging in a calm puff as if this were just another evening stroll.
Then, a soft sigh caught his attention.
"Kage-kun," came a familiar, gentle voice, "can you at least act like you're scared or tense? Maybe just a little?"
Kagerou turned his head toward the voice. Standing there was Kagaya Ubuyashiki, flanked by two Kakushi, each holding a lantern.
"Yo~ Kagaya, long time no see," Kagerou greeted him casually, as if meeting an old friend for tea.
One of the Kakushi twitched at the blatant lack of respect, stepping forward, only to be stopped by the other, a more seasoned one who knew better.
"New?" Kagerou asked, glancing at the angry Kakushi.
Kagaya chuckled softly and nodded. "Just a month ago. He probably doesn't know you yet. Please, forgive him"
The new Kakushi froze, confusion flooding his face as he looked from his senior to Kagaya, then to the casually smoking Kagerou.
Kagerou waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it. It's my fault for calling you by your name in front of others. Anyway, I've got an exam to take." He turned to leave, but Kagaya's voice stopped him.
"Wait a minute, Kaga-kun"
"…What? Are you still upset because I wasn't there when your child was born?"
Kagaya chuckled. "No, no. I just wanted to ask you something-"
"I know," Kagerou cut in before he could finish. "I'll save as many as I can. Honestly, you're too soft-hearted"
"Ahaha~ I'll thank you in advance, then," Kagaya said with his usual gentle smile.
He stepped closer, resting a hand on Kagerou's shoulder. "... I'm happy you're my friend, Kage-kun"
Kagerou shuddered. "…Please. Don't smile at me like that. I'm still normal"
Kagaya laughed. "Then go find a woman"
"Tch." Kagerou brushed Kagaya's hand off his shoulder and started walking away. He had no intention of arguing about something like that... especially with someone who got married at fourteen and had his first child at fifteen.
Kagaya simply watched him go, smiling faintly before turning in the opposite direction. He didn't need to say anything more, he trusted Kagerou completely.
"…Senior," the new Kakushi murmured as they followed their master. "Who was that person?"
"Him?" The senior Kakushi's tone carried quiet respect. "It's normal that you don't know. But anyone who's worked beside Oyakata-sama long enough knows that man very well"
He paused. "That was Kagerou Rengoku-sama, son of Flame Hashira Shinjuro Rengoku-sama"
"What?! That Rengoku?! The Untitled Hashira?"
"Yeah," his senior replied. "And he's also Oyakata-sama's close friend. So treat him with the same respect. Don't be fooled by his age. Even Tengen and Gyomei-sama sometimes seek his advice. Watch your words around him, or you'll regret it"
The new Kakushi swallowed hard and nodded silently, thankful his senior had stopped him earlier.
Kagaya, who had overheard their conversation, only smiled faintly as he continued walking, his expression touched by quiet nostalgia.
--------
- Back at Kanae.
When she first entered the forest, the faint scent of wisteria still lingered in the air, clinging softly to her senses. But as she walked deeper, step by step, that fragrance faded, until there was nothing left but the heavy dampness of the night.
That was when the silence began.
Too quiet.
No rustling leaves, no chirping insects, not even the whisper of wind between the trees. Only the echo of her own heartbeat pounding in her chest.
*Thump*
*Thump*
*Thump*
Whether it was the forest that was too quiet or her pulse that was too loud, Kanae couldn't tell. But the sound filled her ears, pressed against her nerves, and made every breath feel heavier.
Her hand found the hilt of her practice katana. Her grip tightened.
Then-
*Rustle*
The soft shuffle of leaves to her left.
Her body turned before her mind could even process it.
And there… emerging from the shadows of the undergrowth…
"Oya~ oya~ what a beautiful lady we have here~"
A voice, deep and mocking, slid through the dark.
From behind the bush stepped a figure, tall, hunched, with skin pale as bone and veins pulsing beneath it like dark roots. Its grin stretched unnaturally wide, revealing rows of jagged teeth slick with black saliva.
A demon.
At that horrible sight, Kanae froze. The air left her lungs. Her heart clenched.
A memory flashed, blood splattered across the tatami, her mother's trembling hand reaching out, her father's final scream swallowed by the dark.
The faces of her parents, mutilated and fading, surfaced in her mind like ghosts that refused to rest.
Her resolve shattered. Her training... forgotten. Right now, there was only one thought echoing inside her head: Run.
But her body wouldn't move.
"Oya~ Too afraid to move?" The demon's voice dripped with amusement, his grin stretching far too wide for a human face. His tongue slid over his jagged teeth as he stepped closer. "Don't be afraid, little lady… it'll all be over soon! Ahaha!"
He lunged.
Kanae's eyes tracked his motion, she could see him, every twitch, every step, but her limbs refused to respond. Fear had rooted her to the earth.
"Ahaha~ I hope your taste is as good as your appearance, little girl~"
The demon's clawed hand swung forward, closer, closer...
Kanae shut her eyes. She couldn't bear to see it.
But in the darkness behind her eyelids, she saw something else.
A face. Small. Bright... Smiling.
"Shinobu…" Kanae whispered.
Her sister's name slipped from her lips like a prayer, fragile, trembling, but alive.
And in that single heartbeat… something inside her reignited.
Then-
*Clang!*