Chapter 35

Forehead was hit

The next day, Fuyuki chose to go with the gentle and reliable Kuritaguchi patriarch, Ichigo Hitofuri, to meet the new companions.

Following the staff, we walked through the corridor, where a wooden door stood quietly in front of us.

"This is it, Saniwa." The staff member pointed out the location in a measured manner.

"Okay." Dongshu nodded nervously and watched the staff leave.

Dongshu took a deep breath, ran her fingers through her hair, and only after she was ready did she open the door. The moment she opened the door, she was met with a uniform, unanimous gaze.

Her foot paused involuntarily as Ichigo Hitofuri gently patted her, and Fuyuki then walked in naturally.

She found a seat and sat down properly, somewhat reserved: "I'm Fuyuki, nice to meet you."

Sensing the eerily quiet atmosphere, Fuyuki nervously tightened her fingers.

"My name is Hirano Toushirou. If you need someone to accompany you, please let me. I will be by your side no matter where you are." Hirano Toushirou, who spoke first, was a short-haired boy. He wore a hat properly and introduced himself with a serious expression.

It also broke the silence.

“…Okay.” Fuyuki was taken aback by his words, but then blurted out praise: “You’re amazing.”

"I am very happy to receive your praise!" Even as he expressed his gratitude, his expression remained very earnest.

"My name is Maeda Toushirou. I will serve you forever."

Maeda Toushirou and Hirano Toushirou look quite similar, but Maeda has lighter hair and wears a white cloak with gold tassels.

It's also more lively.

"I am Honebami Toushirou."

Honebami Toushirou is a boy with shoulder-length silver hair and beautiful, mysterious purple eyes. He speaks his introduction with a blank expression, making it difficult to guess what is on his mind.

He gripped the main blade at his waist, yet it didn't possess an unpleasant sharpness.

A boy with long black hair put his arm around his shoulder, his tone much more lively, and a tuft of hair on his head swayed with his movements.

"I am Namazuo Toushirou. Although I have lost some memories due to being burned... well, there's always a way!"

Despite having the same experience, Namazuo Toushirou seems much more lively.

As he spoke, he winked at the little Saniwa, and Fuyuki reflexively smiled back at him. Seeing the Wakizashi laughing again, she covered her face.

"My name is Narukko, and my distinguishing feature is that my name is engraved on the surface of my knife."

The yellow fox wrapped around his shoulder made a sound, and the silver-haired boy wore a special mask; his golden eyes gave him a slightly sharp look.

"...Nice to meet you." Naruko's voice was as light as cotton, and even the taciturn katana spoke at this moment.

Dongshu nodded: "Please give me your guidance."

"The Toushirou that the Hakata merchants obtained, that's me! Hakata Toushirou!" The blond short swordsman with red-rimmed glasses was full of energy. He clenched his fists, his eyes were bright, and his cheerful smile made him look like a little sun.

“...I am Atsushi Toshiro.”

Atsushi Toushirou's short black hair looked strange, but the texture of it was hard to tell, which made the Saniwa somewhat restless.

His eyes were unusual; they were a very light, pure yellow.

very beautiful.

Fuyuki couldn't help but glance at it a few more times, but when she received a questioning look from the tsukumogami, she quickly looked away.

"I am Goto Toushirou. If there is any trouble for the little ones, please tell me."

Goto Toushirou's hair was a beautiful orange with deep blue highlights, and his beautiful eyes, which resembled his hair, gave his entire blade a warm color, just like his words, which reassured him.

“I’m Houcho Toushirou! I like snacks, sweets and people… ugh!” The poor little light brown dagger widened its eyes and frantically pried off Goto Toushirou’s hands. “That’s so mean—” Goto Toushirou patted its head, ignoring its protests, and briefly introduced it to Fuyuki: “He is Houcho Toushirou, one of the Toushirou brothers.”

He wore a smile, but Bao Ding Tengshiro read a new meaning into it.

Bao Ding, look at this clueless little Saniwa in front of you, don't talk nonsense—

Bao Ding Tengshiro hurriedly covered his mouth and nodded.

Dongshu looked at them, her nervousness long gone, and a smile curved her lips. Sunlight streamed through the window, and she was backlit, like a pure and innocent doll, her voice carrying a childlike innocence.

She said, "It's great to see everyone."

"I am Ichigo Hitofuri. The finest tachi crafted by Kuritaguchi Yoshimitsu." Ichigo Hitofuri stood behind her, watching everyone's self-introductions.

His gentle face bore the smile of an elder brother, and his voice was mild, radiating a tenderness unique to his younger brothers: "Brothers, let's build new memories together with our master."

The Awataguchi family members, who had never seen a single Ichigo-nii (a high-ranking monk) in the citadel, could not withstand the onslaught of the gentle tachi master.

Seeing everyone so happy and harmonious, Fuyuki was once again certain that her decision was correct.

—

The laughter and chatter inside the door were shut out, and Fuyuki groped her way to the restroom.

After walking for a while, the door next to her suddenly opened. Fuyuki was caught off guard and hit on the forehead, falling to the ground. A male Saniwa came out and said to the door, "I'm sorry, Mikazuki-dono, I am not strong enough to form a contract with you."

A calm voice came from inside the door: "I understand, Master Saniwa. Thank you for coming to meet me."

The male Saniwa didn't see Fuyuki at the door; he nodded and turned to leave.

Fuyuki rubbed his forehead with one hand, spiritual energy flowing from his fingertips to relieve the pain from the impact, and slowly stood up while gripping the wall with the other hand.

"Hiss..." She gasped softly as she used too much force, her dark eyes already misting over.

As the shadow fell, a cool hand covered her forehead and hands, and a gentle, spring-like voice rang in Dongshu's ears. She looked up and was met with the face of the most beautiful blade.

Well, even the brightest moon at night can't compare to him.

"Oh dear, it's just a little Saniwa. It's alright, don't cry."

He naturally lifted Dongshu up, his large hands gently patting her back, tenderly soothing her heart.

Sometimes, comforting is the most effective catalyst for tears.

Tears welled up in her misty eyes, and then fell with a soft thud, spreading across the dark blue fabric of her clothes.

Mikazuki Munechika's lips curled up, and his crescent-moon-like eyes gradually deepened, a dark glint flashing across them before disappearing again.

[Author's Note]

*Game dialogue and simplified version of game dialogue

Don't use too much, so reduce the amount! [doge emoji]

Touch the winter tree, poor baby.